I'm just getting going in DCC and have quite a few Kato N scale locos to convert. I've used Digitrax decoders in an ABB set of F3's with fine success, but have noticed that TCS offers a competing product for all of the Kato locos. I probably have about 30 locos to go (F units, E units, P42's, NW's and a GG1). Before I take a big plunge, I would like to hear what others prefer brand-wise. Any/all opinions, gripes, guidance, war stories, etc. will be greatly appreciated. :thumbs_up:
TCS has smoother motor control than Digitrax in my experience, but both are generally reliable. Both have good warranties to. My best story is TCS replaced a 2 year old decoder that I got wet no questions asked.
I'm a big fan of TCS and have used their stuff in my own older Kato conversions. Have not used Digitrax so I can't say how they compare. But I can give TCS a big thumbs up in getting my older Katos to run nice and smooth on DCC.
They are both good decoders. TCS has better lighting control, and maybe a better motion control. Digitrax has the proper implementation of speed tables and trim, and that makes it so much easier for speed matching. If TCS had TRIM enabled, I would get TCS and never look elsewhere. But, Digitrax is the clear winner in my mind because of the ease of matching speed in both forward and reverse, using the speed tables. I have used a method of loading the same speed table into all locomotives that will run together. And whether is is a Kato, Altas, Athearn, Intermountain or Fox Valley, I can speed match any of these to run with each other using the the same speed table and adjusting the trim so they are matched in both directions. It is so much more difficult to speed match multiple locomotives when there is no effective adjustments like TRIM. So if you want good running consists, where speed matching is important, right now Digitrax is your best bet. If TCS ever implements TRIM, they are the hands down choice. Personally, I do use TCS decoders in units I am not planning on consisting like yard switchers, both diesel and steam. But mainline locomotives are all Digitrax. Both are now offering about the same warranty now so it boils down to what you need out of the decoder.
Digitrax and TCS both make good decoders, and they both have features that the other one does not have that may make you lean towards one or the other. Although a feature not used by many, Digitrax decoders do have Transponding(an important consideration if you have any interest in using Soundtraxx's "Surround Traxx" system if it ever actually gets released). They both now have Bemf compensation. Some people prefer TCS's "self-adjusting" implementation because it is either on or off, there is no tuning of it; however, from my experience I can get better Bemf compensation performance with Digitrax. As has already been mentioned, TCS decoders do not have forward and reverse trim, so if you have an engine that is faster in one direction you can not compensate for that. TCS decoders have variable momentum(the acceleration and decceleration rates can vary depending on the speed setting) and you can adjust the dimmed brightness of the headlights. If you use LEDs for any of the varying lighting effects, such as Mars lights or flashing ditch lights, they look better using TCS decoders. If you ever plan on running your engines on DC, they take less voltage to start with TCS decoders than with Digitrax decoders. My personal opinion is that TCS decoders have more "plusses" than Digitrax decoders; however, the inclusion of Transponding and the tuneable Bemf compensation have made me standardize on Digitrax.
Wow, that's great info. NorsemanJack, I'd love to hear more about your experiences as you go. I also have a fleet of older N locos, and although I'm culling them heavily I hope to convert a lot of the passenger fleet to DCC. For me this *may* mean less consist issues since I am usually running matched sets from the same era and manufacturer, so maybe TCS is the right choice for me. But I'm not in any hurry so I'll draft along behind you and hopefully hear more. Good luck and thanks to the experts for their replies.
I use both Digitrax and TCS decoders also. I like Digitrax, in that they had PnP decoders for larger Atlas locomotives I have - SD50/60, Kato P42 and Intermountain T-Motors. I like TCS, as they have a 2 piece decoder that fits the older Atlas GP units, such as the GP30/35/40 etc....Plus the Goof Proof warranty! I still need to return a decoder I think I cooked, during install. Have 1 self installed Lenz decoder, and another that I think I also cooked. Plus a couple of factory installed Lenz decoiders, that I DO NOT like. Contacted Lenz, about damaged decoder, never heard back. Will NOT use them. I'd rather replace my Atlas H15-44 decoders with TCS, if they were available. Personal opinions, and experiences only.
Send TCS an e-mail about this. I asked them about doing this, and they replied "if enough people ask......" So let them know mine isn't the only voice on this!
For those who have used both, does either one cause less problems with electrical contact with the Kato motor leads? I've used the digitrax, and understand that you need to either solder the leads or do something else to ensure reliable contact under the Kato gray "clip" that goes on top of the leads (I just add some tape to create a tighter fit). I've bee told that the Digitrax decoder board is thinner than the original Kato light board, thus creating this situation. I don't like to solder the leads, as it makes the unit much more difficult to later disassemble.
NorsemanJack, I did this test... sort of. I got two different decoders for two separate installations in Kato NW-2s. Besides the roadnames and numbers, everything else about these locomotives was the same. For one board (I think it was the Digitrax) I had to take the little frame tabs and push them down gently with the flat side of a screwdriver blade to get them to make good contact. For the other board (I think it was the TCS board), I had to take a small flat-bladed screwdriver and give those same frame tabs a slight pull upward. For both of these fitting I went very slowly and gently and did a few "test fittings" to make sure that I got it. The amount of alteration was just about indistinguishable to my eye. In fact, I think if one actually sees a noticeable change one is probably squashing them too tightly or pulling them up to hard. I would say that motor control is pretty equal between the two, for my purposes anyway. These are both switchers, and I wanted them on a slow speed curve and that's what I got. The lighting seems fine with both. No problems. What DCESharkman (IIRC, it was him) said up above about consisting is my experience. If you have a set of, say, Kato PAs you want to run normally as a consist get the Digitrax ones. I think you'll have better speed matching on consisting overall. I have installed a few Digitrax decoders in PA/PBs, too. There's no big problem with the gray plastic plug. Just make sure you follow all the directions about taping the contact springs as they indicate. Magic smoke may run out otherwise. Don't ask me how I know this. frown: Adam
