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 (UK)
2: Train Technology (BE)

11: NCE Corporation (formerly North Coast Engineering) (US)
12: Wangrow Electronics (US)
13: Public Domain & Do-It-Yourself Decoders (--)
14: PSI - Dynatrol / Lahti Associates (US)
15: Ramfixx Technologies (Wangrow) (CA/US)

17: Advanced IC Engineering, Inc. (US)
18: JMRI (US)
19: AMW (AT)
20: T4T - Technology for Trains GmbH (DE)
21: Kreischer Datentechnik (DE)
22: KAM Industries (US)
23: S Helper Service (US)
24: MoBaTron.de (DE)
25: Team Digital, LLC (US)
26: MBTronik - PiN GITmBH (DE)
27: MTH Electric Trains, Inc. (US)
28: Heljan A/S (DK)
29: Mistral Train Models (BE)
30: Digsight (CN)
31: Brelec (BE)
32: Regal Way Co. Ltd (HKG)
33: Praecipuus (Silicon Railway) (CA)
34: Aristo-Craft (US)
35: Elektronik & Modell Produktion (SE)
36: DCC Concepts (AU)
37: NAC Services, Inc. (US)
38: Broadway Limited Imports, LLC (US)
39: Educational Computer, Inc (DCCdevices.com) (US)
40: KATO Precision Models (JP)
41: Passmann Modellbahnzubehoer (DE)
42: Digikeijs (NL)
43: Ngineering (US)
44: SPROG-DCC (UK)
45: ANE Model Co., LTD. (TWN)
46: GFB Designs (UK)
47: Capecom (AU)
48: Hornby Hobbies Ltd. (UK)
49: Joka Electronic (DE)
50: N&Q Electronics (ESP)
51: DCC Supplies, Ltd (UK)
52: Krois-Modell (AT)
53: Rautenhaus Digital Vertrieb (DE)
54: TCH Technology (US)
55: QElectronics GmbH (DE)
56: LDH (ARG)
57: Rampino Elektronik (DE)
58: KRES GmbH (DE)
59: Tam Valley Depot (US)
60: Bluecher-Elektronik (DE)
61: TrainModules (HUN)
62: Tams Elektronik GmbH (DE)
63: Noarail (AUS)
64: Digital Bahn (DE)
65: Gaugemaster (UK)
66: Railnet Solutions, LLC (US)
67: Heller Modenlbahn (DE)
68: MAWE Elektronik (CH)
69: E-Modell (DE)
70: Rocrail (DE)
71: New York Byano Limited (HK)
72: MTB Model (CZE)
73: The Electric Railroad Company (US)
74: PpP Digital (ESP)
75: DigiTools Electronics Servicing and Contractor Ltd. (HUN)
76: Auvidel (DE)
77: LS Models Sprl (BEL)
78: Tehnologistic (train-O-matic) (ROM)
79: Hattons Model Railways (UK)
80: Spectrum Engineering (US)
81: GooVerModels / HAG Modelleisenbahn (BEL)
82: HAG Modelleisenbahn AG (CHE)
83: JSS-Elektronic (DE)
84: Railflyer Model Prototypes, Inc. (CAN)
85: Uhlenbrock Elektronik GmbH (DE)
86: Wekomm Engineering, GmbH (DE)
87: RR-CirKits (US)
88: HONS Model (HKG)
89: Pojezdy.EU (CZE)
90: Shourt Line (US)
91: Railstars Limited (US)
92: Tawcrafts (UK)
93: Kevtronics cc (ZAF)
94: Electroniscript, Inc. (US)
95: Sanda Kan Industrial (1981) Ltd. (HKG)
96: PRICOM Design (US)
97: Doehler & Haas (DE)
98: Harman DCC (UK)
99: Lenz Elektronik GmbH (DE)
100: Trenes Digitales (ARG)
101: Bachmann Trains (US)
102: Integrated Signal Systems (US)
103: Nagasue System Design Office (JP)
104: TrainTech (NL)
105: Computer Dialysis France (FR)
106: Opherline1 (FR)
107: Phoenix Sound Systems, Inc. (US)
108: Nagoden (JP)
109: Viessmann Modellspielwaren GmbH (DE)
110: AXJ Electronics (CHN)
111: Haber & Koenig Electronics GmbH (AT)
112: LSdigital (DE)
113: QS Industries (QSI) (US)
114: Benezan Electronics (ESP)
115: Dietz Modellbahntechnik (DE)
116: MyLocoSound (AUS)
117: cT Elektronik (AT)
118: MÜT GmbH (DE)
119:W. S. Ataras Engineering / Signaling Solution (US)
120: csikos-muhely (HUN)
121: ECCO GmbH ( maybe defunct)
122: Berros (NL)
123: Massoth Elektronik, GmbH (DE)
124:DCC-Gaspar-Electronic (HUN)
125: ProfiLok Modellbahntechnik GmbH (DE)
126: Möllehem Gårdsproduktion (SE)
127: Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc. (US)
128:Frateschi Model Trains (BRA)
129: Digitrax (US)
130: cmOS Engineering (AUS)
131: Trix Modelleisenbahn (DE)
132: ZTC Controls Ltd. (UK)
133: Intelligent Command Control (US)
134: LaisDCC (CHN)
135: CVP Products (US)
136: NYRS (US)
137: A-Train Electronics Products (maybe defunct)
138: Train ID Systems (US)
139: RealRail Effects (US)
140: Desktop Station (JP)
141: Throttle-Up (Soundtraxx) (US)
142: SLOMO Railroad Models (JP)
143: Model Rectifier Corp. (US)
144: DCC Train Automation (UK)
145: Zimo Elektronik (AT)
146: Rails Erop Express (FR)
147: Umelec Ing. Buero (CH)
148: BLOCKsignalling (UK)
149: Rock Junction Controls (US)
150: Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. (US)
151: Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH & Co KG (ESU) (DE)
152: Digi-CZ (CZE)
153: Train Control Systems (US)
154: Dapol Limited (UK)
155: Gebr. Fleischmann GmbH & Co. (DE)
156: Nucky (JP)
157: Kuehn Ing. (DE)
158: Fucik (CZE)
159: LGB (Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk) (DE)
160: MD Electronics (DE)
161: Modelleisenbahn GmbH (formerly Roco) (AT)
162: PIKO (DE)
163: WP Railshops (CA)
164: drM (TWN)
165: Model Electronic Railway Group (MERG) (UK)
166: Maison de DCC (JP)
167: Helvest Systems GmbH (CH)
168: Model Train Technology (US)
169: AE Electronic Ltd.  (CHN)
170: AuroTrains (US/IT)

173: Arnold - Rivarossi (DE)

186: BRAWA Modellspielwaren GmbH & Co. (DE)

204: Con-Com GmBH (AT)

225: Blue Digital (POL)

238: NMRA Reserved (for extended ID #'s) (US)

Sub-Pages

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