If you have the choice between the following and money was not a concern, what would you go with and why?
Zephyr VS Set-90
Empire Builder VS Set-100
Thanks in advance…
I don’t think that’s really a valid comparison. Neither of those Lenz sets is a ‘starter’ set like the Zephyr. The Lenz ‘starter’ set is the Compact, sold iin the US as the Atlas Commander and is WAY more limited than the Zephyr (only 2 digit addressing, 4 functions).
If you’re going to compare apples to apples, well, you can’t exactly. The SEB is somethign Digitrax needs to remove from the model lineup, or update slightly, since its lackign many up to date features. However owners of said system can easily add those features without scrapping their initial investment. The Lenz sets feature-wise tend to come in between the SEB and the Super Chief.
All said, Lenz can carry on how Xpress-Net is a ‘network’ but it’s really a polled serial bus. Here is where Digitrax has an advantage with Loconet, which truly IS a peer to peer network. There is only one connection which supports all your throttles, additional boosters, and other accessories. All the other systems have one set of connections for all the throttles and another for the additional boosters.
One thing you haven’t said yet is what scale you model and how many locos and operators you intend to have running on your layout. This will help better match features to your needs. Good example of bad matchup, had a guy come to my LHS from halfway across the state because HIS LHS sold him a Super Chief radio system to operate his beginner’s 4x8 simple oval (out of one of the Atlas track plan books). One of those ‘saw him coming’ kind of things, the other shop took advantage of the guy’s new to the hobby status and sold him a control system he did not need and probably cost more than the entire layout he was running.
–Randy
I have a Lenz Set-100, and I’m very happy with it. I also bought a Lenz-90 analog-dial controller, because I thought I might like the big speed wheel better than the buttons. After using both, I greatly prefer the Lenz-100 all-button controller. The 90 is OK for running trains, but most other things like MU’s, decoder programming, etc., are much easier with the 100.
The Lenz-90 only has an 8-locomotive “stack” that you can scroll through. The Lenz-100 has, I think, a 32-locomotive stack. When switching between locomotives, the Lenz-100 picks up the new engine much more easily without having to “match” speed and direction controls.
If there are other modellers in your area that you operate with, or if you’re thinking of joining a club, you might want to see what they are using. Decoders are interchangeable and will work on any DCC system, but you can’t mix ‘n’ match throttles and other components.
I’m going to be building a N scale layout, right now it’s just going to be a hollow core door, but in a few months I will start to build a good sized 20 x 12 layout.
Eventually I plan on running something like 4 consists of 2 locos each.
What I love about lenz is their throttles.
The Zephyr throttle is such a turn off, but then again it would be good for now. So I could buy a UT400 but then I’m up to the cost of a Set-100.
I’m so confused, but I keep going back to Lenz because of the better throttles.
I also plan on using throttles to switch turnouts etc, how do they match up?
I have super chief radio and love it. I did not get Empire Builder for all the things it could NOT DO. These things made no differece at first but already I would miss them. I started without radio, and added it immediatly. Walking around unhindered is wonderful. I know nothing of Lenz, and made my choic for Digitrax for 2 reasons, it worked the way I wanted it to and all the other people I knew were using it.
If money is not the issue, get what you will want later, now, and save enough to get a nice engine later and not have to “upgrade”, a nice word for spending a lot more money later and not having what you want now.
I would look at two things. Both are good systems. I have a Zephyr with a DT400. Even though a Zephyr is considered a starter, I’ve seen a 20’ x 25’ layout powered by one, and when I was there with the club, we had 8 locos running at once, 3 with sound.
Back to the questions.
What do the other peoplearound you, the clubs, etc. use.
What does your LHS know and support?
There is a club around that uses digitrax that I might join, not sure what the LHS supports, but I don’t think that is a big issue.
I just love those lenz throttles though, but wireless would be nice.
Maybe I can get my hands on a UT400 and a LH-100 at the national train show on Saturday before I decide.
BTW, I only have until Saturday morning to decide, I know I should take my time, but thats not how my brain works :).
You don’t have until only saturday [:D] Check them out at the show, but don’t buy there, you can probably find better prices outsideof the expensive show environment.
