I have had a break of about 7 years from model railroading. When I was last involved, DCC was the big new thing. I played around with some Digitrax, but I found it very fiddly and troublesome to use. The throttles had the two little dials at the top and although I am an engineer and software developer by profession, I found this DCC to be so frustrating to use that I was put off it for life.
Well, now maybe I need to rethink - I am starting on a 25x19 layout. It is more of a “sparse” trackplan with lots of open scenery, couple of small yards. I have about 50 locos, maybe 20 on the layout at a time. I need to run MU lashups of 5 UP SD40-2’s and similar trains.
Question is : what DCC system would you recommend as being EASY to operatre. I would like something with one dial on the throttle for speed and a toggle for direction. I would like it to be simple to call ujp addresses.
I don’t know for sure, but I think something with fewer buttons would be preferable - I don’t want to be gazing at the throttle trying to find the right button.
Also, cordless throttles might be nice, but not essential.
I’d recommend Digitrax Zephyr and UT4R throttle. The Zephyr is all you need to run trains. The other throttle is portable (radio) that helps fix problems. I’d also suggest buying only DCC-ready engines and DCC turnouts. Your biggest “problem” will be installing decoders in existing engines.
I have looked at the digitrax website. The UT4R looks good to me. Does it sacrifice any performance compared to the bigger “advanced” and “super” throttles?
The Zephyr appears to be an entry level unit. That’s fine, but does it allow for all the same functionality as the bigger units? - or what am i loosing?
with the Zephyr I presume programming is done using the controls on the main zephyr unit?
Another question - programming - how is this generally done? - I would like to see a windows compatible program that allows a PC to inteface with the DCC to allow easy setting up of loco decoders using mouse clicks and graphical interfaces etc?
Any advice welcome.
PS - I will not use DCC controlled turnouts. I want traditional operation with ground throws and walkaround control for the train operators.
The Digitrax Zephyr caters for control of 10 locos. If I consist 4 diesels together to be controlled as a unit, does this count as 4 of the 10, or only 1 of the 10.
If it counts for 4, then the Zephyr may be a problem. I would typically have 2 mainline trains each with 4 locos plus some yard operations.
I agree with Terry’s recommendation of the Zephyr, plus UT-4R. You will also need a radio receiver “jack”, and with 20+ locos on the layout you will need at least one other “booster”.
The UT-4R is a great throttle for easy acquisition and running of one loco. You cannot (easily) control more than one loco, nor can you control accessories like turnouts (which you said you do not want to do).
If you have not yet bought the Zephyr, I would call or email Tony’s Trains, Loys Toys, or Litchfield Station and explain what you want to do. They all get good reviews for service and answering questions, so I would start there.
For decoder programming software, I would highly recommend Decoder Pro, which has a whopping cost of $0. You can download it at http://jmri.sourceforge.net/download/ and play around with it to get a feel.
I suspect what you played around with during your earlier stint involved a DT-100 throttle. I never owned one of those, but from everything I have read, the current offerings are much more intuitive. Also evaluate the DT-400. It has the two smaller speed knobs you mentioned, but the payoff is you can control two separate locos at once with the throttle. Most all other functions are a single pushbutton. The DT-400R is the radio version. While more complex that the UT4, mastering is worthwhile, in my opinion. In the end, it is whatever 1) meets your technical needs and desires, and 2) is comfortable, in terms of ease of use and physical feel.
The primary tradeoff with the Zephyr is the limitation you discussed and the fact that it is 2.5 amps of output vs. 5. If you think you need more, adding a DB-150 booster is a good path. It will give you 5 amps. As a command station, the Zephyr has many of the advantages of the DCS-100, such as supporting a separate programming track.
We have many Zephyr users out here who can provide more insight than I. My system is based around the equivalent of a Super Chief with two DB-150s as additional boosters. But I am filling a 40 x 14 space with a bit over 9 scale miles of N-scale mainline, a sizeable staging yard underneath and a fair-sized main yard.
I’d echo support for the Zephyr. I’ve had mine a couple months and so far it’s worked like a champ. The only glitches have been things I should have fixed earlier anyway (IE: loose track connections).
