What's the Big Deal About The DCS O Gauge Companion?

Get the DCS O Gauge Companion (aka 'Barry's Book' around here). Get the printed copy. Read it from cover to cover (more than once if you wish). Place it near your DCS command center for easy reference thereafter. You will then understand the entire DCS system, it's wiring and it's operation to the fullest extent possible. This will be the best investment you make in your DCS system, next to purchasing the system itself.

Barry's book is the source he has taken the system and gone above and beyond what MTH has provided in the basic instructional manuals and beta tested the system on his own RR giving insights on ways to run a RR in the command environment to give all of us the best experience to run our RR's. And we should also thank folks like Marty Fitzhenry as well!

Don't ask silly questions. Buy the book.

Serious the DCS manual is full of holes that Barry's book addresses with real world knowledge and know how. A small investment for a lot of knowledge.

Buy the book. You will not be disappointed. 

It has saved us more than once, (especially at 1AM with company!) with DCS issues.

Great reference, instruction and guide book that anyone running DCS should buy and review as needed.   Thanks Barry.   Joe

 It's like the difference between a car's owner's manual and a Chilton's guide.

 The DCS manual shows you the buttons. The DCS Companion, helps you use them fully.

I guess if you were just running a small loop and didn't need all the features, you may not understand. As your layout grows, and you need to explore all the benefits, the Companion will be a trusty guide threw it all.

 I've been following this forum for years and look at all these posts. I still go back to the Companion when I add new stuff. There's just too much to remember.

Engineer-Joe makes a really good analogy.  There is no comparison between the DCS user guide and Barry's DCS Companion Book.  

 

Just buy the book and save yourself a lot of trouble and questions.  Unlike many other how-to books that seem to have more useless filler info than useful info the DCS Companion is packed with good info beginning to end. You won't be sorry?

 

I bought the book a few years ago and every time I lookup something I find something else I didn't know DCS could do.

 

Ed

A great tool in the DCS world.

Barry's book is fantastic....I use it all the time.

 

Peter

Read it from cover to cover (more than once if you wish).

I never could.  For one thing, I wouldn't remember everything. For another, there are subjects about which I have no interest. But, it is a complete reference manual.  I have both the printed and Acrobat versions; the latter has the advantage of being word searchable.

 

It is not necessary to buy it to set up and enjoy DCS.  If you're setting up a simple loop for smaller kids, and yourself have no interest in trains or their operation, probably not needed.  But if you have any interest in going beyond the basics, or conclude that the kids would benefit from knowing more about the control system they're using, it's worth the price.

 

I agree with Engr Joe's analogy. (Actually, I never liked the Chilton's manuals.  I preferred the car makers Shop Manual that had more detail.)

Barry, and the DCS User's Manual he has written, helped me immensely. Without Barry's explanations and Marty Fitzhenry's hands on help, I would have gotten nowhere.

 

Scrapiron Scher

Thanks for all of the kind words - they're appreciated!

Good morning and happy Labor Day everyone!!!!!

 

Although I do not have many issues with the DCS system on my layout when something out of the ordinary does shows up I reach for Barry's DCS Manual.

 

What I like about this manual is the fact it is written in simple terms that you can understand without being an electrical expert or engineer.

 

Great job Barry, and thank you !!!!!!

Barry's book is the DCS bible!

Gentlemen,

    Anyone asking this kind of question has not set up many DCS/Legacy controlled layouts.  Most all experienced DCS runners can tell you that Barry's detailed engineering instruction has no equal in our hobby.  His technical writing is top shelf, having done lots of it myself for NASA I have commended him in the past very highly for his great technical writing, it's an art in itself.  His attention to detail is top self engineering instruction. The only thing that could improve on his technical writing, is if he would also put his DCS book in video instruction form, for those who need it, a massive undertaking for sure. However Rich Melvin does a great job in the OGR Video Guide to DCS, for the beginner, I can only imagine the job Barry could do, with his own DCS engineering material, in a Video format.  IMO you should own and use both.

PCRR/Dave 

My first favorite book is the Bible.

My second favorite book is the DCS O Gauge Companion.

When I first decided to try DCS after having TMCC I went and got Barry's book. Several people I know ended up going to DCS after I recommended Barry's book and I think that is the only guide we have read. My friends would have not purchased a DCS or even thought about it without this book.

That's an interesting twist, Jeff.  I was thinking that the posts that say you must buy a book, etc., would scare off people who know little about trains and electronics, like those who want a simple layout for the kids.  I guess it cuts both ways.

NCT -there are times when both books will come in handy getting DCS going. ����������

Will there be a 3rd edition to the book?

Matt,

Will there be a 3rd edition to the book?

Yes!  

Hopefully the author is making good progress on this new 3rd edition. I believe there are folks out there that are ready and willing to order a print copy when it is completed. I personally know of at least one.

Whenever the Third Edition of the Barry Broskowitz Bible of DCS O Gauge Companion comes out, I will buy both the digital and print copies. This manual has paid for itself numerous times with our wiring up the club's layout.

I own the book but Im not gonna lie, Ive asked the question on here before looking in the book

Matt, If you don't have the word search capability of the Acrobat version, it's quicker, and can also get a discussion going.

Barry's Book ! ... As a senior I would discribe it as the old saying .." best thing since sliced bread " ... It is one of those things that come along in life that when you get it, you wounder how you lived with out it !  .. Well written and organised ...I too will buy both the hard copy and the digital version .. and would pay twice the price. I believe the MTH DCS is a major contribution to saving our hobby.Hopeing the Wi Fi will ship soon.. it just keeps getting better and better.  : )

BUY the book.

The book (rel 2) saved me $169.95 cost of a new TIU. I replaced 2 20Amp auto fuses ($1.99) that I did not know were in the TIU.

I'll be buying the Digital version to have on MY MACBookAir.

I've used DCS for over 10 years.  Once I get a USB to RS232 converter, I'll try to upgrade my Ver I3 unit. I'll use an old HP laptop running Vista. 

Thanks Barry once again.

 

To order the DCS Companion 3rd Edition Book from MTH, do the following.

 

1) Call MTH - Either Sales of the Railroaders Club option.

2) The pre-order the print copy is $38.95 before October 20th, 2015.

3) The book will become available, if I remember right, sometime in early

      November 2015.

4) The download copy will be available in November from the MTH online store for

     $14.95.

 

Thank You Again, Mr. Broskowitz for your efforts in creating this priceless publication..

Ditto for me too

As a conventional runner and only around the Christmas holidays I was reluctant to move to DCS  however after having my local hobby shop and OGR Forumites talk me into it I purchased it. and immediately began to run into Trouble getting it to work.  Marty Fitzhenry worked with me and Also suggested Barry's book to which i purchased.  it was night and day within a few minutes of getting the Digital edition of the book i was able to have a temporary layout up and running without problems.  The companion fills in a lot of blanks that the original documentation left blank.  Also I was able to hear the freight sounds on a ps2.0 locomotive that i have never heard since i purchased the set in early 2000 it was incredible.  I want to personally thank Barry for his kindness and generousity in helping all of us out here on the forum and providing this book so that we can enjoy and run MTH's DCS System.    

Also it was Barry's book and me running my layout that convinced a friend of mine to upgrade from Conventional Control to DCS.