http://siskiyou-railfan.net/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:21:36 -0500 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 [color=#990000]MODERATOR NOTE:[=12]While this thread started out as a discussion about MRC's new DCC system offering <noauthor@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 You guys certainly give a person a lot to think about.My layout will be double decker (N scale) in a 20 X 40 space. You think reception is effected GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 MRC is realeasing wireless soon, but when? The NCE command stations all have serial ports on them, and have since 1999 or before. You are thinking of NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 If the Prodigy Advance had1. wireless throttles2. computer connectivityI would have happily gone with it instead of EasyDCC. Other than tether JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jeff summed it up pretty well. The MRC system is not full-featured, and is not as expandable and scalable as the other systems, particularly NCE and D NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 the MRC wireless controllers are due out shortly. I also talked with their support and they will be releasing a computer interface as well. Note t rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The only problem with Digitrax is that it's user interface is stuck at 1975. JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Oh, and the Prodigy Advance can use 99 throttles.Randy rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 It is too bad that the NMRA didn't include the throttle bus as part of the DCC specification. Although, to that same point, if they had, they pro NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I like the UT4s. They are simple and easy operation throttles.Just before christmas a friend of mine operated my yard - and so did his children, age KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 As for your not liking Digitrax, they are priced very competitively, well below CVP and NCE, which are their main competitors.I can't underst NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well, DCC is a funny beast.Among the problems that I have with Digitrax is the price and that I just can't stand their controllers. Joe&# rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 While I am pleased to see someone who really likes the Digitrax system, I think the whole Loconet component is not an aspect of the system that will m joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I think everyone agees that each person's situation is unique. System requirements can vary widely depending on how your railroad is run.For jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I guess the "problem" with Lenz is simply that so few people have used it - despite having invented the standard! JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Yep, I started with a Lenz back in 1993. I had the option of purchasing a Digitrax system or a Lenz system back then at a stiff discount (since the NM joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I am the afore mentioned under-my-breath mutterer.My relationship with digitrax could be described as a love-hate relationship except I don't bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1168266575=JeffShultz]I guess the "problem" with Lenz is simply that so few people have used it - despite having invented the standa jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1168314055=NYNH&H]Unfortunately, the Lenz throttles have the same problem that the DC Aristos have, in that they use a pushbutton style jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 WOW, a lot to think about, and some really good information about all the different systems and DCC in general.JoeF (first post):I have to dis NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Wow, tons of great first hand experience and research knowledge about Digitrax, EasyDCC, and NCE. Not much about Lenz or MRC, unfortunately. Glad to s joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I was referring to the cordless phone option, which is the main radio option. Of course, as I mentioned, CVP is looking to get a part of the Lenz thro NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Bluetooth DCC... now there is an interesting idea.... JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I gotta disagree that the DT400 is awesome. I feel its closer to awful. I detest sea-of-buttons throttles and wouldn't dare to hand one of the &q bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I can drive trains with my bluetooth earphone, just by talking to the train... cool! hey, just kidding! the bluetooth idea is brilliant, I think Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Bear Creek:The DT400 is great, because it doesn't have the arcane sequences of button presses that you have to learn in order to to anything. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 GMOne of the biggest things effecting radio communication is the number of bodies in the train room. A room crammed full of bodies will likely have bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&HMy apologies to those for whom to following discussion may get a bit techincal...I'll agree that the DT400 is an order of magni bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Regarding CMRI and how much support it does or doesn't get, Bruce Chubb is a personal friend, and I'm very aware of his true dedication leve joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Denny:Bluetooth is a very cheap technology, but it is for a relatively short range, not a long range like throttles wouldl need. And, as I said ab NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 There ain't a perfect system out there, but Digitrax is pretty close, and NCE is not too far away, ......Charlie, I KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Actually Rail Lynx is direct IR from throttle to loco. And it works pretty well. Decoders are in the $50-$60 range. The locos pick up power only from bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 said ...The direct radio/IR systems are impractical, expensive, and in general, a joke, at least in HO. Well then, what about Rail Lynx? Ch joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1168536358=NYNH&H]Denny:Bluetooth is a very cheap technology, but it is for a relatively short range, not a long range like throttles Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Moose Mode is a piece of jargon that comes from a computer company where I worked a number of years ago. The old block mode terminals (remember those? bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Bear Creek:Yes, I know Rail Lynx is direct IR. The Aristo system that I was talking about was direct RADIO, and is a direct competitor to the Rail NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Wow, posts almost crossed on that series of tubes. By the time I got back to the page and saw that there were two more posts, I had to go.Denny NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Umm, I don't have any critters nor do I expect to. Perhaps DC is still a good option for the critter hungry as those style of layout normally are bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1168551886=NYNH&H]The industry has already figured out the solution to the problem of being able to control multiple trains in one electri Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Bear Creek,Even if you don't have a critter, you probably have some small loco. Like a switcher. Of any kind. In fact, DCC is really benefici NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1168569390=joef]Lee Nicholas uses Rail Lynx with great effectiveness on his layout. I've run on Lee's layout and the wireless Rail JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hmmm. I thought I had posted this before.Anyway, I'm going to an MRC DCC clinic in a couple of weeks. Any comments or questions that you all rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jeff:Actually Lee is located in Utah ... the fellow you are referring to is one of Lee's buddies, I think. joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H:Perhaps you would describe your layout and operation? How much track? How many locos? How many cars? Do you run op sessions? How many t bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I don't use a laptop to run DecoderPro. I just strung a longish USB cable between the train room and my computer and plugged the LocoBuffer USB i bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Or my lack therof? I am part of a modular group, and that is my main focus in MR'ing. I have a 2x4 module, which is built to club specs, and has NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Having read through this entire thread, I feel compelled to comment even though I have no layout as yet and have only an acquaintance with 1 system (N AndreChapelon<mikenmad@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Great post!After some further research, I would say the Prodigy Advance is more comparable to the Power Cab, but it is still quite a bit more expe rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The PA is not meant to compete with the PowerCab. The PowerCab is sort of a joke, more like an accessory to the PH Pro. The Digitrax Zephyr is only $1 NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The Powercab may be a joke to you, NY, but it's not a joke to me. It has the full NCE feature set, including their very nice consisting features joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The Powercab is EXTREMELY limited in being a DCC system. It would be great for a member of a club who has no layout, and wants to program at home, or NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 bear creek said ...Joe, is there a way to connect Decoder Pro to a NCE Power Cab?Cheers,Charlie ComstockCha joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY:Most of the PowerCab system is also useable in a full NCE ProCab system as well. From Tony's review of the Power Cab, and I quote:[i]& joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Oh yes, and one other point ... some consider that removing the dogbone handheld on the Powercab kills the system to be a big negative.Well perhap joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H says:[i]While the Powercab is very limited, Digitrax didn't trade off much of anything with the Zephyr, giving it the full feature AndreChapelon<mikenmad@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 What, do you think the interference at 2.4ghz would be bad? You could use 5.8ghz, BUT some newer model airplane systems run at 2.4ghz, and they work r NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Bear Creek:Our posts crossed. Most people have laptops now, they are the domiant form of computers. If not, there are some other options for compu NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jumping back in...Basically, I think that it's pretty clear that everybody's right about what's best for them. While it is possible rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Laptops are not the dominant form of computer. They are outselling PCs at this time, but that's just new computer sales (and not by much).The rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 AndreChapelon:I basically just answered your question in my post above, but the Powercab is a one-man system.Assuming Joe knows what he AndreChapelon<mikenmad@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 rghammill:I hadn't even noticed that there is no LCD on the Zephyr, this may be why I don't like programming on it. The Zephyr and Power NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 []What if you want to let your kid/ grandkid/ neice/ nephew or a "civilian" friend run your layout? Good time for a few walkaround cabs.[/i AndreChapelon<mikenmad@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 All,We tested both systems at our club and we choose Digitrax for a couple of reasons.1. Although the NCE throttle is nice, the buttons on the nosredna13<nosredna13@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Yes, if consisting is one of the most important things to you, then NCE has a very rich feature set, allowing you to mix and match decoder-based and c joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 AndreChapelon:The NCE Powercab supports ONE addition throttle. If you spend ANOTHER $137, you can get the Smart Booster and its PSU, and add THREE NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [i]The NCE Powercab supports ONE addition throttle. If you spend ANOTHER $137, you can get the Smart Booster and its PSU, and add THREE throttles to t AndreChapelon<mikenmad@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Foul territory? Sheesh. The Zephyr is an affordable way to experience the power, flexbility and features of the market-leading top of the line DCS100 NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H said ...The iPod throttle! With clickwheel and menus! All with wireless at 2.4 ghz that connects to Loconet! Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1169003568=nosredna13]4. We liked the consisting features of Digitrax. Unlike a home layout where you may be able to get away with fixed consi bn7026<bn7026@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1169012165=bn7026]Actually it's darn easy to remove a loco from the consist on NCE. Hit the 'DEL' button on the consist sectio joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1169037647=joef][quote1169012165=bn7026]Actually it's darn easy to remove a loco from the consist on NCE. Hit the 'DEL' butt NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 169039500=NYNH&H said ...Having nested consists is cool, but it doesn't seem terribly useful. have you ever heard of Joe Fugate� Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1169037824=joef]Yes, if consisting is one of the most important things to you, then NCE has a very rich feature set, allowing you to mix and m NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H said ...What, do you think the interference at 2.4ghz would be bad?not! I thought you were talking about t Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 denny,There is a Loconet throttle that works in the ident band, only for Europe, not sure if it is available in Italy or not. Definitely not for t NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Nested consisting of both decoder and command station consists give you the ultimate in consist flexibility. You can add a helper set consist to an ex joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 "Actually it's darn easy to remove a loco from the consist on NCE. Hit the 'DEL' button on the consist section, enter the Loco num nosredna13<nosredna13@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I did not test the system I bought, and I don't think that there is always reason to. I picked the Digitrax system based on capbilities, features NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1169057082=NYNH&H]denny,There is a Loconet throttle that works in the ident band, only for Europe, not sure if it is available in Ital Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I still don't get how nested consisting can do dual-ended consists, or does it not? Is that just done by using decoder-assisted consists? I guess NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Yes, to get back to this thread's original question, MRC's new "advanced wireless" system that sports a computer interface could b joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Oh, just read the other thread, and I got the double ended consist thing. Wouldn't work for switching. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [blockquote]never heard of any loconet radio throttle/receiver usable in europe, apart from a product made by Massoth but the throttle is AWFUL... and KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I don't think MRC is any threat to Digitrax. NCE might be, as even though they don't have a peer to peer network, they have leveraged their NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1169149489=KnuT]Denny, have you forgotten the Funky-throttle?Oh yes, I know Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [i]MRC's system just doesn't have the range of options for expansion and different scales that NCE has, and NCE is nowhere near where Digitr AndreChapelon<mikenmad@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Even the low-end market might want to get a turnout decoder for their selenoids or something, and MRC only has one. While you can use many turnout dec NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [i]Even the low-end market might want to get a turnout decoder for their selenoids or something, and MRC only has one. While you can use many turnout AndreChapelon<mikenmad@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The quantity of stuff clubs buy is equally vast as the number of smaller layouts, and the clubs have influence over their member's purchasing dec NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 IMO Using throttles to throw turnouts is kinds of like using the 16" guns on an Iowa class battleship to hunt quail.Yes, the quail tend to di bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [1169149286=NYNH&H]Oh, just read the other thread, and I got the double ended consist thing. Wouldn't work for switching.[/quote1169 Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Denny:Yes, command station consists persist after the command station is turned off ... unless the battery in the command station goes dead. joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 What Charlie says about using accessory decoders to control turnouts is true ... overkill 90% of the time.Real loco crews don't push a button joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [i]The quantity of stuff clubs buy is equally vast as the number of smaller layouts, and the clubs have influence over their member's purchasing AndreChapelon<mikenmad@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [blockquote]What Charlie says about using accessory decoders to control turnouts is true ... overkill 90% of the time.Real loco crews don't p KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hi-First post from a new member.A previous post said: "Do you eat a potato chip and then pick it up (action>>> object), or do yo CCSII<charlessuggs@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 It is off topic but in brief I used similar under the layout mechanics as Joe's door bolt throws. A couple of scraps of 1x2, about 6" of .04 bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I'd agree that a staging yard is one place where remote controlled turnouts make sense. I'll bite the bullet (and the credit card) and use t bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Bear Creek:Using throttles to throw turnouts is a great way to not have to use anything other than the throttle to control the layout, not having NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Say, NY, a question.Seeing all the discussion with Space Mouse over on his thread about fixing his club's Digitrax system, you mention how &q joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 JoeF:In order to have a DCC system, you need "slots" to hold the info. Addmittedly, Digitrax needs more of them to trash, like NCE. NCE NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well, this just confirms it all the more for me ... with Digitrax, everything's a "procedure" ... meaning many steps that have to be pu joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Digitrax is not hard or clunky to use. Dispatching just makes sure everything goes smoothly. At a train show, I showed another member of the modular c NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The "procedure" for using a Digitrax UT4R throttle is:o Always take the batteryout at the end of a sessiono Put the battery back in at bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The DTX00 throttles are a lot easier to use, just plug in (the battery thing is the same if the operator wants radio), and hit Loco XX Loco. At the en NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Charlie,Thanks for the description of your turnout controls. I would love to see pictures as I am searching for good - and cheap - turnout control KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1169242003=NYNH&H]Denny:I could use a double ended consist, but it wouldn't help much, as the issue is the headlight while I am s Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hi all,my first post, and after reading every response in this thread (probably the most informative on the net!!!), i have some remaining thoughts tricky_trev<tricky_trev@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I managed to fix the Chief myself. There were cold solder joints on the main rectifier. Somehow (a miracle) they had survived the last 9 years. But on bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 tricky_trev:1. I am not sure. I think it may have to do with the fact that NCE tends to use advanced consists, so they can wipe out the command st NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 FWIW I had a problem with my Chief this weekend. I sent email to -email-. Thus far I've not received any response.Yesterday bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 If its not a send it back to the factory sort of thing, try the Yahoo! Digitrax groups. Some of the people there have been using Digitrax since it was NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 FWIW, my LHS says the MRCs support is very good, and they back their stuff up, no questions asked. I have sent them a couple of emails and received ve rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 So are you planning on using the MRC system for the larger layout? I don't know if there are many large installations of MRC. Both Digitrax and N NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 It is really interesting to see our different point of views here.some of us like this and some of us like thatand some of us are like Winnie the KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 rghammill:MRC and NCE may not think alike, it may just be that MRC copied NCE, because they like NCE's design. That in itself says something NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I call them on the phone, and they are great. Sadly they don't have a 1-800 number. I usually use my cell phone to call long distance, but baseme NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY - it's obvious that we're going to disagree on the merits of the design of Digitrax vs the others. However, I think the form factor is pr rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hold on, major update...I just checked the MRC site to verify something in my last post. Prodigy Advance is now listed as discontinued, and Prodig rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Also from Tony's on MRC Wireless:Stand alone system that comes equipped with power supply, console and wireless hand-held. Most importantly, rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Also from Tony's - to upgrade exisiting PE or PA systems to Prodigy Wireless requires you to send your system to MRC.Randy rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Randy,Thank you for the comments.I prefer to use the UT4, not the DT400.The UT4 fits my (small) hand well, I can operate the throttle knob and KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Thats excellent battery. Digitrax DT400Rs get about 8. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Thats interesting about the upgrade, I would think they would offer a radio base that acts as a cab on the bus, like NCE, CVP, Lenz and Digitrax have. