DCC Warranty Comparison

Created October, 2 2004 - George Sebastian-Coleman drafted this DCC Warranty Comparison for Tony's.

The following information covers systems and decoders from: Atlas, Digitrax, Lenz, MRC, NCE, Soundtraxx, and Zimo. Warranties from most manufacturers differ between system components (command stations, boosters, and cabs) and decoders, so I'll address the two sets separately. However, all warranties (including those that cover consumer error) are voided by intentional misuse or altering or modifying equipment.

SYSTEMS

All the manufacturers provide at least a one year repair-or-replace warranty for any system component that’s defective. The only cost to the consumer in these cases is shipping the return to the manufacturer.

There are two significant exceptions to the one year warranty:
LENZ: 10 year any cause, Year 1 free return shipping, Year 2-3 $5 s&h, Year 4+ $5 plus inexpensive repair/replace charge.

DECODERS

These warranties have significantly greater variation. These are listed below from longest to shortest. However, it's worth comparing details, because while the repair-or-replace for free period may be short, several manufacturers offer lifetime inexpensive repair-or-replace programs. It's worth remembering that all these warranties are from the date of purchase, so it is in your best interest to test decoders immediately after purchase.

Lenz
10 year any cause, Year 1 free return shipping, Year 2-3 $5 s&h, Year 4+ $5 plus inexpensive repair/replace charge.

NCE
Offers a one year repair-or-replace for manufacturer defects. NCE offers a lifetime repair or replace policy (regardless of cause of failure) for just $10 repair plus $2 shipping. Most remarkably, that offer is made no matter the brand of the failed decoder!

Atlas
Offers a one year warranty on decoders.

MRC
Offers one year coverage on its decoders, with full repair-or-replace or minimal repair charge determined on a case-by-case basis.
Systems - up to one year mfg defects, no charge except cost of shipping it to us, after one year there is a small service charge that includes shipping - (presently this is $32.00 for c-2000 and prodigy and we still don't have a firm price on prodigy advance yet). Any operator error or neglect or abuse voids warranty and the service charge applies immediately.
Decoders - one year mfg defect, after 1 year - $9.00 on regular decoders (non-sound), $15.00 on sound decoders. Operator error or abuse/neglect/improper installation - the warranty is voided and service charge applies immediately - but review of the problem is on a case by case basis.

Soundtraxx
Offers a 90-day repair-or-replace regardless of cause (full-return details are on their web site). After 90 days they will repair or replace DSD100LCs for $25 and all others for $35.

Digitrax
Offers a 60-day warranty, but only against manufacturer defects. However, they also will repair or replace any of their decoders (regardless of cause of failure) for $17 including return shipping to the consumer.