Can you run a cable between the computer and train room? You may be out of USB range, but I'm sure you are in the range Loconet, just run Loconet to the room with the computer and put the adapter by the computer(you could probably do the same with the NCE cab bus). I know you didn't want this to be a Zephyr/Power Cab thread, but since those seem to be the systems you are considering, I'll give you some of my thoughts on them. One way I look at the Zephyr and Power Cab is the Zephyr is a very capable command station that happens to have a very simplistic throttle built in, and the Power Cab is a Pro Cab throttle with a very limited command station built in. Although some people will find just the Zephyr or the Power Cab will fill their needs, most will at least want to add an additional throttle to the Zephyr or the Smart Booster to the Power Cab. If you fall in this group, to really make an adequate comparison you should compare the Zephyr + DT402 to a Power Cab + Smart Booster. For me, the Zephyr came out on top, partly because of Loconet, but mainly because of the four cab limit of the Smart Booster(especially since the computer interface and Mini Panel cut into that four cab limit).
The cable run would be something on the order of 100 feet or more, and would be awkward without doing some minor surgery to the house - which I'm pretty sure the Chief Homeowner would veto. We're looking at adding a second computer in the not terribly distant future, and that will neatly solve the distance problem (it will go in the same room as the layout). As for the comparision, you're right, I didn't want to let the thread wander that direction but you make a good point. I have another thread going elsewhere where I'm debating that question, and it looks like the deciding factor has in fact come down to how economically I can have 3 operators. Zephyr wins no contest in that department, since PowerCab requires some $300 in additional equipment, while the Zephyr requires (minimum) only two DC throttles. Which (to bring this back on topic) is why I'm doing so much hand-wringing about that @#$! LED display...
Excellent point about the capabilities of the underlying command stations. Besides, what can you do with an LCD display that you can't do with the LED display (and how long will it be your primary operating interface)?
OH, there's very little that needs doing that the LED display won't do. The LCD display just allows you to do it in a much more human readable fashion. And it's arguably cheaper, these days, though the incremental development cost would need to be taken into account. As for how long, well, that depends on a lot of external factors. Could be weeks, could be years.
One thing ( well there are several) to think about when you add a Smart Booster to a Power Cab. First you will need a power supply for the SB3a- About $50.00 When you add a SB3a to a Power Cab it becomes a 5 amp system. That is a bunch of power The Power Cab throttle becomes a Pro-Cab throttle. You now can unplug the throttle and move it to a different panel and the train will not stop. All of the brains are in the SB3a unit, so the trains just keep running with the last instructions they received. Watch out- you have NO control of the locomotive when the throttle is unplugged! You can add 3 more CAB04p's or 3 Cab04e's That will let you have 4 cabs. The 04e throttles will let you toggle between two locomotives. The 04p will control only one. The Power Cab throttle will store up to 6 recalls for locomotives. The Power Cab throttle along with its original power supply can now be use with a USB interface. ( about $40.00) You can set your original Power Cab power supply and USB interface by your computer terminal, along with a piece of test track. Unplug your Power Cab throttle cab, from your layout and move it to the USB interface and use Decoder-Pro to do programming. No other things are required. Like a programming booster or the likes. I know, more mud to cloud the waters.
Let me reiterate something I tried to say in the OP, and be very clear. If I knew with reasonable certainty that Digitrax was NOT going to update the Zephyr anytime soon (say, in the next 6-12 months), I could buy one tomorrow, and I expect I would be very happy with it, LED display and all. If nothing else, I'd put a DT402 on my Christmas list and be done with it. But I seem to have a bad track record of making significant electronics purchases right before a refresh, missing out on improvements that I really would like to have. In my opinion, the Zephyr looks ripe for an update, for reasons I've stated at length. It's all just supposition on my part, with no evidence. Others have disagreed, and even posted evidence that may in fact counter my suspicion. Either way, I'd be disappointed to buy a Zephyr as-is in September, only to see Digitrax bring out the Zephyr 2, complete with a simple but readable LCD, in October. I wouldn't be upset with Digitrax, just bummed that my timing wasn't better. Again. I'm in no big rush, so I may just keep my powder dry and see what happens over the holiday season. Or find a smashing good deal on some used equipment...
