To DCC or not DCC, and which system?

[tstage]

Jerry,

Just one question.  I keep getting conflicting stories.  Does the Zephyr come with the RS-232 serial port, or is that an additional expense/purchase?  I know the Zephyr has the capability to hook up to a computer.  I just wanted to be clear on whether or not it actually comes with the needed port.  Thanks.

Tom 

[simon1966]

Tom. the Zephyr does  not come with a computer interface as standard.  It is an extra cost option.  One can either be purchased from Digitrax, or from the company that makes the locobuffer.  The price comparison above does not take into account the extra cost of the CI. 

[jwils1]

Tom and Simon:

You are correct. No computer interface built in to the Zephyr.  Thought sure I read that on another thread but I should have checked it myself.  Thanks for the correction.

[shawnee]

Jerrry, this is very interesting and helpful.  Because it's true that eventually I'll probably want both my son and myself to have cabs.  I'm leaning towards the NCE PowerCab because of what I hear about its ease and relative similicity.  Your chart nudges me further along that line, because it seems at least marginally less expensive long-term as well as short.  Plus, to start I'd like to have a hand-held; in my near-circular layout design I think a stationary throttle will really be annoying.  The remaining issue I had is with DC locos, but I might just mothball those DC-only engines in a nice place; they're pretty old anyway and have more nostalgic value. They weren't going to be operational centerpieces anyway.

So right now it;s just down to me doing my homework and learning in more depth about how DCC operates, getting a knowledge base so I can come to a final decision on functions, systems and decoders.  After the advice here, I think I'm going to think more  a bit about sound too.  Wouldn'nt want to invest in a lot of decoders without a longer view, or to cut off something based upon initial entry-level notions.  One question I have in mind is whether sound mostly a steam thing anyway, entertaining for steam afficionados primarily.  I'm modern era diesel.

In the meantime, as I work nightly on my layout building and track planning/laying, I've decided to wire the thing up temporarily for DC for testing purposes only, just a simple two feeder cabs to test grades and such, while I investigate and decide on the final DCC system.  That way i also get to run some trains for a few weeks while I build and during my absorption stage of DCC knowledge, but don't have to invest  time in complicated DC wiring I won't need after that.  

Thank you all, this thread has been extremely helpful to me. 

 

[jwils1]

Shawnee:

I also run diesels but do like the sound, however it's more expensive.  I'm sure it's more exciting with steam.  One thing about sound is it can get annoying.  I usually run only one sound unit at at time.  I have to admit that sometimes it is just more pleasant with no sound.

You could also add sound later if you decide to.  If your son has a favorite loco you might just try sound on that one and see how he likes it.

Sorry for the misaligned dollar columns on my previous post.  I hope it wasn't too confusing.  I haven't learned how to do that correctly on these posts.

Sounds like you're on the right track with your planning.  I know your going to love DCC once you get into it.  The more you read and re-read the more clear it becomes.

[tstage]

Sorry for the misaligned dollar columns on my previous post.  I hope it wasn't too confusing.  I haven't learned how to do that correctly on these posts.

Jerry,

The tab feature doesn't work all that well for creating columns.  Sometimes you just have to manipulate it with the space bar, too: 

Power Cab                  $140

CAB-04p throttle          $ 72

TOTAL                       $212

Even then, it's not quite perfect...

Tom

[CSX Robert]

Regarding the PC interface for the Zephyr, it's true that it does not come with one but here is a simple circuit(3 resistors and 2 transistors, cost less than 5$) that will let you interface it to a PC serial port(it's at the very bottom of the page):http://www.teamdigital1.com/support_tools.html. If you do not have a serial port, it probably will not work with a USB to serial adapter and you would have to get a Locobuffer. I have a Dell Latitude D520(one of the few laptops still available with a serial port) with Windows XP and this circuit works fine for me.

Shwanee,
If you're sure you don't need more than 4 cabs and can wait on or don't need the PC interface, then the PowerCab may be the best system for you. If you do someday down the road decide you need more cabs, you can use the cabs on a PowerHouse Pro system.

jktrains,
Here is an example of what I can do with Loconet. Get a DTM30 from CML Electronics(http://www.cmlelectronics.co.uk/products/dtm30.htm) and build a control panel that has no connections to the layout other than Loconet and power. The control panel can show which way the switches are set, what lines are occupied, and the signal aspects. I can have the same control panel represented on the PC screen. If I won't to do dispatching from another room, I can run 2 wires to that room and have a control panel or PC there. I can have the remote PC and the PC in the train both connected to the layout at the same time. I can have smaller local control panels througout the layout. If I wanted to get really fancy, I could even have each of the local panels be a touchscreen PC. I can throw switches from the DCC throttle or from any control panel. Some people would not want to do any of this and that is fine, but the capability is there. I honestly cannot see how someone could look at what you can do with Loconet and come up with "planned obselesence."