I must be getting old! My original intention of building a DYI DCC system is probably going to become a distant memory, not through lack of knowledge, but lack of motivation somewhat. With that said, can anyone tell me of their experiences with EasyDCC? To me it looks pretty good for a small layout, is priced well and seems to have good reviews. They even have some kits for those inclined that way. I may look at them if the shipping costs from the US are reasonable. Cheers Bruce
Unless I am mistaken, I believe that the owner of the company recently died and the company is shutting down. NCE made most of the EasyDCC line in an OEM arrangement. This isn't necessarily a bad thing if you can get a great deal and then get support from NCE, but you'll want to research it carefully. Take a look over in the Yahoo groups (groups.yahoo.com) and read up on the EasyDCC forum there. Regards, Brett C. Cammack League City, TX
Don Wangrow passed away, and the link was between System One and NCE. Keith Gutierrez (sp) is the EasyDCC man, and he is still healthy, producing EasyDCC units... There are a number of EasyDCC users is Australia - and it certainly is not restricted to "small layouts". Quite a few large layouts use EasyDCC in the US and in Aus. I can heartily recommend EasyDCC, the throttles are nice and simple with extraneous buttons, knobs, etc. If all you want to do is drive one train (like the real thing) then the EasyDCC throttle is fine. And the radio throttles are excellent. Support is also excellent. I have only needed help on two occasions, and each time had an email reply overnight. John Dennis Home of the Dutton Bay Tramway http://members.optushome.com.au/duttonbay
Hi John I might have guessed I'd meet you on trainBoard I've opted for the new Digitrax Zephyr. The price is hard to beat for a full featured DCC solution. Actually i've indulged myself and used the low cost to rationalise buying a DT300 throttle as well. But for the small layout I am starting, i don't really need the walkaround. Folks, check out the Jump port feature of the Zephyr. It accepts input from traditional DC throttles (two of them) as auxilliary cabs. A comment on Loys website made this clear to me: it uses a 12v control voltage as an external cab. think about this. If you want to, as John says, just drive a train, then make your own handheld walkaround cab from a 12v supply (or even a 9V battery as Loys suggest?), a phone cord, a DPDT switch and a pot. I'm still waiting for the Zephyr to arrive from the USA, but I'll be testing this quick smart. Has anyone tried it? If it's true, then for less than US$200 you get a full DCC controller console and two walkaround cabs. I'm going to give the Zephyr console to the dispatcher who runs through traffic, use the simple cabs for the yard switchers in my two towns - assigned to locos by the dispatcher from the Zephyr, and use the DT300 for the local freight which can use the walkaround to get up close when switching. What do people think? Has anyone tried making a cab for the Jump ports on a Zephyr? cheers Rob
Rob, I don't know of anyone who has made their own throttle for the Z jump port. But I don't see why it wouldn't work.
Now that's something I do know. There was a post up on either the Atlas DCC forum or the Yahoo Digitrax group where someone from Digitrax posted up a simple schematic for a jump port throttle utilizing a 9v battery. Regards, Brett C. Cammack League City, TX
For what it's worth I will be using the Lenz Set 100. I'll confess that I haven't actually used it yet, but before I bought it I did a LOT of research and this set seemed to be the most bang for the buck. On top of that, Lenz is practically the inventor of DCC. It also comes with the best warranty (10 years I believe). And, you can use any cheap cordless phone as a wireless controller. The link below is a good source for comparison of some of the current systems on the market. http://www.litchfieldstation.com/C/Sets/S-HO-N-Z/s-ho-n-z.html
I've got some battered old loco shells . I figure if i can glue them wrapped around a bit of PVC pipe, mount a pot in the top of the pipe or a slider pot inside it, and a DPDT switch, I'll have a way cool hand-held controller for the Digitrax. I'm motivated by a complete lack of any really good ergonomic handhelds that I have seen so far, with the exception of the Roco mouse which looks pretty easy to use. personally i don't want to carry a handheld computer around with me, I want to control a train. So any manufacturer that puts throttle, brake, direction and a set of keys marked "whistle, bell, couple..." instead of F0-F8, in a nicely shaped handheld is going to have my business. Most of them look like VCR remote controls to me and I have yet to use more than half a dozen keys on one of those either cheers Rob
G'day Rob, I totally agree with you about the throttles. Digitrax do make a simple throttle - a knob, reversing switch, and a handful of function keys - but even with that my group of operators find my similar EasyDCC throttle easier. I don't want big throttles with scores of buttons. I don't know anything about the jump port, but it sounds like a simple way to get workaround throttles - although in my case, I need to unplug a throttle and plug it in elsewhere, which may be difficult with the jump port idea. Still, starting off with DCC is a good thing, no matter which brand. If it suits you, then it's fine. John Dennis Home of the Dutton Bay Tramway http://members.optushome.com.au/duttonbay
yeah the Jump Port throttle is pretty tethered I suspect. But great for a yard switcher. And mine will have two controls: a thumb-operated speed lever and a reversing switch. in a comfortable cylindrical package. cheers Rob
