Greetings, I am getting back into the hobby, and find this DCC stuff neat, but kind of overwelming.
I don’t have the money to spend on a Digitrax setup. Does anyone know about the one atlas offers as a duo pack? It is offered on a website for sale #332.
Will this work on a moderate size HO setup?
thanks any info will be helpful. Or other recomendations will also work.
thanks
Does that web site indicate that they actually have one? All of the sites I could find say it is not in stock and availability date is unknown, meaning that it possibly hasn’t even been produced yet.
The Atlas DCC Commander is as far as I know out of production. It is a relabel of the Lenz Compact system and is somewhat limited - 2 digit addressing and only functions F0-F3. Outside of the really low-end Bachmann system which doesn’t even allow you to chose which addresses to use (it automatically programs a loco to whichever button you assign it to), all the other ‘starter’ sets now support 4-digit addressing and functions to F8 or F12 or even F28, to the Atlas is somewhat outdated.
–Randy
IUf you want DCC and are strapped for cash, you can get the Bachmann EZ Command DCC system for under a $100, around $60 in some cases. As stated above the system is limited. It can run up to 3 - 4 trains at once and supports sound functions 1 - 8 and it does allow consisting. It does not however allow you to set CV values and many other things. It’s a simple, no frills, low cost entry into the use of DCC. I use it myself and I’m happy with it.
Not sure what the duo pack is referring to. If it is the Atlas Commander then yes it is out of production. If you can find one it wouldn’t be worth buying unless it’s very, very inexpensive.
It’s actually a very good system but way out of date compared to the newer starter sets. The Commander is a 2.5 amp system, does functions F0-F4, 2-digit addressing, controls accessory turnouts, reads and writes CV’s, does consisting and supports hand-held walk-around throttles. But all of these operations are more difficult and slower to do than on the newer systems. It would be okay to get your feet wet in DCC if operating non-sound locos, but the price would have to be very cheap.