Quote from: jdmike on December 13, 2010, 05:40:30 PM
Train Control Systems (TCS) have excellent low cost decoders. I use many of their T1 decoders for basic installs, cost is around $20 from the local hobby shop.  We have had excellent reliability out of them over the digitrax decoders and they are more easily delt with when there is a problem with thier "goof proof" warrenty from TCS.     Mike

I have a T1 in my HHP-8, runs nice,, to me anyway once I played with Cv's.
I like TCS too.
I think of them as a quality mid-priced decoder right now.
And yeah the 'goof-proof' is nice for guys like me.
      Just they are $28.00-30.00 + $5.00 for plug harness @ LHS.
And it was confusing @ TCS site trying to find a Part # for a T1 or whatever with 8-pin plug attached.
I didn't know what all the letters after the number meant, and they kept showing decoders with all these extra functions/wires to solder that i wasn't in the market for.
So that got me off on the search for a modest priced decoder.
Just give me ...   Plug & Play ...  Plug & Play ....
   I thought there has to be a decent quality decoder somewhere out there
with 8-pin harness attached (not 9)
decent CV range (just a wee bit more than start voltage+accel/decel),
Bemf
2-functions (so many loco's just need directional lights) .
   Right now if i want all the 'bells & whistles' and 100 CV's to adjust I'll get a 'DCC Sound on board'.
  I'll get brave later with the soldering iron,
and try some extra lights, sound unit, whatever.

Thanks,,
Howard

Thanks Gentleman,, sounds like the kind of decoder I was looking for.

I was surfing around this weekend.

Oh,,Bachmann & their decoders....Needs to reorganize their price structure/sources.
Decoder 44915- $21.00 (best discount dealer price I saw.
And.....
Digitrax DH123P & DH123P can be had for same price [or less!! ]


Now a 44915- $21.00 (best discount dealer price I saw....
If ordered out of UK is $11.75 (converted discount dealer price in UK _ pn#36-552
-with 44915 even printed on it! 
Check the Backmann UK site out.
FYI_ [old Lenz model according to pundents on UK train forums, not well liked]

UK modelers also have..
36-553 _ 3 function 1A decoder with 8 pin plug, 350ma function output & back EMF
[old ESU Basic chip acording to pundents on UK forums, well liked for a cheap decoder]
Same $11.75 price [ discount dealer price.
{why dosen't backmann offer that one as a nice Bachmann-Budget decoder to us?}

36-554 3 function 2 sided 1A decoder with 21 pin plug and back EMF
$13.16 @ discount dealer price.
[re-badged ESU Basic]
Though I guess 21 pin isn't that big over here(?)

It was amusing, TCS chips are popular over there.
At least the US is exporting something_to someone else_somewhere ! 

Howard

What do you guys use for a reasonable (meaning reasonably inexpensive/ reasonable quality)
2-function decoders for your recently released HO Bachmann steamers?
( I take it all you need is 2-function for directional lights for all the 5-pole Bachmanns steam )

Say something more versatile than the Bachmann decoder.
Just for units you don't need sound for, just need a 'more tune-able' decoder for running
characteristics.

And just to make it more challenging_ is there a 'one decoder fits all ' so I can order on a
'quantity discount' from a dealer. 

Any news on the release date of the
Acela Express 01204 Set?

Thanks for reply.

So after studying my E Z Command literature & this Forum, I have a question.
Say when operating your layout by yourself, could you set your Walk-Around Companion to Address 9 and then Function and just use it for a 'turnout controller'.
While of course be using the Commander to run your trains?
(If you don't accidentally hit the 9 button on the Controller
and mess things up)
I haven't seen anyone mention this in a posting, so I ask If you can do this?

Thanks for answering "Hunt".
Though not what I wanted to hear.
I 'likes' my Unitrack & E Z Command control.
But would like to have DCC turnout control.
My DCC experiences into unknown waters always ends in a puff of smoke..

I'm just parinoid about going with E Z track.. ya hear so many bad things.

Has anyone used the E Z Command Control to operate the Digitrax/Kato DS61K1L and DS61K1R Stationary Decoder made for Kato Unitrack HO Turnouts?
Or if anyone hasn't, what do you 'sages' think? Would there be a DCC compatibility problem
with Bachmann's & Digitrax's?
Thanks in advance..

http://www.digitrax.com/prd_statdec_ds61k1.php