Looking to replace my MRC System 2000 with one which can handle the sound features of the Broadway Limited engines. Any suggestions on which way to go without spending big bucks?
I’m told the Digitrax Zephyr is the way to go for about $170.
Zephyr will do the job, and can be the basis for an expanded system, such as adding a DT400R radio throttle (you’ll need the receiver too, but that is it).
As a DCC newbie, I can only say that I’ve been very impressed with the Digitrax Zephyr and am purchasing one soon!
A good friend of mine has a Zephyr on his railroad. Operates smoothly! After reading the manual, I saw that it was easy to understand and not intimidating as I had expected.
He’s demonstrated locomotives equipped with various decoders, including Soundtraxx and BLI units. Sounds as well as the cool lighting effects worked flawlessly.
[:D][;)]
I have a Zephyr with a BLI Mikado and really like it. A great choice!
Look around for prices on the Zephyr. I got mine for 149 including shipping. I think you can do better. I haven’t built my layout yet, but from everything I’ve read, and what people say on here, it’s a really good unit.
While there are cheaper, the Digitrax Zepher has a lot of features and can be easily upgraded as your needs change. I agree with the others that have posted.
The new contender in town is the NCE Powercab. The latest word is you can add on a computer interface cheaply, making it possible to do point and click decoder programming from a PC!
Depending on how they price it, the NCE Powercab could end up being the best starter system around, beating out the Digitrax Zephyr.
We’ll see …
For more info, see:
Powercab, $139 from Tony’s ($20 cheaper than Zephyr)
http://www.tonystrains.com/products/nce_ssets.htm
Computer interface announcement
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2005/071905b.htm
trainmanZ3,
I would have to agree, the Zephyr would be the wise way to go. Save yourself a little more money and buy it from either Tony’s Train Exchange ($160), or Empire Northern Models ($155). Both places will take care of you well.
I might be wrong. But, even with the additional NCE Powercab news (I hadn’t heard about the computer interface until today - Thanks, Joe!), the expandibility issues still might be more favorable with the Zephyr than with the Powercab. By the description on TTE’s web site, the additional cost for the USB option might easily make up the difference in the prices between the two.
Tom
Anyone have any data about the new NCE PowerCab - power, number of funcitons, number of cabs controlled, etc ?
Definately bumped. I was just looking at the NCE PowerCab earlier today trying to suss out exactly how it stacks up to to the Zephyr. After looking at JMRI some I definately want to do computer interfacing too…do both support that?
The NCE PowerCab supports 13 functions, but no additional cabs unless you also add the SmartBooster. I would guess the limit is 5 additional cabs as the command station function of the SmartCab supports 6 trains, vs. 12 for the Zephyr (I know it says 10 but there really are 12 loco slots in it). It would appear that adding the SmartBooster sort of locks you in to a SmartCab system. The SmartCab CAN be used as a plain cab in a full PowerHouse Pro system, but then you loose the booster functionality (although at 1 amp it isn’t all that useful beyond a starter set)
Any Digitrax system can be connected to a computer with the Locobuffer since it’s not a command station function to offer the interface - Loconet is a peer-to-peer network similar to ethernet. This is also why Digitrax seldom has command station updates - they are hardly needed if the add-on device doesn’t actually use the command station for anything, such a signalling - those devices can talk directly to each other without using the command station. That’s also how you can use the Digitrax signalling system on a non-Digitrax system - the signal controllers can talk without a Digitrax command station.
–Randy
From what you’re saying, Randy, the Zephyr certianly seems like the way to go. To make sure I have this right in my head…with Loconet I could essentially connect the Zephyr, switch controllers, signal controllers, and a computer? Can the Zephyr console handle switching and signaling itself, or would I have to pu***hat functionality to the computer?
the Zephyr can issue Switch instructions but it is a bit of a pain (the usual awful Digitrax user interface):
press Function to change from Loco to Switch (now you are in switch mode and can no longer control your loco until you get back again)
type in the address of your switch (once you work out what it is)
press the t (thrown) or c (closed) button
press FUnction again until you are back to Loco
I lost patience with it and connected a LocoBuffer between my Zephyr and an old PC, the used JMRI PanelPro to build a nice CTC panel to control my turnouts.
If you want to manually control signals, you just treat them as Switches. More likely you’ll want to automate them. You can do this with a mix of Digitrax detection, other detection and JMRI.
i just want to make something clear … the computer interface IS NOT included with the zephyr , it is an additional cost , like the USB option for the powercab
One thing I want to know about the NCE Powercab - can you add a second throttle to it without having to upgrade to the full-up system?
I mean - my Prodigy system already has two throttles and room for 4. Why would I want to downgrade that capability?
The switch control interface in ALL DCC systems stinks, IMO. None are harder or easier than others, they all work pretty much exactly the same. Press the switch (or ACCY, or whatever they call it) key, hit an address, and pu***he button to set the desired position. No system that I know works essentially in a different manner.
The SE8C, and the Team Digital SRC8, can do some BASIC signal controlling on their own, but to REALLY make it work you need a computer. The Zephyr has nothing to do with it. As mentioned you can also manually change signal aspects by issuing switch commands, but that’s kind of silly. You nornally would want signal indications determined by track occupancy and route selection.
Oh yeah - when in SWITCH mode you CAN control speed and direction of your loco! At least with Digitrax. I expect the others are the same - would be pretty bad if you couldn’t stop your train while trying to throw a switch.
–Randy
The Digitrax Zephyr has reportedly had problems with the low levels of the signals when programming BLI engines. Tony’s has a booster which gives the programming signal the required strength.
Having said that, I have never had a problem with the Soundtraxx decoder I have installed in my P2K 0-6-0 switcher.
Andrew
My suggestion is don’t buy a starter system. Buy the full featured system NOW. You will save yourself money in the long run and have anything you want right now. You have already spent the money on one system, why buy more intermediate systems? Just get the real deal now and cut to the chase.
Dave H.
Well, what would you recommend, Dave? I’ve been drawn to Digitrax because of the Zephyr offering. Nobody seems to have something comprable at that price point. But on the higher end is the Super Chief a good option, or would NCE be a better path? As I think I mentioned in an earlier post, one of my big requirements is computer interfacing for switch control and automation.
CVP makes EasyDCC and, from their web site, they say they have a “FREE, built-in RG-232 serial computer port”. However, the EasyDCC system is slightly more expensive, in the $230 range. (I guess that begs the question on how much the additional port will be for the PowerCab and Zephyr.) They even claim to have higher power for those “stubborn” decoders.
CVP’s product is very simple and reliable. You can check them out at http://www.cvpusa.com
Tom