You didn’t mention what scale you were modeling in, and that’s going to make a difference for capacity. I assume HO, but you never know. HO engines will suck down more power than N, and if you’re running big lashups you might wind up hitting the limit of the Zephyr. I’d suggest sitting down and figuring out the draw of your engines and decide how much amperage you really need.
A lot of talk on the Internet is focused on Digtrax, but I think anyone looking at the Zephyr should also consider the NCE Powercab. Also available at Tony’s Train Exchange.
Even with all the changes Digitrax has made over the years, I (personally) find the NCE throttles easier to use.
CVP Easy DCC…Look at their wireless throttles. Very simple (knob and a button for direction, plus function buttons) and the system lives up to its name, it is easy to use.
Along with Guy’s recommendation on the CVP EasyDCC system, here’s their web site link: http://www.cvpusa.com. I don’t have EasyDCC myself but I’ve heard good things about it. The Digitrax Zephyr has the advantage of providing for you two (2) DC ports so that you can use a DC power pack as an extra trottle.
Plus you can add the CVP wireless throttles to it! That is my primary system: Lenz Set 100 with two LH90 throttles and two CVP wireless. I find the LH100 easier to program with than the 90s.
I also have a Digitrax Zephyr that is very easy to use. It is totally expandable but evenutally it might cost more than just purchasing a more top of the line unit to start with.
I like the “panel” of the Zephyr and Easy DCC systems, over the controls in a hand held unit like the Lenz and NCE.
Our club researched and researched for over a year and finally decided to just pick one and buy it. They are all wonderful systems, besides with the prices these days if you end up with one you don’t like, sell it and switch. The decoders in the locomotives don’t have to change. I still remember when a command control system cost $1200 in 1983 dollars. Don’t know what that would be adjusted for dollar devaluation, probably twice that.
i think you’re going to run into the limits of the zephyr with the number of engines you’re thinking of having active at one time . the super chief set is the one you want to look at from digitrax . it has the DT-400 (discussed above) , works with Decoder Pro (also see above) and can be used with the UT4 throttles for just running trains when all the functions of the DT-400 aren’t required
Right off the bat, you are underpowered with the Zephyr, going by what you say you want to run immediatley. Unless you want a console throttle for some reason, I think you are up for a bigger system … NCE Power Pro, Digitrax Super Chief, Lenz, etc etc.
At least your starting off with 5 amps.
The newer full featured throttles are much easier to use compared to that old Digitrax. I’ve used all three of the above systems, I prefer the NCE system and its throttles (both the main throttles and the large single knob utility throttles), but every one has thier opinions. The differences can be subtle.
Think really hard what you want to do with these throttles … will you want sound? I bet you will. Are you sure you do not want DCC control of turnouts? You may change your mind soon. After you make these decisiions, and you study the throttles’ manuals, it will be a bit easier to decide.
And…they are all user friendly … you’ll see. You really should do some homework here. All the user manuals for all the equipment are available on line. This way you can make your decision based on your own opinion.
Yes, it’s possible to add cabs, addtional boosters, wireless, and a USB port to the Powercab. I don’t know the quantities and pricing, but Tony’s Train Exchange ahs been a really good surce of information and products for me. http://www.tonystrains.com/
Thanks to all of you for the help. I have looked at the options. The Lenz stuff looks really nice quality, but I get the impression that digitrax has the greates amount of forward and backward compatability and I like the bus type plug and play approach. Do the other manufacturers generally have a bus system or is this digitrax specific?
They all have a bus, but only Digitrax has a peer-to-peer network-style bus that works kind of like ethernet. That’s why there is so much upward compatibility - new functioanlity can be achieved simply buy plugging in a new device to the network.
The others all use variations of RS-485 and RS-422 serial busses. With polling, or intelligent polling initiatied from the command station end.
After reading this (and many other posts), I think I’ll be buying the Zephyr. Two main reasons: 1) Low startup/high expandability options. 2) It just appears to me that Digitrax has learned and demonstrated the most forward looking/backward compatible solution. I don’t know exactly where I’ll be in five years, but I’d like to know my DCC manufacturer has the capability of offering me something compatible with my existing system. I know its not my post, but thanks for all the opinions. And Joe Fugate’s thread was great, too.
