I have had my Digitrax Super Chief (DCS100) for over ten years and it still works great! I have since added two DB150 boosters. I started with DT100R throttles and still have them in use on the layout. I also have 2 DT300R throttles (still working fine). I recently upgraded my DT400R to a DT402D and purchased a UR92 for duplex radio. I have recently purchased a Digitrax PR3 for use with my laptop, but my MS100 is still in use with my old desktop computer.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
We need more information. Everything, and I do mean everything, changes over time. What has changed about your experience with Digitrax at any level, and for any purpose, that makes you even think about changing brands!!!?
I have been a solitary user of Digitrax for five years now, and apart from a single call to each of Soundtraxx and Digitrax to get help with programming a balky DSD100LC decoder, maybe in May of 2005, I have never had to contact anyone over operating my Super Empire Builder. I now only consult the manual for the tables on Ops Switch listings to figure out which value I need for the purpose I intend. Other than that, the manual describes set-up, additions, changes, operations, and even contact and warranty information if repairs are needed. What more do you need?
-Crandell
I love my Digitrax system. I would never change.
You can't build a layout that is too big or too complicated for Digitrax.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I called Digitrax 2 times and had no problem with there customer support. I as well would stick with Digitrax.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
I've never called OR emailed them, never had to. Haven't had any of my Digitrax equipment actually fail. What I couldn't find in the manual was either on their web site or I found the answer on the Yahoo group.
The smart answer from the Brand N guys of course is "well we don't need a Yahoo group". Au contraire, I follow the Yahoo NCE group as well because I use a lot of NCE loco decoders as well as Switch-Its, and there are plenty of questions asked (and answered) there where the information is NOT in the manuals. Just like all the others.
I will also add a question to the OP - on this new larger layout do you have plans for block detection and signalling? If so then I woudl even more strongly urge you to stick with Digitrax, as that same Loconet cable you run for the throttle panels will carry all the signals for block detection and to operate signals, using Digitrax and third party products (RR-Cirkits, Team Digital, CML, and others), giving you huge flexibility and a choice of vendors. NONE of the other systems common in the US can do that.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Have you tried asking questions on this and the other groups mentioned? I've seen posts from one Digitrax tech rep on this list as well as the Yahoo Digitrax group. Good way to go at night and weekends when the mothership is closed.
I've never actually had to contact them via phone. A couple of emails were always answered usually on the next business day. A.J. and Dave have always been helpful when asked for help in person.
Martin Myers
If you still have to look in the manuals to operate your Digitrax DCC system and program decoders, I would recommend NCE.
With the large space you now have, I would also recommend you go with their Power Pro and NOT the Power Cab. The Power Pro is easier to expand. If you have any LocoNet cables, you can use them with the NCE system as they are both made the same.
On the support side, NCE is very good on the phone, but they are not really good with email support, or so I've heard. There is also an NCE Yahoo Group for support. I belong to it and monitor the posts and learn things in advance. I have only had one problem with my system in 15 years and they took care of it right away.
As far as the learning curve for using the system, I read the manual once and was good to go. I think I have only referred to the manual twice since I started using the Power Pro. The main throttle (Hammer Head) is very easy to use with large buttons and screen prompts that are in English without those little icons Digitrax uses.
One word of advice that I have learned, and now pass on to you: With any brand of DCC system, you are getting and operating a sophisticated electronics system that must be wired and set up correctly, and according to the manual. If you can't read, understand, and follow instructions to the letter, no DCC system will work correctly or easily. They are not like a plastic model kit that you can look at the parts and assemble without looking the instructions.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
What equipment do you currently have? Chances are that it can be expanded upon with not much investment to support your new layout.
In my experience with Digitrax support needs, my first port of call is the Digitrax on-line support depot which is loaded with tons of information. More often than not I get my answers there right away. AFAIK this is the most comprehensive web based support resource offered by any DCC manufacturer.
2nd I go to the Digitrax Yahoo support group. An archive search of this will almost always result in an answer.
3rd I contact Digitrax, but I can't remember the last time I had the need to do that.
The other thing I really like about Digitrax support is how reasonable their fixed non-warranty repair pricing is. Regardless of damage or fault you pay a fixed price for the repair of a particular system. I think this is a great way to provide cost effective repair support.
So all things considered, I think that the Digitrax support options are really quite good for a small company.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
That would probably be an expensive swap. Instead, try looking at the Yahoo Digitrax group. If you have a question and need a quick answer, that's the palce to go. It's full of Digitrax users with all experience levels, so odds are someone has already experienced the issue you are having and will have a ready response.
Calling the manufacturer really should be a last resort option. Do you call the factory when there's a problem with your car? No, you call a reputable dealer or service center. Only when the dealer/shop can't provide satisfactory solutions do you escalate it up. Abot the only difference is warranty service, as with most consumer electronics you contact the manufacturer for a warranty repair.
I will also add that in these days of rampant spam emails, messaged in all caps, or messages with subjects like "Help!!!!" will almost universally be rejected and never seen by the intended recipient. Instead use a clear and concise subject line free of commonly blocked marketing/sales type buzzwords. It also helps to use something other than one of the giant free email services for important correspondence - Yahoo, Google, Hotmail, and AOL are commonly blocked because so much spam originates from these domains or uses their names in a spoofed address.
Hi!
You have a lot of Digitrax experience, equipment, and money wrapped up in your existing system. You apparently have been happy with it, having only the tech support to complain about. "Twer I were you", I would stick with the Digitrax, and join one of the Digitrax dedicated forums (like Yahoo) for your questions - assuming the good folks here can't help.
By the way, if you had the same situation with NCE, I would advise you to stick with it.
In any case, ENJOY !!!!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
If you have been happy with the brand then why change? There aren't many questions that people in this and other forums can't answer.
Springfield PA
You seem to be expecting too much from technical support people. Perhaps you don't realize that practically all DCC manufacturers are small operations with very few employees, and they don't have the luxury of a staff of people to do nothing but answer phones.
Some of them even spend their weekends attending train shows throughout the country to display their wares, perform on-the-spot custom decoder installations, etc.
And please don't type in all capital letters-- in Internet protocol that's regarded as SHOUTING at us.
Randy:
I don't know specifically what technical support problems you have had with Digitrax but I can say that I have had several questions about their equipment and found that their e-mail responses have always been helpful and prompt (although not always the same day).
Joe
I HAVE HAD DIGITRAX FOR ABOUT 8 OR 9 YEARS AND USED IT ON A 9X12 HO SCALE L SHAPED LAYOUT. I NOW HAVE A LARGE BASEMENT ABOUT 1100 SQUARE FEET AND I PLAN TO FILL IT WITH A NEW LAYOUT. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THE DIGITRAX PRODUCT. MY PROBLEM IS I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT PRODUCT WARRANTY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I AM TALKING ABOUT TECHNICAL SUPPORT BY PHONE AND EMAIL. I WOULD LIKE YOUR INPUT ON WHICH COMPANY YOU FEEL HAS THE BEST SUPPORT AND PRODUCT. GOING TO A LARGER LAYOUT IS GOING TO BE A LARGE INVESTMENT AND IF I AM GOING TO CHANGE I WANT TO DO IT NOW.
AGAIN THANKS FOR ANY HELP
RANDY