I know this is one of those "real big" questions that is hard to answer, but it is getting very difficult for ME to choose a DCC system. I'm new to the hobby, read tons of stuff on DCC, including the specs at NMRA, compared many systems to each other, but still questions arise. I haven't bought any rolling stock yet and I'm at the track laying/wiring stage of my new first-ever layout.
This is what I want:
I'd like to hear from actual users, preferably those who have tried a few different types.
Money is NO OBJECT. If I don't get it right the first time, I'll spend 10x as much in the long run anyway!
Oh, HO. Thanks guys
Go try some out!
Welcome to the Forum,
If you want something with 'expansion' - Both Digitrax and NCE have very good 'starter' systems for home use.
Both systems are expandable. Both support long addressing(up to #9999) and are from the two best known DCC companies. MRC also markets a 'Prodigy' line of DCC systems. The Prodigy Express is usually priced quite reasonable, but expansion can be expensive, and their computer interface is proprietary. The Digitrax Loconet has detection/transponding/signaling capabilities with the correct extra hardware. The Lenz system is good, but their 'starter set' is sort of a big system. Bachmann has a 're-badged' system from Europe(Dynamis), but again is sort of pricey to upgrade.
If you can stop by a club or a hobby shop with a running DCC system, try them out and see which one has the best 'feel' to you. Another factor is what are the rest of the local modelers in your area using? Most of the guys in my area(and the club) use Digitrax - so we can take our throttles along to use at each layout. Throttles are specific to each manufacturer, and are not interchangeable between different manufacturer's systems. The cab bus/networks are not generally interchangeable between systems
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
The only hobby store I found that had any train stuff at all only sells Digitrax, and they weren't likely ready to let me try anything out. This was a small store, in a small city. Don't even have train shows here. This is my dilemma.
www.raiderracing.com
Where do you live?
queenidog ...Money is NO OBJECT. If I don't get it right the first time, I'll spend 10x as much in the long run anyway!
...Money is NO OBJECT. If I don't get it right the first time, I'll spend 10x as much in the long run anyway!
After reading this I would suggest that you buy every known DCC system, accessory, decoder, and do a trial and error on what it is you're looking for. I would also suggest that you do a search in the "search our community" box in the right section of the page and read many of the other which DCC system to buy threads.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
I can't believe we went almost 4 whole days without someone asking this question again.
If you live in such a remote area that you have no hobby shops, train clubs, or even other modelers in your vicinity, your best hope of determining which system you think might be best for you is to read their operator manuals -- every DCC manufacturer has these documents available on their web sites.
Digitrax (made in USA)Easy DCC (CVP Products) (made in USA)North Coast Engineeering (made in USA)Lenz (made in Germany)Elektronik Solutions Ulm (made in Germany)Model Rectifier (made in China)Bachmann (made in China)
and there are a couple of other brands made in Europe.
I like Digitrax due to the loconet LAN. Very flexible. The fact that your closest shop has Digitrax is a plus too. Lots of guys use NCE and I wouldn't argue with that choice either.
I agree that you could look at the manuals and use that as part of your evaluation, no sense in rushing as you'll probably use whatever you start with for a very long time.
Richard
Please don't overlook the original, Lenz!
I have a Digitrax Super Chief. It does everything I need and I highly recommend it. I have the PR3 computer interface, and 8 DS64 switch controllers that control turnouts and RR crossing signals. I have wired the track buss so that I can easily add detection and signaling in the future.
There are many people in here who are equally happy with other systems. None of us know what system is best for you any more than we know what brand of car you should buy.
You need to do the research. Most manufacturers publish their manuals in PDF on their websites. They can be downloaded and read for free.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I'd say go with Jim Bernier's suggestion. If there are other model railroaders around, see which system they use. If your LHS only carries Digitrax, chances are that's what they are using. If you go with the same manufacturer, you will have some folks nearby who can help solve problems if they crop up. You also won't need to get as many throttles for operators when they can bring their own.
John
If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.
http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/
No contest, Lenz. Gerry S.
Hey, you are lucky. I live in one of the ten largest urban areas in the country and there is absolutely no retail store that you could try out a DCC system.Went to a large train show solely to try out systems and total failure - even the manufacturer booths did not have real-life trials. I was in your position, more or less, two years ago. Did all the research I could and chose NCE. Haven't looked back, completely satisfied. Digitrax and Lenz are nice systems too from all that I heard, in my own opinion not as user friendly. If you want to go with the crowd buy digitrax.
