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

Well then I hope you get your order and can reap it's benefits. 

Choob99,

No worries - it's a bonafide site.

CreateSpace is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com. The site is a "print on demand" publisher. When you place an order, a copy of the book is printed and shipped directly to you.

All of the print copies of all 3 editions of the book have always been printed by CreateSpace. OGR simply sends a prospective buyer there via a link on the OGR server and the actual transaction is handled completely by CreateSpace. I get a royalty payment at the end of each month.

Thanks for purchasing The DCS Companion!

What if you already have purchased the 1st edition?

I just ordered the latest one

Terry,

Thanks!  

Is there any credit since I own the 1st?

Is there any credit since I own the 1st?

Unfortunately, there is not.

Maybe I'm mistaken, and forgive me if I am, but I recall if you purchased the 1st Edition you were able to download and upgrade to the 2nd Edition by clicking on your link and entering your password.

I recall if you purchased the 1st Edition you were able to download and upgrade to the 2nd Edition by clicking on your link and entering your password.

Not exactly.

What is available at no additional charge is to download an updated copy of the same edition that you purchased. Obviously, this only applies to the Ebook version of each edition.

The first two editions each had 2 free updates over their lifetime. The 3rd edition, thus far, has had 1 free update.

Ok. I remember an update of sorts, and taking advantage of that. It's been awhile honestly do not remember the details. 

I guess 3rd is in the future for me.

Thanks

Again, (I've posted this long ago in praise of Barry's book) I repeat by paraphrasing General Patton's comment about Rommel in the movie "Patton".....

Broskowitz...you magnificent bast@$%.....I read your book!!!

Joe

LOL!!  

rtr12 posted:

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.

That would be my advice, as well, and it is what I have done myself. I've had excellent success with DCS, but from time to time have had questions about things and I have invariably found the answers in Barry's book. I am a fan of the printed version because...well...just because I like to have printed reference materials close at hand.

Being a graphic artist, and pretty much fed up with Adobe and Apple upgrading every time you blink, I'm a firm believer in, if it's not broke, don't fix it. If there are innovative improvements, awesome! Don't get me wrong, I love the new technology and DCS helped me drift from Lionel postwar, and I'm ever so glad I did. DCS got me back into trains. When I heard the sounds, the smoke and capability, I was hooked. Never looked back, although in the very beginning of DCS I had major issues. I brought the system back twice, DID NOT WORK AS ADVERTISED! On a circle of O54 track. I tried every suggestion thinking I screwed up somewhere. Actually I didn't, the systems were defective and third time was the charm.

I believe I've upgraded to DCS Version 4.2. Have had minimal problems running and I'm satisfied, for now. My question is, where does DCS Companion 3rd edition start. I don't own any 3.0 engines and may not for awhile, if at all. Have there been many revelations worth understanding and exploring? Does it cover running with Legacy, more intimately?

By the way, I do have Legacy also running with DCS on my layout, and for the most part they run well together. I have found though, and recently read here, that some Legacy engines interfere with the DCS signal which explains some of my compatibility issues. On separate loops, all is fine, I move an MTH engine into the same loop as a Legacy engine, I loose control of the DCS engine. I haven't explored all possible scenarios, since when I run trains, I just want to unwind and enjoy. I built my layout about 15 or so years ago when I first invested in DCS. The layout is 24' x 14' with 2 simple loops and a separate, third reverse loose, and half a dozen sidings with a small yard. I haven't revised it since but hope to soon and will start with some of the wiring.

What I would like to add is a turntable, roundhouse and a larger yard but haven't, with the fear of signal issues. Does the DCS Companion 3rd edition offer help there?

Thank you,

Joe

This book is simply a must.  Open the wallet and get it.  Simple.

John

Once ordered from Createspace how long should it take to receive my copy?

Thanks,

Bill

Been awhile since I ordered mine, but if memory serves it seems like it didn't take any longer than any other regular (non-expedited) shipments.

I got both the digital and print copies. The print copy I keep by the layout for general reference when needed. The digital copy lets me print out key pages and put in sheet protectors by the layout for ready reference without having to hunt them down. It also allows quick searching for specific topics when viewing from the PC.

Stephen G posted:

Has it been updated since 2017?

No, and since Barry passed away a few months ago, the likelihood of further updates is fairly remote.

He may have been working on them, but I don't know about any possibility of ever seeing any potential updates.

The Third Edition was the last and final edition that Barry published before he passed.

I have taken the DCS plunge.  This weekend I bought a MTH TIU and WiFi unit.  Anticipating taking the plunge, I asked for the DCS companion book for my birthday (which is this week).  A saw a package shaped like a book arrive, so I fully expect to be reading the DCS companion book soon.  That said, while shopping for the book, I saw another book on the Wi-Fi unit.  My question for those in the know is... with what I purchased (TIU and Wi-Fi units) should I buy the Wi-Fi book in addition to the DCS companion, or does the DCS companion cover the information in the Wi-Fi book?

Thanks in advance for your help.

They are 2 separate books. The DCS Companion is mainly for users with a TIU and Remote.  The DCS Wifi Companion is mainly for users with a TIU and Wifi app.  When I got the advanced app, I also got the Wifi book. However, I'm still using the remote and haven't actually read the Wifi book, only thumbed through it a time or two when I got it.  It's probably a good idea to have them both, then you have the info on either method of DCS operation.

Wally W posted:

I have taken the DCS plunge.  This weekend I bought a MTH TIU and WiFi unit.  Anticipating taking the plunge, I asked for the DCS companion book for my birthday (which is this week).  A saw a package shaped like a book arrive, so I fully expect to be reading the DCS companion book soon.  That said, while shopping for the book, I saw another book on the Wi-Fi unit.  My question for those in the know is... with what I purchased (TIU and Wi-Fi units) should I buy the Wi-Fi book in addition to the DCS companion, or does the DCS companion cover the information in the Wi-Fi book?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Wally: There is a learning curve to the DCS System & MTH Wi-Fi 

I hope you are taking the DCS plunge with an authorized MTH DCS Dealer. It is their responsibility to get your layout up and running

These dealers want you to be successful because they want to sell you more trains. This is what worked for myself. I also have about 8 videos on my YT channel that show how to set up and run MTH trains with DCS & Wi-Fi. There are many other YT channels out there with tutorials on these systems.

On the back of every MTH Catalog they ask their customers to work with your local M,T.H. Retailer.

Hope this helps: Gary

Gary

Thank you for the response.  You are darn right there is a learning curve.  After a night with trying to get the system to work, I am about to throw the darn thing out.  LOL  I did get the system from an authorized MTH dealer.  That said, it should not be this hard.  My son and I were working on trying to get the system set up, the past two days.  Yesterday when we came to the layout to continue to work, it was like we took a giant leap backwards and the TIU would not even provide power to the output side.  After scouring the electronic manuals, I could not find anything that addresses this situation.  UGH!  I am going to look at it again tonight and post something on here with more info to see if I can get some help.  Right now, I am ready to box the darn thing up and scrap the idea of setting up DCS on the layout.  While I am not a newbie, this system seems complicated at a level that is beyond my pay grade.  Beyond that, I was hoping that setting DCS up would be a project my teenaged son could grasp and drive.  Last night his/our frustration drove him to tears.  :-(   

Thanks for your thoughts...  Contacting the seller is a good idea.  BTW, I will check out your YouTube page.  My son says he knows you from YouTube and really likes the videos on your YouTube channel.  He was all fired up when I showed him the thread from OGR about our K-Zoo trip and he saw that you posted on it.  :-)