What SYTEM DO YOU use???

[BC Rail King]

Hi there!

I was wondering what system ya use, and why u like it?!?

I use the Digitrax Chief, I like it cause I got it for $350 http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif No, I like the routing, and things like that, they can come in handy every once in awhile! I also like the wide address range, and the amount of active trains u can have.

Happy Railroading!!

Dane N. http://www.trainboard.com/wink.gif

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BC Rail King
TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info.
BCRailKing@Canada.com

[mtaylor]

I use the digitrax Chief and I like it for all of the various features, ease of use and radio conrol

Matt

[ChrisDante]

I use the Lenz 01, very happy with it. It has lots of features I havn't gotten to yet.

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When in doubt, empty your magazine.

[pray59]

North Coast Engineering; still waiting on the radio upgrade, otherwise its fantastic!

[sd75mac]

Started with a Digitrax Big Boy, then upgraded to a Chief. Why? Because someone sold me the BB cheap.

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Keep on Track'N
Harold Riley
www.phcomputing.com (http://www.phcomputing.com)

[This message has been edited by sd75mac (edited 02 July 2000).]

[bdb5853]

I started with a North Coast system. It was complex and had far too many buttons on the controller in my opinion. I sold it and now I'm considering a simpler system such as MRC. Any opinions on MRC? Thanks.

David

[This message has been edited by bdb5853 (edited 08 July 2000).]

[ChrisDante]

David,
Since you already have had experience and found a system that was less than you hoped for, before you buy MRC I suggest you try it out. I have no problem with MRC except it is very limited. Which is not a critism of the company. That is the market nich they targeted and obviously are doing quite well in that arena. They target the beginner who wants to dip his/her foot in the water and not go in too deep.

Bear in mind their's is the least expensive of all the systems and you really do get what you pay for. Check out the price of a Zimo system, after you've had your EKG and the doctor says you still have a pulse,look at the features it supports.

May I suggest you look at tttrains.com and ttx-dcc.com, especially the latter, they've got a good comparision of the different systems available.

LOL,
Chris

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When in doubt, empty your magazine.

[pray59]

bdb5853, I started with the MRC then went to the NCE. I wanted more control over the system.

I only got $45 in the NMRA auction for my MRC setup with 2 handhelds. If you want to go with the MRC, I would suggest buying one used. There are many good used systems siting in peoples junk boxes these days.

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Robert Ray
The NP & UP N-Scale Railroad (http://members.home.net/pray59)

[gwschreyer]

I use a radio Chief with an NCE PB110 booster. The 8 amp Chief is simply too wimpy for large scale trains.

Also the largest Digitrax decoders do not perform well at the higher currents that large scale needs, their 5 amp decoder works at 2 amps and sort of works at 3 amps. Beyond that, its history. I use NEC D408's, LE230's and Zimo MX65's instead. These work in applications that turn the DG580L into slag.

See details at DCC Tips (http://trainweb.org/girr/tips/tips5/dcc_tips.html).

[This message has been edited by gwschreyer (edited 08 July 2000).]

[MOPAC 1]

I use the Digitrax "Genesis" set. I have two throttles now, and will soon purchase a DT100IR so then I will have the "Empire Builder"... MOPAC 1

[Mike C]

I use the MRC system and although it is a limited system, it does work well for a smaller size layout. If I ever decide to upgrade I will probably go with the Digitraxx system . It seems to be fairly user friendly and easily expandible....Mike

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Its only Money !!

[atsfman]

Two railroads, two NCE PowerPros. Very easy to set up and use, especially after years with Dynatrol.
Bob

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Bob Miller
"Santa Fe Lives"

[tunnel88]

I don't have it yet, but i'm leaning toward Digitrax wireless...

How much difference is there between the NCE and the Wangrow systems? I haven't got my hands on the NCE yet in any form...

[atsfman]

There is little difference betwee NCE and Wangrow. Many of the Wangrow components are manufactured by or in conjunction with NCE as I understand it. the throttles look pretty much the same, they use the same signal bus, Wangrow has a little different packaging on some components, but pretty much, from what I see, they are twins.
bob Miller

[BC Rail King]

I was wondering, alot of people are going away from Digitrax now. Where do you get decoders, or even the system for the others. I dunno about down south, but here Digitrax has a monoploy.


