TCS is very good in customer service and quality, so don't ignore them. One thing for a shop owner is the amount of discount he will get from Digitrax vs TCS.
One key thing is to know your clientele when looking at what to stock. Your ideas on decoder numbers for Digitrax are fine, but I'm not sure what the clientele will want. It's like on this forum, I'm of the opinion to just take everything out and hardwire in a decoder, usually an A format. But a lot of guys just want the 8 pin plug--but the 8 pin plug doesn't give you many functions.
One thing to do is have a DCC demonstration night maybe a few of them, that has worked here. The guys from Digitrax have come up and done clinics--they have also told the LHSs what normally sells the best. And after the customers become more familiar with the decoders, he will know what to stock. And he will likely take some orders at the demo.
Richard
There's TCS as well. T1 for the steam and early diesel modelers, and either the T4 ot T6 for those with modern diesels with ditch lights and lots of other lights. The TCS CN is a great one for N scale as it will fit most any Atlas N scale loco post-Kato.
The T series are all hardwire decoders - which makes them universal. Same with the Digitras DH163 (without the PS). These all have 9 pin plugs on them, and will work directly in newer Athearn locos with the quick plug, or with the wires they can be soldered into darn near anything - I use these in most every loco, a few minutes soldering is worth it vs the increased cost of the specific board repalcement decoders which often need (or at least should be) soldered - those black plastic clips aren;t worth the space they take up.
For top quality low end decoders look at the NCE D13SRJ. These are IMO better than the DH123, and also better then the Lenz low end stuff or the Bachmann ones which they dare chargge over $20 for. He should be able to offer a good price on these but may not be able to compete with the guys who sell 10 packs of them for under $120 - yeah, $12 for a decoder - and they are top quality. Those Bachmann DCC OnBoard locos? Toss those absolutely horrible decoders and replace them with a D13SJR for instant improvement.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
What he stocks should at first be based on the loco's he stocks as well as the basic ones.
Springfield PA
While Digitrax is a good choice he may look into stocking a few TCS decoders. Price and features of the TCS line is the determining factor for my decoder purchases. Of over 100 decoder installs under my belt the most trouble free has been the TCS brand. I have run into a few bad decoders from each manufacture but never had a bad one from them. Another plus is that they are very good at running on DC as well as DCC. With 4 decoder choices he could cover the majority of HO and a good portion of N scale.
Just a thought.
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!
The owner of my LHS asked me to recommend some "universal" decoders for him to stock ( he does not stock any right now, but orders them to customer requests.) He want to have some - both hO and N sized- in case someone comes in and is just looking for a decoder. He is not interested at this point in sound decoders. He is not sure of the market for what he is trying to do.
Based on my little experience, here is my list: (all Digitraxx) HO: DH163PS,DH123D,DN135PS; for N scale, DZ125, DZ 143.
I am looking for feedback on these choices - are there better ones to recommend that are general in nature?
Thanks for any feedback,
Mr. Mick