the digitrax signalling system does not need to be connected to a digitrax command station , in other words you can build a loconet for signalling without a zephyr , chief , etc. and use a different dcc system to control the trains . however if your command station doesn’t have a computer interface option you won’t be able to program decoders from the computer unless you have something like this http://www.sprog-dcc.co.uk/
EDIT: hmm i wonder if i would have bought the MRC PA system if i had known about sprog earlier
surfstud31: I dont have any problems reading the display on the MRC PA. I dont currently do night runs but I do have an area that is poorly lighted and can still read the display. I also dont have any DC loco’s unless I get the ones I had as a kid from my older brother. (if he still has them (?) )
hotshot charlie: I believe any DCC system can run any DCC equiped loco. That was the whole point of the NMRA DCC standard. One standard and let the manufacturers compete on price, design…etc
Someone correct me if there are exceptions to the DCC rule above.
To run DC locos on my layout I’ve installed a toggle switch to allow me to select either the DC power pack or the MRC PA. after the master switch Ive got 10 power district switches. . Not as small as DC blocks, but it allows me to run the occaisional DC engine.
Surf,
Running an analog loco (address 0) under DCC should not be a consideration. It’s not the same as running that loco under DC… it runs much slower, doesn’t provide fine control, and you won’t be pleased with doing that except for a quick test run or something. Krasny (above) has the only real solution if you want to be able to run DC locos… wire it for both ways – not that hard at all, and you already have the MRC power pack… use it for DC!
I think the truth is that any DCC system you select (except maybe the rock bottom ones) will give you good results and satisfying operation. Also, any DCC system you select will have some quirks that will bug you. I have a Zephyr with a radio DT400 and Loconet USB. Love it’s reliability, support from Digitrax, ease of wiring, dual throttles on the handheld, solid wireless reliability. I am bugged by the silly tiny buttons randomly placed in a huge matrix (hmmmm, giant derail… now where was that power off button again?), the inability to acquire a loco while wireless, and the fact that I have to remove the battery from the throttle every time I’m finished. I would still recommend it. From what I’ve read, the PERFECT system isn’t out there… if only we could combine the best of each!
Hotshot, I run several digitrax decoders with my PA. DH123’s at least one DZ123 and DH163’s as well as Atlas decoders. So far, no problems programing any of them.
I also have not had a problem with the display not being backlit. The information is large inough to compensate for low light. And, after you use it, or any throttle for a while you get use to it and don’t look at it as much for simple stuff like speed and direction. Even though the PA will operate 17 or so functions, I find I use three or four most often and I know the locations of those buttions by feel.
I’m leaning toward a MRC PA. Basically because, I really don’t need all the bells and whistles of a Chief and I want a hand held cab. The price is good also. I can deal with little quirks as long as they aren’t BIG quirks.
If I may add my 2 cents, I just love my Digitrax system. It took a l;ittle bit of reading to nail it down, but when I hooked up an old laptop & a Locobuffer II, LOOK OUT [8D] ! I haven’t used any other so maybe my opinion is one sided, but I wnet from out of the hobby for 25 years to DCC in one step & never regretted it! Read alot, check these forms, and buy what fits your needs. Either system you go with will work fine, but like anything else, some will like one over the other. Have fun.
Yes, selector, the Digitrax Chief comes with the handheld cabs, but the Zephyr doesn’t. You can add a handheld, but cost more $$$$.
I really think that Digitrax is the best DCC unit out there, but the Zephyr isn’t for me and I don’t need the Chief… too much… that’s why I’m leaning toward the MRC PA. Cost, ease of use and it should do all I need my home layout to do… I hope.
I have had a great deal of reliance on my SEB, even though it is the oldest of the current offerings. I know it has some limitations, but they are minor. Lots of power, the magnificent (if initially daunting) DT400 with two (2) encoder throttle knobs, backlit display, 22 stack for recall, and read-back CV settings in page mode. it comes with a decoder tester circuit, and a loconet panel. If I stocked a beer fridge nearby, it would operate that, too.
Thanks for the clarification about the Zephyr’s throttle, fellas. Learn something every day.