Here are our choices

-Lenz, but you have to order decoders when you want them, so it takes 3-4 weeks to recieve

Digitrax

-we have everything!

MRC

-see comment on Digitrax

Happy Railroading!!

Dane N. <big><big> http://www.trainboard.com/wink.gif </big></big>

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BCRailKing@Canada.com

Teen Association of Model Railroaders-
for information, contact Dane N. at TAMR2860@Canada.com
http://www.tamr.org

"I was DC, and went DCC!"

[JLS]

I have been using a Digitrax Chief system for almost 3 years, now, with great success and a lot of fun.

For those interested by my experiences with DCC (and also some tricks to make it better yet), please visit the traiN'ternet web site :
http://www.trainternet.org

Would be glad to get comments, if any.

JLS

[ChrisDante]

JLS, sorry I just caught your post on DCC, Welcome to our forum. I just visited your webpage, one of the best I've ever seen. You and I are going to have long chats re: winlock. I'm going to spread your wealth on this board. You've got a lot of good info.

Where in France do you live, I don't recognize the town. I'm coming over in a couple of weeks to visit my daughter in Paris. E-mail me at m1919@cshore.com.

Nice to have you aboard.

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When in doubt, empty your magazine.
Member #33

[gwschreyer]

I also have a DCC page, http://trainweb.org/girr/tips/tips5/dcc_tips.html

- gws

[pray59]

Thats a very informative site you have Gwschreyer, lots of great info! Bookmarked http://www.trainboard.com/wink.gif

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Robert Ray
The NP & UP N-Scale Railroad (http://members.home.net/pray59)

[ChrisDante]

To George,
Please don't ever leave this board. You are a wealth of important information, I looked through your site and I will have to spend hours ingressing all the information.

I hope you don't mind, if you do please e-mail me, but I would like to use you as a reasourse for our members.

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When in doubt, empty your magazine.
Member #33

[leghome]

Has anyone seen the Atlas system yet. It is made by Lenz but with all of the good luck I have had with Atlas products I have been leaning towards that system because of costs. Lenz makes a very good system and with the Atlas name on it I would think that Atlas would keep a goodly numbers of decoders and other parts in stock.

[Harron]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BC Rail King:
I was wondering, alot of people are going away from Digitrax now. Where do you get decoders, or even the system for the others. I dunno about down south, but here Digitrax has a monoploy.

Dane N.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, you can always visit Tony's Trains (www.tonystrains.com). He's in VT, and will sell you anything. As for decoders, they are all compatible, so you can use Digitrax, Lenz, NCE, Soundtraxx, etc.. decoders all at once on the same layout.

As for the Atlas system, it seems like a much improved entry level system (over MRC). It is not out on the market yet (couple of months) and I am waiting for them to post the manual on the website. Still haven't bought my personal DCC system yet for a small layout, so this could be my option. As for our club, NCE all the way.

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Corey Lynch
Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society
NEB&W RR
http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site
http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W

[Slow-Approach-Slow]

My vote's for Digitrax's Cheif system. It has worked fine on my rr-club layout.
Pittsburgh and Ohio Northern RR Club (http://www.geocities.com/ponrrc)

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Cass Telles
Railroads of NW Ohio (http://www.trainweb.org/rrnwoh)

[scottadcock]

On board for the first time. Great to be here.
I have used Digitrax since '94. Started with a Big Boy. Upgrades are easy, performance is
flawless in both N and HO. I do not know of
anyone moving away from Digitrax. They are clearly one of the top 3 or 4 DCC systems
hands down. Maybe the top. I have not been exposed to all of them.
My choice for sales and service is Southern
Dgital. But Loy's sure does have a lot of happy customers as well http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif

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No! Your track is not clean.

[Alan]

Scott, Welcome to Trainboard http://www.trainboard.com/smile.gif You will like it here, I am sure http://www.trainboard.com/biggrin.gif

I have also settled on the Digitrax system, although I have not actually bought anything yet! I plan on getting the Empire builder. Should be ok for my small layout.

Now I have to work through all my locomotives fitting decoders, as I can afford them http://www.trainboard.com/frown.gif

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Alan

The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

www.alancurtismodels.com (http://www.alancurtismodels.com)
Andersley Western Railroad (http://www.trainweb.org/andersleywestern/)
Alan's American Gallery (http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com)

[dave f]

I had a MRC command 2000 for a year now and I am still happy with it regardless of all the negetive comments about it. As a solo operator, I think it is more than enough as it supports 10 locos running at the same time and has walk around throttle support. Hell, you can even have 2 operators running the layout as one can use the walkaround throttle for mainline use and the other use the console for the "yard jobs" or an industrial area. Although it is limited to 10 locos running at one time, I think I would cause a "disaster" on my layout if I ran 10 trains at the same time, or even 5 trains with 2 unit consists.