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1169916820=NYNH&H]rghammill: I don't think CVP's system has a way to plug in, which is bad if you run out of batteries, [/qu jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Randy,Thank you for sharing your experiences with your MRC system.It looks like all systems have their good and bad features. KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 rghammill,I was bouncing around the show both days, buying, photographing, and more. What a show is right. I hear it is one of the three biggest i NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 MRC Report:I went to the Clinic last Sunday, it was basically a walkthrough of how to use the Prodigy Express, but we were able to ask questions. rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 On MRC:I was looking at the full page ads that they have on the back of Model Railroader and there is one BIG thing that troubles me with the Prod bn7026<bn7026@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 bn7026:If MRC is getting marketshare due to their ads in MR, this would sugest that the DCC buying population is doing literally NO reaserch on th NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 See this link, some new DCC products being featured at the Nuremberg, Germany train show by Bachmann and especially look at ZEMO. Ever evolving DCC. GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Tim - That's a good point. I had noticed it, but since I haven't played around with the PA yet, it hadn't been a problem.I can rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Randy,Good points about consumer's research habits (or lack therof). The amount of research done with DCC is representative of the sad state NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 While the fact that NCE carries a 10-20% price permium over Digitrax is a big deal, Zimo's 100-150% premium over Digitrax is just too big to have NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Zimo MX31ZL cab Zimo announced new Digital Command Control items. The MX31ZL cab features a built-in mini command station and its own power supply. GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1170992727=GM] Zimo MX31ZL cab Zimo announced new Digital Command Control items. The MX31ZL cab features a built-in mini command station and Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 CVP Wireless Radio Throttle for Lenz SystemsJust received my CVP radio throttle for use with my Lenz Set 100 system. Don’t know if a jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 David:It's my understanding that CVP removed the emergency "all stop" function from the 9000 series throttles.Apparently they f joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1171414346=jwils1]CVP Wireless Radio Throttle for Lenz SystemsJust received my CVP radio throttle for use with my Lenz Set 1 dthead<david@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 On the T9000 there are two options for the emergency stop key SPR. On the first option one press of SPR stops only the active loco. You can start it jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jerry:That's good to hear. The emergency stop function is too useful to just remove. joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 It's great to see a DCC debate that hasn't gotten down to a school yard name calling match! There is truly some great info on many of t mgsrailway<mgsrailway@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Dave:As far as I'm concerned, DecoderPro is the only way to go if you need to program more than a couple of locos. That's why I consider joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,I have found that programming with a DT400 is much easier than getting out the laptop, Decoder Pro, the Locobuffer and such. In fact, I tried NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 To each his own, I guess. Programming individual CVs with a command station (handheld or powerpack form factor) feels too much like looking through a joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I just write them down on paper. That way, they are there for easy access. Plus, when speed matching, I love the radio throttle, as I can run around w NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Ah, but as we say at work, paper and pencil doesn't compile ... meaning you still have to put the code into the computer. You'd have to be m joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 100 CVs??? WOW. The most advanced decoder I have ever programmed is an MRC sound decoder. That one had about 20 that were useful (volume). What do the NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY ... remember, you asked. Here's a list of CVs for a SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder.CV # Description Default 2 Vstart 03 Baseline Accelara joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Do they have CVs 5 and 6? Those are quite useful. Most of those other than 1-6 and 128 look pretty useless.EDIT: Typo NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Tsunami's 100+ CVs not useless if you like lots of motor and sound tuning ability. They're not considered to be the "cat's meow&qu joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 i doubt that anyone buys them because they have a lot of CVs. I also doubt that more than 2% of the buyers actually program more than 10 of them, as t NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172516764=NYNH&H]i doubt that anyone buys them because they have a lot of CVs. I also doubt that more than 2% of the buyers actually prog Greyhart<greyhart@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I have to agree with Ken. I have several modeler friends who also have railfanned the prototype enough that they can tell me which kind of sound comes joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY it says in the Prodigy advanced 2 ad that there is a fast clock feature. Are you saying you can not broadcast it on the system. That its only on th Odyknuck<cyclefab@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 First of all, the CVs are NOT entered into the throttle in hexadecimal, at least not on an NCE or Digitrax system, unless it is an older Digitrax thro NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 little zip,WOW. you read a lot. This discussion has been going on for a while, and there is a LOT of info. It is information overload.Chuck said NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hello all, I'm new to your forum. I found the thread while trying to research the new PA Wireless and have to say that this is probably the most little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Welcome to the forum. I believe the Digitrax systems ( The super chief ) have a few extra features that other systems don't have. They can cwclark<bayouman1@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NCE does have nice throttles and such, but they are not dramatically easier to use than Digitrax. Digitrax should copy NCE's fast up/down buttons NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 little zip:To each his own ... the friendly disagreement on here shows there is no one best DCC system, only the best system for you.For insta joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 MRC is a standard ethernet cable. I found some coiled (like a phone cord) ethernet cords that I like very much for the MRC.Now, to cover a few thi rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I have the MRC Prodigy Express, and I love it. It is easy to program, and easy to program CVs. The only issue (which I mentioned earlier) is that they rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 7 times? Thats pretty bad. With Digitrax is it like two or three button presses, NCE is only two. Ops mode programming could be desired during an op s NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 "The other problem with MRC is that it uses 8 pin throttle connectors, "Isn't this just a standard RJ45 type, Cat 5, run-of-the-mil little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172717240=rghammill]The (big) difference (advantage?) that Digitrax has is a bidirectional capability. Whoooooaaahhhhh. I ASSumed ALL sy little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172718394=NYNH&H]7 times? Thats pretty bad. With Digitrax is it like two or three button presses, NCE is only two. Ops mode programming c little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172719468=rghammill]I also am going to two local clubs, when my work schedule permits, one with NCE and one with Digitrax. I'll be bring little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hey zip ... if you want to compare apples to apples, then add $75 to the price of any Digitrax system to add a loco buffer USB computer interface joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172770592=joef]Now if you are running a turn, once you reach the end of your run, you just select the loco on the other end. Now that's little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172754613=rghammill]One last thing: The only other issue I've found on the Prodigy is that when you build a consist, you simply enter th little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 zip:Giving the lead and rear locos makes it possible for the system to automatically do double-ended consists, which are extremely useful for a di joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 OK, this keeps coming up, and since I've been using the MRC I still can't figure out what I'm missing.So what features is the MRC P rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Regarding the ability to read back CV values from a decoder.NOT all systems can do this. The Digitrax Empire Builder has no way to read back CVs. bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172779025=bear creek]This is where a program like Decoder Pro comes in handy. It remembers what was programmed into each loco so a scrambled little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 little_zip:Yes, RJ-45 is a standard connector for COMPUTER networks, not for DCC networks. The standard for DCC networks, which is used by Digitra NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172794284=NYNH&H]Digitrax's design is not a total lack of effort. In fact, it is quite logical and simple to do the normal things, l little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 little_zip #3 (continued):The Digitrax throttle is not harder or more complicated than other systems in regular operation. Many of these impressio NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 little_zip,The DCC loco sounds cool!Cliff Notes:To get a loco:Click the throttle you want to grab a loco on. If you are right handed, NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172806219=NYNH&H]Decodres cannot talk back to the command station unless they are Digitrax transponding equipped with transponding device Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art:Welcome to the forum! Glad to see Zimo get some air time on this thread from someone who knows! I know as to architecture, Zimo has one of the joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 rghammill #2 (continued):The Zephyr is the only system that offers an easy upgrade to a full-featured system, because it IS a full-featured system NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I seem to recall that the Powercab has a second jack for adding a second cab and I'm pretty sure you can add panels to allow more. I don' rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art Luescher:Zimo is doing some great stuff, but outside of Europe, there just aren't many users, and the pricing is extremely high. They hav NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NH, could you also provide "Cliff Notes" for a simple, 2-unit consist and how to turn on/off a headlight or marker lights. I believe this l little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172790606=little_zip]Two questions then. How frequently does a locomotive flip it's bits? In a basic setup using something like a TC bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 TO ART:Since I am still looking at getting a DCC system, could you give us some details on ZIMO? I am interested and saw some interesting things i GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 rghammill:If you use regular phone jacks on the others, it is $20. Either way, you need a panel every 4 feet (not my idea, see video 3), so that i NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172859076=joef]Art:Welcome to the forum! Glad to see Zimo get some air time on this thread from someone who knows! I know as to architect Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172865143=NYNH&H]Art Luescher:Zimo is doing some great stuff, but outside of Europe, there just aren't many users, and the prici Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art Luescher:Market penetration is a big deal, as there are other users of Digitrax and NCE in many parts of the country for help, support, and yo NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 And yet another thought on the subject of throttle design.We need only to look to our favorite prototype to find the value of industrial design. D little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172877588=GM]TO ART:Since I am still looking at getting a DCC system, could you give us some details on ZIMO? I am interested and saw som Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 little_zip:As for the look of the throttles at a train show, what does it matter which one people look at? It matters more what they do, not what NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H wrote:Market penetration is a big deal, as there are other users of Digitrax and NCE in many parts of the country for help, support, and Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172883823=NYNH&H]"As for the look of the throttles at a train show, what does it matter which one people look at? It matters more little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art Luescher:Digitrax has awsome support, I have talked to their tech support people a couple of times, my main problem being some Bachman decoder NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 So, this is the list of disadvantages for MRC thus far:MRC uses nonstandard cab bus panels: Doesn't matter if you are using all MRC throttles rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 rghammill:Of course you have to be using all MRC throttles, as they don't work with any other system or visa-versa. The point is, it is much NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1172939248=NYNH&H]Zimo is not even close to Digitrax...Like I said, it is not cost effective to make electronics for one