I´m normally used to choose between the typical manufacturers readilly available thru the sellers here in Sweden. These are ESU, Lenz, Zimo, Uhleblock and so on. However i now need a few 9-pin JST decoders. The choice seems to be NCE, TCS, Digitrax and MRC. From what i´ve heard the MRC decoders perform pretty badly. The NCE "silent running" decoders seem like a godd choice. But is it? Some input on the different manufacturers would be much appreciated. / Jocke
Of the list you have provided, TCS is the best decoder. I have found that they have the best implementation for slow speed performance and they tend to run locomotives much smother than NCE or Digitrax. They implement either BEMF or dithering for slow speed control. The others only offer BEMF and at times that is not implemented very cleanly. TCS is also complaint with asymmetrical DCC systems. Personally, I am a Zimo fan whenever I can use one of their decoders.
Lenz Gold have 9-JST and are probably better than any on your list and would fit in with what you normally use. Unfortunately Zimo do not make any decoders with the 9-JST connector which is very disappointing (I standardised all my locos without a socket to 9-JST when I started, all but three of my fleet!) as that would be the obvious choice otherwise.
Thanks very much both of you for your input! I will ask around the local hobby shops, but the TCS seems like the most obvious choice (because of availability). At least if i can´t get hold of the Lenz Gold decoders "locally". (Wow. i really need to check my spelling. It should of course be Uhlenbrock in the original post).
