Electronics and DCC

You know, the notion occurs to me ... maybe a simple "review" of the systems via video is in order.

You know, visit a prominent layout that's running the given system and show it in operation. A vicarious "try out each system" sort of thing. Ideally, show the system being used for some common tasks, and ask each owner to list a couple of issues they've had with the system as well as what they like about it.

Could be done, and would probably be far more valuable than a huge document comparing the systems. Since I do how-to videos for the hobby anyhow, maybe this would be a popular video topic. Of course the bad news is the video would be totally obsolete within a couple years. [B)]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate Of course the bad news is the video would be totally obsolete within a couple years. [B)]

Heck, if the timing were bad, it could be obsolete in a week! You can just imagine after serveral months of video production out comes a new DVD and a week later Digitrax announces their next generation DCC command station! Mind you, since there seems to be a huge lag between new product announcement and actual availabilty, so may be DVD obsolecence would not be a problem. [:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cmrproducts While I see the need for the type of info you are asking for if someone was able to gather all of the info together and put into a book it would make WAR & PEACE seem like a 4 page club newsletter.

Bob: I agree with your comment above and also about obsolence. What I was thinking would be helpful is just a one liner about the system. Such as:

ABC Pro System = Updates? - Yes; Software-User. Something along those lines.

The trying out all kinds of different systems advice, which I agree is good, can be tough for those of use who are "lone wolf modelers;" live in "the sticks;" or only have one predominant system in the area. For instance, all three of the above apply to me. The primary system in my area is Digitrax, but, to be honest, I don't like their "human interface" i.e. throttle. So, I rely heavily on what info I can glean from Forums and Manufacturer sites about other systems.

And another reason I wouldn't want a WAR AND PEACE-type of tome is out of respect for the time and effort guys on here would have to put in to complete the project. Tony's Trains and the MR tables are okay, just need a little bit of tweaking.

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate You know, the notion occurs to me ... maybe a simple "review" of the systems via video is in order. You know, visit a prominent layout that's running the given system and show it in operation. A vicarious "try out each system" sort of thing. Ideally, show the system being used for some common tasks, and ask each owner to list a couple of issues they've had with the system as well as what they like about it. Could be done, and would probably be far more valuable than a huge document comparing the systems. Since I do how-to videos for the hobby anyhow, maybe this would be a popular video topic. Of course the bad news is the video would be totally obsolete within a couple years.

Perfect idea! I'd buy one!

Although, I agree the obsolesence issue is there.

Len

Joe,

I haven't panned back through the thread. Did you ever get around to reviewing the Zimo DCC system? I know that you were "ailing" when you were reading through the manual. Just curious...

Tom

Tom:

I started looking at the Zimo system manual and developed some first impressions, then that's where I left it for the moment, thinking I'd get back to it later.

First impression: overwhelming. The system is powerful -- looks to do everything including clean the kitchen sink. But like many European-based systems, the interface mindset is more complex than I would like to see.

Zimo fails my "can I figure out where to start by just looking at the handheld" test, which means I will need to pour over the manual for quite a while to be able to "think Zimo".

I'll get back to a more detailed review later, but for now the very friendly NCE user interface still rules supreme, I believe.

Thanks, Joe. BTW, thank you for the write up you gave on the NCE system back in early December. That review was pretty much instrumental in my deciding on upgrading from my Bachmann EZ-Command to the PowerCab - particularly the part about it being "intuitively" put together. I was also glad to see TTE give it an enthusiastic initial review on their web site. Now, if it will just come in the mail...[sigh]...

Tom

QUOTE: Originally posted by rockythegoat Bob: I agree with your comment above and also about obsolence. What I was thinking would be helpful is just a one liner about the system. Such as: ABC Pro System = Updates? - Yes; Software-User. Something along those lines. Len

Hi Len.

ZIMO command stations = update yourself via Internet, no charge.
ZIMO throttles = update yourself via Internet, no charge.
ZIMO decoders = update yourself via Internet, no charge.

Sorry, it's a three-liner [:)]

Regards,
Art

Zimo Agency of North America
http://www.mrsonline.net/

QUOTE: Originally posted by aluesch Hi Len. ZIMO command stations = update yourself via Internet, no charge. ZIMO throttles = update yourself via Internet, no charge. ZIMO decoders = update yourself via Internet, no charge. Sorry, it's a three-liner [:)] Regards, Art Zimo Agency of North America http://www.mrsonline.net/

One thing that appears really well thought out about the Zimo system is it's essentially a PC designed to do DCC.

