I just came across an advertisement for a product called Digiframes, made by a company called Southern Digital. Is anyone familiar with this product, and how easy it really is to use?
Thanks in advance for the answers.
Do a Google search for Digiframes Southern Digital. I did and found plenty of links.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Are you sure your not talking about one of these? ..........lol
Um, the Southern Digital DigiFrames are pre-milled loco frames so that a DCC decoder can be installed. They also come with all the extra parts you might need. Not being in N scale I've never used them, but based on the web site I would place using one as above beginner but not rocket science - you do have to completely disassemble your loco and swap the frame pieces for the new DigiFrame. Others provide similar milled frames but it sounds like Southern Digital goes a bit further as far as instructions and other needed parts.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Rich, I did do a Google search and found many links prior to my original post. Many of the comments were negative, but these were old posts. And, one site indicated that the company had problems with their frames in the past, but implied that the new ones are better. And, Digitrax lists the company on their website as well, so I knew that the company was legit. However, I posted in the hope of obtaining the opinions of forum members who have had experience with the frames and with the company.
Randy, I appreciate your comments. They are helpful, as I have never done any retro-fitting of DCC decoders into older engines. And, yes, I model in n scale.
So, I am still hoping to hear the opinions of readers that have experience with the Southern Digital Digiframes, or any other companies that provide a similar product.
Southern Digital is a fairly well known DCC vendor, they carry multiple brands, not just Digitrax, but I have never ordered anything from them. Aztec is your other source for milled frames, and for older N scale locos this is pretty much the only way to install a decoder, uness you have a dummy unit you can put the decoder in and wire it to the powered unit. With Aztec you send in your frame and they send back a milled factory frame. DigiFrames are replicas, although made of a heacier metal than most of the OEM ones so they end up heavier even with material removed. Assuming they are laid out accurately they should work fine. I can see potential for problems though, if the tolerances are off.
I have absolutely no experience with their current Digiframes. That's because the first couple I purchased back in the late 90's were junk. One was so deformed it wound up in the scrap pile before even doing the installation. The second for a Kato F3 was not a very good copy. The light board would not fit properly because the slot was filled with metal. The shell would fall off of the fram when picked up.
They use manufacturer's OEM frames to make the mold for theirs. You can see the original manufacturer's markings in the Digiframes. This process produces a mold that is either exactly the same size or slightly smaller than the original. Pour some hot metal in and let it cool (shrink). Wind up is the frames are less than perfect.
If you want the best, go with Aztec. The link has already been posted. John only machines OEM frames and the work is top notch. Another option is the TCS CN/Gp decoders. Depending on the engine, one of those may work with no frame modifications.
Martin Myers
I purchased 2 of these for my older N scale Bachmann dash 8s. not worth the money. The shells wouldn't fit without modifying the frame. The frames bend really easily as well. Don't waste your money. Dean
Thank you to everyone who posted their opinions about the Digiframes product. Based on it, I've decided to utilize the services of the Aztec company.
SoraRail;
If you don't have any other luck you might try googling N Scale DCC Installers. Most of the top results will have a help or contact us link and if they are like the one I use they are quick to offer free advice. Just eMail them.
The site I use even has a product review section where they post info on new products. I would give you the link however site rules would probably consider that promoting a business.
They're all modelers so you know they are all ready to help.
Good luck.