Before I had to scrap my last layout due to moving I got a Digitraxx “Big Boy” system but never installed it. I’m a newbie as far as DCC and still a little apprehensive about it. But…My question is…Has technology advanced in the DCC world so far that the system I have is already antiquated? Should I upgrade to their newer systems and EBay mine, or will the “Big Boy” work just fine with the new decoders, etc?
Thanks,
Mike
Mike,
Your ‘Big Boy’(DB100) unit should work fine. The limitation is that the DT200 throttle needs to be attached at all time. It is the ‘cmd’ part. You may be limited in some of the programming options as well. You can ‘upgrade’ to a Chief by just buying the DCS100 command station and use your existing unit qas va ‘booster’. Digitrax may still have parts to convert your DT200 to a standard DT100 throttle, so it really becomes a ‘no waste’ upgrade.
I currently have a DCS100 command station, and picked up a DB100a unit from a LHS for $75(broken up ‘starter set’). They wanted to clear out all of the ‘old’ technology. I use it as a ‘booster’.
Jim Bernier
I purchased a Big Boy system when they first came out. At the time, they were the state of the art and far less expensive then systems offered by Lentz and others. I got a good deal on mine, $270. or so when the other systems were selling for over a thousand.
I still am using it with no problems at all. I use DT-100 and DT-400 throttles and they work fine and decoders from many different companies. As stated above, the only thing is you must keep the DT-200 throttle plugged in at all times and you are limited to 2 digit addresses. As I freelance, all of my engines have 2 digit numbers, so no problem along those lines. I have had operating sessions where we were using 8 throttles at once with no problem.
I had a chance to upgrade to a Chief system a couple of years ago for a very low price, but decided to stay with the Big Boy as that’s what I was used to and had no problems with it.
Dale Latham