Hi, I was just wondering what DCC system you use, if you use one. I use the Digitrax "Chief" and am very happy with it. However, I had a few problems at first, and thing Digitrax should make there manuals more user freindly. People have said programming is hard. If you get some one who has done it alot to show you, I have found that all systems make it very easy. The bad thing about this post being on the "N" forum is that we have small locos, and only the newest of the new locos to come out have "Drop in conversions" I think that is why so many people are starting to go Atlas again Please comment- BC Rail King Visit the Cananadian Pacific Ralway Forum, right below the good 'ol CN.
I used to use the MRC 2000, but have just upgraded to the NCE Powerhouse Pro. I'm happy, very happy. Now if I could just find a DCC operated turntable indexer... ------------------ Robert Ray The NP & UP N-Scale Railroad
Began with Digitrax Big Boy. Then moved to Chief. ------------------ Keep on Track'N Harold Riley www.phcomputing.com
Hey guys! I have the Digitrax Big Boy and if it works, don't fix it! ------------------ David (aka nscaler)
Go to the HO board and check out the "EasyDCC" post. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine.
I have a couple setups right now. My club box has a Digitrax DCS210 in it with a couple other goodies for when we go to shows. It has replaced the NCE PowerCab that used to be the club’s system. My last little layout had a DCS51 Zephyr as the DCC of choice when I had it hooked up for DCC operations. I am just starting out on a new layout and that will be powered by a DCS210+ and I plan to automate the switches and have some fun with the different goodies that Digitrax offers. I also have a Digikeijs DR5000 which I use with Digitrax UR93 for duplex radio and have that mainly for experimentation and sometimes it was connected to my old layout.
i was NCE power cab but now DCCEX 100% with home made wireless controls. Dont think ill ever use anything else... i can do what the big boys do plus some for a whole lot less $$$$$$
I still have my Digitrax Chief/DT100 from my N scale days and recently powered it up to scoot a few locomotive back and forth on the test track, but my recent goto system is a Raspberry Pi loaded with hack software I wrote to make a basic command station. It implements a substantial subset of the DCC-EX commands, and I have hooked it to JMRI with some success. I think this is not the sort of thing you're looking for, but I want to keep putting out there that the Raspberry Pi has the hardware capability to generate a proper DCC signal, no bit-banging. Just have to use the right library - pigpio, has a 'waveform' set of routines that drive the Pi's DMA and pulse-width modulation hardware. https://github.com/butcherg/wavedcc
I have a Lenz system packed away. I used it on my old N scale layout from about 2005-2014. It has been stored since 2014. When I originally bought it I liked that it was easy to use and could run DC locomotives on address 0.
In '07 I bought a NCE Power CAB for the two HO DCC Steamers I also bought. I only had a 5 ft. of track. It didn't work with the 0-6-0 saddle tank switcher and only got the idling sound out of the 4-6-0. No movement at all. It just sits in the HO box now.
New to DCC here, bought a Digitrax Zephyr for the scalability and ease of use. My needs are modest (small-ish layout), so that fit the bill nicely. I like it.
I use a Digitrax Zephyr as well. I know how to turn it on, enter the address of a loc and make it go forward and back, switch to a different loco while that one is running and do the same. Nothing else so I'm DCC but just barely. That probably makes me the poster child for getting the absolute least out of the investment short of not even having one hooked up.
Started with Digitrax maybe in 2005. I traveled a lot then and when I came back it was a chore to remember how to operate it, which I understand has become easier. I also realized that it would be forever before I utilized all of its advanced capabilities. I went totally the other direction using the MRC Advance Prodigy for ease of use, and am generally happy with it......until the National Convention in August, when the main unit crapped out during my operations sessions......I did manage to acquire another used one and will use that for now, but I understand that it was never a really successful product for MRC, and was last made around 2010, sold out, and no apparent plans to rerun it. When I decide to make the plunge, I think I will favor NCE or TCS.
Same here (DCC-EX), love it. Can have a really powerful DCC Command Station for under $100, build a .... .... wireless (WiFi) throttle for about $50 or run a phone throttle and in my case, not needed, but I'm also running JMRI and DecoderPro on a Raspberry Pi (can do that for about $75) or use a cheap used laptop. Sumner
Electronics is NOT my thing. I will stay with Digitrax. Simple hook up..simple throttle...simple for simple minds...LOL
I'm an obscure data point, an analytical who "wasted" tremendous time on education before pulling any triggers. Years ago, I decided that I needed to understand what all the hoopla was about. After researching the numerous options, I bought a high end NCE wireless system and converted a trio of Kato F3s. I programmed/ran/troubleshot/cheered/cursed/lost interest. The NCE system? Easy to learn and very user friendly. The DCC technology? Ehh. I de-converted the Kato's to their native DC configuration, sold the decoders and NCE system and now just DC and chill.
