Best Standalone DCC Programmer?

[drgw0579]

My Sprog 2 has apparently programmed it's last locomotive.   Looking for recommendations for a replacement for my work bench based programming system using Decoder Pro.

I could go with a new Sprog.  I don't really need to runs trains with it, but maybe it would be nice to be able to speed match at the workbench.

I have some DCC-EX parts laying around and I could build up one of these specifically for programming.  Are folks happy using its programming track capabilities? 

I don't try to standardize on any one type of decoder.   But most new locos will have a sound decoder, which means a lot of LokSound.  Some Tsunami.

Bill Kepner

[rodsup9000]

 With the different array of decoders, I use the sprog 3 and lok programmer for my programing.I use decoder pro for everything except the lok decoders.

[Sumner]

I started into DCC by building Greg's DCC++ command station and did have problems at times programing with it and JMRI.  Then DCC-EX came along and I switched to it still using DecoderPro.  Hardly ever a problem now and the ones I did have ended up being resolved by cleaning the programming track. 

If one does have a problem (308 or other) with a decoder they have a number of things you can do to help overcome programing problems...

    <D ACK ON> - Turn on Loco acknowledgement diagnostics

    <D ACK LIMIT mA> - Override ACK processing mA pulse size

    <D ACK MIN µS> - Override ACK processing minimum pulse width

    <D ACK MAX µS> - Override ACK processing max pulse width

    <D PROGBOOST> - Override 250mA prog track limit while idle.

found here....

https://dcc-ex.com/reference/tools/diagnostic-d-ack-command.html#gsc.tab=0

Also worst case you can created a log and send it to the team on their Discord channel for help....

https://discord.com/invite/PuPnNMp8Qf

I'd build that command station...you might end up using it for your layout like I do.  They now have an unbelievable number of add-ons that most commercial command stations don't have. 

Since I'm adding more sound decoders I did buy the LokProgrammer and love it but even with those locos use DecoderPro a lot.

Sumner