Best DCC brand for running MTH and DCC engines?

[Scale Hogger]

Before I make a choice ...

I have one Athearn DCC and one MTH loco (plus a bunch of DC engines). At this point I have only a DC power pack.

I am aware that MTH's DCS system will NOT run DCC engines and that DCC WILL run MTH (with limited functionality).

The last thing I need is multiple brands of power to control different brands of engines.

SO ... the inevitable question: what is the best DCC brand to control as many of the functions of MTH engines as possible?

Will appreciate the voices of experience.

 

[Jaddie]

Dear Scale Hogger

I don't have any HO locomotives yet, but I plan to go with Digitrax to control multiple MTH HO locomotives, but only because Digitrax seems to be the dominant brand. I have no experience with DCC or DCS.

According to some recent threads on this forum, it looks as though there's some chance MTH locomotives may not keep their assigned addresses.

If the MTH locomotives weren't so pretty and didn't sound so good, I'd probably opt for Athearn Genesis diesels.

--Jaddie

[tstage]

Scale,

Any of the standard DCC system available are going to be equally able to operate your MTH loco and equally limited in accessing it's CVs.  So, it really doesn't matter what system you choose - i.e. minus the basic Bachmann E-Z Command.

And I don't know what exactly you mean by the statement, "I need...multiple brands of power to control different brands of engines"?  A particular DCC system is designed to operate any DCC decoder.  You can operate a Lenz Silver MP decoder on Digitrax, CVP, MRC, NCE, Zimo, as well as a Lenz DCC system.

Scale, I don't know how old your DC locomotives are and whether or not you plan on converting them all to DCC.  If you aren't but still would like to use them, I would go with a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra.  You can operate one (1) DC locomotive with it.  You can also use your old DC power pack as an extra throttle via it's jumper port.  The Zephyr Xtra has a very good upgrade path to it; if you should decide to expand your layout or its capabilities later.

I use the NCE Power Cab on my layout and have been very happy with it.  However, it - like most other DCC systems - will not operate DC locomotives - i.e. unless it has a decoder installed in it.  If you do plan to install decoders into all your locomotives, the Power Cab or PH Pro system would make a fine choice, too.

Tom

[Hamltnblue]

As noted above, DCC is a standard.  Any DCC controller will operate your DCC compatable loco's

[Scale Hogger]

Tom --

Thanks for the very helpful reply. All that is the info I needed -- and the detail is much appreciated.

Sorry to throw you the curve ball by writing, "The last thing I need ...." I should have written "The very LAST thing I need ... " or, more directly, "I really DON'T want multiple power brands ... DCS for MTH and DCC for the non-MTH engines."

I'll definitely look into the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra. Some of my old DC engines are favorites that I'd like to be able to run, but don't want to go to the time and expense of adding a decoder -- not to mention the difficulties of adding a speaker to some of them that have no hole for a speaker.

JHF

[Scale Hogger]

Thanks, Jaddie --

Don't you wish MTH had NOT "done its own thing"? Their locos are outstanding in so many ways, but having a proprietary digital system wasn't the best idea, no matter how much they'd like to increase their share of the market.

JHF

[fondo]

Hamltnblue

As noted above, DCC is a standard.  Any DCC controller will operate your DCC compatable loco's

That's right!! Search in the community as there is a lot of comparison between DCC set brands!

I use NCE Power Cab and I'm more than satisfied!

[Hamltnblue]

Scale Hogger

Thanks, Jaddie --

Don't you wish MTH had NOT "done its own thing"? Their locos are outstanding in so many ways, but having a proprietary digital system wasn't the best idea, no matter how much they'd like to increase their share of the market.

JHF

They actually didn't do their own thing. DCS originated with larger scales which is what MTH does most of. It's been pretty recent that they started getting their feet into HO.  They thought that by having decent quality loco's that people would somehow switch over to their control system.  They were mistaken. 

[Wazzzy]

is it possible to change the DCS decoder in the MTH locomotives to one that is more 'friendly' with the DCC systems? just asking.....

[Hamltnblue]

Yes, but it takes some work. DCS uses a different common than DCC. I forget which but while one uses a common negative the other uses a common positive.  I have a thread that I did in Jan/Feb of 2010 when I converted an MTH SD70 over to a Tsunami.  It has pics with it.

 

[galaxy]

Hamltnblue

Scale Hogger:

Thanks, Jaddie --

Don't you wish MTH had NOT "done its own thing"? Their locos are outstanding in so many ways, but having a proprietary digital system wasn't the best idea, no matter how much they'd like to increase their share of the market.

JHF

 

They actually didn't do their own thing. DCS originated with larger scales which is what MTH does most of. It's been pretty recent that they started getting their feet into HO.  They thought that by having decent quality loco's that people would somehow switch over to their control system.  They were mistaken. 

Yes, I would say they were mistaken and should have "played nice" and "played by the rules" of HO scale DCC system compatibility. If they want in the HO field, they should adapt to the systems in place for it.

If a auto manufacturer in East Bumnowhere wants to sell cars to the USA they have to build to our standards, not whatever is acceptable in their country and expect USA to adapt to their cars.

The problem would be solved, however, and MTH start to build DCC engines instead of their proprietary DCS system IF PEOPLE SIMPLY STOPPED BUYING THEIR LOCOS because they are non compliant totally with DCC systems.