June 11, 2008

Digitrax PR-3 vs LocoBuffer USB

Digitrax Products
RR Circuits Products

Text Content edited from a news release by RR-Circuits.

June 11, 2008

Digitrax has announced a new product, the PR3. We have had many questions about how it compares with our LocoBuffer-USB.

The bottom line is, yes, the PR3, when operated in it's MS100 mode, is in competition to our LocoBuffer-USB. The PR3 will also control a programming track and upload sound files to Digitrax sound decoders, which our LocoBuffer-USB will not. Our LocoBuffer-USB is optically isolated, which the PR3 is not. The PR3 can not function as a computer interface and control a programming track at the same time.

The choice of products will depend on your requirements:

1. If you need a USB computer interface for a Chief or Zephyr command station, but uploading custom sound files to Digitrax decoders is not important to you, we feel that our LocoBuffer-USB is the best option. Optical isolation keeps your system safe in spite of ground loops, spikes, and surges. Rogue currents and ground loops can wreak havoc with data, and even damage the PC or connected devices. Our LocoBuffer-USB provides 2,500 VAC of optical isolation between the LocoNet and your customers USB port.

2. If you want to operate a computer interface at the same time that you are uploading sound files to Digitrax decoders and/or are using the programming track you will need a PR3 and a LocoBuffer-USB. The PR3 will not do both operations at the same time.

3. If you need to upload custom sound files to Digitrax decoders, you will need the PR3.

4. If you need to add a read-back programming track to his DB150 (Empire Builder) system the PR3 is a good choice.

We have lowered our MSRP from $74.95 to $69.95.