Which Digitrax DCC to buy?

[Anonymous]

Howdy everyone!

Well, I'm finally over my MRC Prodigy Advance debacle... That thing is sold and being shipped away Monday morning... Good riddance. The whole situation was just really frustrating.

So, now that I can see straight again, I've decided to SLOWLY get ack into DCC... and would like to go with a Digitrax product. However, after my first DCC experience, I don't want to toss a bunch of money into it... Here's what I'm looking for:

1) Don't need to run more than 4 trains
2) Want to be able to run one loco that is still DC
3) Want to be able to put on a walk-around throttle eventually
4) Want to be able to hook to a PC
5) Want to use some sound decoders

I figure the Zephyr should do all of this... But what about sound decoders and their functions, and "boosting" the amperage of the track later on? For example, if I have a decoder that has a function #11, can I add one of the LocoNet throttles that can access function 11 to the Zephyr and be OK??? Or is this limited by the base unit (DCS50 vs DCS100 in the Super Chief)... Is it possible to add another power supply to the Zephyr to get 'er up to 5 amps or so later on???

My other choice would be the Super Chief, but like I said, I'm a little leary to spend alot of money at this point and just want to get my feet back into DCC slow and easy...

[rrinker]

The Zephyr will be great. It will run F9-F12 if you hook up a throttle, even the inexpensive UT4. If you never will run more than 12 locos at a time (I know it says 10, but it sure looks to me from my testing with my system that it actually has 12 slots, not 10), you may never need anything more than an extra booster to provide enough power. I have 3 QSI sound locos and even without F9-F12 they're still fun. Not missing much, really. But I need more power so I am planning to buy a Super EMpire Builder set, because that's the cheapest way of getting a DT400 throttle AND a DB150 booster - plus an essentially 'free' UP5. The Zephyr will still be my command station so I don't loose the programming track and readback of CV's. Maybe, MAYBE sometime in the future I will need to accomodate more than 12 locos, then I will get a DCS100. But until then, the Zephyr is plenty.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Ok... That's good news. Now, who has the best price on a Zephyr? Does anyone out there carry them for less than $160?

[selector]

For that, you will have to do some searching on the internet. You are sure to rewarded for patient and methodical searching because the sites all offer daily deals on products. I don't have enough experience to advise you which sites to be wary of, or which to visit first, but others might.

[Anonymous]

Gadget Tom has the Zephyr for $149.99:
http://www.gadgettom.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=GTH&Category_Code=D-S
I have only ordered once from him but I got good advice and service.
Charles

[Anonymous]

Wow That is a great price on a Zephyr!!! Thats what I am planning to buy!

DON

[rrinker]

Yes, I ordered from Gadget Tom before and got VERY quick service. He says he ships orders within 2 days - well from the day I orderd til the time it showed up in my mailbox was only 3 days, an dit takes 3 days for Priority Mail to get here from California. So my order got shipped same day. Good prices, too. I actually picked my Zephyr up on eBay for $150, so Tom's got a great price there.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Bruce at Litchfieldstation sells them for $160 with free shipping. He uses DHL which beats UPS and FedEx by a day to my house in NJ from AZ. Bruce is a really nice guy, helpful and knows his stuff.

I also have nothing buy good things to say about Tony's in Vermont ---- more really nice, smart and helpful people. He would cost you just a few dollars more.

Ken

[Anonymous]

Zephyr is on order... Plus 3 decoders. I'm excited to get it, but at the same time, I think I'm just going to take my sweet time getting everything hooked up and installed properly. I am not going to rush it this time... I think I might want to actually enjoy the experience for once :)

Thanks everyone for your input on which system to pick up!