Manufacturer: Digitrax
Scale: HO, TT, N, and Z scale
MSRP: $179.99
Available: Now
Features
- All-in-one DCS50 throttle/command station/booster unit
- 2.5 amps of power to run trains
- Controls up to 10 locomotives simultaneously
- Will support up to 10 throttles connected
- Two patented "jump ports" allow DC power packs to be used as throttles
- Two digit and four digit addressing for over 9000 locomotive addresses available
- Supports up to 999 stationary decoders for turnouts and accessories
- Digitrax LocoNet component networking
Evaluation
Unless you are building a huge layout this may well be all the
DCC system that you will need. The 2.5 amp power output will probably limit you to less than the unit's maximum of ten locomotives running simultaneously, but unless you are actually running more than five or six locomotives at the same time the Zephyr should be sufficient. While at the time of this writing the Zephyr is the most powerful all-in-one unit in it's price range, and I am very happy with mine, this system may not be for you. The Zephyr won three awards for its innovative features, but that was back in 2002. Time hasn't stood still, but unfortunately the Zephyr has.
Expansion
The Digitrax Zephyr is extremely expandable, due to the power of LocoNet, the Digitrax proprietary network for connecting their DCC components. With LocoNet you can add throttles to your Zephyr. If at a later time you need a more powerful command station and booster, the Zephyr can become an auto-reversing booster for your reverse loop sections. So your investment retains its value.Lack of User Interface
The weakness of the Zephyr lies in its lack of a user-friendly interface. I've been a computer professional for over 30 years, so I have no problem with using the Zephyr. But it has only a numeric display and a few status LEDs. This makes operations very reference-manual intensive. While newer all-in-one units in the same price range may not be as powerful, they feature LCD panels and menu-driven interfaces instead of seven-segment displays and completely numeric operations. I personally also don't care for the little round buttons on the keypad. Today I think nearly everyone would be more comfortable with the little rectangular buttons used on cell phones. The fact that the Zephyr's user interface hasn't been improved in six years makes it difficult to recommend it to non-computer people.
