Depending on finances, I’m thinking of converting to DCC sometime next year.
Does anyone have experiance with CVP’s EasyDCC? I’ve used Digitrax, but don’t care for the user interface. From the information, on thier website, I think CVPs interface better, and am interested in it’s easily upgradable software.
Also, want’s a good basic (read inexpensive) fleet decoder? I have 20 Atlas engines to convert to start with. Plus some assorted Athearn and Spectrum units.
Nick
Nick,
Talk to Joe Fugate. He uses CVP EasyDCC on his Siskayou Line layout. Joe also frequents the forum here on a fairly regular basis.
Tom
I use an EasyDCC system at the club to program BLI and other difficult-to-program engines and it always works when others don’t.
A friend uses the wireless EasyDCC on his HO scale home layout and has been pleased with it.
I use CVP’s AirWire900 wireless control system for all of my G-scale engines.
TCS T-1 decoders are a good buy when purchased in lots of 4 or more from places such as Litchfield Station. http://www.litchfieldstation.com
I am a big fan of CVP products. I’ve used their Railcommand for 15 years and have their wireless system. I really like the console design for the master unit (same as Railcommands). While I currently don’t have an EasyDCC system (long story), if I was buying a new system today that is what I would be getting.
I would not get just one type of decoder for them. The NCE D13SR is hard to beat for basic installs (they come in bulk packages), but for an Atlas/Kato I prefer ones that replace the existing circuit board like the NCE DA-SR.
The only real downside I see with Easy-DCC is it is ONLY a DCC system. But that can also been seen as a benefit. It doesn’t try to incorporate a signalling system or anything. The usual reasoning for that though is that is what ‘operators’ want, but there is a technical reason why it isn’t done, as well - the throttle bus is a polled serial system and simply does not have the bandwidth to support block detection and signal control traffic. Other systems don’t have the same limitation.
I still dispute the 'this system is easier than that system" idea. Other than the super-simple (and very limited) Bachmann system, they all work pretty much exactly the saem for normal operation. Press the Loco or Select button, key in a number, hit Enter. Press a number corresponding to the desired function to turn it on and off. Twist the knob to change speed. Programming CVs isn’t all that different either. Select a CV number by pressing the numbers, select a value by pressing the numbers.
As for a ‘generic’ fleet decoder, the NCE D13SRJ is under $12 in a 10 pack from Empire Northern. A very nice decoder, high frequency silent drive and functions that support LEDs for special effects.
–Randy
Maybe, but I believe programming is easier with EasyDCC than some other systems.
I currently have the Railcommand system, but I’m looking to buy the EasyDCC system sometime in the next year (if I can sell my Railcommand system).
Brad
Brad, if you are the least bit interested in programming and want an extremely simple and versatile method make sure your DCC system of choice has a computer interface option and get the Decoder Pro application.
I bought the CVP system with wireless throttles. A friend had one and I liked the feel of it. CVP suggested TCS decoders. I bought them and find that they work fine. They have a goof proof gaurentee and do back their product. I had a faulty decoder and they sent a replacement right away. 6 days from Philly to north of Toronto Canada is as good as it gets.
CVP is helpful, all it takes is a phone call and they will walk you through a problem right then on the phone. All in all I think that CVP is great.
Dave
I bought an EasyDCC starter system after the 1998 NMRA and have never regretted it. I have also operated on Digitrax equiped layouts and also believe it to be a good system. The software upgrades for EasyDCC are really a piece of cake. I am currently about two updates behind, but just got a flyer from CVP on their latest update which, according to the literature, corrects the one fault I have experience with the system. Once in a while I have selected a locomotive or consist on the wireless throttles and find that it still wants to control the engine it was previously set up for instead of the newly selected one. Not every time, of course, just once in a while and I have found a couple of quick and easy work arounds. According to their latest update literature that problem has been solved. This fault has never shown up on the plug in throttles. I read good things on this form about NCE and some of the other systems but have never seen them in action.
If you buy CVP products and experience any problems or just have questions you’ll find thier support is OUTSTANDING.
EasyDCC is the system in use on David Barow’s Cat Mountain & Santa Fe, Chuck Hitchcock’s Argentine District, Joe Fugate’s Syskiyou Line, Jim Sinese’s Kansas City Terminal and many other well known layouts.
Thanks for all the help! Hopefully the new year’s budget will allow it.
Nick
I use the wireless EasyDCC system on my HO Siskiyou Line. Overall, the system performance has been rock solid and my crews really like the simple and obvious T900 series wireless throttles.
The downsides to the system are:
The stationary power pack form factor command station. This is the same gripe I have with the Digitrax Zephyr. Given the modern trend to programming on the main, a handheld form factor like NCE’s or Lenz’s system makes more sense.
You were limited (until recently) to only 8 dedicated wireless frequencies. This means anything over 8 wireless throttles is sharing frequencies and throttle response delays are the result. With sound decoders, this delay becomes very apparent because you press the whistle or horn button (for example) and you don’t get an immediate sound. Their latest release now allows 16 dedicated frequencies, but you will need to add an extra wireless receiver, which adds another $150 or so to the system price.
While EasyDCC’s older throttles (the T900 series) were simple and obvious for my train crew to operate, the new 1300 and 9000 series throttles are not, going to not-very-obvious # and * keys to select locos or accessories. This is shades of Digitrax’s geeky and obtuse key sequences and I don’t like it one bit (I design web interfaces for a living, and less than obvious user interfaces drive me to distraction).
While I have been quite pleased with EasyDCC’s system for going on 7 years, the latest raft of changes to the EasyDCC system have obsoleted my current equipment and I’m having enough “aging system” issues (7 years is a pretty good life-span for today’s electronics) that I need to spend lots of money replacing and upgrading most of my system.
Things have changed enough in the DCC landscape that I can now get an NCE wireless system for less money than it will cost me to upgrade my EasyDCC system. I really like the direction NCE is going with its handheld wireless command
I received a mailing from CVP today announcing a major revision of their OS chips. The catch is that if you have wireless controllers, they must also be upgraded to match the upgrades made to the base station.
Details should be available on the CVP web site for anyone who might be interested in reading what the changes involve and whether the upgrade justifies the price of the replacement microchips.