section, wh Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art Luescher:First of all, you took my quote about Zimo and Digitrax completely out of context. After I said, "Zimo is not even close to Digi NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well I had the opportunity to test the DT300 today. A useable throttle, just not appealing. I managed to figure out the function stuff but apparentl little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 little_zip:The DT300 is not terrifically appealing, and that is probably why you didn't have a great experience with Digitrax. The current th NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I still don't see how an extra $10 per panel is going to make a difference in the overal price of the system.On Tony's I've priced rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I use the Zephyr with UT4R throttles. I have not needed a Dt400Ralph espee3004<espee3004@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Trying to get a defective UR91 radio receiver replaced by Digitrax. They have sent me three bad ones in a row. Is this very bad luck or do they have s espee3004<espee3004@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Ralph:My sense is they have quality control problems now and then, and especially lately. I've gotten a rash of bad decoders from them and as joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1173228216=GM]To Art: #2Thanks for your reply. Zimo really has an interesting system. I will wait till summer to look over the mini system Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 To Art: #2Thanks for your reply. Zimo really has an interesting system. I will wait till summer to look over the mini system. You said this will h GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 To Art:Any Zimo dealers in the Chicago area? GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 GM said ...To Art:Any Zimo dealers in the Chicago area?All ZIMO dealers are listed on the ZIMO web site. The En Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 denny,Great point! I assume you are referencing the legality of radio bands, 2.4ghz being legal worldwide, with 900mhz only being legal in some pa NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 GM,Although not a local dealer, it looks like Tony's Trains is going to stock Zimo systems, they already stock Zimo decoders. I think they ca NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art, I can't read the German (5 years there, but it was a long time ago), but it's pretty obvious that Zimo knows that their website is a JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1173964141=JeffShultz]Art, I can't read the German (5 years there, but it was a long time ago), but it's pretty obvious that Zimo Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art, I couldn't even get to the English site in Firefox, as elements of the German site covered up the link to the English one.... JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 In Firefox 1.5.0.10 under WinXP SP2 fully patched I was able to get to the English site, and look at the product catalog. YMMV. FF 2.0.x.x may be diff NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 That "same problematic band" that everyone is in is that way for one reason: it's unlicensed. You want to try an license a chunk of spe JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Oh - and I wouldn't mind seeing CVP come out with a receiver that would work with the Digitrax UT-4R. Seems like a nice basic throttle there. JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The 2.4ghz and 5.8 ghz bands are both unlicensed, and the 2.4ghz band is getting pretty cheap and available. Eeven R/C airplanes can use it now, with NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 hey, don't forget about europe!if digitrax, CVP or NCE sold 2.4GHz wireless throttles I know about a lot of people that would be interested in Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The newer ones have a big LCD- that thing just looks like a power sucker. If the batteries still lasted that long with the LCD, I guess that would be NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The current CVP wireless throttle batteries last about 6 months with monthly op sessions running 3 hours per.Thats long enough that batteries aren joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I suspect that they all chose the 900mhz band because that was what was available then - now the other bands are available... but at what cost to chan JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H said ...denny,Great point! I assume you are referencing the legality of radio bandsexactly! 900MHz ban Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Just to be clear: could I use easydcc radio throttles with nce equipment? Has anyone done this? Paulc<paul@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1174617658=NYNH&H]The newer ones have a big LCD- that thing just looks like a power sucker. If the batteries still lasted that long with t jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Paul, I think CVP planned on making a receiver that would allow you to do this, but I don't believe that it has ever been produced. JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Apparently the new MRC decoders in the Athearn Challengers use up to 28 functions... and the NMRA has ratified a 28 function standard as well. We' JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 JeffShultz:They couldn't change the current throttles to run on the new band, but a new throttle(s)/ receiver pair would be able to run simul NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1174684236=NYNH&H]jwils1:I just checked your review again, I saw the "opr" and thought it said "ops" in a CVP pict jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 1. Probably Yes. That is a pretty short distance. Their two-way radio has a little bit of lag in the design, but it also does full two-way including p NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 jwils1:The NCE radio can be accomodated with multiple repeaters on medium to large sized layouts. I don't find the plug in thing to be that a NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1174778976=NYNH&H]jwils1:The NCE radio can be accomodated with multiple repeaters on medium to large sized layouts. I don't find jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H:I appreciate your comments. I know that you have a lot of experience in these areas. Maybe I still have a lot to learn, but, for me, jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Wireless can be very nice, but having a copper conductor for power and for signals is more reliable and probably won't cause any problems, wherea NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I personally prefer wireless, and I mean WIRELESS, with no need to do any line-of-sight thinking.If I have to run a bus around the layout to plug joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Posted today on the NCE Forum ... I thought it provides an interesting counter perspective to using Digitrax on a large layout.=================== joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 EDIT: Merged posts NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well to me there was little substance in the review to let me make an informed decision about how good it is, like what's it's range, freque bn7026<bn7026@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 JoeF:If you go with NCE, it will be interesting to hear how the radio is. With your layout, you can spend a few hours getting it just right, so it NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Not sure if this link will work for all since I think you need a subscription to the Model Railroader magazine. Gave an initial review on the new MRC GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I'd have to say, as much as I really dislike MRC, they have some neat features in this thing, most notably, a real battery system that can rechar NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The reason for frequency issues is because there is only so much unlicensed spectrum. It would be nice (I think EasyDCC allows this) if you were a JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 True, but NCE screwed up by using the same frequency Digitrax aldready was using, when there are 8, all of which EasyDCC can use. I think offering mul NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I guarantee offering multiple frequencies drives up the cost. JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 This is my first post on this forum, while I am a new member here I am on the Atlas and Train forum since 2001. Not a prolific poster and I will mainl Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I as well will be at the Detroit NMRA show (I am in the northern part of MI atm, will head south to the show this weekend). I am going to look at all NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1186194282=NYNH&H]"we don't really know anything about it yet in terms of range and frequency. "As provided by Frank of little_zip<oldno9@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Yes it appears MRC is taking DCC seriously but I will not spend money on the new wireless system too fast. I remember too easily how MRC praised thems Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1186339311=little_zip]As provided by Frank of MRC>we are using 433 megahertz for the prodigy advance wireless>Frank> Exce Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I talked to Digitrax, and they said that a new two-way wireless throttle will come by the end of the year, and that it will use a different frequency NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Here's Tony's Trains review of the MRC wireless:http://tonystrains.com/technews/mrc-prodigyawcab-review.htmI'm planning on pick rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Also, As for sound decoders, I believe there are still a few major manufacturers using MRC sound. Also, Bill Schnieder (of Branchline trains) uses the rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1189781228=rghammill]Here's Tony's Trains review of the MRC wireless:http://tonystrains.com/technews/mrc-prodigyawcab-review.htm jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 MRC sound decoders are horrible. I have one in an Athearn, Challenger, and I am never buying a loco with one again. The thing won't shut up, and NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I agree with NYNH&H regarding MRC decoders. But I wonder if their DCC control systems are an entirely different story? Their reputation in DC co jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Correction to my previous post:Under EasyDCC, I said "Fixed location Command Station" and should have said "Fixed location primary jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 jwils1, since you already have the Lenz system, you could use that for both layouts, with a separte booster, but the same CS/ cab bus for both, and wi NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H:Your earlier post contains a lot of technical info and details that are very appropriate for a thread called "DCC University" jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H,don't forget that it was Lenz who "invented" the code that eventually became the DCC standard - and that they let it becom KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I agree that the tech coolness factor of LocoNet is not by itself enough to make Digitrax the system of choice for everybody.If killer-reliable wi joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 jwils1:I truly do beleive that Digitrax has the best system for all uses. And if a newbie gets this far in the thread, they know more than they ev NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190083013=NYNH&H]Digitrax's consisting is simple and easy, consisting the way it should be. And, advanced consisting is the same on any joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190107114=joef]How is "Enter lead loco number and direction, rear loco number and direction" confusing and annoying? And then to di Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190127700=joef]I don't care one wit what number got put into CV19, nor should I ever have to care. All I care is I can dial up either Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Denny:The short answer is yes, the NCE advanced consist lets you select the loco address as the consist. You can select the loco number of either joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 FWIW, the only advantage I can see for advanced consisting is the ability to select either end of a consist as the controlling unit. The first time I bobhayes<robert180@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,NCE's system is annoying because it plays tricks behind the user's back with