The PA will cost $194.95 from Micromark, which is a huge discount from list. A zephyr with a UT4 throttle will set you back $224.00. You will pay shipping from Micromark and get free shipping on the Digitrax from places like www.litchfieldstation.com The total price paid would be very close. Not a bad place to be Hotshot, having 2 good systems to choose from in your price range.
Hey that sounds good, Simon. I guess it’s just what someone wants… speaking of that…
I drove up to Memphis today and dropped into a couple of hobby stores. One store was totally trains only, it was fun to wander around. They had G, HO, N and O layouts setup. Several running. Still having trouble making up my mind on what I want to build on my new layout… thought today would help, probably only clouded my thoughts even more. This train hobby store was on Sycamore View Road. I also went to a Hobbytown at WolfChase in Memphis, I was pleasantly surprised that they had a fairly nice selection of train stuff… not a lot, but more than most of the Hobbytowns I have been to.
I did look at the Zephyr at the train shop on Sycamore View Road, it’s a nice setup. I would like to see the MRC in action also. Guess I got plenty of time, since I can’t make up my mind on layouts, era, scale, etc… heheheheeeee Procrastinator Number Uno, here.
I chose the PA when it was my turn to make that tough decision. I am very pleased with it, but it does have a couple of drawbacks. Mainly, the throttle isn’t backlit (if you really need that feature, you need a different system - I didn’t need it), there is no option for a wireless throttle (but I hear MRC has one in the works), and there is no computer interface. If any of these features is important to you, you will probably want to choose another system. If they aren’t very important to you, like they weren’t for me, then I’d say that the PA is an excellent choice.
I have added an additional throttle and also picked up a “Power Station 8” booster, but haven’t used it yet. The second throttle has come in handy a few times, mainly for running two trains at the same time (without having to switch between them on one throttle). For me, this system meets all my needs, and is very easy to use. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t need the features mentioned above.
From what I know of the Digitrax Zephyr, I would say that you can almost do no wrong by choosing this system. It wasn’t the system I chose, one of the main reasons being because I liked the MRC PA throttle. The expandability and customer service that are the hallmarks of Digitrax’s DCC systems are hard to beat. One other advantage to Digitrax is that most Model Railroad clubs use their products on their club layouts. If you have a Digitrax system at home with a handheld throttle, you can also use the throttle at the club, at least in most cases. MRC may be used on some club layouts, but if there are any, they aren’t common.
Thanks for your input on this. It’s a hard decision to make. I like the MRC handheld much better than the Digitrax handheld… the only thing that’s really important for me is running my own track, no train clubs around here anymore (our train club burned to the ground about 10 years ago… another story for another time), so I will be just using it on my layout. I’ve had experience with the Digitrax line, I owned one and our club had two systems… so I know Digitrax is good stuff.
I’m looking for a basic, easy to operate DCC system that has a handheld unit. The MRC PA is looking like the front runner. I also have flown R/C Helicopters for the past few years and know that the MRC company is a good one. Hirobo heli’s are good flyers and they back up their products.
Here is me flying my little MRC Hirobo XRB in the basement.
Anyway, I was hoping the train stores would have the MRC PA so I could put my grubby fingers on it… but they didn’t. At least I got to see the Zephyr while I was there. It’s a nice unit… still might be in the running… I have a lot of stuff to do, before I make the decision… so it’s fun shopping and getting ideas from others.
Rob (AKA Hotshot Charlie),
It is possible that there are some PA users around Tupelo or the surrounding area that would let you check out their systems hands on. Maybe another thread on the forum asking about this would be the way to go. There are lots of users on this forum, and I’m sure some others are not too far from you. There’s a good chance that someone near you has the PA system and would let you check it out. In my case, I bought mine sight unseen, but then took it to work where there are a couple of other model railroaders. It turns out that both of them bought the PA after they tried mine out. Like you, I’ve had good luck with MRC’s products, but there have been some users who purchased earlier DCC systems from MRC who felt they were abandoned by MRC when the PA came out. It seems that MRC does not support their older systems very well, at least that’s the impression I get from this forum. Just thought you might like to know.
-Joe
I think you are on the right track. You’ve done some research and determined what things you need, want, don’t need and don’t want. I think you are also wise to keep researching a bit since you are in no hurry to start DCC. I went the PE route and am perfectly happy with my system, but only because it was the right system for me and my needs/wants.
