Which DCC supplier?

[ttmac]

Hi all,

Consider me a newbie in the DC arena, although I did make a foray several years back with a Hornby Zero 1.

I am planning converting to DCC and am wondering what is one of the better makes/models of DCC equipment to invest in. I am living in Ireland if that has a bearing on the supplier.

I am interested in what others would recommend citing pros and cons of different systems if possible. At the moment I have a collection of approximately 40 locos and would hope eventually to convert all to DCC. I intend interfacing with a PC and hope to both manually control and schedule using the PC.

Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

Tom.

 

[RonP]

I'm interested in this info too.

 

[railwaybob]

There are a couple of websites you might want to visit to get an understanding of what DCC is all about.

http://www.railwaybob.com/Modules/WhatIsDCC/DCCWhatIs01.htm
will give you some basic information on what DCC is all about.

Loy's Toys has a very comprehensive list of topics on DCC
http://www.loystoys.com/MiscHTML/dcc-topics.html

Tony's Train Exchange continues with the topic of DCC
http://tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm

Litchfield Station is another place to visit
http://litchfieldstation.com/lobby/u_university.htm

As you navigate your way through these vendors' websites, you will find that most of them include comparison charts between the different manufacturers.

Remember, that decoders are inter-changeable between manufacturers. That is, I can use an Atlas, Lenz, Soundtraxx, or NCE decoder in a locomotive on my Digitrax command station/booster and throttle set. However, I may not be able to use my Digitrax DT400 throttle on a Lenz command station/booster. The command station/boosters and throttles are not necessarily compatible between different manufacturers. One of your major considerations, not mentioned on any of the websites is this one. What command station is being promoted by your local hobby shop? What command station is being used in your town, your club, by your friends? Just because Digitrax is the command station of choice in my town doesn't mean that you should go for Digitrax when Lenz, Atlas, or NCE is the command station of choice in your town.

So, your choice of command station/booster, throttles is going to depend on a number of factors. You are going to have to make some decisions that only you can decide.

Bob M.

 

[ttmac]

Bob,

Thanks for the links and the quick reply.

Good point about local user preferences and the local model shop. I'm stil inerested in what others are using and their pros and cons.

Tom.

 

[MasonJar]

I use Digitrax, as I belong to some of the same groups as Railway Bob. I know that if I ever have any difficulties, I have access to a great local knowledge base and several "gurus" to bail me out...!

I chose the Digitrax Zephyr to start, as I intend to use it to run a few modules at home. It is expandable, and compatible with everything else Digitrax makes, so if my empire grows, I do not need to replace it. Digitrax also offers the ability to interface with a computer, which I am interested in from a decoder programming point of view, but not so much a control one. In any case, the ability is there if I ever want to go to CTC with operational signals...

Andrew

 

[oldtanker]

You get what you pay for. I chose the Bachmann unit because I'm just getting back into MMR'ing and I don't want to just start dumping money. Add that to the fact that I'm a disabled Vet, 51, who has been told he can't work, with a limited income. I can always upgrade in the future....already thinking the Digitrax system!

Rick