Lenz or Digitrax: A 2 brand question

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railroadyoshi

Texas Zephyr, that was the most useful response yet!
Thank you sooooo much!!!!!
I think i may be able to make my decision off of your post!
Im going to put it in my favorites and print it out!

In all my responses, I always try to answer the exact question the person has asked to the best of my knowledge and ablity. Only then will I add other comments or re-directing thoughts if I think they won't cause confusion. If one starts throwing out differing ideas or opinions before the basic question is answered it can just be frustrating. There have been a few threads I followed and even though there were 20 or so responses, no one had directly answered the person's original question. I think that is just human nature to want to state ones own opinions and mold others into our way of thinking [;)]. I try very hard not to do that because my opinions are very strong.

[rrinker]

That's fine as long as all the facts are straight. I haven't done an item by item count, but I'd bet there are MORE accessories for Loconet than Xpressnet. And you sort of imply Xpressnet is not proprietary - to date EVERY brand's throttle bus is proprietary. Lenz may make devices for other manufacturers like Roco and Atlas and Bachmann, but it's still proprietary. Likewise Uhlenbrock might use Loconet, but it's still proprietary. You can;t use Lenz throttles on an NCE system, you can't use NCE throttles on an Easy-DCC system, and you can't use Easy-DCC throttles on Digitrax.

--Randy

[jnichols]

For the money there is nothing currently on the market that will touch a Zephyr IMHO (as long as the 10 locomotive slot limit doesn't affect you). Remember this is ten locomotive slots and throttles at the same time, and a slot can be multiple locomotives in an MU situation, so chances are unless you are thinking of starting a club, you are ok.

A Zephyr is a Super Chief for all intents and purposes (less the 120 slot limit of course), and shares the same architecture and communications platform. In fact, a Zephyr can be used as a throttle on another Digitrax system (I'm not sure why you would want to do this, but it can be done). Digitrax offers a huge array of products, from decoders to block detection and signalling and these are all backwards compatible with virtually anything the've built. For $150 (the typical street price for a Zephyr), you can't go wrong.

Before deciding however, I would be sure to operate both systems and see which one you prefer first hand. You may like the Lenz throttle better, or some other feature may spark your interest. I also agree with the people who argue to go with a well supported system in your area, from the hobby shops to your friends it's always better to have someone close by for help and guidance.

Good luck!

[NZRMac]

QUOTE: Originally posted by railroadyoshi

BTW, would all Lenz systems come speaking german, because i am not fluent in German

Got my Lenz from Tony's Train Exchange, it speaks da english k?

Ken.

[keystonecrossings]

Depends on your layout size, for one. I'd also consider what other layouts use near you, if you plan to get into round-robin op sessions.

I use Digitrax. That's also what's common in the area.

I know a guy who outgrew Lenz and went to Wangrow. Wangrow closed (death of owner). This guy moved to Digitrax. Very happy.

[simon1966]

Yoshi

I said I would get back to you with details of my Zephyr repair. I shipped it last week on Friday. It was delivered on Monday and today I called them and it has been repaired and is being shipped today via UPS. When I called I was immidiately connected to the repair department and was not on hold at all. Total cost of the repair including the return shipping is $35.00. I think this is excellent service and to get it back a week after it was shipped is very good.