|
Chief vs. Big Boy Comparison; A Different
Point of View:
The completion of the NMRA National Show and Convention
this past weekend in Long Beach, CA will start the production clock
on Digitrax's new systems, the Chief and upgraded Big Boy, as I
described in my April Newsletter. While most of you are aware of
the Chief's features and understand its enhanced capability, you
should also consider the following analysis for your future system
plans.
This comparison compares an upgraded Big Boy System
(with DT201) plus additonal DT201 to a Chief System. The comparison
is valid for system users who are not operating more than twenty
trains at once.
| Feature: |
Big Boy + DT201: |
Chief: |
| # Addresses |
125 / 9999 |
9999 |
| # Loco's Running |
20+ |
100+ |
| # Throttles At Once |
20+ |
100+ |
| Programming |
Separate Track |
Separate Terminals |
| Cost MSRP |
$550.00 |
$475.00 |
| ReRail Services Cost |
$436.00 |
$359.00 |
| # of Throttles Supplied |
2 |
1 |
| # of Trains (run at once) |
4 |
2 |
| # of Walk Around |
1 |
1 |
| Tethered Yard Cab |
1 |
0 |
| Back Up Command Station |
1 |
0 |
| Max # of Trains |
20+ |
100+ |
DT201 was planned, but not produced by
Digitrax.
Thus, the above comparison shows that, for about
$60.00 more, the average user would get twice the operational capability
choosing the Big Boy Combo over the Chief!
The Chief has the following special features, which
are not available with new Big Boy or DT201 upgrades:
- Separate, independent remote accessible programming
track.
- Operation in a multimaster "Limited Master" configuration,
slaved to a PC via MS100 RS232 adapter.
- Implements additonal LocoNet Master functions
accessible from the PC and future Digitrax components.
This analysis is purely informational. I just want
the users to understand all of their options. Those of you interested
in Chief units or components, will start to see the product available
in late August 1996.
2 Digits vs. 4 Digits:
The enhanced 4 digit addresses that will soon be
available with the DT201 or the Chief pose some questions. Do you
want to operate 2 or 4 digits or both? Which components do I need
for 2 or 4 digits?
You can operate 2 and 4 digits compatibility; however,
I think this could start to get confusing.
If you choose 4 digits, then FX Decoders are recommended.
You can run your non-FX Decoders on a 4 digit system, but you will
run them as 2 digits with a 4 digit alias (4 digit number assigned
to a 2 digit address). The system will recognize and operate the
alias; however, you are going to have to record which units or locos
are operating this way.
Some DTrax components are only capable of 2 digit
address functions:
- All Non-FX Decoders
- BT2 - Buddy Throttles
- UT1 - Utility Throttle (Not in production yet)
- DT200 - Command Station Throttle. Your existing
DT200 can be exchanged for a DT201 for about $30 - $40, starting
about October 1996.
We welcome
comments or suggestions from readers; please write
or call.
|
