I’ll be next…I like NCE and find it very easy to work with
Also consider that of the two primary DCC systems, only one of them has received a conformance seal from the NMRA (and its not the one the one you’re talking about).
The best advice is to go to each manufacturers’ website and download the system manuals. Each of the mfg’s has them available in pdf format. Sit down and read through them. Which ones can you understand? Which one’s are confusing to you? Read through their manuals for other support products like throttle cabs, mobile decoders, stationary decoders etc. Can you understand them? A well written manual is one you can understand even without the device in front of you. Go with the system whose manual you can understand because you will be referring to it on a frequent basis. Another thing to do is look through the 1st page of this section of the forum. Note which system has the most questions being asked about it. Ask yourself why that is, especially if you’ve read through all the various systems’ manuals. Is there a connection there?
I have an NCE and love it. It has been easy to install, reliable and the operation has been simple to me to use - the caveat is that I am still early in the learning curve.
I think you blowing Tony’s bias way out of proportion, the main thing he wants to do, is make a sale, whatever it is. I bought my system from Tony’s, I found him and his people to very upfront and honest, he said he gets a better price break because he sells more Digitrax, but also admitted that NCE has some features he really liked. I ended up buying an NCE system not Digitrax.
I found the Digitrax manual quite easy to understand, but then I’m an old time computer programmer, so hexadecimal is nothing to me. Besides which, the regular numerical listing of the CV codes are listed right beside the hex codes, so I don’t see what should be so complicated about it.
Nothing was said about using hexadecimal. There is only so much information that can be conveyed using a 4 digit display like on the Zephyr. You end up with rather cryptic messages and codes. Plus the need to keep track of which ‘indicator’ dots are lit for which purpose. What’s it mean if it’s lit? If it’s flashing? Simple?
I bought an NCE powercab from Tony’s Train Exchange. It was simple and easy to use. I like the choice of either using the thumbwheel or push button throttle.
And just look at that large easy to read LCD display [8)]
Keep track of what? If you’re not using jump throttles there’s no flashing indicators. It’s quite clearly explained in the manual.
–Randy
OK, I see your point. Still it’s not all that confusing if you read up on what the indicators mean and make a reference list.
Why do some Mfg´s keep on making DCC throttles with small or no displays? I think it is imperative that the system I use is easy to use AND understand. Therefore I use a Roco MultiMaus [:D].
Because there is significant demand for that type of throttle.
A lot of folks like to run DCC with very basic engineers throttles. These don’t really need any kind of display as their primary benefits are that they are very small, and can be run with one hand without really looking at the throttle. The Digitrax UT4 or the NCE Cab04 would be good examples of this. Both are trivial to operate and really don’t need a display for their level of functionality. Of course their big brothers do have nice clear LCD’s, but then these throttles have much greater capability.
I agree with everyone here so far. NCE is hands down the best unit. However some may suggest lower systems such as digitrax if your local club uses it. If you want to learn hexidecimal then I strongly suggest digitrax [:D]
Button pushing of course. You don’t have to learn hex, but you’ll think you did
You don’t have to push any more buttons on Digitrax than you do on NCE. Selecting locos and operating functions is EXACTLY the same on both systems.
Digitrax does not do polling so there is no need to set primitive cab address on each new throttle, and manage them when friends come over and bring their own throttles along. COnnections to Loconet can see ALL activity from any throttle - the computer connection on both the PowerCab and Powerhouse can not ‘see’ what someone does on a different cab. The Zephyr has a dedicated program track, the PowerCab does not. The Zephyr can run up to 9 extra throttles out of the box - the PoweCab cannot.
ANd the “plug in to select with wireless” advantage that NCE had has gone away.
Hmm, I think there are the same number of buttons on a ProCab as there are on a DT402. There are no multiple function buttons, each and every button does one thing, no shift-button combos to try and figure out. ANd you have live control over 2 trains at once with two throttle knobs. Which just click to reverse. Or you can adjust speed with the + and - buttons, just like on the ProCab.
–Randy
NCE makes a decent system, but it is far from perfect and may not meet you operational needs. Likewise Digitrax makes a decent system which is also not perfect and may not meet your needs.
I happen to be a very happy Digitrax user. Much as I like NCE products, and I do, they make an excellent system. I have become accustomed to using my Digitrax system in a way that is utterly impossible with NCE.
My 2 boys and I regularly run trains together. I like to run trains onto the program track flip a switch and tinker with CV’s using Decoder Pro while the boys continue to run trains. This simple scenario can not be accomplished by the basic NCE starter set, and can not be fully accomplished by the top-of-the-line NCE.
I point this out, not to knock NCE, but to illustrate that one system may be better for someone than another based on how they want to use the system?
The “ease of use” chestnut is fine to a degree, but none of these systems are hard to use. OK, so it takes you 5 more minutes to get going with a Digitrax system (which I don’t believe by-the-way, read the “quick start” guide for either system, there is nothing in it). The 5 minutes will be irrelevant if the unit does not ultimately let you run the way you want to.
I don’t know what you consider “the two primary DCC systems,” but out of current production DCC command stations, the following have received NMRA Conformance Warrants:
Lenz LZV100
CVP Products Easy DCC
Bachmann EZ-Command
Bachmann Dynamis
Hornby Elite
NCE Power House Pro
Digitrax DB150
Notice that NEITHER of what are probably the two most recommended starter systems, Digitrax Zephyr and NCE Power Cab, have received a NMRA Conformance Warrant.
Because it has more users.
Absolute best is ZIMO. I own Digitrax because I can’t afford ZIMO.
You might want to read this thread again if you think that everyone here so far agrees that NCE is hands down the best unit.
I have never had to use hexadecimal to program anything in my Digitrax system.
While most people will agree that there is no one system that is the best for everyone, there are a lot of people in here who will be offended by someone who calls their particular favorite a “lower system”.
The NMRA conformance certificate is a great idea in concept, but for whatever reason in practice it does not seem to be working very well, at least so far as DCC products are concerned.
Take decoders for example, there are hardly any current production decoders from any manufacturer on the list. Digitrax, NCE, TCS, QSI, some of the best known and loved decoders are not there. On the other hand products like the Lenz LE1000, the one that gives most DCC systems fits trying to program and control, as well as decoders from MRC are on the list. So if you were to rigidly stick to purchasing only devices with an NMRA con-formant certificate then you would have a very poor DCC experience and miss out on some of the best products on the market.
The truth of the matter is that the conformance certificate has not been widely embraced by the industry and as such is almost of no consequence.
Of course, not having a certificate issued does not mean that a given device does not conform to NMRA standards, it just means that the device was not submitted by the manufacturer for testing. Aside from a die hard Lenz user, you would be hard pressed to find a DCC layout where the entire thing was built and operated using certified product.
Why is it so difficult for the NCE and Digitrax “onlys” to get along? Can’t you just state the facts without feeling the implicit need to put the other system or user down? [banghead]
You know what? Even though I’m an NCE Power Cab user, I’m going to go to an open house tonight and run my locomotives on a Digitrax-powered layout…and ENJOY myself! Why? Because I get to play with trains!! [:D][tup]
Shoot me while I’m still happy…
Tom