Any DCC decoders to avoid?

[Roger O]

I’ve used TCS decoders a lot and have always found them very good, although I did try Lais decoders because they were very cheap at the time and found they were very good also, I never had a problem with them. The one I didn’t like were the Hornby one they were a nightmare with the wires continually breaking off, in the end I replaced them all. We all have our own favourites.

[Brian]

My recommendation its to always obtain the best decoder you can afford once ensuring it will fit and is of the correct pin type.
My personal choice is for a Lenz Standard as the minimum and any from the Zimo range.
I work on the principle of "You buy cheap you buy twice"! Plus more upmarket decoders offer more opportunity to fine tune the decoder to the motor via the CVs offered.

[RAF96]

I’ve used TCS decoders a lot and have always found them very good, although I did try Lais decoders because they were very cheap at the time and found they were very good also, I never had a problem with them..... We all have our own favourites.

Hardly surprising seeing as TCS said years ago that LiaisDCC were knock offs of their decoders and were taking legal action against them. Didn’t seem to rein them in though, now they have a knock off ESU decoder test rig even down to the tie-wrap motor strap.

[bulleidboy]

Do the TCS decoders still have a lifetime guarantee? They have recently introduced the DP2X-UK-KAC - this is the plug n play decoder, but pre-wired with a socket for a "stay-alive" power source to be connected - could be useful.

[BromsMods]

As far as I am aware (and I have some very old documentation) TCS never offered a lifetime warranty/guarantee.

The current TCS warranty states that Decoders, Motherboards, and Keep Alive® are covered under a ONE YEAR “goof-proof” warranty which covers manufacturer defects, burns, shorts, physical damage, and operator error. The decoder will be repaired or replaced within one year of manufacturing even if the operator accidentally damages it. There are some strict rules about how warranty claims should be made - details of these rules are on the TCS website.

[nigelwright7557]

Hattons own brand are as good as any for basic functionality and reasonably priced

I bought a Hornby decoder from them and it didnt work.
They did refund me without any hassle though.
Maybe just unlucky ?

In the end I just bought a loco with DCC fitted.

[Paul-H]

I’ve used TCS decoders a lot and have always found them very good, although I did try Lais decoders because they were very cheap at the time and found they were very good also, I never had a problem with them..... We all have our own favourites.

Hardly surprising seeing as TCS said years ago that LiaisDCC were knock offs of their decoders and were taking legal action against them. Didn’t seem to rein them in though, now they have a knock off ESU decoder test rig even down to the tie-wrap motor strap.

Mind you its under £25 so alleged knockoff or not might still be worth getting, if you have not already got an ESU or Zimo version already. personally I have the ESU version.

Remember if something is not protected by Patent a similar item is not technically a knockoff, things designed to do the same job often do look similar to everything else, just look at modern cars.

[RAF96]

I suppose when you invent wheels they all tend to come out round.

[IanS]

In the end I just bought a loco with DCC fitted.

After a few unsuccessful attempts at fitting DCC to old locos and some DCC ready ones (unable to remove bodies without surgery being needed to repair breakages) I now buy DCC fitted, often with sound.

[darkscot]

After a few unsuccessful attempts at fitting DCC to old locos and some DCC ready ones (unable to remove bodies without surgery being needed to repair breakages) I now buy DCC fitted, often with sound.

I am with you on this! I recently broke a lovely Bachman Fairburn 264T doing what should have been an easy 8 pin plug-in decoder fit. However, I noticed some dealers (RofSheff I think?) will not fit decoders to certain locos due to the risk of damage.