Hi all, I’m still relearning the hobby after a hiatus of several years, so I haven’t yet purchased a locomotive in the DCC era. I notice that most engines sold with DCC are typically about $100 more than their DC alternatives, while do-it-yourself DCC decoders are generally quite a bit less than $100. I’d like to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of buying built-in DCC vs. adding a decoder. Are the factory DCC engines simply the equivalent of “ready-to-run” rolling stock for those who don’t like kits? Or is there some significant advantage to factory DCC? Thanks for any info…
In my opinion it would depend on the locomotive. Most diesels are fairly easy to add DCC to, whereas steam locomotives can be challenging. I usually buy diesels that are DCC ready, meaning they have a circuit board and only require adding the appropriate decoder. If you want sound and the locomotive you are looking for is available with it already installed it is probably worth the additional cost. Otherwise, decoders are getting cheaper and it will usually be less expensive to add one than to by one with factory installed DCC
I’d pretty much agree with Bob. I’ve installed decoders in a few locomotives, most of which I got for very good prices even though they were DCC Ready. Now, though, I’m thinking of adding sound and discovering that some of the appropriate Soundtraxx decoders are $70, just for the decoder, and then I will need a speaker and my own time to install it. At that point, I think I’d go pre-installed.
By the way, I was hooked on DCC as soon as I tried it, and now sound is getting to me the same way. My “silent era” engines just aren’t as much fun anymore. If you have the chance to listen to some sound engines in operation, take advantage of the experience before you decide on an engine and decoder. Steam engines, in my opinion anyway, get the greatest boost from adding sound.
Are you looking at sound? What scale? The $100 difference between decoder and no decoder doesn’t sound right. In N scale the difference is $20-$30, which is in the same neighborhood as a decoder to install, so unless one is looking for sound (which is a considerable issue as of now in N scale) I don’t see a reason to install a decoder if the same loco is available with one already installed.
I’m in HO scale. I don’t remember for sure, but probably the $100 difference I’m seeing is for units with sound.
At a $100 difference, my guess is that we are entering the realm of sound equipped DCC locos.
The reason I buy N scale locos without decoders and install them myself is that the standard decoders are usually very limited. The stock Atlas decoders are among the most basic available. For about the same total price and an investment of 20 minutes, a 4-6 function decoder with many more CV features and better motor control is available. If a basic decoder is not an issue, then the stock decoders are fine.
My two Athearn Genesis AB sets that I got on line half-price are not DCC ready–will have to add decoders(only about $20 for 6-function non-sound, and yes, prob. around $100 for sound plus speaker). But I wouldn’t probably buy the new DCC sound F3’s factory installed by Athearn as they are MRC’s and have gotten generally(from most, but not all members on this forum) bad reviews, hence I think I’d be better off adding my own Tsunami, Loksound, etc. rather than the factory installed package.
My point here, is it varies. If a loco comes sound-equipped with a decoder package you’re happy with, then go for it. Do your research, by which I mean ask others, including on this forum, at your club, etc.
Jim