Randy, that is one of the benefits of the CVP system, for a long time now, it has been just one system.
It is a single building block system, no dead end versions regarding expansion.
It all starts with the console, from there you add as many fascia plugs as you want, or as much wireless as you w
I totally agree.
One of the best things that my guys at the LHS did for me 15 years ago when I switched over to DCC was to recommend the NCE 5 amp wireless Power House Pro system. I bought it immediately even though my first DCC layout was a mere 8’ x 12’ table in the middle of my basement floor. As my layout expanded to its present 45’ x 25’ footprint, the PH-Pro has met all of my increasing needs.
Rich
That’s why both NCE and Digitrax offer throttle optiosn that DON’T do any programming. You only ever need one NCE hammerhead, the rest can be the simple CAB06 throttles which are very similar to the CVP ones. Single knob, 10 digit keypad to key in the address, no programming capabilities. The Digitrax UT4 is similar as well. Just a basic knob throttle with no ability to program anything.
Neither NCE nor Digitrax are dead end in any way, you CAN start with a small layout and the most basic system either one offers and in the end have the max feature system with no surplus parts. That was something it took MRC 3 or 4 systems to finally figure out, as the current ones are also fully upgradeable. There is basically one Digitrax devices from back when they first marketed a system that is not usable with the very latest you would buy today. The forwards and backwards compatibility that they and NCE have is really unheard of in other areas of consumer electronics. Digitrax doesn’t even charge extra for not buying the radio throttle up front - a plug in throttle can be converted to radio and the cost to do the upgrade is exactly the price difference between buying the plug in version or buying the radio version in the first place.
For someone changing an existing large layout to DCC, it doesn’t matter if there is a lesser starter set. But for the beginner who then gets hooked in the hobby - being able to start with DCC and NOT spend $600 for the big system is a huge benefit. Especially when none of that initial investment needs to be discarded or sold off for pennies on the dollar.
Funny the biggest argument used AGAINST Digitrax is that Zephyr being a fixed console and not a walkaround, and here you are advocating that the ‘brains’ of the system ought to be in one big console. On my previous layout, the Zephyr was tucked up under the layout and I never touched the system console. No need to.
Yes they advised you well.
Sheldon
Randy, point still remains, the ergonomics of the the full feature throttles are poor in my opinion. That makes CVP the winner for me.
So it is just marketing on the part of NCE and Digitrax that makes it seem like they have multiple different level products? But they do seem to have more redundancy in their lines than they need.
Nothing is harder to understand than the NCE web site…
Ok, I think I’m done here,
Sheldon
This is basically how my small NCE system evolved. I bought the NCE PowerCab starter system, but wanted wireless so I then purchased the small Cab 06 wireless throttle and the accompanying transmitter (apologies to NCE for forgetting the name). This basically made the original NCE throttle a tethered command station. It did cost an extra $150 to go wireless, but wireless systems are generally more expensive than stationary systems anyway.
I think if you buy the standard NCE wireless system, it comes with the command station untethered and adapted with an antennae to act as a wireless throttle, which wouldn’t eliviate some of Sheldon’s concerns about ergonomics.
Lenz had wireless at one time - their XPA which would connect to a cordless phone using Lenz XpressNet. At one time Massoth offered a wireless add on for Lenz. But that was early in the wireless era and perhaps both are long gone.
Dave Nelson
I’ve operated with Lenz, Digitrax, NCE, and EasyDCC multiple times.
I bought EasyDCC.
Don’t listen to the doubters.
NCE’s website is absolutely horrible. It used to be neatly organized but the update a couple of years ago left us with the mess it is now. I’m not sure what they were thinking, or where the web developer learned how to make a web site. Definitely needs fixing. That can’t be heping them attract customers.
Marketing? Well, if you define marketing as actually creating products targeted at specific markets, and not just ad copy, I suppose it is marketing to have multiple product options. Digitrax has fewer options than NCE, really just 2 systems, the Zephyr Express and the Evolution. Evolution is available with or without radio, but it’s the same system otherwise. NCE has the Twin, Powercab, and PowerPro (in wired and wireless versions and in both 5 amp and 10 amp versions - 4 variations!).
It’s not at all complicated though, they do spell out what each system is designed for, and NCE had a handy chart (once you find it) of which system you should pick based on your needs.
So CVP has one system. One size fits all? They actually list three different ‘starter sets’ (they all seem to call them starter sets, but the meaning is not “beginner”).
Believe me, I wanted to like CVP - back in the says when they were first tossign ideas around for an NMRA standard command control, CVP’s Railcommand was much more capable than what Lenz was offering at the time and I was much in favor of using that as the standard. That of course fell through and we got Bernd Lenz’s system, but thankfully there was additional input by people to expand the capability beyond 14 speed steps, for one. So CVP came up with a DCC system (couldn;t miss it, articles on building the kits filled MR at the time). The fact that it was DIY was an attractive feature. It did everythign the contemporary systems did. But they lagged in updates (still don;t support the full 30 functions). Design chocies made the overall system more complex - for a rea
Well the “Basic” is the Command Station, Zonemaster Single Booster, Power Supplies, and cables. “Extended” has the same, plus a plug-in throttle, fascia plate, and “extender board” to connect the walkaround system to the Command Station. The “Wireless” system is similar to the “Extended”, except you get a wireless throttle, wireless receiver, etc. instead of the plug-in stuff. All three use the same Command Station and Zonemaster. So it’s really the same system at heart.
Hi Retired Handyman,
This might be ancient history and I’m anything but well versed about the capabilities of the various DCC systems. But while attending the 2011 NMRA convention show I spent a bunch of time at the DCC Mfg. booths. Saved the CVP booth for last and after visiting with Al and handling the T5000 wireless throttle it was Easy DCC for me. I immediately liked the T5000 throttle and it felt right at home in my hand, Al’s friendliness, knowledge and helpfulness was impressive, so too CVP’s history in robust garden railway control.
Those guys at CVP were a great help in guiding me thru set-up via email and phone, and more than patient in increasing my understanding of DCC while answering all my dumb questions. Have now been enjoying my CVP system and their fantastic customer service since 2012.
Good luck and regards, Peter