Specifics on different DCC systems and hardware

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Well, there are many things that are important in picking a system. Unfortunately, a lot of the decisions made by newcomers is based on the throttle appearance and size. So rather than fight it, I'll put the sexy stuff first.

From left to right, A dollar bill, Zimo, Massoth, LGB 55016, LGB 55015, and NCE ProCab.

In choosing a DCC system you need to consider the entire system, how it works, how expandable it is, cost, compatibility, and yes, how much you like the throttle.

Throttles:

I'm over 50, and farsighted, so the larger the characters on the screen the better for me, because I don't wear glasses except for closeup stuff. 

Note: this is not about screen size, it's about how large the characters are on the screen. You can have a big screen full of tiny letters and it's not for me.

I also have been involved in the design of consumer electronics for a long time, and I have learned a lot about how to make a good system, the tradeoff between the number of buttons and the number and levels of menus.

I've listed several manufacturers' equipment here, and my experiences with them.

I always recommend NCE in terms of price/performance.

The European systems are full of features, often unique to just their decoders, and have more complex displays. I gave up my beloved NCE system for a Zimo system, which has unique features but is hard as heck to see in sunlight (color OLED high resolution touchscreen, each feature a strike against sunlight readability!!)

Investigate:

http://www.teamdigital1.com/index.html

Notes on higher power boosters:

15 amp booster by Gallus, but the web site seems to be gone: http://www.modellbahn-gallus.de/

There is/was a 20 amp booster, max voltage 22 volts: http://www.perandones.ch/index.asp?inc=artikel

DCC Manufacturer ID table:

CV 8 should have one of the following numbers in it, identifying the manufacturer:

Additionally a manufacturer may put a version number in CV 7

1: CML Electronics Limited
2: Train Technology

11: NCE Corporation
12: Wangrow
13: Public Domain & Do-It-Yourself Decoders
14: PSI - Dynatrol / Lahti Associates
15: Ramfixx Technologies (Wangrow)

17: Advanced IC Engineering, Inc.
18: JMRI
19: AMW
20: T4T - Technology for Trains GmbH
21: Kreischer Datentechnik
22: KAM Industries
23: S Helper Service
24: MoBaTron.de
25: Team Digital, LLC
26: MBTronik - PiN GITmBH
27: MTH Electric Trains, Inc.
28: Heljan A/S
29: Mistral Train Models
30: Digsight
31: Brelec
32: Regal Way Co. Ltd
33: Silicon Railway / Praecipuus
34: Aristo-Craft
35: Elektronik & Modell Produktion
36: DCC Concepts
37: NAC Services, Inc.
38: Broadway Limited Imports, LLC
39: Educational Computer, Inc (DCCdevices.com)
40: KATO Precision Models
41: Passmann Modellbahnzubehoer
42: Digirails
43: Ngineering
44: SPROG-DCC
45: ANE Model Co., LTD.
46: GFB Designs
47: Capecom
48: Hornby Hobbies Ltd.
49: Joka Electronic
50: N & Q Electronics
51: DCC Supplies, Ltd
52: Krois-Modell
53: Rautenhaus Digital
54: TCH Technology
55: QElectronics GmbH
56: LDH
57: Rampino Elektronik
58: KRES GmbH
59: Tam Valley Depot
60: Bluecher-Elektronik
61: TrainModules
62: Tams Elektronik GmbH
63: Noarail
64: Digital Bahn
65: Gaugemaster
66: Railnet Solutions, LLC
67: Heller Modenlbahn
68: MAWE Elektronik
69: E-Modell
70: Rocrail
71: New York Byano Limited
72: MTB Model
73: The Electric Railroad Company
74: PpP Digital
75: DigiTools Electronics Servicing and Contractor Ltd.
76: Auvidel
77: LS Models Sprl
78: Tehnologistic (train-O-matic) ROM
79: Hattons Model Railways UK
80: Spectrum Engineering US
81: GooVerModels / HAG Modelleisenbahn

83: JSS-Elektronic DE
84: Railflyer Model Prototypes, Inc.
85: Uhlenbrock Elektronik GmbH
86: Wekomm Engineering, GmbH
87: RR-CirKits
88: HONS Model
89: Pojezdy.EU
90: Shourt Line
91: Railstars Limited
92: Tawcrafts 1011100 0x5C 92 UK
93: Kevtronics cc
94: Electroniscript, Inc.
95: Sanda Kan Industrial (1981) Ltd.
96: PRICOM Design
97: Doehler & Haas
98: Harman DCC
99: Lenz Elektronik GmbH
100: Trenes Digitales
101: Bachmann Trains
102: Integrated Signal Systems
103: Nagasue System Design Office
104: TrainTech
105: Computer Dialysis France
106: Opherline
107: Phoenix Sound Systems, Inc.

109: Viessmann Modellspielwaren GmbH
110: AXJ Electronics
111: Haber & Koenig Electronics GmbH
112: LSdigital
113: QS Industries
114: Benezan Electronics
115: Dietz Modellbahntechnik
116: MyLocoSound
117: cT Elektronik
118: MÜT GmbH
119: Signaling Solution / W. S. Ataras Engineering
120: csikos-muhely
121: ECCO GmbH
122: Berros
123: Massoth Elektronik, GmbH
124:DCC-Gaspar-Electronic
125: ProfiLok Modellbahntechnik GmbH
126: Möllehem Gårdsproduktion
127: Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc.
128:Frateschi Model Trains
129: Digitrax

131: Trix Modelleisenbahn
132: ZTC Controls Ltd.
133: Intelligent Command Control
134: LaisDCC
135: CVP

137: A-Train Electronics Products

139: RealRail Effects

141: Throttle-Up (Soundtraxx)

143: Model Rectifier Corp.

145: Zimo Elektronik

147: Umelec Ing. Buero

149: Rock Junction Controls

151: Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH & Co KG (ESU)

153: Train Control Systems

155: Gebr. Fleischmann GmbH & Co.

157: Kuehn Ing.

159: LGB (Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk)

161: Modelleisenbahn GmbH (formerly Roco)

163: WP Railshops

165: Model Electronic Railway Group (MERG)

170: AuroTrains

173: Arnold - Rivarossi

186: BRAWA Modellspielwaren GmbH & Co.

204: Con-Com GmBH

225: Elproma Electronics Poland

238: NMRA reserved

Sub-Pages

Click the links below to go "deeper" into details on individual DCC systems by manufacturer