Am starting after a break of 20+ years and would like to give the DCC systems a chance. I have a Walther Proto and Athearn both set for DCC/sound.
What would you suggest? My layout is a simple twice around with 200 feet of mailline andsimple sidings. Solo operation projected. Would really like to have one express as a moving obstacle, while I manage the local. Is there a best product for my needs. I do subscribe to the K.I.S.S. philosophy.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
The two most obvious systems (to me) to look at to start are the NCE PowerCab and the Digitrax Zephyr. I think I’d lean towards the PowerCab, as its controller is handheld. There is a decent upgrade path in either case, to support changing needs, wnats, or desires.
Hal,
If the KISS method is what you are looking for - between the two that Jeff suggested - I’d go with the NCE Power Cab. I find it very intuitive to use. The Zephyr is also a good system. I just find it more complicated to use - for me.
Hal, if you’d like to read a review on the Power Cab, click on the link below:
There’s a link to a review that I wrote here on the forum when the Power Cab first came out back in Feb. 2006. It gives my initial thoughts and impressions and also includes pics. There’s also reviews on the NCE CAB-04p throttle and the Smart Booster.
Hope that helps…
Tom
Jeff/Tom-
Thanks for your insight. Do appreciate your suggestions.
Best Holiday Wishes,
I’m a Zephyr user and it works well. I’ve been looking at the MRC stuff lately and it looks good. Right now MicroMark is selling the basic Prodigy system for like $119 or something. There are several good systems out there, I guess which one you use depends on what you want now and what you want to do in the future…do you think you might want to go wireless in the future, how many cabs are you going to need, etc.
Ordered the NCE Power Cab based on your suggestions. Thanks
Cool, Hal! [^][tup] Let us know when you get it and have a chance to play with it.
Tom
will do so-and thanks again for help with selection!
Good morning,
I’ve only recently started switching to DCC, and have only used one product so far, the Digitrax Zephyr. I have thoroughly enjoyed the system so far. It’s somewhat easy to get going quickly, and it’s been a blast to learn.
I also picked up a Super Empire Builder set but have not gotten it hooked up yet. I look forward to getting it installed and putting it through its’ paces soon enough.
While the MRC system (Powercab) is good, it can only run DCC equiped locos. If you want to run an analog (DC) loco you need a separate power pack and will have to run it completely separate from the DCC system. The Digitrax Zephyr can run an analog loco on address 00 while running DCC locos at the same time.
Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jeffrey! You know better! The PowerCab system that Hare has ordered is made by NCE (North Coast Engineering), not MRC. MRC makes the Prodigy system and has patterned much of their system off of NCE’s system. IMO, he’s made an excellent choice, far better than a Zephyr for numerous reasons.
As far as running a DC loco, doing so is highly overrated. Most people find that once they go DCC they don’t want to go back to DC. Even my 4-H kids preferred running on DCC. Let alone that almost every manufacturer recommends against running non-decoder equipped locos on DCC. What everyone seems to be not be aware of is the fact that you can run a DC loco on a NCE system. NCE states that in their manuals. To do so you would need to build a simple handheld throttle consisting of a potentiometer and some other electronic components. They give you the circuit to do it, the just caution you not do becuase of the potential for damage to the motor.
Ok, NCE = Powercab. My mistake.
A huge difference in these two units is the physical format. The Zephyr sits on a table like a “normal” DC train controller. An NCE unit is a hammer-head hand held unit.