Hi
LIRR said:
I am starting work on a 4x8 with a 2x6 extension (The turtle creek central from MR with its branch) soon. And I want to switch to DCC. Since its a small layout I was considering EZ-DCC but I have heard bad things about it. Really all I will need is being able to run a train on the main loop, switch out some cars at the industrys and run the mine job.
This is one of those eternal questions which is always hard to answer
Bachmann DCC, so I have heard, is good at doing what it is meant to do.. be a simple easy way into DCC and capable of addressing 10 seperate locos on a layout, but it is a very early beginners set, just like the very basic throttle you get in some trainsets.
DCC is an investment, if you are going to do more than just run a basic train, then you may want to look further to something that is expandable in the future.
I have found, over the years, that people seem to place most store on how the controller feels in their hand... no matter what the pro's and con's of each system, the "user interface" i.e the bit you hold is by far the most important facet of the system.
From personal Experience I have used Digitrax with a DT300 throttle, Atlas Commander and Lenz 100.
My early start into DCC was with Digitrax.. hated it (remember this is a personal opinion.) Swapped it with a friend I met online for an Atlas Commander and Handheld... Loved it, it was fun again. Spent a couple of years with the Atlas, then went to Lenz with a Lenz 100 set, and still have my Commander and Atlas Handheld in use as additional throttles for the lenz.
In my Opinion, I would look seriously at the Atlas Commander Duo Pack as your starter set. The only thing that could be seen as a drawback is the fact that it uses 2 digit addressing rather than 4 digit for locos, so you are limited to a max of 100 locos on your layout
The rational is, that like I did, if you eventually want to expand your layout, or get all the bells and whistles, then you won't need to scrap it when you upgrade to a full function lenz outfit with full computer control.. if thats where you wind up
If you want to go the Digitrax route, then look at the Zephyr.. that will give you a full upgrade to a Digitrax set up in the future, should you wish.
Personally, as you can see above, for various reasons I am not a Digitrax fan of their command stations, alhough I have nothing against their decoders, where I have no other choice
Regards
Graham Evans
Toronto