Word on the street is that one of the primary objectives of this product was to have an EEC legal system. Much of the early testing was done in Europe. I would expect that when Digitrax makes public announcements about the release that this will become more clear.
The DT402 and the UR92 are now showing up on the main on-line retailer web sites with discount pricing.
The UR92 is reported to have very good range, so it may not need to add a $100 repeater that is sometimes needed with the NCE wireless.
For what it is worth, comparing prices on Tony’s Trains the Digitrax Duplex wireless 5A Superchief Xtra starter set is $527 compared to $545 for the equivalent NCE. So it looks like the 2 main US competitors are right in line with each other on pricing. With price being so close, it is very unlikely that price will be a determining factor for a purchaser making a comparison.
It all comes down to personal preference, doesn’t it? I personally enjoy the clearly labeled, larger buttons on my Power Cab throttle - and that fact that very few of them are “dual-purpose”. But…I can get used to either throttle.
On the DT400D: I had a chance to use one at the Digitrax booth back in March, at a WGH show. The sequence between operating a turnout then the locomotive took a little getting used to but it worked well.
I am happy for all you Digitrax wireless users. You’ve been waiting a long time for this and now it’s here. Woohoo! [:)]
I agree with you Tom, this is a matter of personal preference. I own a Power Cab, I am an occasional operator on a PH Pro layout and helping a neighbor wiring/building his PH Pro set up, I can say I use NCE regularly. On the other hand I also own a Zephyr and my club uses a Super Chief and of course I own a DT400 throttle, I can also say I am a regular user of Digitrax.
When selecting an engine I will naturally look at the keyboard and the display and appreciate both NCE and Digitrax cab layout. Building consist is different, here Digitrax’s way is more to my liking than the Menu Driven sequences of NCE. When running the trains I watch the train and what lies ahead, I don’t look at the display. When killing consist I prefer the NCE way.
To program sophisticated lighting effects or adjusting sound decoders I will use Decoder Pro. Therefore both cabs are out of the equation. If I have to program only one particular CV the
I totally agee with CSX Robert’s comments, as I do with Tom Stage’s personal preference comment.
But, for me, I have to say that I have tried them all on my layout and I absolutely, positively, unequivocably, with no question prefer the DT400 design. I just don’t like using the NCE “dogbone”. I even like the MRC throttle better than NCE. You just have to use a throttle for awhile until you realize what works best for you.
If Digitrax ever changes the DT400 design I’m sure it will probably be good, but I don’t care if they ever change it. Using the DT400, and soon the DT402D, it’s just so easy and such a pleasure compared to the others. I really love this throttle design, and the more I use it the more I like it. Thank you Digitrax!
Of course, for others, I know there will be other opinions, but for those just looking into systems, give the DT40… design a good try. You just might really like it.
I anticipate deciding to build a new layout sometime in the next three years. The idea is to substantially improve both the length of mainline visible runs and the overal utility of what I have now, and that necessarily means a larger footprint. I hope to use an unused loft above our garage out-building that measures 15’ X 30’. When that happens, I’ll convert my DB150 to a reverser or a booster, and get the newest duplex so that I can move around at will, forgetting about where the nearest plug-in station is located. I would be very pleased if the newest throttle were even close to my current DT400’s, I like them that much. Just for the sake of the twin encoder throttles on each paddle, it would be worth having them from my standpoint and experience.
I have been waiting to upgrade to radio for some time and have resisted purchasing the UR91 in the knowledge that this was coming. Little did I know it would be an almost 2 year wait! Anyway, I ordered a DT402D and a UR92 from Bruce at Litchfield yesterday. Hopefully I will be well near the front of the queue and get it soon. Happy Father’s Day to me I think[:)] Just this afternoon my wife said she had no idea what to get me for Father’s Day. “No problem” I said “I already took care of it”
Well, then - A beearly (vs. belated) “Happy Father’s Day, Simon!” And you realize when you get your DT402D and UR92 that you will be required to write and submit a review on it. That’s part of the privilege and responsibility for being first. [:)]
Be fair though Tom - there is only ONE button on the DT400 that is multiple function - the Power/Flashlight button. That’s why there ARE so many buttons. It’s only the older DT300/200/100 that had all the shift combinations. Now with 28 functions, NO ONE will have a throttle with every button doing exactly one thing - you’d of course need 29 buttons just for the functions! That would be one HUGE throttle. 29 F butons, throttle knob, reverse buttons, up/down speed buttons for those who prefer not to turn a knob, plus various DCC functionality like loco selection, consist creation, and programming. Yikes.
