[?] Hi,
I’m just getting into DCC and was wondering if anyone has had operating experience with Lenz decoders. Any down side to their product? Trying to minimize my purchasing mistakes. I will check out Tony’s TE site but wanted some actual user input.
Thanks,
Jon [:D]
Lenz decoders are very good, but there are cheaper ones available, such as TCS, NCE, and Digitrax. When the NMRA undertook the task of establishing DCC Standards and Recommended Practices, Lenz DCC systems and decoders were the basis for most of them. Lenz products are made in Giessen, Germany.
The only Lenz decoders I have are not very good at all. This should not stop you from looking at some of their higher end offerings as I understand that they are quite good.
I have a couple of the LE1000 value line of decoders. They are cheap, for sure ($12 in quantities) and they only have 1 function (I got them for my Athearn F units and only needed a headlamp). They are the same decoder as used in the Bachmann sets. They can be difficult to program on some DCC systems. I needed to put a 1K resistor accross my program track to get them recognized. So unless price is a critical, I would avoid these. Again, i have not tried the higher end decoders from Lenz. Most of my recent decoder purchases have been TCS.
Lenz decoders are very good indeed, if a little more expensive than TCS. I’ve made use of their 1014, 1024/1025, and the new “Silver” decoders extensively, the Silver are particularly nice as they now have both silent drive and BEMF fitted. Avoid the LE1000 though - these have neither BEMF or silent drive (they’re the same decoder as the Bachmann cheapo ones) and as a result don’t represent good value. The Silver decoder is well worth the money though - it’s apparently replacing the older 1014/1024/1025 decoders.
Brit, simon66, cacole,
Thanks, your input is just what I needed. Now, the tough part: decisions, decisions, decisions and the inevitable second guessing of same.
Happy modeling guys!!
Jon [:D]
Jon,
Since Mr. Lenz came up with the DCC concept in the first place, they ought to be good decoders. I have a Z-scale Lenz decoder in my Proto 2000 S1. Works great!
Tom
I have a Lenz Gold and it’s very tiny and works very well in my switcher. I’ve added the Power 1 Module to it (Very hard to solder unless you are experienced). Any way, since I added the Power 1 Module, I have yet to have a “hiccup” over turnouts. (Some of you know this as table thumping to get the loco going again.)
Tom,
[8D]Thanks again. Light Mikes get it done!
Jon [:D]
D-Griffin.
I’ve come across the Lenz Gold and Power 1 module in MR and at Tony’s Train Exchange website. The engineering guys at Lenz should take a well deserved [bow].
I’ve got at least one “hiccup” turnout that no matter what I do can’t be negotiated by my Proto 0-8-0. It does sound really [8D] and a boon to someone, like myself, who in spite of best efforts has a few MOW/track problems [B)]. See where Tony’s TE is even offering the Power 1 soldered in.
I appreciate your response, info always best when source is from an operating m-railroad.[tup] [:D] Everyone’s feedback is definitely creating an informed consumer.
Jon [:D]
I have two Lenz golds in a pair of Atlas HO SD26’s and they are excellent. The slow speed control is great and the engines change speed smoothly at any throttle setting. So far I haven’t found anything to dislike about them.
dacort,
Have you set the Lenz Gold decoders for Rule 17 headlight dimming? I’ve tried a suggestion from Lenz Group at Yahoo and all I’ve gotten when implemented is headlight/backup light dim without retaining normal bright level when running. I’ve implemented Rule 17 via TCS decoders without problem but Lenz Gold instructions have me going in circles.
Thanks, Jon
I have only had one Lens decoder. It was a silver mini. It worked for a few days and failed. Replaced with a TCS and all is now well. I currently have installed 2 TCS, 1 Bachmann, 2 Digitrax, and 2 engines that came with DCC installed, so I don’t know what is in them. All work well. FYI The Digitrax have transponding built in.
Jon,
I’ve never had opportunity or reason to try any of the “Rule” capabilities of my Lenz Gold but I’ve been VERY happy and impressed with the BEMF. I have a Lenz Gold in a Stewart FT and that puppy absolutely crawls on speed step 001.
Tom
The only Lenz decoders I have were salvaged from Bachmann DCC Onboard diesel locos. I put them in several of my better locos (Athearn BB F7A, P2K PA1, P2k E7) where they have performed well.
Tom,
My “Gold” as installed has my P2K 0-8-0 at same “is it moving?” crawl. How can it get better? In pursuit of dimming I found F3 which cuts in half previous speeds for switching and also noticed that when invoking F3 it dims head light!(Can’t believe I missed this when invoking F3 previously) So if standing in siding I can invoke F3 and it’ll stand there with dim headlight. Don’t know where Lenz stores dimming info amongst the CV’s; it would be interesting to know. CV’s 55 and 56 according to the manual are set at max 255 value and are supposed to be source for dimming values aren’t doing it since their default/factory set value is 255. I’ll keep looking with fresher eyes after some shut eye. Also CV60 enables head light to display as mars light, gyralight,strobe, etc. Why one would want these effects at head light I can’t fathom. I thought these effects would be ascribed to “second” head light if unit had same.
Worse comes to worse with these mysteries I’ll pursue issue(s) with vendors at Jan’08 Big-E show.
Jon