Using DecoderPro for first-time programming

[tstage]

Were I to start over, I'd go with the NCE system.  The few times I've used it, it seemed a lot easier and more intuitive to use. 

Scott,

You could always pick up a Power Cab and use that for programming purposes.  And the USB interface for the Power Cab has just been released by NCE.  I'm looking forward to learning Decoder Pro myself in the near future.

Tom

[MRRSparky]

Thanks for the help.  I am using a very early Digitrax DB150 Empire Builder, having owned it for around 10 years.  Digitrax is not the most customer-friendly company in the world and their gear is not the most reliable but I guess I am invested in it.  Were I to start over, I'd go with the NCE system.  The few times I've used it, it seemed a lot easier and more intuitive to use. 

[Anonymous]

I use service mode and Program track.

I write one change at a time following along on indexcard for that engine.

[MRRSparky]

I have a number of previously installed Soundtraxx LC decoders, and two new Tsunamis, that I want to reprogram with a number of changes I made sitting here in my computer room, not connected to the layout.

So, I entered all the changes in each of the Roster entries and saved them.  My question is, do I use Service Mode Programming and the programming track to send the batch of changes to each loco, or do I use Operations Mode and watch each loco hop around the layout acknowledging the changes? 

My preference is for Service Mode but someplace I have heard or read that Soundtraxx decoders can have difficulty picking up "burst" programming changes, that using Operations Mode programming is the better way to go.

What do you DecoderPro and Soundtraxx experts think?