with all the new Digitrax signalling and transponding stuff, and surround sound one day, I think they are really pulling ahead…
I use the C.V.P. “RAILCOMMAND” system of train control, as do the 6 other members of our round-robin group in this area, and have used if for a considerable number of years. It’s what is called an analog system, but it works, in my humble opinion, much better than DCC. One point, among a looooog list, is that you NEVER can loose your addressss because of electric spikes or any other reason. I could list many reasons why I like RAILCOMMAND, but that is not the purpose of this posting. The point I wi***o make is that I have many years of experience dealing with Keith and Al at C.V.P. Products and their customer service and support IS FANTASTIC!!! If ever I was to switch to DCC, I would DEFINITELY go for EASY DCC. These fellows have never let me down and when I started out with their Railcommand system, they spent many, many hours on the long distance phone assisting me. I don’t know of any Company that gives that kind of customer support. Before you make your decision, do yourself a BIG favor and look at “EASY DCC” VERY SERIOUSLY!
Norman
Snoopytoo,
Does your buddy want to sell any of his CVP gear??? I need another booster and more throttles…Email me off forum if he is interested.
I would suggest that anyone looking at DCC try as many systems as you can. The Easy DCC wireless hand held throttle is my favorite among those I tried. There are some significant differences here among brands. I also second the comments about the great support from Keith and the guys.
Guy
Any one have the Lenz DCC system? or if you have a system that you are running your train with the computer, will you let me know how it works and ups/Downs with the computer. My dad and i are currently building a good size HO train and were not sure how to go about running the train with the computer and/or having that as a dispatcher panel as well. Please let me know your input on that. Your suggestions are appreciated
If you are interessted in Computer operation make sure you check out Zimo. Also check out how often a manufacturer updates the system with new features and how easy it is to update (you’ll find this info on the Zimo “update” page). Zimo uses flash-EPROMS in their command stations and cabs. That lets you download the latest software via Internet and install it yourself.
They just announced that their decoders cab also be up dated by the user, beginning this October!!
You’ll find their web site here: http://w3.zimo.at/web2003/index2E.htm
or you can check it out on our web site: http://www.mrsonline.net/
Reagrds,
Art
Zimo Agency of North America
http://www.mrsonline.net/
Interesting question since I had a 7 year old Lenz system that I replaced with an EasyDCC wireless system in 2000.
I bought the Lenz system in late 1993 mainly because I preferred the simple third-party “knobbie” throttles you could get for it. But as the system aged it started to misbehave (losing locos, throttles going dead, etc). And at the time, Lenz had no wireless offering and was falling a bit behind in things like ops mode programming and the like. So did I send my 7 year-old Lenz system in for repairs or did I replace it with something newer and more feature-rich?
So I started looking elsewhere and considered Digitrax, NCE, and EasyDCC. I was mostly interested in a simple wireless throttle and current features like ops mode programming. I downloaded and studied the manuals for each of these three systems. Feature set was more important than cost in my evaluation. I would pay more to get a system I could live with for a long time.
Digitrax was eliminated fairly quickly because you need to plug in their wireless throttle to acquire the loco, and their general user interface is less-than-user-friendly with many complex key sequences needed to do most things. The DT400 throttle has aleviated the complex key sequences issue somewhat since then.
NCE looked pretty good, as did EasyDCC. NCE had announced their wireless throttles, but not yet released them. And I learned they had a long lead time on system orders. Finally, I noticed they somewhat poo-poo’
You will not regret going DCC no matter which sysem you choose. I got the Chief by Digitrax in 1998. Also, you are not limited to Digitrax components. Most other manufacturers mobile decoders can be used in locomotives from any number of makers. The NMRA is really working hard to insure that DCC produsts with their endorsement are compatible with each other.