Thank you everybody, great points! From what I have heard, their is a lot more of Digitrax going around and less of Lenz. That signals me to think that digitrax is much more popular, as I imagined, and therefore might be a good idea to go with them due to the ability to run with other people. I should probably check with the NMRA HUB Div to see what they use to be interchangeable once i finally get up from this chair and join!
I own both a Digitrax Zephyr and a Lenz. Even though I have purchased all the gizmos to expand the Zephyr, I still consider the Lenz to be my primary system.
Either system is totally expandable.
If you want to piece the system together through time it is really hard to beat the Digitrax Zephyr. If you want many of the features at once it is hard to beat the Lenz.
I have only opened my Zephyr manual once. Unfortunately my Lenz came speaking German so I had to use the manual to figure out how to get it speaking English. Then I had to use the manual a lot to program with the LH-90 throttle. When I got smart and started using the LH100 throttle, this was not as big an issue. I really like the on-panel display of the Zephyr. (Actually I think the Easy DCC has the best UI).
Not an issue with either system and current sound systems. I use both systems for locos equiped with QSI, Soundtraxx, and Pheonix sound. Can’t speak to the new sound units coming out. Looks like they will need many more function keys.
Both can do 4 digit addressing (9999 locos) so the number-at-one-time is
Texas Zephyr, that was the most useful response yet!
Thank you sooooo much!!!
I think i may be able to make my decision off of your post!
Im going to put it in my favorites and print it out!
BTW, would all Lenz systems come speaking german, because i am not fluent in German
The numbe rof THROTTLE choices might be limited (since for whatever crazy reason Keith G at CVP REFUSES to license Loconet and build radio throttle for it, even though it’s a nominal fee and they have a huge chunk of the market. Oh well, his loss) but the line of accessories for Loconet pretty much exceed ANY other system. Even the throttle argument is somewhat flawed since there ARE non-Digitrax Loconet throttles available. EVERY other system use some variation of a serial port system - communications are limited to master-slave. Loconet works like ethernet, only slower (more wiring freedom) and has full peer to peer capabilities - which in part is why an old Digitrax booster that was produced before 4-digit addressing can still be used in a modern Digitrax system. This is how the signalling and detection works - the command station knows nothing about how to operate signals, and doesn’t have to. The DT400 throttle supports playable whistle with a pressure sensitive F2 key - again the command station doesn’t need to know anything about this, it merely passes the packets on without processing, the peer element of the throttle handles generation of the proper command. Add a DT400 throttle to a DB150 command station - you have playable whistle. Add a DT400 throttle to a Zephyr - you have playable whistle.
Loconet, and the availability of add-on components, both commercial and DIY, is why I went with Digitrax, not market share. And then there’s Uhlenbrock, they talk to both, Loconet and Xpressnet. Conceivably, using Uhlenbrock components in your system would allow Lenz throttles to work with Digitrax and vice-versa - MAYBE.
–Randy
Randy;
I don’t understand. Digitrax has had a Radio version available for the DT throttles for quite a while, (I don’t know if there is one for the UT Throttles or not), as well as infared. These all work on loconet quite well. There are several channels available on this. The only drawback is you have to plug in to accquire a loco.
Randy, thanks so much for a bit more of the techie side
Lenz has a radio option. So do the other systems that CVP makes a radio unit for. That doesn’t preclude CVP from making an alternate radio system. Bu what ne company won;t do, others will - there’s a DIY Loconet interface board that has an IR remote capability using ordinary TV remotes, and it allows selecting a new address while wireless. It’s not a commercial product, and probably won’t be, but just another example of the DIY working going on based around Loconet - see the Yahoo group Loconet Hackers for more.
–Randy
Randy;
Now I understand what you were saying. I musta read it wrong. I thought you said there were NO radio options for Digitrax, now I see. You’re just saying that Keith G won’t make a radio option adaptable to Loconet because he won’t buy the licsence.
