After a brief frustrating trip into the world of DCC I've decided i'm going to stay with the DC for several reasons.
Maybe every one else gets all this tech stuff but i dont.
The novelty of realistic noises wears off quickly as you realize that your 80 ton engine is only 6" long and made of plastic,plus the noises become rather redundant after a while.
When problems arise this DCC system adds a whole new level of complexity that can be hard to define/diagnose and fix.
I can see the benefits of this system if running many engines on a super size layout in maybe a club type setting but for mere mortals like me who think a 4'x8' layout is large and running just 1 or 2 engines the cost and complexity of DCC just arent worth it.
As for the extra wiring a DC set up requires i never had a problem with it in fact i kind of enjoyed the extra hands on experience of making all the wiring neat and tidy and its something i understand,
I'm hoping the trend toward DCC equipped merchandise will bring the price down on the products that are only DC.
So that is my take on DCC after getting my first locomotive with factory installed DCC and sound and trying to run it on a DC controller,maybe not the fairest trial of DCC operation but from what i see i'm not enthusiastic about taking it to the next level and buying a $500 controller and then having to deal with all the technical aspects that can go wrong as well as the usual mechanical glitches.
Any one else share my take on it or am i just an unadaptable dinosaur:mrgreen:
Maybe every one else gets all this tech stuff but i dont.
The novelty of realistic noises wears off quickly as you realize that your 80 ton engine is only 6" long and made of plastic,plus the noises become rather redundant after a while.
When problems arise this DCC system adds a whole new level of complexity that can be hard to define/diagnose and fix.
I can see the benefits of this system if running many engines on a super size layout in maybe a club type setting but for mere mortals like me who think a 4'x8' layout is large and running just 1 or 2 engines the cost and complexity of DCC just arent worth it.
As for the extra wiring a DC set up requires i never had a problem with it in fact i kind of enjoyed the extra hands on experience of making all the wiring neat and tidy and its something i understand,
I'm hoping the trend toward DCC equipped merchandise will bring the price down on the products that are only DC.
So that is my take on DCC after getting my first locomotive with factory installed DCC and sound and trying to run it on a DC controller,maybe not the fairest trial of DCC operation but from what i see i'm not enthusiastic about taking it to the next level and buying a $500 controller and then having to deal with all the technical aspects that can go wrong as well as the usual mechanical glitches.
Any one else share my take on it or am i just an unadaptable dinosaur:mrgreen: