I am in the middle of making the decision of which DCC system to buy, but this is not the problem. My question is this. If I buy a Lenz 100 system, will any manufactures decoders in any manufactures engine work fine? I guess what I am saying is, whatever DCC system you choose do you have to run trains with their brand decoders, or can you use anyone’s decoders with any manufactures systems? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Jeff Strong
Jeff;
You can use anyone’s decoders with the Lenz, Digitrax, NCE, extra systems.
I would suggest not using MRC decoders, as they are expensive for thier limited functions, and are sometimes difficult to program.
Also, see the note in BLI’s FAQ (http://www.broadway-limited.com/) about Lenz, I believe that the same information is also on the Lenz site.
On a Digitrax layout at (www.comrail.org) I have used NCE, QSI (BLI) and Digitrax decoders. Others used TCS too.
See also: http://www.dcctrains.com/products/type_decs_1.htm
and http://www.dcctrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm
Jeff:
Nigel is right. as long as the decoder conforms to NMRA standards, it should be operabel on any DCC system. Nigel is also right about the MRC decoders.
Jim
I have thought about going DCC on and off since this past June. The initial cost is what has been holding me back. However, the folks on this forum have collectively convienced me that DCC is the way to go and that I should go with it from the begining. I only have the 2 return loops functional so now would be the time to go DCC - before I get too envolved with the blocks thing.
With that said, I have concluded after hours of researching and re-researching every possiblility that Digitrax offers the most compatable components.
Here is Tony’s Trains comparison chart. http://www.dcctrains.com/productcompare/decoder_comparison.htm. I recommend clicking on the “DOWNLOAD” IN Printer-Friendly PDF and print it as it is large and has a lot of information to absorb.