Has anyone seen the Atlas system yet. It is made by Lenz but with all of the good luck I have had with Atlas products I have been leaning towards that system because of costs. Lenz makes a very good system and with the Atlas name on it I would think that Atlas would keep a goodly numbers of decoders and other parts in stock.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BC Rail King: I was wondering, alot of people are going away from Digitrax now. Where do you get decoders, or even the system for the others. I dunno about down south, but here Digitrax has a monoploy. Dane N. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Well, you can always visit Tony's Trains (www.tonystrains.com). He's in VT, and will sell you anything. As for decoders, they are all compatible, so you can use Digitrax, Lenz, NCE, Soundtraxx, etc.. decoders all at once on the same layout. As for the Atlas system, it seems like a much improved entry level system (over MRC). It is not out on the market yet (couple of months) and I am waiting for them to post the manual on the website. Still haven't bought my personal DCC system yet for a small layout, so this could be my option. As for our club, NCE all the way. ------------------ 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
My vote's for Digitrax's Cheif system. It has worked fine on my rr-club layout. Pittsburgh and Ohio Northern RR Club ------------------ Cass Telles Railroads of NW Ohio
On board for the first time. Great to be here. I have used Digitrax since '94. Started with a Big Boy. Upgrades are easy, performance is flawless in both N and HO. I do not know of anyone moving away from Digitrax. They are clearly one of the top 3 or 4 DCC systems hands down. Maybe the top. I have not been exposed to all of them. My choice for sales and service is Southern Dgital. But Loy's sure does have a lot of happy customers as well ------------------ No! Your track is not clean.
Scott, Welcome to Trainboard You will like it here, I am sure I have also settled on the Digitrax system, although I have not actually bought anything yet! I plan on getting the Empire builder. Should be ok for my small layout. Now I have to work through all my locomotives fitting decoders, as I can afford them ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
I had a MRC command 2000 for a year now and I am still happy with it regardless of all the negetive comments about it. As a solo operator, I think it is more than enough as it supports 10 locos running at the same time and has walk around throttle support. Hell, you can even have 2 operators running the layout as one can use the walkaround throttle for mainline use and the other use the console for the "yard jobs" or an industrial area. Although it is limited to 10 locos running at one time, I think I would cause a "disaster" on my layout if I ran 10 trains at the same time, or even 5 trains with 2 unit consists. Even though the "Digi" guys call the MRC system "junk, "useless", "very limited" etc", most people don't have huge layouts with 10 operators walking around, complex signal systems, Soundtrax decoders, tons of accessary decoders, and locos with fancy ditch lights on their locos flashing away while approaching grade crossings. Although the new Atlas DCC may take the crown as the "best entry system", the MRC is still a good system for 1 or even 2 operators and got a lot of people introduced to DCC.
I use the MRC Prodigy Advance Squared. You should check it out. Feature for feature and dollar for dollar it cant be beat. I think the fellows saying MRC is a limited system are either talking about the older Commander 2000 system or they have never used the newer MRC products and are just guessing because of the price range. Read the reviews on it from Model Railroader magazine and other reputible reviewers if you dont believe me. (No I dont work for MRC).
I am very happy with my Prodigy Advance. The buttons on it say what they actually do. I like F1- F2- F3, etc. on my computer. Not on my DCC system thank you. Simple is good.
Bar the last couple of posts this thread is from year 2000 (remember that?). So given the pace of technology I doubt if much in it is really relevant nearly 7 years later :embarassed:
Fast forward seven years.... I sold my Super Chief earlier this year as part of my downsizing. I have since purchased a Digitrax Zepher along with MS100 access to a PC. Future plans: add DT400R add UR91 Panel May get into block detection for automated turnout and signal control.
I guess I would have to disagree with this. For example: I purchased a Digitrax SuperChief in 1999. Todays Digitrax SuperChief is not all that much differn't with exception of the throttle. The old version included the DT100R. I think a DT300R is now included....could be wrong. Lenz has not had any new systems in a while nor has NCE. MRC is the only player I am aware of that has a new system available. So while there are advances....it is my observation that DCC products evolve much more slowly than computer technology overall. . Just my opinion.
I don't really disagree with that Matt. I was mainly drawing attention to the age of the majority of the thread. However, NCE (and probably other makers) have brought out a number of firmware/software revisions over the years which can significantly change (usually for the better) the functionality. And decoders have certainly changed - smaller, more functions, silent, sound - and the interaction with them can alter system perceptions; eg. Trying to use a basic Bachmann system with sound decoders can be, er, frustrating
Digitrax Super Chief Radio here. Fantastic system. The only thing I'd like this system to have would be full duplex radio...not a biggy tho.
I started with the Lenz system and because of the 'hype' on the web and magazines, got a buy on a Digitrax Super Chief. After spending a few days with it, I elected to stay Lenz. Quite happy I did. Today, you can find Lenz set 01 on eBay for about 170 - 180 if you look for them. One would be hard pressed to find a more cost effective, full function DCC system at a lower price than that. (I have purchased two additional sets at 170 an could have gotten another one or two IF I could find out why to have one. Add their USB adapter and you are ready for computer control. Lenz has the best warranty and German quality. On my website is a poll that will tell you what the top functions people are looking for when they buy a DCC system. You can see the poll at this link: Joe Daddy's Blog Surprisingly most people say the Throttle selection and easy to use is at the very top of their list. Feel free to leave your opinion.
digitrax zephyr here. Wish I could afford Lenz, but the Zeph has this cool jumper port function that lets you attach analog power packs to it so you get extra cabs.
