Well everyone the time has come to do N scale and now I think it has finnaly become the time to do DCC (Notice what I removed from my signiture). What system do you recomend for me. Recirements are that it has to be Inexpensive and Reliable (those are the two things that kept me out in the first place with HO) Upgradablity is a plus too. ------------------ NARA member #20
I will be going DCC in the near future, and have settled on Digitrax. It has good features, and is upgradable. ------------------ Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12 The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
I currently have MRC's command 2000. If you are going to run solo and/or don't plan on having a super layout in the future then the MRC is about the cheapest system you can buy, but don't expect to upgrade it anytime soon other than the walkaround controller. If you can shell out a little more cash then get the new Atlas DCC as it offers more features and is upgradable.
I started a thread about this a while ago that you might want to check out here in the DCC forum. Since you and I are in the same boat, it might be helpful to review it as there were lots of posts to it. I am now looking at the Digitrax Chief II system for my layout. A bit spendy, but looks quite upgradable. Good luck and Happy Modelling!! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!! Proud to be NARA Member #14
Yes, I too posted in the other recent question on DCC, so I won't repost here. Basically it was my reasoning why I choose my system, Digitrax Chief, but using the same reasoning, you could end up with a different system.
If ease of use and full capability at the lowest price is your goal, consider NCE. It does most everything and it speaks English!
Agreed with the other posters, read down a few threads. (gees, N scale and DCC too, we really got you now!!! ) For a cheap, upgradable system, I'd use either the base Digitrax system or the new Atlas Master System. The rest will cost you a pretty penny, or are not upgradable. I chose NCE, because my club uses it and I am the most familiar with it. However, at an MSRP of near $500, it is far from "affordable". ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society, NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
Hey you haven't totally got me I just got done making room and starting construction on the New M&CRS HO layout. But I am still doing N ------------------ LONG LIVE THE CHESSIE SYSTEM!!! Maumee & Cuyahoga Rail System/Chessie System. Your Purr-fect Rail Trafic Solution!!! NARA member!!!
I have the Atlas system because it was very affordable. Once I get it up n running, I'll give a report. ------------------ Moose River RR Company "Service First*Excellance Always" CSX+Conrail+Nscale=FUN!!! NARA Member #9
Dont forget to look at Easy Dcc by CVP. I have this system and love it . Very upgradeable and you can start out with the basic system w/ 4 digit addressing for less than $260 from ttx. Also their Radio throttle is second to none. Find them at http://www.cvpusa.com/
Don't even consider not doing DCC. If you are entering the N scale world, now is the time to enter the DCC world as well. Catching up on the expense of decoding all your old engines creates a major road block for some. An acquiantace of mine would love to go DCC, but he has over one hundred engines. So cost becomes prohibitive. Just slowly start buying what you need. Have the unit available when you start running your first track. I think it might be in your interest to procrastinate a bit as manufactures come out with the "newest" updates. Kind of like buying a computer, if you don't need it for 6 months, you might be better off waiting; computers upgrade quickly. Or you can use reverse psychology, if you are willing to go with "old" technology. Digitrax has come out with new throttles that will have more appeal to beginners. You might pick up a digitrax bargain from a dealer who wants to get rid of it because it has an older throttle. You can always add the new whiz bang one latter. The architecture of the system is important, as that is what allows the manufacture to keep the product updated. So throttle technology can change, yet still be integrated into a system like Digitrax, or any of the main brand, well known systems.
Don't even consider not doing DCC. If you are entering the N scale world, now is the time to enter the DCC world as well. Catching up on the expense of decoding all your old engines creates a major road block for some. An acquiantace of mine would love to go DCC, but he has over one hundred engines. So cost becomes prohibitive. Just slowly start buying what you need. Have the unit available when you start running your first track. I think it might be in your interest to procrastinate a bit as manufactures come out with the "newest" updates. Kind of like buying a computer, if you don't need it for 6 months, you might be better off waiting; computers upgrade quickly. Or you can use reverse psychology, if you are willing to go with "old" technology. Digitrax has come out with new throttles that will have more appeal to beginners. You might pick up a digitrax bargain from a dealer who wants to get rid of it because it has an older throttle. You can always add the new whiz bang one latter. The architecture of the system is important, as that is what allows the manufacture to keep the product updated. So throttle technology can change, yet still be integrated into a system like Digitrax, or any of the main brand, well known systems.
Being a Computer Techie I tend to wait awhile to get a new product so they can get all the bugs worked out. The common rule is "NEVER BUY THE FIRST RUN OF ANYTHING" it tends to be garbage. ------------------ LONG LIVE THE CHESSIE SYSTEM!!! Maumee & Cuyahoga Rail System/Chessie System. Your Purr-fect Rail Trafic Solution!!! NARA member!!! [This message has been edited by Chessie_SD50_8563 (edited 31 January 2001).]
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chessie_SD50_8563: Being a Computer Techie I tend to wait awhile to get a new product so they can get all the bugs worked out. The common rule is "NEVER BUY THE FIRST RUN OF ANYTHING" it tends to be garbage. ------------------ LONG LIVE THE CHESSIE SYSTEM!!! Maumee & Cuyahoga Rail System/Chessie System. Your Purr-fect Rail Trafic Solution!!! NARA member!!! [This message has been edited by Chessie_SD50_8563 (edited 31 January 2001).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> If this is your rule, look at Digitrax.... theyn appear to be in their "Dash2" mode. Harold