This means updating your system will involve simply downloading software upgrades. Someone comes out with a killer new feature that makes the other guys have to redesign their hardware -- not Zimo. Once they update the system software, you can get the new feature without having buy any new hardware.

It also means a Zimo system will generally cost more than the other systems (think of the cost of a nice PC and you will get the idea).

But as they say, you get what you pay for.

Darn clever idea for a DCC system to make it this way -- it makes for an almost infinitely flexible system. [swg]

Joe.... Could you elaborate on the radio aspect. Are some better then others, not dropping control, user friendly, will radio work in a Screen plaster sided helix with the tranmitter several feet away, ect.
Last year I was going to go with CVP, but other family matters curtailed that. About to bite the bullet in a month or so.. Kind of like the two cab CVP, My Yards are over one another with drill tracks on opposite ends, and the radio for wondering around with. Comparing prices for three cabs, dont sound too bad.

Thanks in advance Joe...You are a touch of class....John

jwar:

I've used NCE, EasyDCC, and Digitrax wireless.

Digitrax requires you to plug in to acquire the loco, then you can unplug and walk around. Personally, I don't like the need to plug in. The reason I go with wireless is so I don't have to install a throttle bus around the layout. Digitrax makes me install the throttle bus anyhow.

NCE has suffered from wireless reliabiltiy issues because it is a duplex system -- meaning the radio throttles both send and receive. Duplex is limited by law to much lower power levels and this has plagued NCE's wireless system. Recently, NCE has released a half wave antenna system (instead of quarter wave), which makes the antenna twice as long. The longer antenna improves wireless reception. NCE also redesigned their wireless receiver to improve its reliability. Word is these improvements eliminates most of NCE's reception issues.

EasyDCC has had rock solid reception for me -- however it's limited to 8 distinct channels so if you need more than 8 wireless throttles, you need to have throttles start sharing channels. You can have up to 7 throttles share each of the 8 channels, for a total of 56 throttles before you max out the system.

Since I haven't needed to move beyond 8 throttles yet, I've not taken the plunge to sharing channels. Throttle response delay has thus been minimal and not an issue. However, I have heard that sharing channels begins to introduce delays that can be annoying if you have a lot of throttles sharing the same channel.

I will need more than 8 throttle eventually, so my thought has been to have 5 of the throttles use dedicated channels, and have 3 of the channels have shared channel throttles. If you are running a through train (where some delay in response will be okay) then you use one of the clearly marked shared-channel throttles.

But if you are running a local where you will be switching a lot and need instant response, you select one of the 5 dedicated channel throttles.

Is this the kind of info you were looking for?

Thank you Joe.. yes it was iinfo I was curious about. What I really need to do is quit reading and just get it.and get on with it...LOL...Thanks again...John

Glad to help, jwar.

There've been some questions lately about NCE versus Digitrax, so I'm posting something to get this thread bumped up again.

QUOTE: [i] Hi Len. ZIMO command stations = update yourself via Internet, no charge. ZIMO throttles = update yourself via Internet, no charge. ZIMO decoders = update yourself via Internet, no charge. Sorry, it's a three-liner [:)] Regards, Art Zimo Agency of North America http://www.mrsonline.net/

Art:

Very good! That's what I was talking about in my original post a couple few back.

Now just do it for all of the 10-12 items I referenced, and for every system, and have it done by Friday, and we're set!!!![:p][:D][:p][:D]

Again, to all you guys out there that are taking the time to research and post comparison/review "stuff" on here, a big Thank You! [tup] I know I've been helped greatly by this, and I'm sure others have too.

Len

Just wanted to give a quick update on my first Lenz Gold decoder I acquired recently.

I reported on here the decoder would not program on the programming track, and that puzzled me (and Lenz) greatly. I finally sent the decoder to Lenz and Debbie Ames herself sent me a personal note back along with a brand new decoder, explaining that my decoder was bad and they were replacing it for free. So I am now the happy owner of a fully functioning Lenz Gold decoder. [swg]

Now that's service, and I thought Lenz should get some kudos for their excellent support!

More "which DCC system?" questions on the forum lately, so time to resurrect this puppy again. [swg]