advanced consisting. The first thing is, the system sho NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Interesting comment on CV17 and CV18. I bet if you poll a room full of DCC users at a national convention you won't find anyone (except maybe one joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Why Joe, I'm surprised at you! Weren't you the fellow who was trumpeting how programing tracks weren't necessary? As far as con bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Charlie, the grass always looks greener on the other side. Just be happy with the world's best DCC system, and eargerly await the new 2.4ghz two- NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hey Charlie.... just to counter the Digitrax enthusiast above me... "throttle slots." JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Yes, all together now, for Charlie's sake ...T-h-r-o-t-t-l-e   S-l-o-t-s joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I agree with you Joe when you say the maths involved to find the decimal value of CV17 and CV18 is much more than simple additions or divisions. I mad Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Throttle slots????? Arghhhhhhh!Throttle slots were the most motivating reason for dislike of digitrax. That and the pain in the gluteous maximus bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I do agree that the consist management of NCE is far better than universal consist, and I do hope thata. Digitrax come up with a similar method on KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190216395=joef]Denny:The short answer is yes, the NCE advanced consist lets you select the loco address as the consist. You can select th Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190216624=Jack W. Lajoie]Maybe it is just me, but I need to know what goes on behind the scene when it comes to decoders programming. Like I Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190220256=denny]Jack,I understand it's nice to know what happens in a decoder chip, like what value is actually written in a CV. Thi Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Discussing which DCC system is best can be like discussing which religion is best yet I see 29 pages of intelligent informed discussion accompanied by Brian Clogg<bcclogg@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Guys, all the systems have slots for locos, they just call them different things. They have to have memory in order to figure out what to do, and what NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190372405=NYNH&H]Denny, NCE pushes you towards wizard-based programming, which it should not. Systems should always push towards normal pro Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190386373=denny][quote1190372405=NYNH&H]Denny, NCE pushes you towards wizard-based programming, which it should not. Systems should always pu joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Another approach to MU'ing, if you will consider it. I have a Stewart GN- FT- AB,BA consist to which I gave all units the road number 424 abcd pe johncolley<johncolley@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,NCE does allow you to program the CVs normally, so its not as bad as a system like MRC where it is actually hard to get to normal programming, NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Okay Joe, I think I finally get it. You've got me convinced that NCE consisting is the way to go. And the use of nested consists is pretty neat jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Programming an individual CV is very simple on the MRC:Press ProgPress EnterEnter the loco addressPress EnterPress Enter 4 times to sk rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Actually, it appears that MRC is responding nicely to its customers. The new wireless throttle has a button called Prog CV on main. Press this button rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190639371=NYNH&H]As it has been mentioned, you have to know the CV values to troubleshoot, and so you know what is going on. It is fundam Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Interesting that MRC has finally added that. Their system is still not in the same same league with NCE and Digitrax though. As for Digitrax's sl NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190713233=jwils1]With Lenz, if you're in Universal Mode (they call it double header "DH") and want to consist in an Advanced Mod Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190641481=denny]ok, I know what values go in what CVs and therefore, I can troubleshoot.that said, I still prefer doing consists in a & Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190677768=NYNH&H]jwils1,Any system that can handle Universal consisting can nest consists, the lower level is advanced using CV19, the jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1190852996=denny][quote1190713233=jwils1]With Lenz, if you're in Universal Mode (they call it double header "DH") and want to c jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 sorry,I confused double header, with Joe's double headed consists style Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well I've seen a couple of reports from users of the new MRC duplex wireless and they sound very good. Sounds like great response with no lag. jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 It would be interesting if someone tests it with 5-10 operators in close proximity, as that is where other systems start to go haywire, but I doubt th NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Lots of users changing CVs cause problems. The problem isn't the CS changing CVs, it is a matter of implementation. I think that 'ideally& jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,For some reason I was getting delivery failures to the address I have. Anyway, the Prodigy is on the way for you. I'm interested to see h rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Randy, I am in agreement with you. Although there are some books out there on DCC there is no definitive sorce material giving a brake down as you hav Lee<LLeeBlues@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 S:I like the economy of one sound unit per lashup for now. I haven't really tried several sound units in one lashup, I suppose I should one o joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 My major problem with Digitrax?Take a look at something like this:http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=98vshttp://w shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 These systems all have learning curves, Digitrax, NCE and the others. The DT400 is a good throttle, yes there is room to improve on all the systems, b NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I attended the Trainfest in Milwaukee over the weekend and visited with reps of NCE, Digitax and MRC along with the various modular club members. It w GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 As far as it went, I liked my Prodigy system - however it was very much a "crawling system." With the A2 Wireless they appear to be running. JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 GM:My NCE system with the addition of a couple extra repeaters and relocating them under the benchwork now results in pretty solid throttle perfor joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I can't answer a lot of your questions, but as to not having the display, there really isn't anything an engineer needs to do that the displ jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe do you know if this is a new chip that will be installed in their Pro Cab wireless units when they have made the fix? Any idea when this will happ GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 GM:My understanding is it's a chip upgrade in the throttles. Every thing else stays the same.As to when, NCE historically is way slow on joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Very informative and quite abit to chew on. From my own experence with DCC now and when I was looking into it. DCC draws quite a passionate following Lee<LLeeBlues@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H, Thank you for your input. The XpressNet is in place and hard wired. Repairing the CS is about the same as buying a new one. Which is what Lee<LLeeBlues@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 GM,I wouldn't rely on what Tony's sold out of as an indicator what is selling. They may have stocked a lot less. I have heard that MRC&# NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY:Regarding the NCE radio, yes, the FCC power limit has been the "official explanation" for the weak wireless performance of NCE. Howev joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I like this explanation better, except for the passing the buck part. NCE should have caught this before it got out. The power explanation really di jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I just had a look see at Zimo, WOW! Impressive and salty. Now here's a system that serves you coffee and kisses you good night. I really like it! Lee<LLeeBlues@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,There still are FCC limits on the power, and the radio polls, so it can't be completely fixed unless they replace the base station boards NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Just a chip flip, not a board swap. JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1195683886=NYNH&H]Joe,There still are FCC limits on the power, and the radio polls, so it can't be completely fixed unless they repla joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The anount of power needed to transmit the types of signals with the tiny amount of information we need for a DC throttle is tiny. It never made sens jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 While I agree that it's unfortunate they didn't catch the throttle circuit flaw, I'm somewhat conflicted on how I feel about it. On th shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196377894=shoggoth43]Not a point that was made but I always hear about what a lousy thing polling is compared to Loconet. Does Polling REALL jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,I never said NCE isn't improving their radio range with this update. They will still be, however, limited to less than one half the power NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196267111=NYNH&H]The one thing that is interesting, however, is the NCE doesn't need to poll on the radio, and that reduced the range a bi joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 From what I have heard, NCE's radio didn't come out until around 1999, but the Digitrax DT100R and UR91 was out around 1994-1995, although I NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196273207=Lee]I just had a look see at Zimo, WOW! Impressive and salty. Now here's a system that serves you coffee and kisses you good n Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 And the winner is.......NCE Power Cab!!I've been studying and researching DCC systems for quite awhile. Of course I've been using Lenz jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jerry:Regarding NCE and the radio fix, the current NCE wireless throttles are already shipping with the fix and have been doing so since late Octo joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196295250=Art Luescher]I'm probably not one you should listen to since I'm the ZIMO importer for NA. Then again you shouldn't li joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art,How are the decoders upgraded? i.e. can I just get the decoders and upgrade them with a small programmer or would I need the whole kit and ka shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Anyone who wants to see what I had to say about Zimo can go back and look at my posts earlier in this thread, but I will say one thing. The price for NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I think the US "domestic" FREEMO also requires Digitrax. I ended up discussing some of that with NCE regarding their UTP panels. Apparentl shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY or anyone else, could you help me find where Digitrax systems artecture (how they are built) can be found. I could not find anything on there web s Lee<LLeeBlues@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Decoder firmware updates are done independent of the DCC system. You need a small update module that connects the PC with a short section of track. Yo Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196378935=NYNH&H]Anyone who wants to see what I had to say about Zimo can go back and look at my posts earlier in this thread, but I will Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I'll have to agree with pretty much everything here. I've even considered running the loconet wires ahead of time on the theory that I may shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196443248=NYNH&H]jwils1:The