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| DCC University (was: MRC DCC) | ||
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| Andrew H |
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 Registered Member #992 Joined: Sun Oct 19 2008, 04:46AM: posts: 2 | You know, I've been waiting for the right moment to buy into DCC. I would chat with my old retailer in Blacktown,Sydney (MRRC) who had the Wangrow dist'. They were about $700 but really impressive. I just couldn't afford that.. Prices began dropping,but still.. I have a friend in Garland Tx who could hook me up with Easy DCC. I was watching everything, the MR ads, user comments on the 'net.. The Au$ was within parity with the US$ and then Micromark had their sale. MRC were one of the contenders from the get-go,primarily as they were a pretty good deal to wet all ten toes without needing to towel off. So I ordered a P.A.2 I installed a lenz decoder in my N scale RS1, swapped my old DC throttle and PSU and it worked. Took me a couple of weeks to let a few things sink in,but I have to say that Im getting right into DCC. I know sometime in the future I'll most probably change to a higher end system,but for now, the Prodigy Advanced 2 is more than I really need. I did think the throttle knob at the bottom was odd,but I'll get used to it. I think I can see why MRC did it that way... you'd be aiming for the throttle more than anything else and your hand would make it's way upwards more than down.. so this way, there's less chance of any mistaken button presses... I also think that it makes the PCB easier to design... keeping a big round bit out of the way of the rest.. I got the P.A.2,with 2x pockets,reverser,and an extra cab for less than a starter system in other brands. My layout is about 9ft square,so it's no Siskiyou Line,even though I think I can shoe horn in 4 trains at once,most of the time it'll just be me and sometimes,an offsider. It's still waaaaaay better than anything I've conjured up using DC in HO,G or N. I've gone to the only decent electronics crowd here in Brisbane, JayCar and picked up wall face plates with RJ45 plug in terminals, some ready made cables and some splitters. Drilling and mounting was the hardest thing to do! Everything else is just plugging in. I'm going to have a go at making my own cables,just for the exercise,once I figure out the pinouts etc.. but it's working for now. If anyone's wanting to get started on a limited budget ,I'd say, yeah give the P.A.2 a prod for starters. I'm saying P.A.2 than Express as I do think the extra features will come in handy sooner than one would expect. I'm having a ball with it. Chief Super'. [=#003333] Seepy Creek RR. Division of Boomhauer Timber and Logistics,Garland Tx.[/color] | ||
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| joef |
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   Registered Member #3 Joined: Wed Dec 08 2004, 09:01PM: posts: 2112 | Andrew: DCC is soooo much better than straight DC these days. Most any of the systems will serve you well. The PA2 is one of the most friendly - its ease of use is comparable to the NCE system. [ Edited Mon Oct 20 2008, 10:05AM ] Joe Fugate http://siskiyou-railfan.net - 200,000 hits and counting!  In video ... | ||
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| GM |
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 Registered Member #393 Joined: Mon Jun 19 2006, 04:39PM: posts: 40 | Another choice other than DCC from Rail Lynx. Interesting to see how this may develop. http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=2902 | ||
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| joef |
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| Registered Member #3 Joined: Wed Dec 08 2004, 09:01PM: posts: 2112 | Looks like you have to be a subscriber to get to this content ... and I'm not. Although, I get a magazine every month, I'm an advertiser -- so in a sense you could say my subscription costs me three digits per issue! Joe Fugate http://siskiyou-railfan.net - 200,000 hits and counting! In video ... | ||
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| GM |
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| Registered Member #393 Joined: Mon Jun 19 2006, 04:39PM: posts: 40 | Hope this is legible to read. Couldn't attach the pdf file. Also included the website: www.rail-lynx.com | ||
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| GM |
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| Registered Member #393 Joined: Mon Jun 19 2006, 04:39PM: posts: 40 |   | ||
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| JeffShultz |
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  Registered Member #6 Joined: Wed Dec 08 2004, 09:30PM: posts: 582 | There is a guy in Salem using Rail Lynx - the night of the Big Blackout (which happened to be the one time I was able to get my dad to come to an op session), right before the lights came back on one of the other operators offered his layout in Salem for those of us who wanted to drive down there (since it was closer to home, this was no hassle). He had Rail Lynx, and cabinetmaker-quality benchwork, and my dad's later comment was, "I can see how that could become addictive. And expensive." I can't remember his name and that's been, what, 3 years ago now? Jeff Shultz Willamette & Pacific - Oregon Electric Branch W&P RR Photo Gallery | ||
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| NYNH&H |
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 Registered Member #552 Joined: Mon Nov 13 2006, 02:17PM: posts: 349 | Rail-Lynx doesn't do a lot of what DCC does, but the cool part is that is can run right on top of/ interchangeably with DCC, using DCC for power. There's a module group in MA that does that, as they used Rail-Lynx to extend their capacity beyond the limits of Dynatrol, now they use NCE DCC. Personally, I'd just go DCC, it's a lot easier. | ||
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| joef |
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| Registered Member #3 Joined: Wed Dec 08 2004, 09:01PM: posts: 2112 | Personally, I'd just go DCC, it's a lot easier. Yep, I agree. I've used Rail Lynx and it's okay for what it does, but it required repeaters, receivers on cab roofs or other open locations ... and a decoder install. For my money, DCC is simpler and gives you way more options. Joe Fugate http://siskiyou-railfan.net - 200,000 hits and counting! In video ... | ||
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