Comparison : DCC Systems

(updated December 2005)

Also available in PDF format (34 kB).
Complete Guide to Consisting
Tony's Off The Cuff Comments

DCC At A Glance

	Digitrax	Digitrax	Lenz	Lenz	MRC	NCE Corp.	NCE Corp.
	Zephyr	Super Chief	SET-90	SET-100	Prodigy Advance	PowerPro	PowerCab
Max number of cabs	10	120	31	31	TBD	63	2/4
Number of Locos per Consist	Unlimited	120	256	256	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Max number of loco addresses	4 digit	4 digit	4 digit	4 digit	4 digit	4 digit	4 digit
MU capabilities	Same Address	120	256	256	128	506	136
Speed Controls	1 knob	2 knobs or keypad	Knob	Keypad	Knob or Keypad	Thumb Wheel or Keypad	Thumb Wheel 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 Stationary Decoder	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Read/Write Programming	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Ops Mode Programming	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Direct Mode Programming	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wireless Option	IR/Radio	IR/Radio	Yes	Yes	No	Duplex radio	Duplex 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
Positioning Reporting	Xponding	Xponding	NMRA	NMRA	No	Pending	Pending
Basic System Cost (MSRP)	$199.00	$449.99	$290.00	$349.00	$329.98	$499.95	$179.95
Tony's Price	price	price	price	price	price	price	price

Ironically, the complex appearance of the North Coast, System One throttles ultimately provides for an easier, intuitive operating format than the DT100. Digitrax's release now of the more user friendly DT400 closes the gap.

More details about each system:

• Atlas Commander DCC Controller (by Mike Carson)
• NCE Corp., SystemOne
• Digitrax Zephyr
• Digitrax Chief
• Lenz Digital Plus
• MRC Prodigy Advance (by Larry Maier)