OK - Here we go…. These are MY comments based on experience…I’m sure some of you may disagree with me so tell me so if that is the case. (Email me and debate it – I’m happy to listen, learn and adapt my recommendations to include ANY well presented argument, and duly credit those changes to your input).
I’m also sure that there will be the odd modeler out there that has bought a unit listed in one of my “don’ts” and is wondering about his purchase. Don’t stress it – if you are happy that’s fine. If not, email me and lets see if we can make the next step or overcome any shortfalls in your system.
On the “Upside”, if you agree with me, have a “positive” story about any brand, or just want to tell the world about how you use DCC and how it has changed your modelling or the way you operate, email me and I’ll add your story to our site.
Finally in this “Preamble” – I am neither “all knowing” nor “always right” but I DO say it like I see it – always.
So if I offend any manufacturer with an unfair negative comment don’t get mad – Write or call to tell me why I should recommend your product. Show me how I am wrong… I’m ALWAYS delighted to be able to provide GOOD news about anything, whether I sell your product of not… and will feature any corrections or improvements in our “news section” with appropriate fanfare!
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OK, what's the next step
Before you spend your hard earned hobby dollars, we suggest that you take a good look at what is available, talk to DCC users and find out more about the potential of DCC. After all, it’s how well you plan that will set your direction for the future, and we hope that you and your DCC system will be working together for a long time!
Here are a few suggestions on planning your change to DCC: Remember that while there are entry level and up-market control systems available, their cost difference is not necessarily a significant part of the whole system – as you add decoders and accessories the control becomes the core of your operations for everything, and “under-specifying” this may lead to compromise later.
(1) Think and learn about the main differences between DC and DCC: With DC you are tied to a control panel mentality and your operating position is “at the controls”. You can also do this with DCC, but advanced systems use “hand-held” control units and can even be radio equipped, and therefore totally wireless, so you can “follow” and walk the layout with your trains. This is a BIG step, and a whole new way of operating, so spend some time thinking about it, and it’s potential for improving the pleasure you can get from your layout!
(2) Talk about DCC: Email me and ask… Join a “user group” on the web and ask questions. Talk to DCC users. Read magazines. There are some useful contact details, including the addresses of several “user groups” in our “LINKS” section. Click on the Favourite Links tab to learn more.
(3) Define your need – or at least try to: This is important as larger or smaller layouts have different needs. For example, if you will only ever have a few (less than say ten) locomotives and a small layout (say, less than 36sq feet) then a smaller system may be adequate. However, if you can, think also about your eventual use of the system – a higher feature main unit may initially look like overkill for simple loco driving but its added features and control ability may make it ideal for complex accessory control.
(4) Visit friends, clubs or layouts in your area with DCC equipment: There is nothing like “hands on” to let you develop your own concept of “where can I go” with this exciting new control method. No matter where in the world you are, if you can’t find anyone local, email me and I’ll see if I can locate a DCC user close to you who will be happy to share his or her experiences and advise you.
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What to avoid
Before I go further here let me qualify what I mean. First and foremost I mean “don’t leap before you look” and buy the first unit you see, or buy a system based on price alone. Nothing in this section really says, “avoid this or that brand” – but I do know some do the job for me better than others, and there is a clear brand mix that is leading the way – at least to me. Regionally and internationally the mix may vary…my thought is that all will WORK, but few systems are truly global in their acceptance, popularity with users and truly universal in application – in other words choose with care, as some systems will suit you FAR better than others.
In my opinion, you should avoid the following:
1. Untested Second hand units or second hand units that don’t carry a real guarantee from the owner or reseller. Price may be good, but are they REALLY fully functional?
2. Units from "Model Train Set" brands (unless you are sure they are fully compatible with NMRA standards). For example, early Marklin, Fleischmann, MRC prodigy and other similar units are functionally OK but MAY be limited in potential or unable to utilize all potential "functions" on modern decoders, MAY contain "proprietary" non standard features and MAY not be as adaptable to improvement or as flexible as a “full DCC brand of controller).
The ONLY fully expandable and fully integratable "train set brand" systems I’m aware of or have experience with are Roco (Lenz compatible) and Atlas with their "Commander" (Which is actually a Lenz compact in markets other than USA).
Please note – there ARE others that are fine systems, but they will generally be no less expensive than a known DCC brand and may well be less easily integrated / expanded, so DO be careful with second-hand goods.