Actually NCE’s menu structure is closer to plain english and I consider it a late 90’s type configuration when it comes to interface. The digitrax throttles I consider mid 80’s when it was necessary due to limited memory and slow processors. I wouldn’t suggest either one for a new throttle. It’s time to bring things up to date with current technology. memory and displays are cheap. There is no reason why they shouldn’t be to the point of checking the model of a decoder, and displaying CV’s as plain text as to their function with plain text help and selections. You would just plug your base into a pc and update the latest info from the web. A standard over the counter USB stick that costs 10 bucks can hold the data of every decoder ever made and still be only a quarter full.
Of course they can make them backwards compatible for those who want abreviations of actual commands and want to keep programming individual cv values while referencing decoder manuals. It’s similar to how Microsoft kept dos in the background of windows for years to keep the dos lovers happy.
I am a satisfied Digitrax radio owner for ten years. I don’t care for the DT400R. I use Decoder Pro for programing and gave up punching in CVs a long time ago. I like my DT100R and DT300R throttles, maybe because I am more comfortable with them. As I stated earlier I don’t need all of the function buttons.
I will get the UR-92 and some of the DT4D throttles when they come out. The nice thing about Digitrax is my old DR100R contines to work just fine. I know several MRRs who have been through several DDC sets trying to get all of the new features. I just continue to upgrade my initial investment.
Thanks for that explanation, Randy. I had the UT4 throttle in mind when I made my earlier statement. With that being the case, then the Power Cab/ProCab throttle would have more dual-purpose buttons than the DT400. Thankfully, they’re located on the bottom row and don’t get used all that much. (F10-F12)
I do think that minimizing the amount of dual-purpose buttons on the newer throttles makes for a better, cleaner, and less confusing design for the user. But, that’s going to be more of a challenge as decoders gain more and more sophistication. I wonder how DCC throttles will change over the next decade because of this.
Based on my own observation, I think that Graffen has a point. Some of the European DCC manufacturers have really done a nice job with graphical user interfaces that appear at first glance to be simple to use.
However, another observation that I would make is that the main US manufacturers seem to have focused on the needs of a modeller that wants walk around capability with single handed control. Compare an ESU system to an NCE and you can see the difference.
Like many, I would agree that the learning curve on a Digitrax throttle is slightly longer than others. But once mastered is much quicker to operate. Its like using keyboard short cuts in a PC application rather than scrolling through the menu system. However for me, the hands down biggest advantage of the DT400 series is that it is a genuine dual throttle. The twin knobs and controls allowing full control of 2 locos simultaneously is something I would never want to give up.
I read somewhere that these things are shipping on the 22nd to the dealers, so hopefully Bruce got his orders in and that I might see mine sometime in early July. I will certainly write up my experience on this, as I image others will as well.
Sorry for hijackin the thread, but I wondered why they don´t release a “new” throttle instead with a nicer interface?
The reason I showed the Roco Multimaus is that I was looking at the Digitrax and other US systems when I was shopping for a new system. The reason i got the Roco was that it has all the functions I need and then some! It took me 2 hours to learn it and that is my kind of interface [8D]. The Digitrax seemed to have a steep learning.curve, and actually, after trying one I opted them out. And if I would have wanted a walkaround system I would have bought this instead:
I think that the answer to this is that the DT400 series throttle is incredibly popular and very much liked by those that use it. Of course it is not the perfect throttle for everyone, but has a very loyal following. I would venture to guess that this throttle is probably one of the top selling in the US over the past several years. I am sure it can be improved, and have some ideas myself on how, but it would require a lot of thought and effort to change something that is such a success. To be honest, I think you would be hard pressed to find a Digitrax user that thinks it took them 2 hours to learn the throttle. Most will be up and running with the features that they want to use much quicker than that. But that is why we have personal choice and a number of vendors with different approaches. Each will have their fans and exponents as well as critics.
I find it particularly interesting that there is such a divide between the European DCC manufacturers and the US. Lenz has a decent foothold here in the USA with both their own product and by designing devices for other brand names. But apart from them, the others seem to have very little presence in this market. Conversely, it seems that Digitrax and NCE have very little presence in Europe.