I "m new to this would like to know what is the best DCC system to purchase. Been looking at MRC , please respond as to your opinons to this James T
[#welcome]
You have just started a food fight. Good luck with it.
My favorite is Digitrax but may brands have many proponents. You are about to hear from all of them.
Which ever system you choose, be sure that it can grow with you. Your needs and desires will change with time.
How much money you got? You could spend $50 all the way up to $1,000.
I wish I had a dollar for every time this question has been asked (and answered) – this must be the third time this week alone …
Go to Tony’s Train Exchange at http://tonystrains.com and download his “DCC For Beginners” article and do a little research of the various systems by going to their web sites and reading up on what they can or cannot do.
Especially important thing to look for is expandability and upgrading. Some systems require you to return it to the factory for an upgrade and some are do-it-yourself projects by simply replacing an EPROM. Others require a totally new system because they can’t be upgraded or expanded upon.
Yeah, no kidding! Maybe the forum administrators should emphasize the “search” function a little more.
Just keep in mind that Tony’s appears to have close ties (development/manufacturing agreements for house-branded products) with one particular DCC manufacturer and just might have a little bias as a result. [;)]
And one hasn’t needed an update since back when the NMRA changed the number of functions from 0-8 to 0-12. And even that update was future-proof and has allowed the recent trend to 28.
Steve
James, to the right of this text box, and up some, notice the section headed by “Search Community?” You can place a syntax in there, such as “Best DCC System” or something like that and you will find oodles of threads, dozens in the past six months, where the same people have patiently answered that very question.
-Crandell
MRC decoders have quite a bad rep. Please search this forum using MRC decoders if you do not believe me. I will not recommend them.Pull up a pot of coffee because you will have a lot to read through.
You can also join the Yahoo MRC DCC group for specific info.
There are the Tsunami, ESU LokSound, Digitrax and maybe one or two more that have sound. Some companies sell locos with DCC sound in them.
I use the Tsunami and LokSound.
Do A Google search for dcc dealers. DCC decoders as an example.
Search for Tsunami decoders, Loksound decoders, digitrax sound decoders. Do some home work.
Good luck.
Rich
I recommend Digitrax, but I’m biased as I own one. I hear good things about the NCE system but I have no experience with it. As for MRC, I’ve learned to stay away from anything DCC made by MRC.
You are absolutely right, Steve. I wouldn’t trust them at all. [swg]
Tom
How so guys? A number of their “reviews” recommend products from multiple manufacturers. Has Tony’s Train Exchange screwed you on a purchase? Have the products proved defective, substandard or not performing as claimed? Is the general and specific advice they offer on DCC wrong or inaccurate?
Take the advice others have provided and do the comparison work. Expandability should be a primary factor, since I doubt you want to just waste the investment if you outgrow the system.
Do the search here in the forums as recommended above.
As to the original post . . .
A Digitrax Zephyr is a decent starter system with a variety of accessories available (not all of them from Digitrax either). I do have a slight bias here. NCE has a starter system as well. Just keep in mind that while decoders, turnout controls etc. can be interchanged between systems, core components like boosters, throttles and command stations cannot be.
Good luck
Alan
Tom,
I never said “don’t trust them at all”.
I’ve spent literally hundreds of dollars on DCC equipment at Tony’s, and have even bought a couple of those house-brand decoders. And at some point in the hopefully not too distant future I’ll have to make another decision in which one of their house-brand products is a possible contender. So I have no compelling reason not to buy from them if the right opportunity presents itself.
It’s just that they don’t tell you up front in their reviews and comparisons that they apparently have a stronger, more intimate relationship with one DCC manufacturer which could result in those reviews and comparisons being biased towards that manufacturer. And in my opinion, hidden biases shouldn’t be presented as fact to someone trying to learn about a topic.
For an example of how it should be done, take a look at the sentence in parenthesis after the second paragraph of this article.
It makes it quite clear that there’s a relationship between the publisher and the subject of the article, and alerts the reader that there could be bias, a conflict of interest, or whatever.
Steve
My very best advice is for you to read everything you can, try to visit as many clubs and if possible private layouts to get a feel for different systems. The largest volumes of systems out there will be Digitrax and NCE. They each have their proponents and individual learning curves. But get some time on each before making your decision as to which one you favor. Also check out the local NMRA Division’s modular group setups at train shows and ask questions about why they chose the one they use, it may be as simple as that is the most common one in their area and more members have their own controllers to bring! Take your time before you spend your money. John
Not quite true – CVP Products makes a booster that will work with any of the other systems, and so does NCE. Practically all boosters are interchangeable as long as the command station signal input plug can be matched.
I think what is being inferred here, if obliguely, is that the Tony’s “Group” comprises both QSI and Digitrax for all practical purposes.
-Crandell
QSI maybe since another of their subsidiary companies is the distributor of QSI aftermarket decoders. But no so much Digitrax - I don’t think the Tony’s people like Digitrax components that much.
–Randy
I think that’s accurate.
Here’s a hint: Compare the address and fax number of this company with the address and fax number of this one.
Steve
I don;t think it’s a secret - however they don;t go out of their way to advertise the fact.
Tony’s, American Hobby Distributors, QSI Solutions, and DCC Specialties are all interrelated.
–Randy
Funny I would have thought DCC Specialties. I don’t see a consistent bias towards DigiTrax in what I have read.
Simply put, Tony is a businessman who is pushing products that have the highest profit margin. That’s the American way.