After a move I currently have packed away these Digitrax items:
DB150 Command station, PS515 Power supply, DT200 Throttle-full, UT4 Throttle-utility, UP5 Walk around plug-in panels *5 ea)
I’m currently building a new layout in a 14x16 building and was thinking of converting to the radio/Duplex EVO system. Will any of these items be useful or work with the new system? Would I be better off selling it all as a set and just starting over with the EVO?
Would I be better switching to NCE? Contrary to the sometimes angry comments I have seen about negative comments about Digitrax I have not been impressed with the way they respond to questions or help. I’m not well versed in electronics and DCC so I find it all confusing. When asking questions they tend to blow me off rather than try to help.
Anyway…I would appreciate some advice with this possible change.
Thanks,
Roger Huber
The great thing about Digitrax is that it’s all compatible with each other. Your DB150 will work with the EVO. Your DT200, UT4, etc. will all still work with the latest systems.
The question is what do you really need? I ran my 25’ x 50’ layout with just a Zephyr, a UR91, and some DT400R’s. I ran with up to 5 operators, some with sound. If all your engines have sound and a bunch of cars have light/sound, then you might want to use the 5 amp systems. Otherwise, the Zephyr is plenty, especially if you’re the only operator.
I do like my wireless Digitrax throttles, and the DT200 throttle is just not fun to operate, compared to the DT402 or UT4’s. My recommendation is to sell the DT200 for sure. Keep the UP5’s. The UT4 you might like due to the knob.
The DB150 is a decent system. The EVO is better. The Zephyr is suitable for most layouts. I guess it depends on how you want to use 'em.
Thanks for the info. I will probably just be operating by myself or possibly one other. The layout will only have 7 steamers on it at any time. My engines will all have sound and cabooses and passenger cars will have working marker lights but no interior lighting.
What’s the issue with the DT200? You said it’s not fun to operate and I have to agree. My previous layout only used the Super Empire Builder set and the DT200 for a short time before the move. I liked the UT4 throttle.
I like the idea of not having to plug in a throttle all the time which is why I am considering the change.
I have NCE at home and the club uses Digitrax. I love my NCE. I hate the club’s Digitrax. Niether system is wireless, but in my opinion based on limited experience, I would choose NCE. Better displays, more intuitive. The only reason to consider Digitrax IMHO is if you want to use the advanced transponding features.
I’m not a fan of Digitrax because of their lack of response to questions and the (to me) complexity of their manuals. I’m not interested in the high tech elements like transponding and turnout control with the throttle and all. My layout is ealk around with many hand thrown (Caboose Industries) operated turnouts among the Tortoises. There’s no hidden track, staging yards or multi-track high speed mainlines. I basically want to be able to control trains without throwing block switches and have an occassional helper added to a road engine. I just would like the ability to operate without having to dance around plugged in cords.
The NCE seems to be simpler than Digitrax from my little exposure. Since I already have the SEB set I assumed it might be easier/cheaper to stick with Digitrax but if my current setup won’t work well with the Duplex stuff them perhaps a change to NCE might be a better way to go.
I’d prefer RailPro due to the simplicity and lower cost but from what I have seen on youtube I think their steam sound is not very good and they don’t seem to offer any better information after asking about it. More like, “buy it, you’ll like it” which I can’t swallow. One of the main reasons to have DCC to me is the sounds. I have several engines with older Tsunami’s and they have great sounds to me.
I feel the same way as Dave. I have the NCE PH-Pro 5 amp wireless system and I love it. Whenever I have the occasion to call NCE with a question or a need for technical help, they answer the phone and they are always responsive and helpful.
Are you sure you have a DT200 throttle? That throttle was the original “Big Boy” throttle and it was also the Big Boy’s command station. It was packaged with the DB100 booster when it was available. The DT200 is a dead end. It will work with any Digitrax system as a throttle but only up to its own limits. Those limits include two digit (short) addressing only. It can no longer be upgraded (converted).
DB150 is a command station and 5 amp booster. It will work with any Digitrax equipment as either a command station/booster or booster. It will also work with other systems (including NCE) as a 5 amp booster.
The PS515 is a 5 amp AC power supply. It will continue to power your DB150 or any other manufacturer’s 5amp or less sytem. Just like, Digitrax, NCE’s 5 amp systems don’t include a power supply. It will work with that as well. As far as it being prone to failure? Haven’t heard about any more breaking than other brands. Mine is currently 12 years old and still working. I also have Magna Force MF615’s that ere ten years old.
UP5’s will work with any Digitrax system. They are extension jacks for throttles. You don’t need them with Duplex radio but I wouldm not be without them. I’m old fashion and just can’t get my head into 100% wireless.
UT4 is a current throttle and it can be easily upgraded to duplex radio. You will need to add a UR92 to go duplex and the latest DT500D throttle should be on your Digitrax shopping list. They all just plug in to your existing equipment using a loconet cable.
So your choice on which way to go. If you stay with Digitrax, I have found price wise that complete sets are usually priced at or very close to the individual component total. Any current Digitrax set or component will work with any of their discontinued components. The only exceptions are the very old CT4 throttle and LA2.Those are from back on 1994 or so.
