I have eleven Atlas locomotives needing decoders, e.g. GP38s, GP40-2 etc. that take either a TCS AMD-1 or a Digitrax DN163A0. Anyone used either or both of these? Which one is prefered (and why)? I may go with the Digitrax as I now know how do program the Rule 17 ligiting (CV49=104) that causes the headlight to remain on in reverse but dimmed.
I like the AMD1 as it has a 1 year goof proof warranty. I actually have a mix of the two types. The dithering feature that TCS has works really well in getting a loco to crawl. The TCS instructions are much better too. Don't know about Rule 17 as I don't use it.
The TCS decoder has always given me much better contact when used in the Atlas locomotives. The way the contacts are designed, it can be kind of sporadic (or not at all sometimes) when I use digitrax or other brands of decoders. I never have this problem with the TCS decoder. Also, the motor seems much quieter with the TCS. However, the TCS really has to be jammed into the frame. It's a tight fit. It takes some doing, but is worth the result.
I prefer the TCS AMD-1 decoder because it's easier to install in these loco's and the one year warranty is also an incentive. Stay cool and run steam....