The Lenz radio option is very interesting and people either love it or hate it. Basically it interfaces with any standard wireless phone. The telephone key pad becomes the control buttons. I have mixed feelings about it. It is of course the cheapest wireless available, but one must remember what the buttons mean and how to shift their function. My memory is already operating over capacity, so I try to avoid memory puzzels. I think a major satisfaction factor depends more upon which phone is selected rather than the interface itself. One fellow at the club has a phone that beeps every time he presses a button. BEEP … beep BEEP BEEP … beep beep beep … BEEP. Gets annoying real quick.
May people worry about the telephone wireless frequencies interfering with other wireless things like the CVP throttle system, air conditioning control, and other telephones used in the area. We have had a few strange things happen but none can unequiviquibly be traced to the radio spectrum.
I don’t think so. A bunch of us went together and purchased ours in bulk direct from the factory through our LHS. The ones that come through normal channels to the U.S. are probably set to English.
My real point was that other than that snafu and trying to use a utility throttle to program with it wasn’t hard to use but the Zephyr has been easier.
In all my responses, I always try to answer the exact question the person has asked to the best of my knowledge and ablity. Only then will I add other comments or re-directing thoughts if I think they won’t cause confusion. If one starts throwing out differing ideas or opinions before the basic question is answered it can just be frustrating. There have been a few threads I followed and even though there were 20 or so responses, no one had directly answered the person’s original question. I think that is just human nature to want to state ones own opinions and mold others into our way of thinking [;)]. I try very hard not to do that because my opinions are very strong.
That’s fine as long as all the facts are straight. I haven’t done an item by item count, but I’d bet there are MORE accessories for Loconet than Xpressnet. And you sort of imply Xpressnet is not proprietary - to date EVERY brand’s throttle bus is proprietary. Lenz may make devices for other manufacturers like Roco and Atlas and Bachmann, but it’s still proprietary. Likewise Uhlenbrock might use Loconet, but it’s still proprietary. You can;t use Lenz throttles on an NCE system, you can’t use NCE throttles on an Easy-DCC system, and you can’t use Easy-DCC throttles on Digitrax.
–Randy
For the money there is nothing currently on the market that will touch a Zephyr IMHO (as long as the 10 locomotive slot limit doesn’t affect you). Remember this is ten locomotive slots and throttles at the same time, and a slot can be multiple locomotives in an MU situation, so chances are unless you are thinking of starting a club, you are ok.
A Zephyr is a Super Chief for all intents and purposes (less the 120 slot limit of course), and shares the same architecture and communications platform. In fact, a Zephyr can be used as a throttle on another Digitrax system (I’m not sure why you would want to do this, but it can be done). Digitrax offers a huge array of products, from decoders to block detection and signalling and these are all backwards compatible with virtually anything the’ve built. For $150 (the typical street price for a Zephyr), you can’t go wrong.
Before deciding however, I would be sure to operate both systems and see which one you prefer first hand. You may like the Lenz throttle better, or some other feature may spark your interest. I also agree with the people who argue to go with a well supported system in your area, from the hobby shops to your friends it’s always better to have someone close by for help and guidance.
Good luck!
Got my Lenz from Tony’s Train Exchange, it speaks da english k?
Ken.
Depends on your layout size, for one. I’d also consider what other layouts use near you, if you plan to get into round-robin op sessions.
I use Digitrax. That’s also what’s common in the area.
I know a guy who outgrew Lenz and went to Wangrow. Wangrow closed (death of owner). This guy moved to Digitrax. Very happy.
Yoshi
I said I would get back to you with details of my Zephyr repair. I shipped it last week on Friday. It was delivered on Monday and today I called them and it has been repaired and is being shipped today via UPS. When I called I was immidiately connected to the repair department and was not on hold at all. Total cost of the repair including the return shipping is $35.00. I think this is excellent service and to get it back a week after it was shipped is very good.