3. Beware Entry level "starter packs" from ANY brand. New modellers or "my first train set" people will buy these, and that is who they are targeted at – new modelers – but YOU are modeller with a bit of DC experience aren’t you, so avoid this "gentle trap".
I speak from experience here – I bought my first system from a "famous brand" but it was the bottom of their line. I soon found it was as frustrating to work with and about as boring as setting a clock radio to use – within the first, month I relegated it to my test bench and bought a new full-feature system. Not a total loss admittedly, but a cost I wouldn’t have needed to bear if I’d planned and thought a little more!
4. Avoid Units that will NOT accept 4-digit programming. This is a controversial comment I know – many people are happy with a small set of loco’s and don’t mind remembering that loco number 2318 is really loco 56 etc… However, will it really suit you when you have guest operators who don’t know which loco is which number?
I strongly recommend that where possible numbers on smoke-boxes or cab-sides are the address numbers of each loco on your control system. Easy to remember – easy to use – impossible to forget!
5. Think twice about units that require "scrolling" to change loco number or set decoder variables (CV’s). Again this is probably controversial, but it is SO much easier to quickly "peck out a number" with a finger tip on a keypad than it is to scroll "24 left, 12 right, 5 left, 13 right" to choose a new loco!! Again, "scrolling" units are usually entry level, and are as boring as setting the clock radio after a power cut!
6. Beware of Units with limited address availability. Again, these are mainly train-set or "starter pack" brands, but believe me, if you get to your eleventh loco and have only ten available places on your controller you WILL regret the purchase, or quickly covet a new, more expandable unit!
7. Are you SURE you want a DESKTOP dedicated unit? I don’t like to exclude ANY innovative brand from your shopping list but be aware that …this does also eliminate some unique products such as ZTC unless you add their new "handset controllers" but there is a very good reason for this recommendation. "All in one" products that contain both the controls and the "base station" electronics tie you to a single operating position, limit potential for upgrading and are really a "change without changing" in operating style. One of the BIG advantages of the full-feature "handset" products like the new ESU control system, Lenz Set 100 handset, Digitrax DT400 or the NCE ProCab is total portability. You can control or program ANYTHING, from ANYWHERE in the layout – in fact, the wireless versions of these products even eliminate the wire between controller and base station.
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OK, which "controller" brands do You like and why?
Now HERE I am treading on eggs – my opinion is guaranteed to 100% suit only one person perfectly, and that is ME – but perhaps my own preferences, which evolved based on hands on experience, have value in the same way that any other “users” opinion is useful.
Here are a few personal thoughts. I stock some of these brands and not others. I won’t define which here because I want you to read through this section as neutrally as possible. I’m of course happy to quote you and recommend if that’s what you’d like, but first, PLEASE, lets go through the thinking process.
LENZ -I like the fact that Lenz have been a core part of the establishment of DCC standards, and respect their products greatly. They offer good reliable decoders and an "open architecture" approach to new development to ensure that Lenz will remain a "flexibly application" product with a wide variety of compatible "after market" or "other brand" accessories to use with it. Lenz makes product for several European hobby brands, as well as Atlas in the USA.
I DISLIKE – The Lenz Compact and the Atlas Commander – because they are a respected brand with a good price, these models have done much to "kick-start" DCC – but popular as they are, I feel that for many, they are very limited in future potential, the "scrolling" needed for selection plus a very limited digital display means that the manual is needed all the time…plus "instinctive" use is difficult.
A good entry point maybe, but destined to be replaced quickly by many purchasers.
I LIKE – the New set 100 – mid priced with excellent feature levels, a really usable handset that does it all, and few downsides other than lack of a “knob” on the LH100 handset. Having said that, a few minutes using the up-down speed keys and you’ll forget a knob was ever an issue in the first place.
I DISLIKE – Lenz manuals… Tech talk is already hard, and when German tech language is translated to English it often takes several re-readings and clever interpretation to "get to the point". On the upside many manuals are now re-written in the USA, and the LENZ user group on the web is extremely helpful (see favourite links)
I LIKE – the constant forward development of new ideas and the fact that their "two way" communication system is likely to become the default standard for the industry, as they are making it’s technology freely available to other brands. That’s how everyday things like the Cassette and CD quickly gained acceptance and dominated the world market, and lack of that "openness" is why other similar technologies failed quickly.
