Digitrax Selection Help--opps I meant Empire Builder

[SpaceMouse]

I know this has been covered recently before, but I couldn't find it. I was about that close to getting a Zephyr system, but I've all but decided to get a DT400 decoder for use at my club. (I just have a UT1 and one guy there with a DT400 thinks it funny to steal my trains).

Anyway I looked at the prices at Tony's and look how they stack up.

Zephyr--$159 + DT400--$139=$298
Empire Builder--$274

It seems prudent to get the Super Chief, but I don't know much about the Super Chief and Digitrax.com and Tony's Trains don't offer much description.

What advantages does the Super Chief have over the Zephyr. Are there any advantages the Zephyr has over the SuperCheif? I have 2 UT1 controllers so using a power pack to control a train is not an issue.

In one sentence, Digitrax.com says that the Super Chief has everything you need for a home layout. Then in another it says you need to buy your own power supply. What do they mean?

[simon1966]

Chip, the Super Empire Builder is $274 at Tony's and the Super chief is $349.00 to get the Chief operational you will need a power supply that will run you about another $35.00 so your total for a Chief will be $384.00 so almost $100 more than the Zephyr with a DT400. Don't be tempted by the Empire Builder, it does not have CV read back and with you busy installing sound in your loco's this would be a big short coming.

The main difference you will see is that the Chief has greater power (5 amps v 2.5 amps) meaning that you can run more power at one time. The other being the chief can handle 120 locomotives in the memory stack at once the Zephyr only 10.

With the Zephyr DT400 setup, you get the static Zephyr controller, which is great for switching and yard work. The Zephyr is much easier for kids to operate also.

Take a look at www.litchfieldstation.com as well. I have had great success with Bruce and he also has very good prices.

Two other thoughts.....

The Chief comes with a UP5 panel (about $15.00)

The other thought, if you went the Zephyr DT400 route and found in the future that it did not meet your needs for power or slots, you can add a DS100 booster and basically have a Chief.

For what it is worth, I went the Zephyr route and then picked up an Empire Builder set cheap on E-bay to get the DT400 and the bonus of a DB150, which I use a slave booster for the Zephyt. My Zephyr is acting as the main yard controller and the command station for the layout.

[rrinker]

And don't forget to add the cost of a power supply to the Chief. The Zephyr comes with the power supply as well. You can't run the Chief from a train set power pack. Tony sells the Magna-Force MF615 which is good, but the Digitrax PS515 is good too. Both are around $40.
I second the recommendation about Bruce. He knows his stuff, and he ships free for orders over $50. I got my last batch of decoders from him. Ordered on Sunday, shipped Monday, I had it Wednesday. You can find even better prices, but Bruce also provides excellent support, he's not just a box pusher. Does great decoder installs, too - look at his pictures.

--Randy

[Pruitt]

You might want to check out Youngwood's prices at:

http://youngwoodmodelrr.freeyellow.com/DCCPriceList.htm

No, I'm not affiliated, except as a very satisfied customer.

[Anonymous]

Try the next step up, I believe it is the Super Empire Builder, which comes with a DCS100 instead of a DB150, which will allow CV readback, and it might even come with a DT400.

Greg

[Anonymous]

Disregard that, the DCS 100 is only available with the Super Chief, and the Zephyr does do readback. However, I'd still go with the Superchief instead, it has everything you want, and it can power a lot bigger layout than a Zephyr can, that wya if you upgrade the layout later, you can keep the same system instead of learning a new one.

Greg

[tstage]

Chip,

I'd like to chime in about Litchfield Station, as well. Bruce has always been very helpful to me. I've already order twice from him in the past week. Whenever I pepper Bruce with decoder querstions, he usually responds back in a day or so. I would recommend him, too. I've usually gotten my shipment in 3 or 4 days. For the most part, Bruce's prices are comparable to Tony's.

Tom

[Fergmiester]

Loy's Toys is also a good source on Digitrax. They have a wonderful web page with Q&A section. I have an Empire Builder and I have no complaints. Until I get a Power Transformer my Tech II does the trick as a power source.

Regards
Fergie

[jrbernier]

S-Mouse,

If you are going the mail order route, Tony's, Litchfield Station, and Loy's all offer good prices/service. Now back to the which Starter Set do I need:

Zephyr - Run up to 10 engines at once, DCS50 command station, 2.5 amp Power Suppy included, can use your old DC power packs as 'jump' throttles, and does CV feedback.

Super Empire Builder - Run up to 22 engines at once, DB150 command station, 5 amp capacity, and you have to buy the power supply extra. Does include a DT400 throttle, and a UP5 panel. The Digitrax PS515 power supply is about $40 'street price'. IIRC, this system is an outgrowth of the Big Boy/Genesis/Empire Builder line of command stations, and does not do CV readback. Right now this is the oldest technology Digitrax is currently marketing. I suspect we will see a new 'mid-range' command station announced by Digitrax in the future(like maybe the NMRA National?).

Super Chief - Run up to 120 engines(default at setup is 22), DCS100 command station, 5 amp capacity(need to buy that PS515 power supply), and includes a DT400 and the UP5. I believe that a DCS200 8 amp capacity command station is also available. The Super Chief is an outgrowth of the original Chief DCS100 command station, just a DT400 throttle and UP5 included, rather than a DT100 throttle. The DCS100 can do CV feedback, and also has a built in clock that can be set for real time of as a 'fast clock' for operation and the time can be displayed on a DT400.

Now, what is this maximum nuber of engines? The command station can only keep track of a certain number of engines in operation at one time. This does not mean that you can only have 10 engines on the track with a 'Zephyr' system. Any engine not being used, can be dropped or 'un-sloted'. So, you can have 10 engines running or
'dispatched' at one time. 'Undispatch' an engine, and you can 'dispatch' another engine. I have a DCS100 and I doubt I have ever has more that 10 engines active or 'dispatched' at any time. I feel that the 'Zephyr' is the best value in the Digitrax line right now - you can expand it, and that 2.5 amp capacity will run 3-4 engines with no problem. And as I said, it is expandable, radio, boosters, etc....It is not a small low function entry level system, it has more function than the 'Empire Builder' series, and at a 'street price' of about $160, allows you to use your pair of Utility throttles, up to 2 old DC power packs as throttles, and has that built-in throttle - 5 throttles to start with! It is also a very good system for programming decoders.

Jim Bernier