I have the clunky old Super Empire Builder, with all of its limitations. If you don’t know what your are missing,I guess being able to read CV’s is not much of an issue. Same applies to the DC vs. DCC argument. However, to address your questions, those 5 amps are great, and should serve most of us forever if the electronics last. It is only when we start to get into the medium and larger sized layouts with additional locomotives and decoders that 5 amps may not be enough. Right now I can run 10 sound decodered locomotives with smallish trains using the lone DB 150.
It sounds as if DecoderPro is a real boon to those who like to do a lot of tuning to their CV’s. However, it also seems that those who upgrade to radio capability are mightily glad they did. So, maybe you should consider that.
If you’re gonna spend $320 on the SEB, then check the Super Chief at Tony’s Train Exchange for $349.95. As previously stated, you’re going to want access to the CVs and not just on a computer [2c].
With the SEB/DB150 you cannot read back CV’s at all, with or without a computer. Even for that initial tweaking you’ll need some other hardware such as a PR2 or SPROG.
As compared to the Chief/DCS100, the DB150 also has fewer slots and lacks a few other options such as routes.
That’s why, as much as I like Digitrax, I wouldn’t recommend the SEB starter set unless you absolutely needed 5 amps and absolutely couldn’t afford the Chief.
As I learn more and more about this, I find I must agree. For all that I have enjoyed great and reliable service from my SEB, it is an older system. About all you can say for it is that it comes with 5 amps capability (power supply must be purchased separately!), and the magnificant DT 400 throttle. It is decidedly dated, and really needs to be dropped from their offerings.
You can always get the 5 amp unit and whatever throttle you want to have with it. I urge you to consider the potential for radio. Those are mighty useful in tight spaces. I myself is non-radio at the moment at some point in the future I will get radio.
Also I think with the Chief you can hammer CV’s into your engines and they will sit there and take it. You dont have to guess if it “Took” or not with the read back or verbal readback capability.
I spent a week programming basically “On the Main” without a single failure. When I get myself up and running in the new train room Im going to have to seriously work hard to break the habit of programming on the main.
You can choose between a 5 amp chief or the 8 amp. I recommend that you get the 5 amp chief.
KEEP IN MIND that you may have to purchase the 5 Amp power supply (Or whatever you think is suitable) to go with the set. I think those are a little over 50 dollars. A durn sight cheaper than the Digitrax 2012 I recieved.
The Loconet will accomodate other boosters, throttles etc…
I have explored computer based programming and frankly I dont want it right now. If I need an engine programmed I will ship it to a programmer. As it happens I am working on a re-program situation at the moment for one of my engines. I am grilling Tony’s trains until the questions are answered and it i
To keep the power supply price down, look at the NCE 5 amp power supply. Most places sell it $10-$15 less than the Digitrax PS515 and it is the EXACT same device, outside of an NCE logo slapped on instead of Digitrax. They definitely come from the same OEM.
Sure the PS2012 is expensive but you can run up to FOUR 5 amp booster from it [:D] So you should be set for the foreseeable future.
Yea well, my home is rated for only 16 amp at the wall outlet for that particular room at the moment. The new train addition will have adequate lines with protection and a seperate electrical box to handle a 20 amp load. Let’s not scare the man eh?
The 5 amp power supply is just as good and much safer than the monster sleeping under my workbench.