As far as NCE being more intuitive? I tried one and quite frankly
The PS515 is prone to failure as per Digitrax itself. Mine failed and kind of slowly. i replaced it with a newer model and it cleared up what problems I was having.
Everything is usable. That’s th ebeauty of Digitrax.
The DT200/DT100 is actually quite usable as a ‘train running’ throttle. What you DON’T want to try to do is program with one of them. They are the reason Digitreax has a bad rap as “hard to use” - how can you program EFFECTIVELY when the throttle only has 8 buttons? You can;t even key in numbers. I picked up a DT100 on eBay for cheap a few years ago and I use it all the time to run trains, I don;t need 29 functions for my sound locos, I need a bell and a horn. And lights.
I have NEVER seen anything, especially by Digitrax themselves, that says the PS515 is prone to failure. It’s a simple transformer, no active components other than that. You can;t use it to power the new Evo command station but it is fine for the DB150.
Again, I was having troubles with my Digitrax System doing weird stuff, so I CALLED Digitrax, and spoke at length with a tech. He was the one who told me the ps515 was prone to failure and I should replace it with a newer model. I did and it solved my problem. I will take his word, especially since it worked, over hearsay.
If YOU think it’s crappy junk why do you want it? I was just thinking about going radio or possibly switching to NCE and was asking for some help. Cutesy or inane comments don’t help. Save it for amateur night at the comedy club. That’s one of the big problems with the forums when people need some guidance and the morons come out of the woodwork.
Nothing wrong with it as a 'running throttle". It is limited to two digit addresses only and up to 5 functions. It can have two addresses selected. One on each encoder knob. As a two digit throttle, it works as well as any throttle being produced today. I called it “dead end” because it has limits that I would not be happy with and there is no longer an upgrade path or repair available. (Digitrax can’t get the parts anymore)
DT100 is a much better “running throttle” because it has more capabilties that users want nowadays. Short or long addressing, Up to 8 functions, and it was infrared equipped and there was a DT100R as well that is simplex radio equipped.
Thanks for that explanation. I see your point. Like I said I had very little time using the old Super Empire Builder set so everything is close to new. That also explains a lot of my inexperience using the equipment.
I just ordered a new EVO system from YankeeDabbler on feebay. One other issue I had was the lack of ability to read back the CV’s. I think this new purchase will help me through a few of the issues I experienced.
I’ll just use the DT200 and UT4 along with the new DT500 in that set. I doubt if I’ll ever have 2 other operators here but in case a miracle happens…I’ll be ready! So far I haven’t found any fellow modelers close by here in the Ozarks.
That’s what happens when all the Digitrax haters jump in with a “change! change!” mantra - those of us who have not had one lick of trouble with our equipment are always willing to add more.
If the only ‘full feature’ throttle you have is the DT100/200 (odd that you would have a DT200 with a DB150 - the DT200 was sold with the DB100 as the Big Boy set back in 1998. ), and you have not beeing using something like JMRI to assist with programming, no WONDER you are having issues. The DT500 in the Evolution set is light years beyond the old DT100/200. No multi-shift key sequences to access functions, and no odd “pseudo hex” notation for numbers above 99. The first throttle like that was the DT400 which came out some 14-15 years ago.
What sort of issues are you having? Wiring up one or the other won;t be much different between brands. You still have a power supply input, and a connection out to the rails which most be good no matter what brand of system you have. The Evolutioon will also give you a dedicated program track, which means no more accidently reprogramming every loco, probably one of the more common issues with the DB150. Frankly, I’m glad they finally discontinued it, it should never have been sold as the command station for a ‘starter’ set, simply because of the ease with which a beginner could reprogram all their locos. Even the lesser (not by much) Zephyr didn’t have that problem - part of why I bought one when I first got into DCC.
It all depends on what your needs are. You can use the existing equipment with the Evolution set, even upgrade the UT4 to radio for just the price difference between the UT4 and UT4D. If you are runnign enough trains that you need the extra power, you can use the DB150. If it’s mostly just you and your layout isn’t barn size, just the Evolution system should be plenty, you can sell the DB150 to recoup some of the cost - and despite joking about taking it off your hands
The DT100 is pretty tough, tooo. I think the shaft on the encoders is metal, not plastic, and it has real switches, not tactile domes. Like most things that Digitrax no longer supports, their reason is they can;t get parts. However, depending one what part it is - subsitutes are often available from electronic supplies like Mouser and Digikey. If you are so inclined, or have a friend who is so inclined - if something other than the main chip fries, it probbaly can be fixed. Problem is, Digitrax can’t just throw any old part in there that happens to fit, it would change the circuit enough to require recertification for FCC compliance. But you the hobbyist at home can do pretty much whatever for your own personal use.
I haven’t broken mine yet, and that’s despite hammering on the knob to change direction - from the DT300 on up, you can reverse your loco by clicking the speed knob in addition to using the direction button. The DT100 had no such thing, you have to use the direction button. I am mostly used to using my DT400 and DT402 throttles and forget that there is no click knob on the DT100.
Good grief, everyone take a breath. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t think it is “crappy junk”. He’s just looking for a bargain if you happen to think it is junk.