PowerCab is not very expandable, it is really just an accessory to the larger system. Its a marketing tac jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Although I think he skipped the Smart Booster step, I think that's essentially what Joe did.... JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 It seems to me that if you start with a PowerCab and upgrade the only thing you 'lose' is about half the PowerCab price, since the control s jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,Can you tell me is there a way to identify the upgraded wireless throttle set new in the box from the outdated ones? I ask because when you pu GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [1196464161=JeffShultz]Although I think he skipped the Smart Booster step, I think that's essentially what Joe did.... [/quote1196464161 joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I don't see why there's any issue with starting with the Powercab.MRC has the Express system which is an inexpensive way to get started rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,I remember reading, or watching, something about your decisions about boosters and sound units. I think you decided on doing dedicated consis shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I'm wondering what it would sound like to put two sound decoders each into two DL-109s. Those who were there said they sounded incredible in pers rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Wow... a lot of posts. This thread just won't stop growing. Anyways,shoggoth43:Yes, Free-mo uses Digitrax, for many of the same rea NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The rechargeable upgrade is new and not available from NCE, but one you can do yourself. It's not posted yet online, but it will be soon. You can joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Wow. A lot of information here. I am about to choose my system for my new layout within 1-2 months. After a lot of research (talking with speedbird<jan.roger.ekedal@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Digitrax...It's affordable. It's expandable. It has LocoNet. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196551818=speedbird]I am about to choose my system for my new layout within 1-2 months. After a lot of research (talking with the manufacture KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I have seen it the PowerCab listed with a radio option. I'm pretty sure you need to order it that way or send it back for the upgrade. NCE hasn shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [1196561402=NYNH&H]I don't think a PowerCab can be a Pro-CabR. I think there is too much stuff in there to do that upgrade.[/quote119656 joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196570174=NYNH&H] Jwils,For you and Joe, let me say why NCE's upgrade path from the PowerCab SUCKS.However, the PowerCab doe jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,Is the rechargeable battery mod the one on the NCE list, or is this something that you can have factory installed since I'll have to ProC shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196641580=jwils1]P.S. 1. Please forget about Loconet. It is totally irrelevant for us "little guys".2. Saying that Digitr Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY and others, If you care to get any information on Zimo, Art IS the Eastcoast rep. and I am sure he would be glad to enlighten you (Off Post). As to Lee<LLeeBlues@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196695928=Art Luescher]I don’t know why the “championâ€� system must come with a throttle that looks and feels like the first transisto Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 HiArt: I am still looking for the correct DCC system for my new layout. aprox 20X33ft and i will order what i need in aprox 2 months. As i mentio speedbird<jan.roger.ekedal@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Thanks for the reply Art, but there were signs stating not to touch the throttles. If Zimo is attending the forthcoming West Springfield Show I will s Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196911424=Jack W. Lajoie]At the Detroit NMRA show held last July, I was walking with great expectations toward the Zimo booth. I was a firm b Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1196912887=speedbird]HiArt: I am still looking for the correct DCC system for my new layout. aprox 20X33ft and i will order what i need i Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 shoggoth43:That's bizarre. I don't think they can offer upgrade kits due to FCC rules. Digitrax can't even offer a radio throttle w NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY:NCE offers a radio upgrade on the PowerCab ... but I would wait until they announce the new rev 3 upgrade, which they have not done yet.As joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Ok. Continuing on:jwils1:1. Do you have a turnout? How about wanting to connect a computer? The point is, LocoNet is flexible and expandable. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,If the PowerCab is mounted at the middle of one of the sides, it can reach to the end of the side and 3' around the end. That's not NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Alex, Thank you for that resitation. All of the DCC power amps have voltage settings as you described. That however was and is not the question I aske Lee<LLeeBlues@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Lee,Ah, that explains the price for the locos. Not for the motors, however.I have no clue where you can find out such info, or if that info is NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1197345117=NYNH&H]Ok. Continuing on:Hmm, Railcom. Digitrax has the proven transponding system, and any sort of bidirectional communica Art Luescher<aluesch@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 All,I did find another possible battery charger for NCE throttles. Mark Schutzer sp? seems to have some pretty good stuff on his site. It does u shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I don't think you're fully taking into account the "target" market here. The point for them is not so much the "I want the c shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art:Hi. Could you give more detaild information about: ZIMO together with RailCom. It sounds very interessting. I have not been thinking about eng speedbird<jan.roger.ekedal@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art,The whole point of bidirectional communication is to know WHAT loco is in a given block, not that A loco is in a given block, and transponding NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Alex (AKA NY):So Alex, if I'm understanding all of your posts correctly, you are saying that Digitrax would absolutely be the best DCC system jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Art (continued),Once you know where the locomotive is, how far it has traveled, and what speed it is running at (by sniffing LocoNet), you can do NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 jwils1,In HO or N, I know that to be the case. I can't think of a system that offers a full DCC experience for less $$. It is probably the ca NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 So NY, tell us, what's your favorite system? Actually, unless I've done my math wrong, if you want a full-blown handheld command sta joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,That would be the Digitrax Super Chief Radio 5A. As for your price comparisons, add one of these: http://tinyurl.com/2skxk7 and one of t NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I don't see any reason why you couldn't adapt the circuit for Digitrax.As for upgrade paths, again, I don't see it as too big an is shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The issue is the expandability with the PowerCab or Zephyr as the CS. The PowerCab is useful as a ProCab on a larger system, but by itself only suppor NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 It's interesting to compare different people's opinions on DCC systems. I would rank the systems as:NCEEasyDCCLenz/DigitraxZimoM joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,NCE is priced OK, although it is a bit more $$ than Digitrax. Not a big deal, but when you look at the feature set, that does hurt NCE.The NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Two more things.Digitrax is more flexible than NCE or any other system.Lenz's phone thing is a good solution for their European customers NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I'll profess ignorance of what the different CVs do and leave it at that. I think some of the lower numbers deal with momentum, but I have a but shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Again, the different opinion perspectives are interesting.Being a computer professional with over 30 years in the profession, and one who has taug joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1197479157=NYNH&H]Digitrax is also going to trump NCE's radio by releasing a 2.4ghz system that is in the WORLDWIDE ISM band. Full two- Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 shoggoth43,When using a dumbed-down programming interface that adds an extra layer of garbage on top of CV#=X, then you won't have the same u NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Denny,Last week there was some information on the [link=http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Digitrax/message/122448?threaded=1&p=3]Digitrax-group on KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY:I'm sure glad the IT and computer world doesn't think like you, or we'd never have gotten the Mac, Windows, the internet or WYSI joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 KnuT:The date out there for the US is by the end of 2007. Like that is going to happen. Thus, it would seem Europe is getting it later. The US is NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Ah, the old "Command line is better than GUI" argument. Sorry. Doesn't wash here. I can do netmasks and binary IP address bits in my shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I consider NCE to be the Windows, technically inferior, with the Mac being Digitrax, with the Mac's excellent Unix base system. Mac is what it is NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1197508960=NYNH&H]Interface really doesn't matter, as they all do the same thing. Digitrax just happens to do more. It doesn't matter joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Wow.DCC L33Tr3 th@n T|-|0u muc|-|?Sorry. I'm reminded of the computer programmer jokes. The one in the contest about how long they' shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1197554459=NYNH&H]The date out there for the US is by the end of 2007. Like that is going to happen. Thus, it would seem Europe is getting Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1197556304=shoggoth43]Consider NCE to be similar to the Mac and OSX operating system. You can get into the command line stuff if you want to, b Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1197569144=Denny]This is the most incredible absurd statement I've ever heard. If you were an IT tech working for a big start-up compan JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,Try telling Microsoft that. Their menus are absolutely horrible, and people still buy their products.Annoying interfaces are everywhere, y NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Okay, I've let this arguing go on for a while as to why interfaces matter, etc. I think both sides have made their points, so it's time to g joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Until NCE's recent firmware update, there were some hoops you had to jump through to get what Joe called a "double ended consist". I t shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hey Joe!It's good to be King! jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I think I'm gonna go carve some more plaster rocks tonight...