Even though the "Digi" guys call the MRC system "junk, "useless", "very limited" etc", most people don't have huge layouts with 10 operators walking around, complex signal systems, Soundtrax decoders, tons of accessary decoders, and locos with fancy ditch lights on their locos flashing away while approaching grade crossings.

Although the new Atlas DCC may take the crown as the "best entry system", the MRC is still a good system for 1 or even 2 operators and got a lot of people introduced to DCC.

[Jdvass]

I use the MRC Prodigy Advance Squared. You should check it out. Feature for feature and dollar for dollar it cant be beat. I think the fellows saying MRC is a limited system are either talking about the older Commander 2000 system or they have never used the newer MRC products and are just guessing because of the price range. Read the reviews on it from Model Railroader magazine and other reputible reviewers if you dont believe me. (No I dont work for MRC).

[sillystringtheory]

I am very happy with my Prodigy Advance.
The buttons on it say what they actually do.
I like F1- F2- F3, etc. on my computer. Not on my DCC system thank you.
Simple is good.

[Mike Sheridan]

Bar the last couple of posts this thread is from year 2000 (remember that?). So given the pace of technology I doubt if much in it is really relevant nearly 7 years later :embarassed:

[mtaylor]

I use the digitrax Chief and I like it for all of the various features, ease of use and radio conrol

Matt

Fast forward seven years....

I sold my Super Chief earlier this year as part of my downsizing. I have since purchased a Digitrax Zepher along with MS100 access to a PC.

Future plans:
add DT400R
add UR91 Panel
May get into block detection for automated turnout and signal control.

[mtaylor]

Bar the last couple of posts this thread is from year 2000 (remember that?). So given the pace of technology I doubt if much in it is really relevant nearly 7 years later :embarassed:

I guess I would have to disagree with this.

For example:
I purchased a Digitrax SuperChief in 1999. Todays Digitrax SuperChief is not all that much differn't with exception of the throttle. The old version included the DT100R. I think a DT300R is now included....could be wrong.

Lenz has not had any new systems in a while nor has NCE. MRC is the only player I am aware of that has a new system available.

So while there are advances....it is my observation that DCC products evolve much more slowly than computer technology overall.
.
Just my opinion.

[Mike Sheridan]

I don't really disagree with that Matt. I was mainly drawing attention to the age of the majority of the thread.

However, NCE (and probably other makers) have brought out a number of firmware/software revisions over the years which can significantly change (usually for the better) the functionality. And decoders have certainly changed - smaller, more functions, silent, sound - and the interaction with them can alter system perceptions; eg. Trying to use a basic Bachmann system with sound decoders can be, er, frustrating :)

[UP_Phill]

Digitrax Super Chief Radio here. Fantastic system. The only thing I'd like this system to have would be full duplex radio...not a biggy tho.

[Joe Daddy]

I started with the Lenz system and because of the 'hype' on the web and magazines, got a buy on a Digitrax Super Chief. After spending a few days with it, I elected to stay Lenz. Quite happy I did.

Today, you can find Lenz set 01 on eBay for about 170 - 180 if you look for them. One would be hard pressed to find a more cost effective, full function DCC system at a lower price than that. (I have purchased two additional sets at 170 an could have gotten another one or two IF I could find out why to have one. Add their USB adapter and you are ready for computer control. Lenz has the best warranty and German quality.

On my website is a poll that will tell you what the top functions people are looking for when they buy a DCC system. You can see the poll at this link: Joe Daddy's Blog (http://wwwjoe-daddy.blogspot.com/search/label/DCC%20-%20Selection%20Criteria)

Surprisingly most people say the Throttle selection and easy to use is at the very top of their list. Feel free to leave your opinion.

[piston_8]

digitrax big boy used. Cheaper than buying new I am happy with it.

[traingeekboy]

digitrax zephyr here. Wish I could afford Lenz, but the Zeph has this cool jumper port function that lets you attach analog power packs to it so you get extra cabs.