5-DCC

[HoosierDaddy]

Anybody else using the new 5-DCC system announced in the April MRR? I love the way mine works. It's reliable, portable, and cost effective once you get past the start-up costs, ( It doesn't quite cost an arm and a leg, but no amount of money could replace the original). I went all out, and got the sound version too. It will make an endless variety of train sounds. Granted, they are not all prototypically accurate, but I think in this case quantity trumps quality.

Who else is using the 5-DCC system?[:D]

HD

[cacole]

The April MRR? I just received the March issue a couple of weeks ago! It sounds to me like this thing is too new for anyone to have experience with it.

[HoosierDaddy]

It's definitely in the April issue.

[Jcourval]

I would like more info on the 5-DCC is there a web site on the product.

[loathar]

Never heard of it.

[btransue]

QUOTE: Originally posted by HoosierDaddy

Anybody else using the new 5-DCC system announced in the April MRR? I love the way mine works. It's reliable, portable, and cost effective once you get past the start-up costs, ( It doesn't quite cost an arm and a leg, but no amount of money could replace the original). I went all out, and got the sound version too. It will make an endless variety of train sounds. Granted, they are not all prototypically accurate, but I think in this case quantity trumps quality.

Who else is using the 5-DCC system?[:D]

HD

I thought the 5-DCC system could only be used with the Fiddle yard? Is this an upgrade? [8D]

--
Brad

[Anonymous]

It will be available on April 1st. Think about it.

Bob Boudreau

[MRTerry]

We'll have a demo/how-to video online soon. The footage is being edited now. By hand, of course.

[HoosierDaddy]

I went back and reread some of the product literature at lunch today. The name stand for 5 digit command control, it's produced by SLF Control Industries and allows one to five digit addressing. It allows complete walkaround control, and is equally suitable for all scales from Z to G.

HD

[jfugate]

Yes, this is one of those technological breakthroughs that makes you wonder "why didn't we think of this sooner? It's so obvious ..."

Very fitting that it should be released in April. [swg]

[Anonymous]

Breakthrough? Nonsense. This thing is a complete waste of time, and I consider it completely inadequate.

First of all, how can anyone manage with merely the ability to address 99,999 locos. That's like 1/3 of my roster. I need 6-DCC or else don't bother.

And it better have the ability to support at least 3,974 throttles, all wireless, with a range of at least 17 miles through solid re-barred concrete. How the heck could you have an op session with less? Each throttle should have the ability to simultaneously control at least 10 locos, and the system must have plenty of amperage to handle all 39,740 locos running up 4% grade at max throttle.

While we're at it, I want the decoders to have 'traction control' so I can take any loco up a 10% grade with any number of cars without wheelslip. If they can do it on my car, why not here?

And I'm really tired of all this polling/loconet/xpressnet/throttlebus/powerbus nonsense. I want a no-bus, no-net DCC system. If it can't figure out what's going on without all that wiring, what's the point?

It should also offer Household Stationary Decoders. Turnouts, shmurnouts. It better be able to control my coffee pot, tv and other stuff. It's clearly months if not years since a "beyond the layout" DCC system should have been put forth.

Plus, I don't like the shade of gray they used for the buttons. That's a deal breaker all by itself.

So if the DCC manufacturers can't manage that, they should just close up shop and we'll all go back to clockwork wind-up trains, the technology is SOOOO inadequate anyway.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kchronister

While we're at it, I want the decoders to have 'traction control' so I can take any loco up a 10% grade with any number of cars without wheelslip. If they can do it on my car, why not here?

Seriously for a sec... I was joking, but why not? It's really just a variation on BEMF?

Of course, MTH will sue...

[jrbernier]

Yup - MTH invented it, or did Al Gore invent it?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jrbernier

Yup - MTH invented it, or did Al Gore invent it?

I heard Al Gore invented MTH ("Mike" being Tipper's pet name for him), so it's immaterial.

[davekelly]

Hmmmm. While I understand that 5-DCC is wireless, does it have a computer interface?

[Anonymous]

Nope - UP is claiming royalties as it's one of its subsidiaries!

March 23 and already we have the onset of April Fool jokes, can spring be far behind?
Again nope, snowing outside and the west coast mud sliding its way UP hill!

Will ... still amused!

[steveblackledge]

[(-D][:-^][:-^][:-^][(-D]

[HoosierDaddy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

Hmmmm. While I understand that 5-DCC is wireless, does it have a computer interface?

Mine is interfaced with a computer as I type this.

HD

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by HoosierDaddy

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

Hmmmm. While I understand that 5-DCC is wireless, does it have a computer interface?

Mine is interfaced with a computer as I type this.

HD

I heard a computer interface is not only built in, but required. The computer tells you what you're allowed to do, and overrides you if you try something unprototypical.

[Anonymous]

well, i havent seen the article yet, but my mrr should be in within the next 2-3 days, so i don't know exactly what this is, is it somthing you can add on to any system, such as digitrax, or is it a new brand of dcc?

guess i'll have to wait to see the article

[tstage]

Actually, Andrew, it will transmorgify a Bachmann E-Z Command into a top-of-the-line Zimo DCC system. I've NEVER seen anything like it in my life...[swg]

Tom

[davekelly]

Don't forget it is a proven system using a proven manufacturing process! Unfortunately it, as far as I know, does not come with any sort of warranty. My experience with it does show that it has a tendancy to slow down over time.

[Anonymous]

This is a MUST HAVE system for sure!

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Overdurff

March 23 and already we have the onset of April Fool jokes, can spring be far behind?

Will ... still amused!

dude ... it's February 23

[:D]

[jfugate]

And I hear they will be practically giving away the 5-DCC systems starting in April. Something this accessible and easy to use only comes along once in a lifetime.

[swg]

[janbouli]

More like once a year, imho.[:)]

[jondrd]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jondrd

When the computer overrides your command does it say, "Dave, I can't do that....."

Jon