I’m guessing that’s how it still works in DC although its been about 25 years since I ran a DC layout. DCC is a whole different game and many factory decoders have CV settings that do not allow for simple operation. CV3 and CV4 settings are often preprogrammed with values that greatly slows both acceleration and deceleration. Then there was the WOW Sound decoder I installed last year that required the brakes to be applied in addition to turning down the throttle. I had to disable that feature so I could stop using just the throttle. Now I’ve just been informed about BEMF which I don’t understand and don’t really want to. I don’t mind decoders having these capabilities. I just wish they weren’t the defaults. Let the users who understand them turn these features on if they so choose.
A lot of the features in a DCC decoder you don’t need to mess with, they are just there. The only CVs that you really need to play with are the ones that set the address, and CV29. In many cases when you set an extended address your DCC system makes the necessary change to CV29 to activate it.
Most CVs can be left as is, unless you want to or need to make changes.
You and I agree. ESU’s latest decoders are a triumph of technology over reason IMHO. I acknowledge that there are some in the hobby that do use all those options.
The vast majority if my decoders are Digitrax, but I do have some TCS (non-sound), MRC (sound and non sound), NCE, Bachmann DCC On Board(non-sound), and BLI Paragon 2, 3, and 4, and I’ve never had one that didn’t allow for simple out-of-the box operation. Some of them have had some slight acceleration/deceleration defaults, but none have been significant.
As one receives them, decoders are too loud and too unrealistic in their movement control…for my taste. Sounds are always going to be a subjective thing, but the way a locomotive moves, or should move, is another matter.
Right from my introduction to DCC, 17 years ago this month, I got into the books and read what DCC could do for my rails experience. When I learned about Master Volume, and what CV2 (V-Start), and what CV’s 3-5 offered, I was in heaven. Now, my steamers all take time to lift a train, and they only come to a quick(er) stop if I press F7. When I slam the encoder knob (no, I don’t really…) down to zero speed steps, my engines all take at least 6 feet to come to a halt if the starting speed is over 40 mph.
DCC is really very adept, and can greatly improve realism. However, it won’t do a darned thing unless you put some effort into learning how to fine-tune motive power and characteristics, and how to tune individual volumes so that they don’t become intrusive and annoying. Master Volume if always my third step after sliding the under-cab smoke switch to ‘Off’ and assigning the cab number as its address. From there, CV3 and 4, and reducing some other sounds like bell and chuff, which are often still too loud. My tastes, of course.