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Guide to Selecting DCC Systems
With so many choices, which system is for you? Here is a checklist (H) to narrow down the options:
• What is your budget?
• What scale do you operate?
Generally the larger scales require more amperage to operate, more cost.
• How many regular operators?
The number of operators increases the amperage, the number of throttles and the cost.
• How much amperage/power do you need?
Here is a guideline for HO, for N use 1/2 Amps and for S, G and O multiply Amps by 2.
| #/Operators |
#/Trains |
Amps Required |
| 1-2 |
1-4 |
1.5-2.5 |
| 3-6 |
1-12 |
4-6 |
| 7-10 |
1-20 |
8-10 |
• Do you want additional features like wireless, PC, or turnout ops?
• Which throttle/cab style appeals to you?
• If you have tried a system, did you like it?
|
Digitrax |
Digitrax |
Lenz |
Lenz |
MRC |
NCE |
NCE |
| Features |
Zephyr |
Super Chief |
SET-90 |
SET-100 |
Prodigy Adv |
PowerPro |
PowerCab |
| Max number of cabs | 10 | 120 | 31 | 31 | TBD | 63 | 2/4 |
| Locos per Consist |
Unlimited |
120 |
256 |
256 |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
| Max nr. of loco addr. | 4 digit | 4 digit | 4 digit | 4 digit | 4 digit | 4 digit | 4 digit |
| MU capablilites |
Same addr. |
120 |
256 |
256 |
128 |
506 |
136 |
| Speed Controls | 1 knob | 2 knobs | Knob | Keypad | Knob or | Thumb Wh’l | Thumb Wh’l |
| | or keypad | | | Keypad | or Keypad | or Keypad |
| Total Functions |
10 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
20 |
13 |
13 |
| Feedback | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | yes | yes |
| Max. Current (Amp) |
2.5 |
5.0 |
5.0 |
5.0 |
3.3 |
5.0 |
2.0+ |
| Software Upgrades | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Operates St. Decoder |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Read/Write Progr. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Ops Mode Progr. |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| Direct Mode Progr. | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wireless Option |
IR/Radio |
IR/Radio |
yes |
yes |
no |
Dplx Radio |
Dplx Radio |
| Mfg Warranty | 1 yr | 1 yr |
10 yrs |
10 yrs |
1 yr | 1 yr | 1 yr |
| NMRA Conformance |
TBD |
no |
yes |
yes |
no |
yes |
Pending |
| Sound Support | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Position. Report |
Xponding |
Xponding |
Railcom |
Railcom |
no |
NMRA |
NMRA |
| Computer Ops | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | yes | yes |
| Basic System MSRP |
$199.00 |
$449.99 |
$290.00 |
$349.00 |
$329.98 |
$499.95 |
$179.95 |
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