Of course to muddy the waters a tad more, the rumoured Cab06 is due for release. It's the same size as a Cab04/05 but with a 4 digit LED screen sans the forward and reverse buttons (uses a single direction button) and the macro button (macros likely to be controlled via the select button using the LED screen for prompts). Six recalls are included (likely uses select button and LED screen, too) though whether it uses an encoder or potentiometer is uncertain. Also to be available in a radio version.
They won't be changing anytime soon .. even if they do, its still basically the same thing in a different box .. You are in a paralysis by analysis mode .. and missing out on the fun that DCC will bring to your layout .. Put an old computer in your trainroom, hook up JMRI and get to programming .. JUST DO IT!
I don't think that you will be able to program a Tsunami without a booster. I guess that you could use the blast mode with the Digitrax system. I would be afraid to try. If you have made a error in the install with a Tsunami and try to program in the blast mode you will more than likely blow the decoder. With Tsunami’s running in the $100 plus range. The cost to replace the decoder would be more than the cost of a program track booster.
This was using Ops Mode, via Decoder Pro. I played with a couple of sounds, then went back to the initial programming as set up by Vince at TopHobby, who did the install.
This has got to be way over the top and way out of date. Shown in the pictures is my Digitrax controller with the LocoNetBlue (Bluetooth) module plugged in - I'm building an N Scale DCC Layout. This module allows Serial Bluetooth connectivity to any computer and I'm currently playing with iTrain Mac via Serial Bluetooth across the room. CoolTerm on the Mac is a great program for monitoring and controlling LocoNet using raw hex data stream. Steve Jobs has specifically disabled Serial Bluetooth from the iPad and iPhone thus requiring a computer to provide the serial interface between the iPad and train network... The Android OS merrily supports Serial Bluetooth so is a great platform for a wireless Bluetooth train controller. We have two DCC systems which support Ethernet and thus Wireless Ethernet. Adding Ethernet or Bluetooth to any DCC system is a relatively straight forward exercise... I'm looking at adding Wireless Ethernet to a second LocoNet board this week so I dont have to use a PC to bridge my iPad... Digitrax are too busy with Infrared and proprietary 2.4Ghz RF to be concerned about Bluetooth and Wireless Ethernet 8) As Android Tablets are introduced, the pretty custom controller will be available on any Android Phone and Tablet via, and likely iPhone, iTouch, and iPad when Steve Jobs gets a clue... Wifi could be as early as next week. Regards Dwayne.
Honestly, I don't see what the appeal for that system is. If I had a layout where I was running everything from a central location, then maybe, but even then I would be more inclined to get something like a Zephyr or Super Chief and a dedicated PC. When it comes to walkaround control, would you prefer this: or would you prefer this: or this: Personally, I think Digitrax and NCE both have better user interfaces than the ECoS for walk around control.
Do tell more! I haven't been able to find anything about hooking up DCC over Ethernet. One of the main problems I'm trying to solve is that my only computer is upstairs from the layout room with no reasonable cabling path from one to the other. I like the idea of linking them via WiFi ...
I can think of a at least two fairly easy possibilities: One depends on how your house is wired. Virtually every room in our house has a phone jack wired back to a central location using Cat5, which seems to be a fairly common practice. The phone jack uses four wires of the Cat5, leaving another four wires free. If your house is similar and you have a phone jack in the train room and the computer room, you could use the free wires to run Loconet from the train room to the central location and from there to the computer room(Loconet can be run on as few as two wires). Another solution is a Bluetooth Loconet connection: LocoBuffer-Blue LocoBuffer module for Loconet PCB for Locobuffer HDM09 Bluetooth Bluetooth is usually associated with short range devices, but Bluetooth Class 1 devices have a range of 330 feet.
Ok, I have never tried to program in the Ops mode. When I do a install I want to be sure I have everything wired up right before I hit the decoder with full power. I still after over 300 DCC installs do not trust myself. I guess that after you have had a locomotive running with DCC the Ops mode would work just fine. Thanks for your explanation.
No worries. Basically LocoNetBlue is the starting point but instead of using the Bluetooth module, you use a WiFi module. I am building a unit this week and as soon as I have it up and running, I will provide you the details. Dwayne
