Wow how long does it take to get decoders these days? My supplier is not to happy with Digitrax. (he told me that they have not shipped to him since Feb 06) Whats up digitrax?
IMO, they have always had great products, but their production runs and shipping are frustrating. My LHS has always had the same problem too. I've learned to "grab them while you can".
Digitrax has a bad habit of delaying shipments to dealers. It happens all the time. Most of the "big" dealers get the frequent shipments of decoders. Stay cool and run steam.....
John: There are many other decoders on the market made by other fine companies. Digitrax isn't particularly customer friendly. They charge you for every problem that occurs with their decoders. Stay cool and run steam....
Good to know Bob. Also good that I have not yet bought in. I am actually researching other brands (not to get back on that topic) even though I thought I wanted the Dtrax. I guess I have time since the wife has sort of limited my budget...looks like DC until next year sometime. I am posting a topic about that now John
I have to chime in here .. because it's not totally accurate .. digitrax will replace decoders that are defective before you wire them in .. they encourage you to test .. I have had other things, including boosters repaired for free .. they even sent me a loaner while my DCS was being fixed. I have even had them replace decoders for free .. its just a mater of how it was destroyed. The better DCC dealers out there should have these in stock . Litchfieldstation shows them in stock .. http://litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php?cat=104&sort=orderby&sort_direction=0&page=3 I have had very good experiences with them .. Stay cool, and run Digitrax ..
I would research the DCC systems very carefully while you have the time to do so. Stay cool and run steam.....
I have to chime in here .. because it's not totally accurate .. digitrax will replace decoders that are defective before you wire them in .. they encourage you to test .. I have had other things, including boosters repaired for free .. they even sent me a loaner while my DCS was being fixed. I have even had them replace decoders for free .. its just a mater of how it was destroyed. The better DCC dealers out there should have these in stock . Litchfieldstation shows them in stock .. http://litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php?cat=104&sort=orderby&sort_direction=0&page=3 I have had very good experiences with them .. Stay cool, and run Digitrax ..
Bob, I beg to differ in regard to your comment that, "Digitrax isn't particularly customer friendly. They charge you for every problem that occurs with their decoders." That has NOT been my experience with Digitrax. I have found that they are much MORE "customer friendly" than some other manufacturers. They have NEVER charged me for a repair when the problem was not of my own doing. In fact, they have repaired things for free, even when I admitted up front that "I screwed up, so how much will it cost to fix this?". And they have taken the time to expain things that I should have been able to figure out on my own, "if" I had read and followed the directions properly. So, I give Digitrax's customer service 5+ stars. They have always been professional, courteous, and helpful to me. "Your results may vary, depending upon your attitude when you call them."
What happens when a decoder blows after it's wired in? Is there a reasonable warranty on the decoder? I think not. Lenz will replace any decoder no questions asked. I've always been charged for the one or two defective Digitrax decoders that I've purchased and requested replacement for. Stay cool and run steam.....
Rather than getting into a discussion of Digitrax production scheduling, dealer allocation and customer support, let me just say that the DN163K1C is a board replacement decoder for a specific loco (the new version Kato SD40-2). Since the locos are recently released and much in demand, and the decoder is new, it should be no surprise that there is not a lot of them sitting on dealer shelves. With the growth of N scale and DCC, Digitrax is in the somewhat enviable position of not being able to build stuff fast enough. If you are in a hurry, the K1B can be used with slight modification, or you can use a wired in decoder from other manufacturers. You want the built-to-fit unit, you wait in line.
Thanks everyone for the input. I dont always use the PNP Digitrax decoders but in this case its almost needed. I kind of disagree about the "new" run and short supply. When the SD70MAC hit the decoder was out and avaliable and no shortages. (I would know my SD70 fleet is 25 motors strong all with the same decoder) I just dont understand why you would not ship in a more uniform manor. Thats how i feel and I'm sticking with it for now. Steve
I am not against Digitrax, however the Lenz decoder warranty is a no questions asked replacement. Even if the customer was at fault. And they respond quickly to email questions.
As another have said, the "C" version decoder is in high demand and is available at Litchfieldstation. I ordered one from Bruce weeks ago. To the best of my knowledge, due to the new design that Kato did for the SD40-2, Digitrax is the only manufacturer out there that has a decoder that is PnP w/o any LED hacking or replacement. Lenz doesn't have one. (Being facetious) Boy, Lenz really sucks! As for Lenz's warranty, well, that's their policy. If that is important to you then go for it. There's nothing stopping you from buying a Digitrax system and Lenz decoders. TCS also has a 1 year goof proof warranty even if it's your fault and I have taken advantage of that when I blew up a decoder during install. However, there are some situations where I prefer Digitrax decoders because they have a PnP model or more dealers carry them, etc. To say that Digitrax's service sucks is really inappropriate. There are not many companies out there where the consumer blows something up on their own accord and it gets replaced. This doesn't make all the other companies that don't have this policy bad companies. I've used their repair service in the past and they were quick and very customer friendly. Communications were also very good telling me when they received it and when they were shipping it.
I guess I missed that day in school when they taught it was alright to say Lenz sucks but not to say Digitrax service sucks. Hmmmm
I guess you guys don't get it. Is the money! Buy a Digitrax Super Chief and they get your money. Expect service, decoders to fit new engines and forget it. I love my Super Chief, but am sorry every day that it was Digitrax that got paid for it since they have shown how little they care about customer service, concerns or needs. Doc
I have a Super Chief system... I have never had any problems with it or any Digitrax decoders I have bought (and I have bought a bundle!). Our club uses Digitrax and it has been ultra-reliable. Harold
