Starter set
DCCWiki, a community DCC encyclopedia.
Starter sets are sets packaged by DCC command station and cab manufacturers to provide most or all of what a new user needs to get started with DCC.
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[edit] Starter set
A starter set provides most or all of what a new user needs to get started with DCC. At a minimum, a starter set contains a command station, cab, and booster. A starter set may also contain a power supply, and sometimes also contains a decoder or decoders or a decoder equipped engine.
Starter sets usually fall into two categories, entry level or advanced.
[edit] Entry level starter set
Entry level starter sets are usually designed to sell at a price point that will be attractive to a beginning user. Currently in the US that means a suggested retail of under $300. Entry level sets will often have limited capabilities, such as the ability to control a limited number of trains as compared to a manufacturer's more fully featured command station. They will also usually have limited expandability, such as a limited number of cabs as compared to the manufacturer's advanced equipment.
These sets will often combine the functions of cab, command station, and booster into a single unit. This is analogous to a table top audio system that combines the receiver and speakers into a single package, rather than having separate tuner, amplifier and speakers.
These sets are also more likely to provide a power supply as part of the package.
Some early generation entry level starter sets had severe limitations, such as restricting decoder addresses to the older two-digit standard, or even a more restricted range. They may also have limits on what functions may be controlled on a decoder. These limited the usability of these systems, for example a friend's engine may not be able to be run due to an inability of the command station to address it. Most modern starter sets provide full functionality as to addressing and function control.
[edit] Examples of entry level starter sets
[edit] Advanced starter set
Advanced starter sets provide a convenient way for a user to get a start on configuring an advanced DCC system. They will usually consist of a fully featured command station, a dispatcher's cab, and a booster. Power supplies will often not be provided and must be purchased separately.
These sets are generally designed for expansion in mind, and usually can control a large number of locomotives and accessory decoders and a large number of cabs. The command station, cab and booster will usually be separate components. They will also usually have a computer interface, and may be designed to work with infra-red or radio cabs.