[img:width=200&height=100]../../e107_files/public/1197596317_305_FT3438_rock bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I really like NCE because of ease of use, excellent throttles, and consisting features, including the option for reverse running (as on a Turn). I� jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I have yet to find a loco combination that the NCE double-ended consist doesn't work with. NY's correct in that "in theory" what N joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 jwils1, Yes and No respectively You can down load the Lenz manual page #32 from their web site. You are not changeing the consist address (That can on Lee<LLeeBlues@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 In its simplest form, here's how you create a double-ended consist:1. Create a regular decoder-based consist by programming CV19 directly. Do joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Re: Double ended consistsOkay, I've been playing with this and I don't think it will work with Lenz. I've again reviewed Joe& jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well Joe, now you've gone and done it? Here I was all set to get me a brand new Power Pro radio just so I could have double ended consists.S jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe,Perhaps we could revisit what people need DCC for, one step at a time, and get tips and instructions from the respectives "experts" rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Guys ...This thread direction intrigues me greatly, for I have been considering writing up a serious DCC guide as a downloadable rich media PDF eB joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I like your idea and thoughts, Randy, and Joe, I like yours about updating with the e-book.Just want to remind you that there is site called [link= KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 How about we start with the dead simple basics and go from there?1) How to acquire and do basic operation of a loco on the different systemsor shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Leopard is the best OS, Digitrax Super Chief is the best DCC system.I'll actually respond later. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 jwils1,You can reverse the function direction by either manually running functions separately from the consist address (ok for headlight), or by b NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1197914610=NYNH&H]jwils1,You can reverse the function direction by either manually running functions separately from the consist addre jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NCE's method could cause problems, as you don't know what the system did, and you could end up having to reverse engineer what the system di NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I have a bunch of Bachman locos that can't use ops mode programming. Sure, they are not high-end locos, but their 70 tonners are quite popular. T NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I hate to show my ignorance like that, but what is the purpose of double-ended consist? What are the advantages, what does it do in real life?. Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Yes, Jack, a double ended consist allows you to address either end of the diesel loco lashup, and that end becomes the front. The headlights work as e joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jack, a double ended consist is a setup that enables a multi-unit engine to bring a train (say Eastbound) into a yard, cut off and get serviced, and r johncolley<johncolley@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Thanks John and Joe for the reply, I had a hunch that's what it was.Why going to all that trouble, why not just reverse the direction of the co Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Thanks again Joe, I don't have a NCE system yet, I will pick a Power Cab from Tony at the West Springfield show coming this January. Not that I w Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jack:With a double-ended consist and NCE, I just type in the address of the end I want and when I press the headlight button, the headlight on the joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I can confirm that this operates as expected. ONLY the unit you selected does the bell and horn. The other units do not. I recall that other sounds shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe, I wonder what a consist set up with NCE's system would do if moved to another, non-NCE layout? How much of the consisting would &q JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1198010279=shoggoth43]I can confirm that this operates as expected. ONLY the unit you selected does the bell and horn. The other units do no Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1198019574=NYNH&H]If you consist on an NCE system, and take the locos to another layout, you have to manually reset CV19, as NCE uses these nast joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I *think* you can make the NCE system do consisting the right way (in the command station, not the decoders) by setting an option up somewhere. By def NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 You still have to remember that consist number... and the fact of the matter is, the system shouldn't be goofing around with CVs, only the user s NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 To some extent I agree with NY that having a command station mess with decoder CV values seems 'dangerous'. But somehow, setting the consist bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The ultimate would be this:Digitrax's system, BUT add more CS memory to handle many more consists, AND: Make them double ended in the CS, and NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Good thoughts, Charlie.I will not start another DCC company. But I know there are some "privat" developed systems out there which uses a c KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Those are some good ideas Charlie. My major concern with something like that would be that by the time you're done you're using essentially shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I doubt a new throttle would change consisting. And, its the 500 or the 402. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 "Advanced" consisting, not the term defined by DCC, but working with complicated configurations, can get pretty, well, complicated. Ther rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 To my mind, there is nothing at all bad about the the CS changing CVs. It takes advanage of the features that are avaiable, but the user doesn't jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The CS changing CVs is wrong and causes problems.One additional note on the consisting is that, at least with Digitrax, you can stack universal co NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jeff:I think you're spot on. Today's situation is akin to trying to use MS Word, and having to know the specific memory address into whi joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I don't see any reason that the CV handling capabilities of DecoderPro cold not be integrated into the command station. You'd need better jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 People who know what they are doing know their CVs. Its very simple. Adding extra crap layers on top doesn't help anything. And smileys have code NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NYNH&H, You shouldn't need to be able to do a valve job in order to drive a car. An oil or tire change? Yes. But ergonomics and human f JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well actually I don't know the codes for the smileys. But Joe's forum interface for replying to a post has thoughtfully provided a list of e bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I did some programming for fun (hey I was a geek), where we entered the program on switches, using octal! If I wanted to I could program every bit of jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 NY,Most people is not computer geeks, I think, or working professionally with computers, or have computers as a hobby.I for one, has some interest KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Charlie, Okay, I thought I was a packrat... but I've seen your, IMSAI was it?, and if that was your first home computer... eek. JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Nope. The IMSAI was the second. The first was an Altair 8800. What a piece of cr*p that was...You can see the IMSAI (blue cover) here... Just n bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hmmmmm, I think most are in agreement! jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 IMSAI's were neat. All those switches and blinking lights. Just like a HP1000.Bob Hayes bobhayes<robert180@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 No, : D would be an translator just like a DCC throttle. You'd need 3a44. Although I guess hex is a translation as well, since computers only und rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I have decided that from this point forward my messages will be in the more logical, and proper binary. Feel free to translate this to any language yo rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Roger, I think you made a typo. Didn't you mean:0100010001101111011001010111001100100000011000010110111001111001011000100110111101100100011 joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 LOL. Now, did you type that in yourself? Or did you let the NCE command station do this for you? -S [quote1198335295=joef] shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Ok, I must have been really bored this morning. I hand translated the binary...01000100 D01101111 o01100101 e01110011 s0010000001100001 bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Time for holiday, guys?I see it clearer now, I am not a computer geek.I have learned some greek, so this is not greek for me, but absolutely unund KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The thing that is different about CVs is that the decimal method (other than CV29 which should be done in binary) is the simplest way to do it. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The point was you don't need to do them at all. Let the software do the work! jlbaz<jlbos83@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Another point is that any of those methods work and most people already know their preferences and can we PLEASE stop with the "I still say my wa shoggoth43<ccorayer@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Merry Christmas everyone! Hard to believe I asked a question about a year ago on this thread and it is still going strong. It has been very insightfu GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1198632909=shoggoth43]Another point is that any of those methods work and most people already know their preferences and can we PLEASE stop wi NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 man!..I could'a layed a 10 track staging yard complete with tortoise machines in the time it took you to write that binary code. speaking of stag cwclark<bayouman1@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well this discusion started out as an MRC system discusion so maybe it's time to get back to it.I now have my new MRC wireless up and jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jerry, Do you get Scale Rails? There is an interesting article in this (Feb 08) month's issue on DCC and high frequency filters, some of which mi JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jerry:Great report on the MRC wireless. Sounds like the universal (command station?) consisting is pretty limited -- about like Lenz. It's ha joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1201533428=JeffShultz]Jerry, Do you get Scale Rails? There is an interesting article in this (Feb 08) month's issue on DCC and high frequ jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 If you're looking for Universal Consisting MRC is not the answer. MRC Prodigy only does one universal consist per system, not cab. I've ha Ron<rnagel1@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Re: MRC WirelessWell I've run the system thru its paces, doing everything it's supposed to do, and all is well. Everything works as ad jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I haven't picked up the wireless yet, but I loved the regular Prodigy. I still think I prefer the Prodigy throttles to the NCE.I have to admi rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1203126741=Ron]If you're looking for Universal Consisting MRC is not the answer. MRC Prodigy only does one universal consist per system, jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hi all.New member here and my first post. (I apologize for it’s length!)Firstly, thankyou Joe for the excellent resources provided here. Als Coyote<dgsimon@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hi Coyote,You didn't state whereabouts in Oz you are based which may affect the level of support you get locally. Here in Australia support bn7026<bn7026@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well, let me put it this way ...The NCE system is well known, has a long track record, and if you buy it -- even if you pay a bit more for it than joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hi TomI bought the MRC PA2 on advice from guys at the nearest model railway club (too far away for me to be worthwhile to be a member) they run it Steve_F<sftl@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Over 50 years ago I purchased by first piece of MRC train control equipment. I've long respected their ability in that field. Now, I've pu jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The