Hmmm....see...I've heard bad things about MRC decoders too, but I have a few of the sound only decoders and they have performed very well. They have realistic sound in my opinion, they are afordable, and I haven't had any problems with them. I've had lots of problems with Digitrax decoders shorting out for no apparent reason, but they of course fix it with no questions asked so that hasn't been a big issue. I have yet to have an MRC decoder go bad, but I don't have any motor function decoders from MRC.
This is a good system, the only drawback I am aware of, is its lack of compatibility with JMRI.
Jack W.
Good Luck with it. The MRC systems have had good reports here. Just don't think it's the same with MRC decoders. Stay away from them.
Springfield PA
So, for those of you who made suggestions, I wanted to tell you that I decided to go with the MRC prodogy advanced. I liked the hand held idea. It came down to that system or the digitrax Zephyr, and I wanted the handheld cab.
They do have mostly Lionel but also have a good section with HO and N gauge. Alot of the stuff in the on-line store is in other locations. They have a couple of warehouses.
I never went there - I always thought they were more of a Lionel/hi-rail sort of place.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Another very large shop is Nicholas Smith trains off of West chester pike in Broomall. They also have lots of older and newer stuff. They have DCC loco's but no decoders or mainstream DCC Systems.
I haven't been to either one in ages, although I've purchased many thigns from Penn Valley on eBay, they have a thrivign eBay store in addition to the storefront, which is hardly ever open anymore. But if you are looking for old hard to find stuff - you'll probably find it at Penn Valley.
Woodman, Yes Lins is an excellent source for DCC, they specialize in it and also have a very good stock of systems and decoders, including soundtraxx. Lansdale is a lucky town. They have 2 hobby shops with trains. Lins (which I frequent) and penn valley hobbies about a mile away.
Before you go call ahead and ask if Paul is there that day. He's the one you want to talk to. Also when you go don't bring your wallet. You're wife will hate it when you return if you do.
Hamltnblue, are you referring to Lin's Junction. If so, have you had any dealing with them in concern to DCC. I have a few older locos that I want to convert to DCC and was going to go to Lins .
I am in the same position as you, did plenty of "shopping around" and comparisons. I went with the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra and the cheapest I could find was $169.95 at DCC Hobby Supply.
Home page link: http://dcchobbysupply.com
Zephyr Extra link: http://dcchobbysupply.com/zcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=822
Before I did any buying, I called the shop and spoke to the owner. Very nice, friendly and cooperative. I have bought soundtraxx decoders and speakers from them in the past. Their customer service is GREAT! Sends an email acknowledging the order (in addition to the automated system). He ships the items no later than 2 days after placing order. Sends an email letting you know it's shipped and requests a courtesy email from you to acknowledge receipt of the order.
So, for $169.95 + $8.95 shipping, in a few short days I'll have a new command station.
Of course, I didn't do it alone. There's a lot of good people with a lot of good info on DCC (thanks Randy). I did the shopping.
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
Hamltnblue Been Looking at a pair of Exactrail freight cars at Lins.
Been Looking at a pair of Exactrail freight cars at Lins.
Oh? Which ones?
I just purchased the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra and so far all is good> I have 4 loco's that operate on DCC, one with sound and everything is fine. The system is really easy to install and operate. I got mine for $169.99 at Trainstuff.com great quick service.
2.5 for the old Zephyr, 3 for the Xtra. Unless you buy old stock or used you can't get an original Zephyr today, they were discontinued the day the Xtra came out.
I've had as many as 8 locos running on the 2.5 amps of the orignal Zephyr, and it wasn;t overloaded, I just ran out of hands. I suppose I could rerun the wires on my current layotu which is bigger and see just how many I can run before it gives up. I'd guess 10 easy on the Xtra unless they are all old Blue Box ones with 1 amp motors. I also wonder if the real loco count on the Xtra is 22 not 20 - the extra 2 fromt he jump throttle. I can definitely select 12 on my old Zephyr before it says there are no more slots - the spec says 10, but the extra 2 for the jump ports seems to handle regular locos as well.
maxman Hamltnblue: LOL Maxman. I'm sure the person wasn't misguided I hear that he still has a Power Cab he's not using that the op might be interested in. Louder LOL! I was wondering if you would notice. I didn't want to get into brand names when I posted, because that would have led to flames. And I would have had to see if the 55 gallon fire extinguisher you posted about elsewhere was functional. Re: the PowerCab...send me one of them there start a conversation things if you will entertain an offer I can't refuse to give. Regards
Hamltnblue: LOL Maxman. I'm sure the person wasn't misguided I hear that he still has a Power Cab he's not using that the op might be interested in.
