I also considered RailPro, I agree their biggest asset is the easy consisting, it's very innovative.
But, as for DCC, I found the complete equipment quite expensive. Also their "modules" seem big to me.
What dcc unit would you buy
- Thread starter davidone
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But, as for DCC, I found the complete equipment quite expensive. Also their "modules" seem big to me.
ESU with Railcom+ has bi-directional communication. Programming these decoders on the fly has never been easier. Any CV supported by ESU including NMRA and NEM standards can be programmed while the locomotive is in motion with other locomotives on the same track.
I don't know any ho clubs in my area and even if I did I don't drive anymore. This is my last layout and it will be just 15x5, 3 track yard for some switching but mostly to run two trains, one a oil train and the other a freight train of mostly box cars and on top of that ill change it up with a steam engine with a NYC hudson. My dad was one of the last steam engineers out of GCT in NYC.
I am glad to hear that ESU is.
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But, as for DCC, I found the complete equipment quite expensive. Also their "modules" seem big to me.
KB02
Well-Known Member
I had trouble fitting one of the 9-pin modules into a loco once and then I committed the cardinal sin of just removing the plastic outer cover. Without that on, they're virtually identical to a basic DCC 9-pin in size. I did cover it with kapton tape, though, just to be on the safe side.
RhB Michael
RhB Lokführer
ESU with Railcom+ has bi-directional communication. Programming these decoders on the fly has never been easier. Any CV supported by ESU including NMRA and NEM standards can be programmed while the locomotive is in motion with other locomotives on the same track.
traiNscale
Well-Known Member
i would also say, it depends where your from?
in europe the Roco Z21 is quite common.
but i dont think its really known in the US.
in europe the Roco Z21 is quite common.
but i dont think its really known in the US.
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rgeiter
Conrail Quality
Correct, I’m am not familiar with that system. When I get a chance today I’m going to look at it up.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
I have an NCE Powercab and it’s a great system, highly recommend!
Yes I did but I'm still up in air on what to buy and how easy it is to implement. After looking at several dcc units I have decided on NCE power cab. Why I took my time is that my new layout is only now ready to buy. I am 79 now this will be my first layout using dcc. I'm not very techie so I wanted to be sure I could use it. I do thank all you guys for your responses and comments.
I don't know any ho clubs in my area and even if I did I don't drive anymore. This is my last layout and it will be just 15x5, 3 track yard for some switching but mostly to run two trains, one a oil train and the other a freight train of mostly box cars and on top of that ill change it up with a steam engine with a NYC hudson. My dad was one of the last steam engineers out of GCT in NYC.
J.Albert
Well-Known Member
davidone wrote:
"Not in Europe, so the Z21 is out."
That post makes no sense.
It's been more than half a century since I was "in Europe", but I investigated and got ahold of the z21 system without any problems at all.
And then later on, I acquired ANOTHER "European" system -- the Digikeijs DR5000 -- again with no trouble at all.
Both were very easy to get up-and-running, the DR5000 particularly so.
"Not in Europe, so the Z21 is out."
That post makes no sense.
It's been more than half a century since I was "in Europe", but I investigated and got ahold of the z21 system without any problems at all.
And then later on, I acquired ANOTHER "European" system -- the Digikeijs DR5000 -- again with no trouble at all.
Both were very easy to get up-and-running, the DR5000 particularly so.
J.Albert
Well-Known Member
rgeiter wrote (of the z21):
"Correct, I’m am not familiar with that system. When I get a chance today I’m going to look at it up."
Just go to youtube and search on "roco z21".
Plenty of videos.
I laugh every time I see someone in the USA model train forums say they never heard of the Roco z21 or Digikeijs DR5000 (or YaMoRC as well). Where is your curiosity?
I haven't been in Europe since 1972, yet I had no trouble finding out about the z21 when I got back into the little trains in 2018.
It didn't take me long to realize how SUPERIOR it was to the "traditional US systems" at that time. Some of them are catching up now... took them long enough.
rgeiter, be aware:
- There is the "black box" Z21 (quite expensive, but "deluxe" all the way)
- There is the "white box" z21 and z21start (I have the latter, works fine on my small railroad for controlling up to 4 engines at once)
- You can use the z21 with either a handheld controller OR via wifi.
- I believe Roco now offers a (handheld) "Minimaus" with both wifi and wired connectability
- BUT... if you want to use wifi, the BEST way to do it is by using the TPLink router (sold separately for the white z21, but I think it's included with the black Z21) and the Roco z21 app on either a smartphone or tablet.
Also be aware that US dealers will probably have ONLY the expensive black Z21, and there are only a couple of authorized US resellers.
I wanted the white box, so I bought from Europe.
Fortunately, the prices were a little cheaper back then.
But it's still available, if you shop carefully.
I still use the z21 today for my test track.
But these days I use a Digikeijs DR5000.
It works with the z21 app, also.
Some pics:
My z21 setup (built an enclosure for it)
z21 app running on my tablet:
z21 programming screen -- THE BEST display for this anywhere:
"Correct, I’m am not familiar with that system. When I get a chance today I’m going to look at it up."
Just go to youtube and search on "roco z21".
Plenty of videos.
I laugh every time I see someone in the USA model train forums say they never heard of the Roco z21 or Digikeijs DR5000 (or YaMoRC as well). Where is your curiosity?
I haven't been in Europe since 1972, yet I had no trouble finding out about the z21 when I got back into the little trains in 2018.
It didn't take me long to realize how SUPERIOR it was to the "traditional US systems" at that time. Some of them are catching up now... took them long enough.
rgeiter, be aware:
- There is the "black box" Z21 (quite expensive, but "deluxe" all the way)
- There is the "white box" z21 and z21start (I have the latter, works fine on my small railroad for controlling up to 4 engines at once)
- You can use the z21 with either a handheld controller OR via wifi.
- I believe Roco now offers a (handheld) "Minimaus" with both wifi and wired connectability
- BUT... if you want to use wifi, the BEST way to do it is by using the TPLink router (sold separately for the white z21, but I think it's included with the black Z21) and the Roco z21 app on either a smartphone or tablet.
Also be aware that US dealers will probably have ONLY the expensive black Z21, and there are only a couple of authorized US resellers.
I wanted the white box, so I bought from Europe.
Fortunately, the prices were a little cheaper back then.
But it's still available, if you shop carefully.
I still use the z21 today for my test track.
But these days I use a Digikeijs DR5000.
It works with the z21 app, also.
Some pics:
My z21 setup (built an enclosure for it)
z21 app running on my tablet:
z21 programming screen -- THE BEST display for this anywhere:
RhB Michael
RhB Lokführer
My equipment is European as well, from ESU. Works great.
Not nearly as convoluted as all of the above.
Not nearly as convoluted as all of the above.
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
The physics of sound reproduction does not scale, so higher sound quality is probably not in the future. In the small spaces of a model locomotive It is not physically possible to move enough air to make it sound right to the full size human ear. There is a reason the Bose Acoustimass requires a separate large unit to go with the small cubes in their sound systems.
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Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
Despite being the standard since 2012(?), most people have not "discovered" Railcom yet. Digitrax stubbornly sticks to their "transponding", and other vendors are not taking advantage of it --- yet. Lenz attempted to way back, but once again was largely ignored.
I am glad to hear that ESU is.
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