Digitrax Advanced Throttles
To clarify the differences between the various throttles, I have put together a table that summarizes their features. In some cases, the information below conflicts with what is on Digitrax's own specification sheets from their web site. In such cases, this is because I have determined the values in the table from direct observation.
This table is not intended to describe the specific features in detail-- it is a comparison table, not advertising material or user instructions.
An "advanced" throttle is any Digitrax throttle that has the ability to make up and break down consists, control stationary decoders and program decoders.
Digitrax "utility" throttles are described on a page of their own.
DCS50 Zephyr1 |
DCS51 Zephyr Xtra1 |
DCS52 Zephyr Express1 |
DT100 | DT200 | DT300 | DT400 | DT402 | DT500 | DT602 | |
Manufactured | 2006- 2010 |
2010-2019 | 2019- | 1996- 2000 |
1994- 1998 |
2000- 2005 |
2006- 2009 |
2009- 2016 |
2016- 2020 |
2020- |
Can Act As a Command Station | ![]() |
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- | - | - | - | - |
Native 2-Digit/4-Digit Addressing3 | 2/4 | 2/4 | 2/4 | 2/4 | 2 | 2/4 | 2/4 | 2/4 | 2/4 | 2/4 |
Number of Functions Supported4 | 135 | 29 | 29 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
"Playable" or "Quillable" F2/Whistle Key20 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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- |
Full Numeric Keypad | ![]() |
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- | - | - | ![]() |
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Full Numeric Keypad | ![]() |
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- | - | - | ![]() |
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Context-Sensitive Soft Keys | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Monochrome LCD display | - | - | - | ![]() |
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- |
Color Multi-line LCD display | - | - | ![]() |
- | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
DCS50 | DCS51 | DCS52 | DT100 | DT200 | DT300 | DT400 | DT402 | DT500 | DT602 | |
Permanently-Attached Loconet cable | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Infrared Wireless Capability | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Simplex Radio Capability Available (R)7 | - | - | - | ![]() |
- | ![]() |
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- | - |
Duplex Radio Capability Available (D) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Duplex ID and Channel Scanning | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Edit System Duplex settings | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Build/Break Down Consists | ![]() |
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Program Decoders | ![]() |
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Highest Directly-Programmable CV Number | 2558 | 2558 | 1024 | 255 | 255 | 255 | 255 | 1024 | 1024 | 1024 |
Full Decimal Numeric Operations9 | ![]() |
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- | - | ![]() |
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Advanced Accessory Decoder Route Setup Capability | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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DCS50 | DCS51 | DCS52 | DT100 | DT200 | DT300 | DT400 | DT402 | DT500 | DT602 | |
Descriptive Prompts for Throttle Setup Options10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Full Text Menu for Throttle Setup Options | - | - | ![]() |
- | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Help Screens | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Fast Clock Display | - | - | - | ![]() |
- | ![]() |
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Recall Stack Size | - | - | - | - | - | 4/8/16 | 4/8/16 | 4/8/16 | 4/8/16 | 10 |
Throttle Knobs | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Stationary Decoder Control | ![]() |
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Highest Stationary Decoder Address | 999 | 999 | 2048 | 999 | 127 | 999 | 999 | 999 | 2048 | 2048 |
Cab Signals11 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Transponding Find Function | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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DCS50 | DCS51 | DCS52 | DT100 | DT200 | DT300 | DT400 | DT402 | DT500 | DT602 | |
Track Power On/Off | ![]() |
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Throttle Power On/Off Switch | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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View Detection Section Status ("Input Mode")12 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Flashlight | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Downloadable Firmware Updates | - | ![]() |
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- | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Slot Zeroing/Soft Clear13 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Device Query14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Prompt for Multiple Throttles Controlling Same Loco15 | ![]() |
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Supports Expanded Slots Mode (more than 120 throttles)16 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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"StealZap"/Prevent Multiple Throttles Controlling Same Loco17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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DCS50 | DCS51 | DCS52 | DT100 | DT200 | DT300 | DT400 | DT402 | DT500 | DT602 | |
Changeable LocoNet Throttle ID18 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Supports 2-digit Address Aliasing19 | - | - | - | ![]() |
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- | - | - | - | - |
Battery Type | - | - | - | 9V | 9V | 9V | 9V | 9V | 9V | 3xAA |
Can Use Optional BP600MH Rechargeable Battery Pack | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Advanced Accessory Decoder Route Setup Capability | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
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DCS50 | DCS51 | DCS52 | DT100 | DT200 | DT300 | DT400 | DT402 | DT500 | DT602 |
Notes
--Fritz Milhaupt, Dec. 2022
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