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Post by riss2509 on Feb 19, 2009 22:06:26 GMT -5
Im starting into the fun world of DCC. Since all my units are Athearn. Some blue box, but mostly RTR, or older BB SD's retrofitted with the newer DCC ready motors. Im seriously looking into the NCE D13SRJ decoders for these units. They have alot of functions, at a low price! Im hoping to get a Digitrax system soon, probably a Zephyr and a DT400R throttle to run at the club. What im curious on is, what do you all run, and why do ya like it? Thanks guys!!!!
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CIOR
Chairman
Posts: 2,046
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Post by CIOR on Feb 20, 2009 19:28:25 GMT -5
I'm a fan of the TCS line of decoders. I've used almost every brand of decoder and can honestly admit, nothing beats the TCS. Digitrax decoders are in my opinion are slipping.
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dtinut
Chairman
Modeling the DT&I of the 60's & 70's
Posts: 661
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Post by dtinut on Feb 20, 2009 21:44:05 GMT -5
I haven't yet used any TCS decoders, but have heard lots of good things about them, and no negs.
My personal fav is the NCE D13 line of decoders, but I have several of the DSAR, and some others including some Z scale versions which still have enough omph to handle a good motor, yet are really tiny for those installations where space is a premium. I bought 20 of the D13SRJ decoders back whne NCE offered to 100 decoder club deals, and they were 11.23 dollars each including the shipping. I used the last one on one of the Chessie GP7's I recently finished. I like the NCXE because the have the LED lighting setup, and have enough functions to cover just about any loco (4 FX), and since I don't do ditch lights, that works for me. I also like the VMax Vmid functions they have, as it makes speed matching very easy to do.
I have some Digitrax, but I only have them because I bought a model that included the decoder.
I relagate those to models I plan to run very little.
Regards,
Brian
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Post by wvsecondary on Feb 21, 2009 9:28:38 GMT -5
I had been a diehard Digitrax fan until I tried an A6X and not use this decoder whenever I can. Also like the goof proof thing. I have had Digitrax decoder go bad and unless you supply a blood sample along with original sales receipt and a complete explanation of how you screwed up the decoder you might as well throw it away. TCS fixes it or replaces it with no questions or DNA. I also like the ability to have ditchlights up and working without spending days reading a manual and blowing bulbs because you have the wrong resistor.
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CIOR
Chairman
Posts: 2,046
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Post by CIOR on Feb 21, 2009 9:48:28 GMT -5
Honestly, a certain company seems to think building the "cheapest" decoder is the only way to go and we now pay the price of crappy decoders because of this. Won't say who, but I think some can figure it out.
I believe most people are willing to spend between $15-20 range on a solid decoder.....however some cling to the fact that they want them as cheap as possible. In my opinion this is one area that cheap isn't good!
I just settled on the TCS stuff and have started sticking with it. my local guy is a Digitrax dealer (for obvious reasons) but I deal with Rob at DCCTrain.com for all my TCS stuff. Great prices too.
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kbkchooch
Probationary Member
Maryland Midland fan
Posts: 3
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Post by kbkchooch on May 15, 2009 0:11:46 GMT -5
Most of my fleet is running the D13SR's from NCE, and a few scattered DASR's. If only I could hit the Lotto, then they would all have Tsunami's! ;D How do you make an E7 (like, why did I even buy this thing  ) become one of your favorite engines?? Put a diesel Tsunami in it!  |
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Post by MONONC420 on May 15, 2009 15:58:49 GMT -5
Regular DCC Decoder: Hands down the winner is the TCS A6X.
Sound: there is really only one decoder, the soundtrax tsunami.
Christian
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Post by mrlfan on May 21, 2009 0:07:29 GMT -5
I will also recommend the TCS A6X decoders. I have have about 20 of them installed so far with no problems. Glenn
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Post by riss2509 on May 27, 2009 21:00:56 GMT -5
Ive been beefing up on the D13srj's. I looked at all the variables such as price, features, and overall reccomendations. As much as I would love to go with other decoders, it wont happen. I do have a couple sound friendly units that ive really debated about adding sound to them, but, If I do 2, then there will be 4 and so on. My "allowance" wouldnt let them happen. But, im happy with what I got, need to work on some of the settings and that will come with time as I get more educated about DCC!
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bcrmlw
Superintendent
Posts: 186
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Post by bcrmlw on May 27, 2009 21:57:11 GMT -5
I'm a TCS fan, for a lot of the simple installs the T1 or T4 work great. The thing I like about TCS is the manual that comes with the decoders is very straight forward, just fill in the blanks as you read and program. Digitrax makes a great system but they really dropped the ball on writing easy to understand decoder programming manuals. The TCS decoders are priced right, which helps when you have a lot of locos to DCC!
-Trevor
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) become one of your favorite engines??
