Model Railway Forum

Paul-H wrote: ↑Fri Dec 25, 2020 9:25 am

RAF96 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 30, 2020 2:58 pm

Roger O wrote: ↑Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:11 am 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.

Of course Lais decoders were cheap - they were rip-offs and therefore had no development costs. As I understand it Lais were supplying a well known Australian company at the time and TCS had to spend tens of thousands of $ to protect their intellectual rights against a product which was clearly a direct copy.

Whilst some cars, like some decoders, might look similar from the outside what is contained within them is usually considerably different - don't be fooled by appearances! Sometimes a simplistic purchasing approach where price overrides other considerations does not provide the purchaser with a quality product.

Have you looked at TCS prices recently? The DP2X-UK is now £20 and their 6 and 8 function 21-pin decoders are also £20. Basic T1 is a lot less than £20.

Have you looked at TCS prices recently? The DP2X-UK is now £20 and their 6 and 8 function 21-pin decoders are also £20. Basic T1 is a lot less than £20.

Where did you see that? I can never find the UK site - all prices shown in $'s.

Mod edit Malformed quote fixed. Rog.

bulleidboy wrote: ↑Sun Dec 27, 2020 12:08 pm Where did you see that? I can never find the UK site - all prices shown in $'s.

You have to register on the site to get the prices in GBP.

bulleidboy wrote: ↑Sun Dec 27, 2020 12:08 pm

Have you looked at TCS prices recently? The DP2X-UK is now £20 and their 6 and 8 function 21-pin decoders are also £20. Basic T1 is a lot less than £20.

Where did you see that? I can never find the UK site - all prices shown in $'s.

Mod edit Malformed quote fixed. Rog.

Go to https://tcsdcc.com/Zen/

If you haven't registered you need to do so. Once you have completed the registration process make sure you log in from the start again and if you have registered with a UK address you will find the prices in £. Then you can order online. Alternatively you can phone the UK number at the bottom of the TCS home page (https://tcsdcc.com/) and order directly (after 3rd Jan).

Many thanks darkscot and BromsMods - Have now registered - all ok. BB