Hi everybody
I am looking into DCC systems, and my two main choices are Digitrax or Lenz
I have some experience with with Digitrax, and almost none with Lenz. Thats why I was leaning to Digitrax, up till I found that Lenz is located in Chelmsford, MA, about 20 minutes from where I live.
Now, my question is, what do you reccomned?
Here is what I want from my system:
Versatility. I want it to be as appropriate for a 4x8 as it is for a larger 12x20 layout.
Affordability. I do not want to spend a lot. I do understand the relative price of DCC, but if there is a significant difference in the base price it will be a factor.
3.Simplicity. I am not interested in reading long manuals. I know that is a requirement, but the UI is important.
Sound, something im pondering over. Perhaps I will equip some of my locomotives with simple sound, though that is going to be limited.
My locomotive fleet at the moment is about 7 locos, and I dont plan to go much over double that in the near future, that being the next 5 years or so.
i would like to be able to use the computer to program CV’s
dazzar, thank you for the link, though im trying to keep things simple by only thinking about 2 brands, one of which ive had experienc with, the other who is located relativley closeby, and both i have seen in stores and have been around a while.
Shay, thank you for the info. From what ive seen, the Zephyer seems like a great system to get started on. Im just thinking that would getting any service I may need be easier with Lenz.
Lenz products are made in Giessen, Germany by Bernd Lenz. Lenz also makes the Atlas and Bachmann DCC systems, which are watered down version of a Lenz system.
Haven’t needed any service so far!! I have Set 100 and LH90 cab which is a 5 amp system. The LH90 is a knob throttle and the 100 is pushbutton which is easier to programme with. All the functions buttons are avaliable on the 100. the 90 has 8 functions, plenty for sound loco’s.
I accidentily ran a loco from the main to the programme track, but a switch off and reset fixed it.
EDIT awesome system, walk around cabs, plus a cheap cordless option.[:D][:D]
My layout is 9 x 9. I will run a max of four locos. I can see ALL of my layout from one position. I have only 15 turnouts. Since I live in Georgia, DIgitrax is right up the road. Yall can preach about that German stufff all you want. I like my Zephyr. There’s not another starter set out yet that will do everything the Zephyr can. At 149, you can’t beat it.
thanks Ken
Shay, if I need service, which from the beginning I kinda doubted, the company that would be servicing is only 20 minutes away, a slight advantage there.
Why worry about service? Both are built good so hopefully you shouldn’t have to deal with that issue. I use a Digitrax Zephyr and I use 2 UT400 throttles with it and have never had a problem. I can’t compare the 2 but I chose Digitrax because at the time it seemed to be more popular and it is also the system my club uses.
Yoshi;
What I would look at between all systems, (and I wouldn’t worry about service as all companies are very good at servicing their product), is which sytem is used by the majority of the modelers in your area. Be it Digitrax, NCE, Wangrow, Lenz etc. I tell this to everyone asking advice on DCC. By using what is the most used in the area you have a built in “database” for troubleshooting, problem solving, and just general all around help on your system if there are problems.
I am in the process of testing Digitrax service! I have had a Zephyr for almost 2 years and it just developed a fault. The brake function quit working. I contacted Digitrax via e-mail and got a response in a few hours the same day. I called them and discussed the problem and the upshot is that I sent it back for repair yesterday. I have been really happy with my Digitrax system and have added quite a bit to it including 2 hand held throttles, IR wireless, PC Interface with Decoderpro software and a 2nd booster. I just converted the booster from slave to master mode, so I can run my layout with the Zeohyr off to repair. I will let you know how the repair works out if you like. Personally, I would not hesitate to go Digitrax.
I used to work about 5 miles from a company that made computer motherboards. Keep in mind, they were actually made in Taiwan. I did have cause to use their service department, generally by phone. I even drove down there once to exchange something. Even then, it took me a day or two to get to them. At best, it was marginally better than shipping it back to them. The phone service was, of course, no different.
In the event they are actually going to service the unit (and not just swap your bad unit for a good one on their shelf), it goes into the same queue for the technician whether you are 20 minutes away and offer to wait or it comes in via UPS or FedEx.
The moral of the story is not to worry about the physical location of the company, as long as they can get you what you need quickly by shipping. We are not talking about a dialysis machine or pacemaker. Digitrax, Lenz, NCE are all going to stand behind their products.
And Digitrax is in Norcross, Georgia, so it’s not like they have to be shipped 3000 miles away for service. I haven’t had any problems with my Zephyr or DT400 so I have no idea how good their service is, but the general response is that they are very good at getting things fixed if they need it. The few complaints I’ve seen here and on the Digitrax Yahoo list are people who emailed support rather than called, and I guarantee that without a careful choice of message subject and content, an unsolicited email is more likely than not to get canned by a spam filter. Just another part of the internet world. I get enough junk that my filter catches, and I’m not a public company. Heck I even won Tony’s $5 off one day and THAT email got killed by my filter, all because of the way they word it. The moral is, if you want to be SURE they know about your problem (anybody, not just Digitrax), CALL FIRST. If they open a dialog via email, then your replies will get to the person in most cases. But unsolicited mail mentioning products, fixes, etc. will easily trigger spam filters.
I’d like to throw my hat in the ring for digitrax. Can’t say that I have used much from lenz. I have used their decoders in some of my smaller N scale engines but overall I primarily use Digitrax. If you model in Nscale, many locomotives will require the small decoders that only lenz makes…however, they are not as well shielded, etc. As far as on the layout, I’ve had my system for almost 5 years now and have had no problems with the decoders, boosters, throttles, etc. The only problem I have had with digitrax is that they seem so popular that many times getting decoders off the shelf becomes a problem. I have used Tonys in the past but I’m a firm believer in trying to use locally if you can, to help keep the local guys open. Papa Bens in Houston seems to keep a good stock up, but if you have an urgent need from digitrax, you may have to flex a little of your patience…
I have had my “Super Chief” for going on four years now. About six months ago I got lazy rewiring the booster after doing some benchwork and I wired the booster up wrong and fried it. I emailed the Digitrax tech guys and they told me to do a few things to verify the problem. Yep fried (do to my own stupidity). I mailed it in and the turned it around repaired in less then two weeks and I was NOT CHARGED a nickel even though it was out of warrenty and I fried it. I love the system and the one time I needed the repair service from Digitrax they did good!
From what I have read and heard of the Zephyr system I don’t think you can go wrong and you will be very happy with its expandibility as your layout expands. An entry price of $150.00 isn’t bad either. I can’t comment on any other system as I have always used Digitrax.
Terry