only major difference in capabilities from the NCE and MRC that I could determine was the consisting capabilities. With the MRC it's very rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Coyote:Yes, in my opinion, a computer interface is essential for DCC. I suspect those who are thinking of going DCC and haven't checke joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Thanks for the replies to my post.The more I research about DCC the more I find PC utils that interest me. I had my first "real" play w Coyote<dgsimon@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1203941355=Coyote]Thanks for the replies to my post.Tim, In answer to your question, I'm in sunny Melbourne. Would be great to find bn7026<bn7026@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Decoder Pro is the reason I advise Digitrax users to not waste money on a DT400 Throttle ($179.95) MSRP. I advise them to get a Digitrax MS-100 ($45. KCSLINES<jamnest@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I did some experiments consisting two locos back to back with a NCE Power Cab and a Digitrax Zephyr.I used a brand new Power Cab with Rev. 1.28 so Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well, after falling in love with Decoder Pro, I have finally decided on the NCE system. (Really looking forward to speed matching my loco's among Coyote<dgsimon@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1208972250=jwils1]Re: MRC WirelessNow, longevity is the key question. Will the system perform well over the long haul? MRC is offering jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Dare I awaken this beast of a thread again?OK, just some random thoughts and observations...I've operated on several other layouts now. O rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Randy, Great post. There's nothing like personal experience to help give good grist for the discussion mill.I still hold to my contention joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Randy, I too appreciated your post. A nice, balanced description of systems based on personal experience. I just got my MRC wireless back fr jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I have owned a Digitrax Chief (radio) for ten years. I would agree that the complex DT-400 throttle is a pain; but I also believe that Decoder Pro is KCSLINES<jamnest@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jim:After seeing how convenient DecoderPro makes programming, I have to agree. I consider a computer interface to be an essential part of any seri joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well once of my Digitrax DCS100s went south. My local pusher (train dealer) talked me into replacing it (while it goes out for repair) with DB150 from bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hi rghammill,I'm curious how you can hold and use your MRC throttles one handed. Mind you I'm not calling you a liar. It just didn' bear creek<trains@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I use the MRC throttle mostly one-handed, and it's very easy to use the necessary buttons without looking at the throttle.Which actually rais rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Charlie,I don't have my throttle right now, I loaned them to somebody else to try them while the layout has been on hiatus. But basically, my rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 My job takes me away from home for long periods of time. I take model railroad kits and locomotives on the road so I can work on the layout while I a KCSLINES<jamnest@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Randy,Like Charlie I also wonder how you operate the MRC throttle onehanded.You write:[blockquote]But basically, my right hand is generally on KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I started off with Lenz back in 93. All we could get down under at the time was the set with no instructions. The importer included some hand written Ozzie21<cem96656@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Okay, here's an MRC throttle, held in my hand to show how you can use it one-handed (I happen to have one on loan so I can try it out).[lin joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I also thought it might be interesting to compare several throttles from various systems (sorry, I have no Digitrax throttles to compare with) ... joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1211662360=KnuT]And could you messure the height of the throttle. I am curious of how high/long it is compared to other throttles. Is it some jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The first time I ever laid hands on the NCE dogbone was at Whistle Stop in Portland. I thought it would double nicely as a dumbbell. Maybe I&# JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Thank you for the picture and messures.I still think the large NCE dogbone and the MRC throttles would have been better with a good knob placed just KnuT<tysnes@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I finished reading all 50 pages of posts and wondered if there were any updates. There was discussion of Digitrax introducting a 2.4ghz wireless syst HOtrak<vanderen@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Nothing at the moment, as far as I know such system is supposed to be annouced this summer. Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 So, any new products would probably be announced mid-July at the NMRA show in Anaheim? I've seen some speculation about a new Digitrax DT500 thr HOtrak<vanderen@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Rob:Plans are for Model-Trains-Video.com to roll the video cameras at the National Train Show in Anaheim this summer and to post the video on the joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 DT500 and UR92 are all tentative names for new generation radio system from Digitrax. It should be 2.4GHz and bi-directional, so no need to plug the t Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Digitrax has released the PR3 programmer. This device is a combination MS100 (which I own) and PR2 (have an old PR1 which I do not use). It eliminat KCSLINES<jamnest@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Yesterday some friends came over to play with trains One of them brought a NCE Power Cab, so I eventually had the chance to put my hands on a NCE s Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Denny:Yep, now you see what I mean!As a user interface designer of web sites, we do not have the luxury of having people download the web site joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I am glad Denny that you liked the Power Cab, I own one and use it as a Pro Cab on a NCE powered layout I am an operator. It is an Ok system but NCE d Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1213398117=Jack W. Lajoie]I am glad Denny that you liked the Power Cab, I own one and use it as a Pro Cab on a NCE powered layout I am an oper joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I was wondering how the thumbwheel worked for switching with the radio upgrades? Awhile back, you mentioned that your operatores didn't like it HOtrak<vanderen@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1214576549=Jack W. Lajoie]I am glad Denny that you liked the Power Cab, I own one and use it as a Pro Cab on a NCE powered layout I am an oper Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1214581321=HOtrak]I was wondering how the thumbwheel worked for switching with the radio upgrades? Awhile back, you mentioned that your opera joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I thought the yard mode sounded like a good idea myself, but Bill Schneider had similar comments. I think the real problem is that there is no set &qu rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Jack W. Lajoie said ...Bear in mind CV19 consisting is also readily available with a Digitrax system.I know, but it Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 When I posted about the lighting flaws I experienced with NCE CV19 consisting it was with locos equipped with NCE decoders not with QSI. I happen to k Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1214755137=Denny]Joe explained very well the difference between the two systems. I think NCE method is better, mainly because the lash-ups Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Great discussion!I like to see the points and counter-points ... I think it helps to better understand the strengths of the various systems. joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 That is a good point Denny, I will have to test CV19 consisting on a Digitrax system and see how we can achieve double ended consisting if at all poss Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Sometime the language barrier plays tricks on you. What I meant is Digitrax has officially announced its Two way Radio for the US market.I took th Jack W. Lajoie<jacques.lajoie@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1214831492=Jack W. Lajoie]That is a good point Denny, I will have to test CV19 consisting on a Digitrax system and see how we can achieve doub Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1214836946=Jack W. Lajoie]Sometime the language barrier plays tricks on you. What I meant is Digitrax has officially announced its Two way Radio Denny<denny@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Brave people, doing a Beta test like that in public.... JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Joe -Looking at the Model Railroader report on Anaheim. It mentions the MRC Prodigy PC interface is due out this fall or winter. Is it really a wi rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [quote1217487906=rghammill]Joe -Looking at the Model Railroader report on Anaheim. It mentions the MRC Prodigy PC interface is due out this fall joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well, MRC’s interface doesn’t sound too promising at this point but I’m still hoping that they will surprise us with something very good. It se jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 The MRC interface info I got from Mr. JMRI himself, Bob Jacobsen. I talked to him in Anaheim and he's very disappointed in MRC for taking this ro joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Too bad we weren't able to video tape the MRC guys at the NTS (I'm fairly sure I saw their booth) commenting on this.... JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I had read through this thread with interest. I am just getting started in the hobby and was looking to purchase an DCC system. I was looking at the M tasdisr<fpalm1@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Well, that's a bummer. So it's not just a PC interface but a whole software package, huh? If it's as complete as JMRI that might be OK, rghammill<nhrr@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 I don't get a warm-and-fuzzy when a company doesn't want to join in the community efforts and wants to go off and do the proprietary cowboy joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Re: MRC computer interfaceI just asked for, and received an answer to, info on what their interface will do. You can see this on the MRC Yahoo G jwils1<gww33@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 This isn't very relevant to me. Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing Joe's DCC presentation to the recent national NMRA conventio Mark<marcoperforar@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Mark:I hope to be posting that video in another week on the new MRH web site in the MRH Theater section. joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 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 Wangro Andrew H<athebro@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 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 - joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 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 GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 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 -- joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Hope this is legible to read. Couldn't attach the pdf file. Also included the website:www.rail-lynx.com GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 [link=../../e107_files/public/1229639464_393_FT3438_rail_lynx_1.jpg][img:width=540&height=405]../../e107_files/public/1229639464_393_FT3438_ra GM<garymichals@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 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 s JeffShultz<jeff@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 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. NYNH&H<woodalexander@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438 Personally, I'd just go DCC, it's a lot easier. Yep, I agree. I've used Rail Lynx and it's okay for w joef<joe@nospam.com> http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3438