Hi all,

been a while now I am thinking getting me a Digitrax dcc systhem, running on a Bachmann "Dynamis" systhem for about,... well from the first run they got out overhere in Belgium (Europe)...thing is,"what to get?". Small layout here and a switching one with that. Wanting wireless (infra red on the Dynamis, which is the upmost downer on the Dynamis along with the high inrush current, the later giving problems on the onboard pre-installed ditchlight Kato sd40-2 mid production decoder, erasing the settings(decoder) on a start up of the Dynamis. Which does not ocure when on my spare Lenz systhem. This as a side note). Now the video's are verry interesting but, lol, I am getting a bit lost with all the numbers Mr Ireland is pulling out of his sleeve like it is a "bingo" evening, lol, no offence intended.

So, I have had a look around at the Digitrax website and I think the " radio equiped super empire builder- advanced set" would be doing the job. Am I rite on this? Or is there another alternative? Bare in mind that living in Belgium (Europe) meens, when ordered and acquired it is not just a run down to the post office to send it back when not satisfied, well in one way it is but then again, knowing our post management...., I think you get the picture,lol 

I have to ad, that turnouts are set manually, I know, old fashion style, but that is the way I like it....

Another product that is getting my attention is the latest PR3, here again I would like to know the following; is it a stand alone programmer only suitable for Digitrax decoders? Or,( like for instance the ESU lokprogrammer which I am using for now) can it write and read CV's of other brands. I say "write" since the ESU's lokprogrammer can not read out other brand decoders.(only write cv's on other brands) Thinking combination PR3 with JMRI here.

Some advice on these would be greatly appreciated since most of our modelshops overhere are, well let's just say "ignorant" (read, not WILLING to be aware) on the existance of overseas DCC systhems, lol.

Thanks in advance.....

Jappe (Harley's and trains,yééééhaw!!!)

ps;

for my past and future posts, I hope you guys have and will forgive my some times " not so ma'm Queen English" typing. My native language is Flemmish (no not Dutch,lol), being married with an Italian my house talking happens in French, Italian only used when fuses are getting hot and burned (luckely this happens not often,lol Grazie a Dio) and German being our third national language which on occasions I have to use, work related, it some times is getting confusing on the sentence building....hope you all will understand,

thank you, merci beaucoup, dank u, grazie mille, danke sheun........

Jappe,

I would read-up more on the Super Empire builder before jumping in.  The included DB150 has programming  quirks you must learn to  live with. In a nut shell, If you want to program a loco in Page or DIR, you must cut off the layout.  The Digitrax Zephyr or the Super Chief series (DCS100) are,   my humble opinion,   better choices  in the Digitrax line.  You can add the UR91/DT400R to the Zephyr.

The PR3 is effectively a stand-alone programmer. Developped mainly  with the Digitrax sound decoders in mind,  It can also be used with other DCC decoders for programming and read back.  It also includes a revised MS-100 to talk to the command station and layout.  You use one or the other, not both simultaniously.

One draw back of the PR3 is it's non-isolation  from the layout, no opto-couplers.  A power issue on the layout or comand station could take the PR3 out and the attached computer.  RR-CirKits Locobuffers have the isolation couplers built in.

Do not count out other possible options in the DCC suppliers.

Marc

Hi Marc,

thank you for explaining and clearing things up.

So, a cost effective starter, would be a Superchief 5A, upradadable in a later time with a DT400R and a UR91. Sounds good.

The PR3, in my case, would be used as a stand alone programmer. For me, programming decoders and running them on the layout, IMHO should be kept apart in the first place. The PR3 is interesting for me with the "read-back" feature. Since the ESU lokprgrammer only can write on non ESU decoders. This is certainly a plus with the PR3 then. Even more a plus is that it can be used as an interfase with JMRI (from what I have been reading on the JMRI site) and that's what I am missing for the most on the ESU loksound programmer.

Thanks for clearing up the numbers Marc and yes indeed you are rite when saying not to count out the other possible DCC suppliers, but when I think Zimo, Uhlenbrock even ESU's latest Ecos in combination wih their radio equiped Dynamys look alike, I see lotsa $$$$'s. I know, I know, you pay for what you get, but why pay more, knowing you can get the same "quality" and "usage" for less.

A small exemple. For a Zimo starter set which includes an MX1 command station and an MX31 cab, I would have to pay around 1600$ (ouch). Says enough I guess........,sure with that you get the "Deutsche Grundligkeit" but still...., na, thank you, I'll pass.

Jappe (Harley's and trains,yééééééhaw!!!)

Jappe,

Since you live in Belgium, you probably can  not use the DT400R and UR91 as they use the 900 Mhz band which is reserved for cellphones in most of (all?) europe.

The good news is the that Digitrax are going to release theire new duplex radio which use the 2,4 Ghz band and should be usable worldwide.

I use a UT4 which have InfraRed included. It works pretty well and is a cheaper solution.

Hi knut,

Thanks for pointing me that out, I was aware of it though, but closing my eyes for it, but yep I would have had problems going with the R. This is also the reason why my German online supplier only caries the infrared systhem btw.

Now, what's the best to do then? Wait untill the duplex comes out and get the all  R duplex systhem or just start infrared and upgrade in a later time to R duplex? The second beeing easier on the credit card of course.

Choices, choices, choices and dessisions to make..............,lol

Jappe (Harley's and trains, yéééééhaw!!!)

IR is limiting. Line of sight means you may need more than one receiver to get by depending on your layout configuration.  RA will not limit you and you can get by quite well with only one RA receiver unless you have one big layout.

On it's  916MHz band the DT400R  is not licensed to operate in Belgium.  But at less than 10mW,  output, simplex,  I doubt anyone will notice you are around.  916MHz is in the miltary tactical band in Belgium. not cell phone.

http://www.bipt.be/fr/217/ShowContent/1057/Table/Table.aspx

Marc,. Salut

I have some experiences with Digitrax IR from my own and friends layouts here in Norway.

If you have a good battery in your throttle  you don't always need to have a direct line of sight as the IR signals reflects off walls and roofs. You can actually stand with your back to the UR90 reciever, point your throttle to the wall, and the signals will mostly come through! But of course it is best to test out where to place the reciever and better to have more than one.

Hopefully the new duplexradio will do a much better job, even when you point the throttle down, so you don't have to think so  much of where to point the throttle. But IR is cheaper, as it is included in the DT400 and UT4. You only need one or more recievers to get a decent wireless.

I did not know 916 MHz was in the military tactical band in Belgium, maybe that was classified information?

Hi all,

well I am taking the plunch with Digitrax, well at least, ok I'll admit , just wetting my feet in a first stage.

Ordered me a PR3, probably going to be delivered some where next week. The PR3 is going to be used as a programmer with JMRI (getting too long just having JMRI shortcuts sitting on my desk,lol).

Before the end of this year I am taking the real plunch with a Super Chief, IR...........I wonder, having an ESU mobil control, RC, using loconet (in use with a Lenz compact at the moment as a spare back-up unit), might work, no?

Thanks for the info on the  bandwidths btw

Hi Jappe:

I definately think you ae on the right System.  I have been using Digitrax for over twn years.   Most of the problems that I have had are caused by my not understanding the system.  I have also just bought the PR3, and am just learning how to work with it.

Just my comment on your choices.

Harvey.