LOL Maxman. I'm sure the person wasn't misguided
I hear that he still has a Power Cab he's not using that the op might be interested in.
Louder LOL! I was wondering if you would notice. I didn't want to get into brand names when I posted, because that would have led to flames. And I would have had to see if the 55 gallon fire extinguisher you posted about elsewhere was functional.
Re: the PowerCab...send me one of them there start a conversation things if you will entertain an offer I can't refuse to give.
Regards
This all strikes me as a covert "solicitation of sale".
Where is John Whitten F.A. when we need him? LOL
Rich
Alton Junction
Hamltnblue LOL Maxman. I'm sure the person wasn't misguided I hear that he still has a Power Cab he's not using that the op might be interested in.
LOL Maxman. I'm sure the person wasn't misguided and totally enjoys the Digitrax Radio set-up he replaced the PH Pro with radio with.
KevinsHope Hi all, However, as my knowlege of DCC has grown, so has my need for something that can program cv adresses and the need for more than 10 function buttons. I'd like to spend 200 or less. I don't need anything super fancy.
Hi all,
However, as my knowlege of DCC has grown, so has my need for something that can program cv adresses and the need for more than 10 function buttons. I'd like to spend 200 or less. I don't need anything super fancy.
I presume that you mean the ability to control more than 10 functions, not actually more than 10 function buttons? Anyway, unless you are hung up on having a "new" system, you might be able to get a full featured system for a little bit more than the $200 you mention. People are always either trading up or trading for another system because of perceived improvements to what they currently have.
For $250 I purchased a command station, radio capable handset, and auxiliary handset from a misguided member of this forum who was making such a switch. It works fine.
rrinker The Zephyr is 3 amps vs the 5 amps of the bigger system, and supprots 20 simultaneous locos vs 120, but otherwise has the full feature set. All accessories work with the Zephyr - add plug in or radio throttles, computer interface, stationary decoders, block detection, signals, etc. --Randy
The Zephyr is 3 amps vs the 5 amps of the bigger system, and supprots 20 simultaneous locos vs 120, but otherwise has the full feature set. All accessories work with the Zephyr - add plug in or radio throttles, computer interface, stationary decoders, block detection, signals, etc.
Randy,
I thought the Zephyr was 2.5A and the new Zephyr Xtra, 3.5A...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Likewise the Zephyr can continue to be a booster and throttle if you need a bigger system down the line. In fact if you never intend to run more than 20 locos at the same time the Zephyr can be the command station even if you add extra power to be able to handle all 20. The Zephyr Xtra has all the features of the top end Super Chief Xtra except the built in real time clock and routes, however you can still create routes in stationary decoders that support them. The Zephyr is 3 amps vs the 5 amps of the bigger system, and supprots 20 simultaneous locos vs 120, but otherwise has the full feature set. All accessories work with the Zephyr - add plug in or radio throttles, computer interface, stationary decoders, block detection, signals, etc.
The Digitrax Zephyr is a good choice, and so is the NCE Power Cab.
The higher amp systems, like the NCE Power House Pro 5 amp system, not only permit the operator(s) to run more trains but also provide a number of other advantages not offered on basic systems and open the way for future expansion.
Incidentally, if you get the NCE Power Cab as your initial system and then later move up to the Power House Pro system, the Power Cab can be used as another throttle aong with the Pro Cab throttle that comes with the Power House Pro system.
I started converting to DCC with a Bachmann EZ command power supply. However, as my knowlege of DCC has grown, so has my need for something that can program cv adresses and the need for more than 10 function buttons. I'd like to spend 200 or less. I don't need anything super fancy. I've been looking at the Zephyr by Digitrax on line, but I wanted to see what you all thought. Is this a good buy for the money, or is there something better suited for my needs? Is the only advantage of higher AMP systems being able to run more engines at the same time? Thanks for any thoughts you can offer.