Check out this link
http://mckinleyrailway.com/
there is a ton of stuff on Youtube as well http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mckinley+Railway&aq=f
It is of course a UK prototype but there is a lot of information on computer control and integration into a model railroad.
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
For that requiements of lots of third party support - Digitrax hands down, with Loconet. If you search around (including ont eh Digitrax site) youw ill find dozens of third parties making accessories compatible with Loconet - block detection, signal controlelrs, stationary decoders, fast clocks, etc. Many products in direct competition with the ones DIgitrax makes - yet Digitrax has links to these vendors right on their web site. Companies like Tean Digital, CML, RR CirKits, and more. Not to mention all the DIY projects out there. You can build an entire Loconet based system and have the command station be the only actual Digitrax item., Or even not that, there's at least one DIY Loconet command station out there you could build.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
cacole Bachmann (made in China)
Bachmann (made in China)
Is that correct? I was under the impression that the Bachmann Dynamis was made in Germany? It is certainly designed by ESU in Germany. The Bachmann EZ Command, is made in China, but should not be under consideration by the OP as it does not come close to meeting his needs on a number of levels.
TA462 I wouldn't. A Digitrax Zephyr is a great piece but the OP want's to run up to 8 loco's with sound. He would be better off with a Digitrax Super Chief or Empire builder if he is going to be buying extra throttles anyways. If I were him/her it would be the Super Chief because of the extra power over a Zephyr to handle all those sound loco's. If money really is no object then get a Duplex Radio Super Chief system.
I wouldn't. A Digitrax Zephyr is a great piece but the OP want's to run up to 8 loco's with sound. He would be better off with a Digitrax Super Chief or Empire builder if he is going to be buying extra throttles anyways. If I were him/her it would be the Super Chief because of the extra power over a Zephyr to handle all those sound loco's. If money really is no object then get a Duplex Radio Super Chief system.
The OP said he doubted if he would ever have more than 8 engines. Most modern DCC/Sound engines consume about 250-500ma of current when running. Sitting at the engine terminal, they consume far less. 3 amps of power is more than enough for a home layout.
That said I have a 5 amp command station and a 5 amp booster - complete overkill. This powers a 20'X25' layout with about 20+ engines on it. I doubt we ever have more than 6-7 engines running at any one time.
For a club enviroment - lots of power is needed. Our club has an 8 amp command station and two 8 amp boosters. At one point we had so many DCC/Sound engines parked in the engine terminal, that the PM42 that protects the area would trip out when we powered up the layout due to the 'in-rush' current from those old QSI sound engines! Newer Tsunami and Revolution sound decoders do not seem to be power hogs.
I should have quoted jrbernier's last paragraph. I was refering to the suggestion of visiting other model RRers and/or clubs and seeing which systems they used. This is a wise thing for anyone considering a DCC system to do. I find it's a lot easier to learn a system from someone who is experienced with it than from any manual. It also helps to have some experience with the system before you buy it.
You are right about the Zephyr, by itself it won't handle 8 sound locomotives all at once. Thats something else you can find out from an experienced user.
Indian Harbour, Nova Scotia. Moved from Calgary (1million people) to NS, (<1 million in the entire province). Halifax has maybe 200,000 people
Okay, I deserve that. What I was trying to say is that I don't want to limit myself with a "starter" DCC because of cost.
This, and the one referencing the McKinley website, were the best answers. On McKinley I found out that Digitrax is a demand (interrupt) system on it's Loconet, where others are a polling system. I know the difference, having done much computer programming at the bit level. I also looked at some of the videos they produced, one in particular explained all the DCC components.
I like the idea of 3rd party support as Randy pointed out.
Someone else mentioned going with what the local hobby shop has, in case I have "issues". That's true and it also means if I need a Digitrax component IMMEDIATELY, then I can drive out to get one instead of depending on the mail system which could take weeks.
Thanks all. Digitrax it is.
I am glad you enjoyed McKinley, I happen to think it is one of the neatest implementations of DCC that I have ever seen.
Thanks TA462. It makes sense what you say, get a 5 amp with one throttle. I picked 8 as some arbitrary number, likely because it only takes 3 binary bits to describe an address. 8 sounds like a lot of trains to me at this point since I don't one ONE yet. What is good about Digitrax is it's 3rd party support, open source protocol, expandability. Give me the Super Chief!
I agree with the 5 amp system. 8 loco's sounds high until you get into the hobby. Next thing you know you have 2 or 3 loco's on a single consist. and one or 2 more running elsewhere. Then you may have a few idling on the siding. It adds up quickly and it's also never good to run electronics maxed out.
Springfield PA