I’ll be at the show all day saturday.
–Randy
Randy, Tony will be there and is having a sale with no shipping :).
Lenz pros:
- 10 year warranty. 1st year goof-proof.
- Great customer service.
- Set-100 throttle is excellent with many great features.
- Expandable for future developments.
- Computer interfaces available.
- The Set-100 throttle can plug in anywhere on the XpressNet and pick up any loco, any time, and at it’s current speed.
- Cordless throttle is available via a cordless telephone (only 8 functions). Works well but does beep with every button push.
- If money is no object, Lenz can accomodate the CVP RF1300 wireless throttle, which I’ve heard is excellent. (http://www.cvpusa.com/wireless_throttle_rf1300.php)
Jerry
Check to see if he’s required to charge sales tax. That bit me once at Trainfest. Even with show sale prices, the sales tax made it more expensive than if I had ordered and paid the nominal shipping fee.
Steve
While you are at the show, also check out the new NCE PowerCab system. You can get it for about $140 from Litchfield Station or Tonys Trains online, and it uses a dandy walkaround throttle/command station design. Plus it can expand to a full NCE Powerhouse Pro system later if you like.
Both the Zephyr and the EasyDCC starter systems suffer from the “powerpack” form factor, which actually made a lot of sense before programming on the main became popular.
But now that programming on the main has taken off and is available in most decoders these days, it no longer makes sense to be limited to a stationary command station design, except for the smallest of layouts.
For this reason, the NCE PowerCab is an excellent starter system with virtually no limitations for future expansion. MRC’s Prodigy Advanced, without any expansion option for a computer interface is really falling behind the DCC system development curve.
With free programs like DecoderPro out there, you need a computer interface if you plan to do much with your loco decoders as far as tuning your locos, speed matching consists, and doing much with lights and sound.
Both of these systems will work great for you, so your deciding factor should be what you find easier to use. A zephyr with a DT400 will do anything you would like it to, but Lenz and Digitrax have a different approach to throttle design and how you use them. It would be great if you could find somebody with Lenz and somebody with Digitrax, doesnt have to be a zephyr, and use both. See what you like and that will be your best choice.
I like the super chief I easily could have gone with the 8 amp for 20 bucks more but stuck with the 5 amp. I enjoy the loconet feature . I’m new to dcc and I’ve found the digitrax support very good maybe because its more of a canadian dcc item then the lenz. The layouts in my area also use digitrax which is quite useful. Lenz does have an excellent warranty. I bought all my dcc hardware from litchfield station ( very good support) http://www.litchfieldstation.com./
Digitrax DT400 Throttles have buttons that can be pushed to up the speed or decrease it. I use that when displaying becuase My engines have problems with momentum. We have a few inexperienced people that derail or something comes up so. I use the buttons in place of the knobs, But use the knobs if i need to get moving quickly or need to stop quickly. I would go with what the club uses simply becuase You have a throttle that you can take with you, If you buy Another throttle. And if something comes up someone there should be able to help you with the problem. The hobby shop should have both, or be able to get both. My LHS Stocks mostly Digitrax becuase around here thats whats used, but they can get anything if its in stock at walthers or in they’re warehouse.
Almost certainly is. Same with the dealers at the big show in Timonium every year. On large-ticket items liek a DCC system, it pretty much balances out, if the dealer does not rip you off on shipping, what you pay in tax is what you’d pay in shipping. Which is why I have no problem stocking up on P2K wheelsets from MB Klein every time I go to Timonium.
–Randy
The CVP wireless for Lenz are wonderful.
Yes, my experience with CVP wireless is it works very well – reception is reliable and the throttles are simple to use and the perfect size for one-handed operation with your thumb.
I just don’t know what to do now, I’m totally on the fence.
So here is my list of demands on th DCC system I choose.
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- Upgradable to a throttle with automatic speed matching.
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- Switch motor control
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- Block detection, and computer interface for dispatching
Looks like both the Zephyr and the Set-90 will work for me.
IF you really want block detection and maybe signalling later I’d say go with the Digitrax system. They have EVERYTHING you need for block detection and signalling and turnout control. They also have a very easy to use computer interface.