I have been looking into purchasing a DCC system and was almost set on the Digitrax. I went to a hobby store and they showed me the MRC Prodigy Advance 2 "squared". This is the only system I have access to check out in person. All my investigating has been online from manufacturers web sites and forums like this one.
I have read that the Digitrax has high learning curve and difficult to use until one gets use to it with time. The MRC seemed really easy to set up and run the engines, at least at the hobby shop.
Could any one give me their constructive thoughts about the MRC and Digitrax systems?
Craig
I don't own either system -- mine is NCE -- but unless things have changed recently MRC is a rather dead-end system that is still a closed architecture, meaning that MRC refuses to release any of the details concerning the inner workings of their systems so it can be made to be compatible with public domain software such as JMRI's Decoder Pro.
Craig,
There's a learning curve to any system - no matter which one you choose. Some are easier than others. And choosing a DCC is contingent on objective and subjective criteria:
Objective: What you want to accomplish with your layout?
Subjective: How does the throttle and the button arrangement feel to you?
Objective goals ought to primarily drive what you are looking for in a DCC system. However, how a throttle feels in your hand and how the buttons are arranged (and logical to you) are also an important factor.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Basic operation, liek selecting and running a loco, is pretty much the exact same process on every brand of DCC system. Where differences come in is usually on more advanced things.
Many times the 'brandx x is easier' thing comes because there are some guided canned menus stepping you through some process. Sometimes this is good,a dn works all the time. Other times, the canned steps are desinged witht he system maker's decoders in mind and are not suitable to all brands of decoders - and the beauty of the DCC standard is that you can used anyone's decoders with anyone else's system and it all works.
You can also read the user manuals for most any system online. Most have a simpel quick start at the beginning which shows you which wire to hook where and what buttons to push to make your first loco run.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
There are no train shows in your area? How about local train clubs? Before investing in any system it would benefit you to at least see and hold each manufactures throttles. When our club does train shows I usually get more questions about the DCC system then the trains themselves. Which one feels the most comfortable in your hand, How are the buttons and knobs arranged is just as important as the system itself. I am a multi system user. I have an NCE system at home. The club I am in has Lenz systems and I operate regularly on a friends Digitrax system. Each throttle has a different feel and control in my hand. Even the different throttles from the same manufacture has a different feel and use. For example the 2 different Lenz throttles. One has a knob for speed control the other has buttons. Even though they are the same size each one has a different feel and use.
Don't be forced into buying something just because your local shop does not stock other systems. There are other resources out there for you to try each system. It just may be the MRC system will turn out being the best for you. Only you will know for sure.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Somebody opens this can of worms about once a month.
Everybody has a favorite system. The reason there are so many different systems is because everyone has different needs and desires, thus different preferences.
My favorite is Digitrax. I spent a lot of time on line researching before I bought it. I have never regretted my choice. That does not mean it is better than the others, just that I liked it best.
Every manufacturer has a website. Most let you download or at least read the manuals. Do your own research and decide which one is best for you. If you have questions like "What is a CV and why would I ever need to change one?" bring those questions to the forum. There will be lots of people ready to help. But PLEASE don't ask "Which system is best?".
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Dave,
I am not asking which system is better. I am asking for constructive input from people who have knowledge of the systems, pros and cons. Reading the manuals is one thing but hearing from someone's experience is something else. Also I have researched many forums and have come accross bashing one over the other which I am not interest in. That is why I asked for constructive input.
pennsy4ever I have read that the Digitrax has high learning curve and difficult to use until one gets use to it with time.
I have read that the Digitrax has high learning curve and difficult to use until one gets use to it with time.
Hey Craig,
This is one of those emotive issues that has gained steam and propagated all over the place. As with many myths there are elements of truth to it. I think that many would concede that some of the earlier Digitrax throttles were especially cumbersome to use, requiring multiple button presses to achieve certain results. Likewise I think that many would concede that the early Digitrax technical documentation was written by engineers, for engineers. However, I think you would be hard pressed to find a Digitrax purchaser from the last 7 or 8 years that considers their system to be especially hard to use. As Randy mentions above, the basic key sequences and number of button presses are essentially the same for all the systems.
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
No confrontation intended.
I chose Digitrax Super Chief. I chose Digitrax because I like it's Loconet, its expandability, it's insulation from obsolescence in that new products can still be used with old products, and the fact that other vendors are allowed, in fact seem to be encouraged, to design things that work with Loconet.
I am also fond of the DT400 series throttles that have separate speed knobs for two locos on one hand held throttle. I like the much simpler UT4 throttle which I can hand to my three year old grandson and trust him not to cause too much trouble. From the UT4 he can't throw switches.
Digitrax does duplex radio, auto reversing, power management, detection, signaling, and remote control of slow motion switches, twin coil switches, RR crossing signals, and lighting. With the PR3 it interfaces with a computer and programs like JMRI or Railroad and Company. Obviously much of that capability comes from extra cost add ons, but that is the advantage of expandability. You don't need to pay for all that capability unless you actually need it.
Thank you all for your wonderful information, and Dave no confrontation was intended.
I was originally leaning towards Digitrax until I saw the MRC and how easy it was to use. I live in South FL and the train shows I have been to are small and only have local vendors and have never seen DCC in action except the South Florida Fair Grounds a few years ago. At that time one of the operators I spoke with stated the DCC system they had was very problematic.
Hearing what you and the other gentlemen had to say about Digitrax, and how it has changed over the years, I am going to do some more research on it.
So what I am understanding, the Super Chief is pretty easy to program the engines and run a layout.
Thank you again,
I have owned the MRC Wireless system and like it very much. However, I feel much more comfortable using one of the industry leading systems. When it comes right down to it I could not recommend MRC over Digitrax, unless budget was a very, very strong factor. But even then, in the long run, going with Digitrax makes a lot of sense.
Being able to use JMRI's Decoder Pro is one of many selling points for Digitrax. Oh, there are work-arounds that one could use with MRC but they don't compare with the ease of JMRI use with Digitrax.
There are other very fine systems available but you've only asked about the two systems so I will restrict my comments to those, but I will have to admit that Digitrax has become my favorite of them all, and it's certainly not a hard system to understand and use.
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
A) I believe that Digitrax is actually located in FL.
B) The Superchief is their high end system. The Zephyr is their starter system. The Empire builder is in the middle. Only you know which one is right for you. Even my Three year old grandson can operate my Superchief. Of course, he doesn't do any programing, but he can select and run an engine and operate the sounds. He can throw switches, but I don't let him. That's why I give him the UT4.
We use Digitrax. My son started using an UT4R at 8. I like having it connected to the computer so that I can use Decoder Pro, which also gives me free throttles.
Due to expandability, flexibility the LAN and other reasons we went with Digitrax.
One key thing to consider are the types of DCC systems people around you use. For questions and also you can just plug your cab into their system.
Richard
I used to run "Zephyr" along with a "UT4, but graduated to the new "Zephyr-Xtra" and the Digitrax "DT402".
Love them both.
Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.