NCE – I believe the NCE PROCAB remains the benchmark for "User friendly" control and "comfortable learning" in DCC. Whilst the Powerhouse Pro system / ProCab has as many buttons as an average Audiovisual system remote control, it’s super clear display, plain English approach and logical layout make it a snap to operate with, and even those new to DCC are at home and operating comfortably within just a few minutes.
I LOVE - The POWERCAB: The NEW NCE "POWERCAB" is without doubt the BEST start set ever made - all the functions of a fully fledged Powerhous Pro system and for only half the price!
I LIKE – The Easy to read manual. There are still a few areas where interpreting "tech-speak" is hard, but in general a basic, logical approach and the constant help from the "plain English" programming and screen information makes NCE a pleasure to use and learn.
I LIKE – The fact that for all basic programming, you can forget CV’s and simply make "yes-no" decisions… DO YOU want to enable DC operation – enter for no, press one for yes? Is forward normal or reversed for this loco - enter for normal, press one for reversed… etc… etc…
I LIKE – The full "2 way radio" option, that means total wireless for all operations and programming
I LIKE – The "Owner upgradeable" main processor, that means an NCE owner can always have the "Latest" functions by simply replacing the "main Brain" of the unit.
I DISLIKE – Nothing about the NCE system
DIGITRAX – a leader in the USA, and one of the first widely promoted brands. Digitrax has a huge range and a wide array of accessories. Digitrax is also an innovator; although I do feel it is a "downside" to keep their new developments such as "Loco-net" to themselves (It dilutes cross-compatibility) they have a good cross section of smaller manufacturers following their lead, so all is not lost here. Widely stocked in US and Australasia, Digitrax has a good but narrowly supported base in Europe.
I LIKE – The new "super chief" with the excellent DT400 handset, and the excellent value "Zephyr" entry-level units. Both offer good feature levels, greatly improved operability and maintain good expandability.
I DISLIKE – Digitrax manuals – They are famous for inclusion of techno-speak mixed with marketing hype, they can be "a very difficult read" and are often almost unintelligible until one has learned to "speak Digitrax". In fairness newer products add hugely to the understandability of manuals by being very user friendly – the DT400 is a good example of this. New users often need a plain English translation – best provided by either a local user of the excellent Digitrax user group (see favorite links)
I SORT OF LIKE – Their willingness to add new features and test the waters with new technology. This is slightly tempered by their lack of cooperation within the industry as I feel it weakens the cross-compatibility of the DCC standards.
I’M AMBIVOLENT ABOUT – Their warranty approach. Far less understanding or user friendly that any other major brand, to the point that whilst dealers may be more understanding, the diditrax factory attitude seems to almost say "be careful - we only warrant decoders until the day they are installed"
ROCO is a "train-set brand" but I’ve included them here because they are globally distributed and have maintained a very sensible cross-compatibility with LENZ in all things, making Roco a very popular choice among modelers as a "Starter pack" or "second handset" controller.
I LIKE – the “LOKMAUS” – not so much as a programming device, where in my opinion it shares the short-falls of many entry level handsets, that can only address 2 digit numbers and require scrolling, but as a very useful “drivers throttle” to cheaply and effectively expand a lenz system.
I LIKE the ACTION ITEMS – such as the excellent ROCO DCC controlled crane and similar – these add excitement and demonstrate potential directly, stimulating the future of DCC.
THERE ARE MANY MORE – such as ZIMO, UHLENBROCK, ZTC and others – all have some merits, but I will not comment where I have no experience…
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How should I evaluate my needs?
In the end it is YOUR choice, and needs to be based on YOUR needs. Here’s my idea for a logical and sensible bit of research.
Keep it fun, whatever you do – I’ve seen so much agonizing about the DCC decision process that I’m sure some will never be happy because they are forever second guessing or juggling feature lists! It’s what it can DO for YOU, not how long the list is that’s important – unnecessary features are only useless clutter.
First and foremost, this is an important step but do keep in mind – It’s a HOBBY.
You will soon forget that unless you remember that it’s not a life threatening issue – DO remember you are choosing how to IMPROVE YOUR MODEL RAILWAY OPERATIONS – NOT planning a trip to the tax office, dentist or proctologist.
I believe the decision process can be a pleasant journey of discovery if you follow a few simple guidelines. I call them “Ten steps to a great DCC decision”
Click here to discover how to make planning the change a pleasure, not a problem.
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