Tell me about your Zephyr... I would like to here some feedback from Digitrax Zephyr owners. ( Or other Digitrax owners. ) I am working on a 3'x6' with 10 tortoises. It should run 2 to 6 locos at a time on it. Thanks, Loco1999 [ 08. August 2004, 15:14: Message edited by: loco1999 ]
At first, I thought this was a Burlington Zephyr fan thread... I can't help much, my Digitrax system is the Super Empire Builder.
Loco1999: Here is the review of the Digitrax Zephyr system by Tony's Train XChange. It is an excellent DCC sytem for your layout. Tony's Train XChange Review of the Digitrax Zephyr System
Here is a chart comparing all the DCC Systems by Tony's Train XChange: Chart Comparing all DCC Systems: [ 08. August 2004, 16:43: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
Just a tip: Get a DCC system that will grow with you. By this I mean, get a system that has more capability than you currently need, that way you're not buying a new set in a year after the layout capabilities outstrip the DCC system's.
I don't necessarily disagree with Hemi's tip, but for $150 the Zephyr is good enough that if you do happen to outgrow it buying another system won't hurt near as bad. Plus, the way technology changes you will be better positioned to purchase that latest and greatest "killer system" once you get to the point where you need it. I have the Zephyr and while I haven't "layout tested" it for the long term, I've used it enough and in various situations (including on a club layout) that I can tell you that unless you're operating a large layout with more than a handful of people you can probably depend on the Zephyr to handle anything you want, especially anything your 3x6 dishes out.
I love mine - no problems, and tech support is great. My layout is 6x5, so kinda in the same ballpark as yours.
Thanks for some feedback. I think it would be good for my small layout. I guess for me the next question is, how long do DCC systems last? Do you have to buy a new system every couple years? ( Leans me towards the zephyr ) Do the upgrades really work and it will last? ( Leans me towards a bigger one ) How does the throttle knob remember the speed and direction when switching between locos? ( I will be driving 2 or 3 locos or consists at a time with one throttle ) Thanks, Loco1999
I like mine alot. Added a UT1 throttle and that added to the fun. It is the best investment I have made in my modeling. Dan
while i cannot comment on the zephyr specifically, i do know that digitrax stuff is absolutly superb. as for the "life span" my club has been using the same equipment since we bought it, and it has been at least a year, and it works perfectly. i also know that the exact same equipment was used for 16 hours straight yesterday in chantilley, and beyond that, for a total of 46 hours in the last 3 days, with a usual minimum of 20-30 trains on the loco-net at once. this info is straight from the digital master at that show, and he knows his stuff! i honestly dont think durability will be an issue. and if anything breaks, its under warranty for a year with digitrax, and they are GREAT to work with, i had an issue with my DT300R throttle today on the layout, and they just gave me a new one, FREE! no questions asked. throttle knob remembers speeds because they are coded into the loco-net. when you make a change, it goes in, and stays there until you make another change. hope you get your DCC setup, let us know how it goes!
The Zephyr is an excellent system. It is expandable for the future. I'm still using one of the original Chief command station and four old DB100 boosters on my layout. these are all at least six or seven years old. I own a Zephyr and use it as a yard/hostler throttle. I also use it as a booster for powering my DS54's. When I go to shows, I take it out of the layout and take it with me. Whether new or old everything works together and can be upgraded. Rich
Loco1999: The Lenz upgrades work extremely well. Lenz will announce an upgrade and send the kit out to you after requesting one. The chip that upgrades the system is very easy to install. You can continue using the same DCC system as long as your layout doesn't require more power. In that case you can buy boosters from the manufacturer to supply the additional power. The booster is then connected to the command station of the original system. The booster will then supply power to the layout that requires the additional power. For example, your main layout can be run by the main command station. Now you want to supply power to a yard that you have enlarged as well as an engine facility and turntable area. You then connect the booster to the previously mentioned addition and you are ready to roll. The booster is connected to the main command station of the DCC system. I still think that the Zephyr is the best DCC system for your layout and boosters are available to give you additional power if it is needed.
Thanks for all of the info. It sounds like all of the systems expand and would work fine for my needs. Thanks, Loco1999
I bought a zephyr and just used it about a week ago for the first time. I have a ho engine with a steam decoder in it I wanted to finally run. Can you say no brainer? I plugged it together, set an engine on the track, flipped the manual to the get started page, and I was running an engine in no time flat. i know someone with an Atlas system who says he regrets not getting a zephyr. if you are new to DCC, zephyr works well. I'm sure other starter systems work well too. Zephyr comes with some high end features that other starters do not come with. if you talk to a lenz fan they'll tell you lenz is better. People are freaky about DCC. Just get a system and get going. This is so much easier than the old DC toggles for every block of the old days.
