jonnyspeed posted:NotInWI posted:I have no experience in DCS, I don't think I would buy the Full DCS system unless MTH really starts pumping out product I like. Can I run an ABA with the cheaper DCS lite system???
Ben
Bingo. That's exactly what I told Andy E. about 3 years ago. I said I don't think people in S are going to jump to their DCS system until MTH puts out enough product to convince them. Andy seemed to think once the F units came out that people would jump onboard. I guess we will see.
DCS is a good system. Not great, but good. It provides a lot of flexibility and is very easy to use compared to DCC. Consisting multiple engines is simple in DCS, not so much in DCC. However, you are locked into the proprietary DCS system. You have limited ability to change sounds (very few people do) where DCC makes this a common practice. Slow speed operation is not as smooth or as low in DCS as good DCC decoders can achieve. The DCS system does have the Wi-Fi capability now which is nice, but that can be done in DCC (albeit more difficult) as well.
Basically DCS is more user friendly and cheaper, but less capable and expandable. If you are aren't going all in on DCC then I recommend DCS or DCS commander at least. You can run them on AC or DC, but the extra functions and capabilities are worth the investment IMHO.
Jonathan
Regarding low speed operation, I think we should wait to see how the smaller S gauge DCS locomotives perform. S gauge is about 1/4 the mass of O gauge. Some MTH HO guys could give us some insight, if there are any.
