Annoyed with Digitrax...

[Jacktal]

For the last three or so years,I've had some experience with the club's layout wich is Digitrax powered and I can only say that I find their product very good.Not a single failure that I know of other than a few wiring flaws that weren't Digitrax related.Perfect track record for that matter.

I'm about starting to build my personal layout and decided to upgrade my old Chief system (bought a few years back,never installed) with a DT400R handheld to replace the DT100 that comes with the system.I ordered it from my LHS and it seems to take forever to receive it.Last thursday completed the sixth full weeks I've been waiting.I can understand 2-3 weeks and even four,but since my LHS tells me they haven't been billed yet so that I can expect another 2-3 weeks at best,this is much exagerated.Is this normal?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I stopped ordering through my LHS because it was sometimes taking four or five MONTHS for something to come in. I ordered some ore cars once and by the time they came in I had torn the layout down and started another one. Now I order direct from whatever company has the product I want and have them bill me through the mail. That way my credit card info never gets on the net.

[Last Chance]

You probably will need to hang in there and wait.

My hobby shop had my Chief in about 4 weeks from time of order, it's been a few years and dont exactly remember.

4 weeks isnt so bad when some model items take two years or more to reach the shop, especially if you already pre ordered it.

Ebay is another option, but shipping and customs to you will probably destroy any chance at a good deal from what very little I understand of it.

[selector]

If hobby shops were required to have a quality assurance evaluation, some of them would fail.  I had my LHS owner admit that he had forgotten to place my order.  In find that when I place my own order and submit a credit card number, things happen in short order.  That process happens over the internet or by phone directly to etailers whose stock count is up to date, and whose prices are almost always a lot better.

[JulesB]

Some of the delay's may be related to Digitrax move from GA to Florida. Not sure if it's completed yet. Also not sure if the floodihg effected them, fairly extensive in parts of Florida.

Jules

 

[river_eagle]

Walthers has them in stock and on sale right now.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/245-DT400R

[Harris Creek Central]

I have been using the DB150, along with a DB200 for booster unit, and I am still using the DT100 throttles with no problem.   Why not install what you have and enjoy the system while you are waiting..  Have you checked with any other supplier?

 

Harvey.

[locoworks]

Some of the delay's may be related to Digitrax move from GA to Florida. Not sure if it's completed yet. Also not sure if the floodihg effected them, fairly extensive in parts of Florida.

Jules

 

ditto the above.   and if your chief is the older version with 6 black and red speaker type quick connections on the front, it will only do 8 functions even though the DT 400 lets you control upto 12.  if you want more than 8 you will need to send your DCS100  to digitrax for a chip upgrade which will give you all 28 functions in the command station, but the DT400R can still only access 12, you will need a PC with software and interface to work the higher functions OR wait fir the DT402D which should be out this year and have duplex radio and ALL the functions. IF you get a DT400R in the meantime, it is upgradeable to a DT402R at a later date though.

[MisterBeasley]

When I want something, I e-mail my LHS.  Since he's sitting at his computer, he just pops up his Walthers order form and adds my items.  I have it within a week.  No pre-payment - I just bring cash when I go pick it up.

I always try to pay cash at my LHS, by the way.  The shop gets hit for fees on both debit and credit cards, so paying cash is another way to support the shop at no cost to you.

[corsair7]

For the last three or so years,I've had some experience with the club's layout wich is Digitrax powered and I can only say that I find their product very good.Not a single failure that I know of other than a few wiring flaws that weren't Digitrax related.Perfect track record for that matter.

I'm about starting to build my personal layout and decided to upgrade my old Chief system (bought a few years back,never installed) with a DT400R handheld to replace the DT100 that comes with the system.I ordered it from my LHS and it seems to take forever to receive it.Last thursday completed the sixth full weeks I've been waiting.I can understand 2-3 weeks and even four,but since my LHS tells me they haven't been billed yet so that I can expect another 2-3 weeks at best,this is much exagerated.Is this normal?

There could be many reasons for the delay so I won't speculate about it. However, I learned long ago, if the LHS doesn't have it, I can find it on-line and get much quicker and probably at a better price.

In fact, I no longer buy most of my stiff at the LHS. Why? It's about 1/2 hour away by car, and given the cost of gas and the traffic I have to deal with to get there and back, I no longer look forward to the trip. So now I buy almost all my stuff from an on-line hobby shop that deals almost exclusively in N-Scale that is located in New Mexico. Sure its quite a distace from NYC but I get the kind of service you could once get from an LHS. And I usually get what I order in 3 days or less.

