John, I would echo several of the comments you have seen here. I've been involved (at times heavily) with DCC since the early days and own many of the major suppliers systems -- Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, Bachmann, Atlas, ESU systems/LokSound. And I've used a few of the others as well. They are all solid systems and all have their strengths and weaknesses -- like anything else you buy. And in my opinion the manufacturers collectively have done a good job with support -- even across geographic boundaries. For example I've had excellent support from the manufacturers of both Lenz & ESU (company headquarters in Germany) -- both have in-USA representatives, as well as I have had excellent support from the "local" manufacturers like Digitrax and NCE. It may be different in your country as I can't speak to the support the other way around.
IMHO, there is a lot of value to new DCC users in selecting a system where a local shop can provide support and/or where there is a local club where the club members support each other because they have the same brand systems. The key to make sure your support group is an actual user of the system, not just a seller of the system. In addition my recommendation is try before buying. If you're thinking of using a particular system try to find someone (shop, another model railroader) where you can use the controller -- knobs, buttons, etc. This is an aspect where the systems have real differences beyond the simple basics, and different styles suit different people. Much like different people prefer differ brand autos, even though they all generally provide basic transportation. One final comment is that you should not feel obligated to buy the same brand decoders (aka chips) as you buy the base system. They generally all interop pretty well. So pick the system & controllers you like, and then pick the best decoder for your needs when you decide to put DCC in a loco. In your neck of the woods, Zimo, Lenz and Loksound decoders are all excellent from my perspective...I've used all of them plus Digitrax and NCE in my S scale locomotives. Also look at he warranty on the decoders. Some manufacturers will even warrant the decoder against mistakes you might make that let the smoke out :-) Best of luck to you and welcome to S! Michael At 8/12/2010 03:59 PM, David Heine wrote: >I'm in the US and have heard of it. If you are happy with the functionality >of the Intellibox, then there is no problem using it. The Intellibox also >has a LocoNet interface so you can use Digitrax and third party products >that use LocoNet (including Digitrax throttles). > >Since most of the people on this list reside in North America, they are most >familiar with Digitrax and NCE, which are the most popular systems with >serious model railroaders, with Lenz, Bachmann, and EasyDCC somewhat less >used. However, that doesn't mean the other systems are not good. In fact, >some of them have features not available on Digitrax and NCE systems . >Actually, in most cases, most of the cost of a DCC system is in the >decoders. > > >Long time DCC user, who switched systems. Haven't used string in a long >time, however, I do remember playing with some windup trains when I was >young, which I think my father threw away (they were his). I liked them >better than string because the spring would store the energy provided by my >muscles and I didn't need to continuously apply it. > >Dave Heine >Easton, PA > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of >JohnMWalker >Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 2:41 AM >To: [email protected] >Subject: {S-Scale List} S-scale layout planning: chapter 2 > > >Greetings everyone, > >I'm back with my second round of beginner's questions. > >I made it to the local hobby shop - the only one within 20 miles >- and the owner demonstrated DCC for me on an HO-locomotive. It was >for a me a real eye opener, and it's very likely the way I will go. >Is there any reason I should not go the DCC path? Since I am starting >from scratch I wouldn't have conversion costs later. > >Locomotives, rolling stock and track I will, of course, purchase from >the US, but I am thinking DCC/ electronics - if I do go that way >- I might procure locally. The shop owner suggested I bring in some >track, a switch, and a DCC-ready locomotive (he specifically said >`chip and speaker already installed') and he'd show me how >to use it with his recommended system: Uhlenbrock. I doubt it's >known outside Europe --- or have any of you seen it? The system is >called Intellibox / Intellibox II: > >http://www.uhlenbrock.de/germany/Download/1/English/I96EEA64-047.apd/Bes\ >65060-01e.pdf ><http://www.uhlenbrock.de/germany/Download/1/English/I96EEA64-047.apd/Be\ >s65060-01e.pdf> > >http://www.uhlenbrock.de/germany/Download/1/English/INDEX.HTM ><http://www.uhlenbrock.de/germany/Download/1/English/INDEX.HTM> > >Is it possible to purchase a locomotive (late steam, early diesel 1950s, >ideally Pennsylvania or New Jersey Railroads) with the DCC >chip-and-speaker already installed? If so, can any of you suggest with >whom I should place the order? My first purchase will be minimal: a >locomotive, some freight cars, some track and a switch. In due course I >will, I suspect, begin to deplete my savings as I build my little >empire. > >While I am at it, should I already make the leap to magnetic couplers >such as Kadee? I plan to do some serious switchyard work, so automatic >coupling / uncoupling will be a must. > >In parallel I have been doing the obligatory >tear-up-the-sheet-of-paper-again track planning for the 9' x 27' >or so layout. Carpentry, electrical and lighting is on track (no pun >intended). > >OK, enough dumb questions --- any advice would be sincerely appreciated. >Many thanks in advance, and best regards from a VERY rainy Eastern >Switzerland, > >John > > > > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > >------------------------------------ > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > >------------------------------------ > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Greene Dunstable, MA, USA Member: NMRA(Life), NASG, Bristol S Gaugers, The 470 Railroad Club National Assoc. of S Gaugers http://www.nasg.org DCC Corner http://www.dccinfo.com Pine Canyon Scale Models http://www.pinecanyonscalemodels.com Maine Railroads http://www.mainerailroads.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
