Buying a Used DCS- What to Look for/Know?

jpcanton,

    Here is my opinion, unless you can get the used full L Rev DCS for a real cheap price, I would purchase a new one from an authorized dealer, and get the warranty.  Also if I ever did purchase a used one, it would be form one of the Tech here on the OGR forum, if you are still going to by the used DCS TIU & Hand Held remote control from your friend, test run it on his layout, and make sure everything works correctly.

PCRR/Dave 

Look for a Rev L TIU. The TIU and remote firmware is user upgradeable so you can upgrade that yourself whenever a new release is issued. The hardware can't really be upgraded (as in the Rev L TIU).

I completely agree with Dave (Pine Creek Railroad).

IMO it really depends on the price and how risk adverse you are.  While it's possible to get a clinker buying used, that would apply as much or more to used locomotives, and for some reason we do that all the time.

I've bought a few TIU's, all but one were used.  They all worked properly and I spent half or less than I would have buying new.

I have to disagree that buying used is a bad idea, you just have to understand what you're buying.

 If your friend could hook it up & check it out   the read.... ,Is there remote/tiu communications? and second part ... test each channel 's track signal. Avoid an I3a with no silver dot.    If he can't check it out , I'd buy new.

what's the issue about the 13A tiu verses h or g or I version?

Alan

I have and continue to use used DCS equipment. I have upgraded the software in everything with usually no issues. The issues that I did have were my doing. I have only had one TIU that I tested for a friend that had a dead channel and this was an early unit with no fuses on the motherboard.

Now, with that said DCS is secondary to me since I run Legacy/TMCC but it has gotten more of my attention since MTH does tinplate with DCS. I am also pretty computer fluent so I do not mind playing around and taking a small risk. I agree that stating all used DCS equipment should be ignored puts a $0 value on something that I think is certainly worth more than that.

jp, what "Rev" does the sticker on bottom of TIU say?  I none, it's a Rev G, very old.

As with many things, a low enough price makes it worth a gamble.  Although I have 2 that work, I wouldn't pay more than $10-20 for a Rev G, and then only after a demo.

If it was me id buy new

Alan,

what's the issue about the 13A tiu verses h or g or I version?

Some, but by no means all, I3a's came with low overall sognal strength on all channels. Any that MTH repaired are indicated by a white or silver dot next to the I3a designation on the label on the bottom of the TIU.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

thanks Barry for the info, it's appreciated !

alan

I would also actually prefer new, especially for my only DCS system. However, if a Rev L was priced right, I would certainly give it some serious consideration.

There may be nothing wrong with the older revisions? All I have ever had is a Rev L and I am sold on that version, as it has performed flawlessly for the last 3-4 years. I got it new as the Rev L's had just been released, whenever that was?

There may be nothing wrong with the older revisions?

While there's nothing "wrong" with older TIUs, the Rev. L is functionally and operationally far superior to previous models.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

jp,

   Just make darn sure everything is operational, before you purchase it.

PCRR/Dave

i guess you guys would have a cow buying a dcs on ebay or an auction site.-Jim

eBay is great. I'm not sure why there is so much disdain for buying train items there.

Last month I bought a like new (60 scale miles on the odometer and less than 7 hours run time on the chronometer) MTH PS2 Western Maryland GP40 (20-2758-1) for about $210. It retailed for $400 in 2007.

I just had to reattach a few loose pieces and grease/lube it like I would with any new engine. It runs perfect with my other WM GP40 which I bought new a year ago and paid full retail from a train store in FL.