Irv

[jamnest]

For maximum enjoyment from your Digitrax Chief, I would suggest the purchase of a PR3 and download Decoder Pro (free).  The PR3 with Decoder Pro will allow your to program all of your CVs from your PC.  With Decoder Pro you can also use your personal computer as multiple throttles.

I have been a satisfied Digitrax (radio) Chief user/owner for the past ten years.  I still use DT-100R, DT-300R and a DT-400R.  Digitrax simplex radio works great but I will probably upgrade to the new duplex radio when it comes out.  The nice thing about Digitrax is that you can upgrade your system with add-ons versus replacing the entire system.

I gave up ordering DCC from my LHS a long time ago due to poor service.  In fact my LHS has since gone under.  I buy my Digitrax DCC supplies from several online vendors with great pricing and great service.

You can also find Digitrax components on Ebay for great prices.  I have two DB150 to expand my layout and picked them up cheep on Ebay.  I also picked up some Digitrax throttles on Ebay.

 

[Jacktal]

Thanks Locoworks for the info.Indeed,I have the older DCS100 and thought it could do the job.It is still true for most of my locos but since I'm planning on adding a few sound equipped locos,I guess the upgrade will be on order.I already own an Athearn N scale Big Boy with sound,and although I fear the decoder may let me down any time,I love it.

But if I elected to purchase a newer DCS100 (or better) instead of upgrading the one I have,could I use it as a booster?I'm planning on adding a booster some time in the future and this would indeed suit my wallet nicely.I would have extra power and I wouldn't lose my actual DCS100.

By the way,the club I go to runs on radio throttles while I will settle for IR at home for a while at least.This is why I want a DT400R as it will fit both bills while my DT100 still runs on smoke signals.On top of this,I've had a lot of pleasure using the club's DT400R's,they are more user friendly than the DT100 I have.

Change of subject...I don't like the idea of cancelling an order to start with.And then the lady at my LHS tells me she has phoned Digitrax and that they told her they'd be shipping any time now,so I'll keep waiting for some while.I can't wait for the throttle and the PR3 that was ordered along with it.Seventh week on the way.....Thanks for your inputs.

[CSX Robert]

...
But if I elected to purchase a newer DCS100 (or better) instead of upgrading the one I have,could I use it as a booster?...

Absolutely!

[locoworks]

But if I elected to purchase a newer DCS100 (or better) instead of upgrading the one I have,could I use it as a booster?I'm planning on adding a booster some time in the future and this would indeed suit my wallet nicely.I would have extra power and I wouldn't lose my actual DCS100.

it could be used as a booster,but i don't know if it will boost all the functions??  perhaps someone can chip in with that one. i would suspect it should as the new DCS 100/200 would be creating the initial signal/command.  an alternative would be to ebay it with the DT100 and get what you could to go towards a DT400/402.  for the extra few bucks if you went for the 8 amp system you may not need the booster aspect of the old unit anyway?

[CSX Robert]

Yes, it will boost all of the functions.

[ChrisNH]

Digitrax recently moved from Georgia to Florida this summer which may compound the problem getting things shipped. Their new facility seems pretty nice from what I saw in the presentation.

I have ordered most of my DCC stuff from Tony's Train Exchange online and had great luck with them. Been a while, though, your mileage may vary.

Chris

[Jacktal]

My DT400R finally arrived today...after eleven weeks waiting.But the PR3 ordered the same day is still to be waited for........

[Stevert]

  You should rename this thread to "Annoyed with my LHS..."

  Although I haven't been in the market for a DT400R, I havent heard of any other problems/delays getting them. 

  And I bought a PR3 at my LHS a couple weeks ago.  The only waiting, was the guy at the register waiting for me to finish shopping so he could ring me up.

  I think your LHS is the source of the delay.  Either they're holding orders, or something.

 Steve

[mavrick0]

I know of one hobby shop locally that has set it up with Digitrax to not ship their order till a minimum dollar amount is reached then to ship it off.  So in this case I'll go to someone else to see if they have it and if not and I really need it I go to an online store that shows stock on what I want.  Or deal with another store that gets their orders within a couple weeks of putting it in whether or not they get everything now that's on Digitrax's head.

[jwils1]

When I decided to add a DT400 to my Zephyr I called Litchfield Station and 3 days later it was at my front door.  Same thing for my PR3.

 

[jamnest]

I have purchased Digitrax equipment and decoders from several online (Tony's Train Exchange, Litchfield Station and Model Train Stuff) retail hobby shops with prompt service every time; and great prices too!