In the near future I wil be going with the Atlas DCC system. My question is about decoders. There is a sea of decoders out there and I'm wondering which way to go.... The key reqirements I'm looking for are loco control (of course) and being able to combine multiple units (I think all will do this). And finally the other thing I would like is control of loco lights (turning on and off, and constant brightness regardless of speed). Your input and advice would be appreciated.
I think they all do those things, I like the Lenz decoders due to size, compatability, and price. I have NCE, Lenz, Digitrax, and MRC decoders, and they all do constant brightness directional lighting.
Due to the limited programming capabilites of the Atlas system, the Atlas decoders are probably the way to go. Most of the other decoders mentioned (Digitrax, Lenz, etc.) have far more capabilities than the Atlas system can make use of, and as such frequently cost more. ANother possibility is the new MRC decoders, though they have some weird features and the jury is still out on whether they will work with other programming systems.
I don't know if this is scale-related (I'm in N scale), and it may not be important to everyone but it is very important to me: ditch lights. I think these are extremely cool, especially alternately blinking ditch lights on a momentary function like F2 on Digitrax. If you are modelling the modern era, you will want ditch lights and only Digitrax decoders support blinking ditch lights (Lenz doesn't). Of course, this is N scale. Also, you have to do the extra lamp installation and solder to the appropriate function pads--not a difficult task really--I'm just starting out with DCC and I just did my Kato SD90MAC, keeping the white LED headlight, cutting off the light pipes to the ditch lights and fitting 1.5V 0.055" Miniatronics 15mA bulbs, soldered to the F1 and F2 pads. Very impressive to look at! Naturally, if your era is steam or transition, this isn't important, and you are back to choosing on other factors.
Richard please shoot me an e-mail to s@sschaer.com on how you did the SD90 ditch light modification. ALL : I'd go for Digitrax DCC equippment. Multi-unit consists is no problem. Acceleration/decceleration can be adjusted as well as the starting voltage and the voltage curve itself. This is important if you run multi-unit trains. That's the only way to match the speeds of the individual locos. I have to admit that I own a single Lenz decoder (because the shop had no Digitrax at the time I needed one) and I'm happy with it. It's a good and cheaper alternative to Digitrax decoders.
Thanks for the input. It does raise two more questions for clarification. 1) On ditch lights, I want them, but don't care if they are solid of flashing (I'm in HO scale by the way). Can Lenz do this? 2) Programming starting voltage and power curve for MUing. Does Lenz do this? I'm leaning towards Lenz if it fits my needs due to cost and them being actual makers of the Atlas system.
You may want to read about the Digitrax "Zepher", new startedr set to be released late summer. If you aren't buying soon, you may want to wait. It sounds great, and price is competitive. Check out at www.ttx-dcc.com Gary
