Hello All!
I have just passed my 1 year anniversary as a model railroad enthusiast. I have assembled apretty nice collection of locos and rolling stock (primarily New Haven). I am inquiring with this forum about what the favorable DCC system is out there. My future layout will be 10x14 with about 5 trains rolling at one time maximum. Leaning towards MRC. Can you give me a little bit of operator wisdom?
Thank you, Marty
I would agree with Lenz being a good choice if you want a wireless option. I intend to upgrade my system to a Lenz because it is compatible with my CVP wireless throttle that I use with a very basic Atlas DCC system. With a 10X14 layout, I’m not sure wireless would be that important two you. If this is an along the walls layout, you could probably reach all parts of the layout with a tethered throttle. On the other hand, if yours is an island or peninsula layout where you need to follow your trains around to the opposite side of the layout, a wireless throttle will be very handy. MRC and Bachmann are probably a good low cost entries into DCC for a small layout. The others mentioned in the above post are good as well a and some offer wireless as well. The nice thing about DCC is that the NMRA go involved early on and adopted standards that most major manufacturers voluntarily agreed to conform to. That means decoders from one maker can be run on another’s DCC system. You aren’t locked in.
I prefer the CVP system.
Brad
read this thread about which dcc system to buy
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=49375
why are you leaning towards MRC ?
I am starting with Bachmann easy dcc because its the cheapest i can find. E-bay $65.00 with shipping. I have a rather large collection of engines about 100 of them are Athearn. It would be alot of work to convert all of them, so i decided to try dcc out on my only dcc eqiped engine BLI SD40-2 in CSX paint with sound. I wont have much opportunity to use it. otherwise. If I like dcc i have about 25 Atlas and Kato dcc ready locos I can add decoders to. BUT once you try out a sound loco you wont want to go back. I run my BLI all the time!! Its idleing right now!! Been reading alot about dcc and I think i would go with Lenz or MRC. Joe A.
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I’m a DCC newbie, but am going with the Digitrax Zephyr. Have a good friend that owns one. Good price, easy to use, and expandable.
Micro Mark in their recent ads show the MRC Prodigy Express for $99.95.
Bob Boudreau
I would avoid the Bachmann and Atlas as starter systems simply because they are so limited in their capabilities that you will not reap the full benefits of DCC operation. Invest a little more at the beginning and get a better quality system, and you’ll get years more service out of it. The Prodigy Advance, Lenz, or EasyDCC are good systems that will last for years without the need to upgrade.
I have the MRC system Though it may be limited it is very user friendly. I am new to DCC and it has made my transtion quite easy. I purchased about a month ago and havn’t really run alot of trains yet, although I have programed with it and found it quite simple. Installing the decoders where a bit of a challange but with patients it worked out. For ease of use I would recommend MRC’s prodigy.
Marty;
As to which system is best for a modeler, that point is always arguable. Doing research on, who locally uses what system, is probably best advice. If you can find out what is the most popular brand used in your area, and go with that brand, you will have a built in source of information about any problem or question you may have. Example, the vast majority of moders in my area use Digitrax. If anyone has a problem they have a source of about 50 modelers for information and help. There is one NCE user in area. Now NCE is a good system but because he has no one locally to help with his problems, he spends a lot of time on the phone to NCE. He also doesn’t have internet access, so help from the internet is not an option. Right now he is frustrated by DCC.
I have to disagree with your statement, Joe. I’ve tried sound equipped locos and really can do without them. Many folk who do have sound, probably wouldn’t be in the hobby otherwise. If it keeps someone in the hobby, that is great, but its not for me. I am PERSONALLY not inclined toward sound.
The sound of several operators, blowing whistles, ringing bells, coupler crashes, brake squeals etc… after about ten minutes begins to not be pleasing to me. Now I’m NOT dissing sound. At times its realistic and enjoyable, but its not for me.
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Originally posted by cjcrescent
Marty;
The sound of several operators, blowing whistles, ringing bells, coupler crashes, brake squeals etc… after about ten minutes begins to not be pleasing to me. Now I’m NOT dissing sound. At times its realistic and enjoyable, but its not for me.
Marty, I can see your point with lot of sound action it would get annoying. I have alot of kids and when they are all in the room and talking at once it gets bad. Sence my layout is in the corner for now and I can only run 2 engines at a time I thought it woud be cool to have one ideling and while the other is doing the pulling somewhere else.
But thats the beauty of this hobby we are all like diffrent things. Joe A.
I went with the Digitrax SuperChief right off the bat. I didn’t wan’t something that I outgrew and had to upgrade in a year, BUT I also could afford to do it that way. There are alot of systems out there, each with good points and limitations. Check Tonys Train Exchange, they have a comparision chark that may help you out. Pick the one with the fetures you need and want and can afford. All decoders that are NMRA approved work with any system, so you can mix and match.