I would like to hear some reasons why people chose either Digitrax or NCE for their DCC system. I am not interested in opinions as to which is best. I’d like the reasons people decided the way they did. Thank you.
NCE - easier to use. Since I plan ops sessions for up to 18 operators, most of which just want to plug and go, it was a no brainer for me.
I tried all the different systems, including these two, on operating layouts before deciding. World of difference.
Digitrax because that is what the club that I joined when I was in OKC has.
I recommend that your descision be based on what people in your area are using. As far as I can tell, the choice is like the difference between a Mercedes E class and a BMW 5 series…
Been with NCE for awhile. Easy to use not only by someone who has to do the set up but for the novice that doesn’t know much about DCC. NCE cab’s make life a lot easier. Sufficient number of well identified buttons make programming and consisting go quickly. The Smaller cabs are great in that selection and control over the engine(s) you are using is very simple. Part of a rail-run in march, where we had one of the layouts open. People who didn’t know much about DCC were running the equipment within 5 minutes of explanation.
Digitrax Empire Builder; Because I could get it for a great price through the local hobby shop and they carry all the digitrax accessories to boot. The other option was the MRC one but I was told it’s not as expandable (or supportive of an expanding layout) as something from Digitrax or NCE. Additionally, this hobby shop does not carry the NCE command station stuff just “some” of the decoders. One other local hobby shop does carry the NCE stuff BUT their prices for anything are through the roof!
I use both Digitrax and NCE decoders, though I feel the digitrax ones are easier to install but I’m kind of biased because I was installing the NCE into a P2K SW9 (which is a real pain in the ***).
NCE is the best System to buy if you’re just getting into DCC and want a high end system.
The trottle has push button speed controls as well as a roll knob, so you don’t need 2 different controlers to do programming and operations (unlike the others).
It’s easy to install, easy to program with and easy to operate. I suiggest you contact Tony or Ken at Tony’s Trian Exchange (http://tonystrains.com/) and ask them their opinion of both systems and what they would recommend for your needs.
Jay
Your question isn’t as simple as you might think. To be honest, NCE was much easier to use than Digitrax a few years ago. Apparently they have more than just electronic geeks running their company so the came out with an intuitive system (easy to learn). When Digi first came out, there system was a geeks dream, but not so much a common schmucks dream. This was with the DT100 throttle.
After a lot of whining and complaining by the none geek common schmucks and watching business go to companies that put out “easy to use systems” Digi came out with more intuitive throttles DT300 & DT400. People who have only experienced the DT400 will tell you Digi is easy to use. Those who tried Digi with the DT100 and then purchased another system with intuitive throttles will tell you Digi is much harder to learn.
If you go with the Zephyr or a unit that comes with the DT400, you’ll find it is “easy.”
I just bought my Local Train SHops Digitrax demoo unit which is a Zephyr.
It is extremely easy to use and is perfect for a small layout like my little 4x8. The main reason I went with Digitrax is that it included everything you need except the decoder and track wiring to get going in DCC.
I also like the fact that it has the readback function on the deciders so I can actually read what values are stored on my decoders if I ever forget or misdocument something.
It is also easily explandable with handheld cabs, boosters and many other add ons so I can sontinue to use this unit as my layout grows as an alternate cab if I ever upgrade to a larger layout .
Same with Digitrax at open houses at http//www.comrail.org. Adults, kids, people with little or no MR experience, are given a minute of instruction and sent off with a train, and after less than five minutes are own thier own. No problems.
You asked for reasons, not opinions. I’ll honor your request.
I bought a Digitrax Zephyr. My reason: I liked the way it looked better.
Maybe some people can deal with unattractive products, but I have higher standards.
-Mark
Back in 1997, my club evaluated 5 different systems before deciding on NCE. It is so much more intuitive and user friendly. Yes, Digitrash has come out with a better throttle but it is too little too late. Over half the members in the club have purchased a DCC system and every one of them has been NCE (one guy bought a Digitrash and thought he was going to save a lot of money - once we explained the benefits vs the $30 difference, he took it back and bought NCE). NCE’s wireless is nicer too as you can even set up and break down consists. Digitrash says they don’t do consisting via wireless as that is a ‘safety feature.’ Yeah right, like every bug in Microsoft’s software really isn’t a bug - it’s a feature! Lastly, we contemplated Digitrash for it does something no one else’s system does and that is run non-decoder equipped locomotives on address 00. That may seem like a good thing but there are issues:
- Running the AC (yeah, I know, it’s not truly AC) through a DC motor destroys the motor. Leave a non-decoder equipped loco on the rails for a few hours and see what happens to the armatures.
- By having the ability to run a loco on address 00, they are no longer NMRA compliant. Address 00 is suppose to be a broadcast address for everything on the net (railroad).
- We decided that if you were going run an engine on the club layout, spend the $15 for a decoder. BTW, you can program most decoders to run on analog (DC).
One more thing, NCE comes with two decoders so the price difference is mute!!!
I went Digitrax because
- everyone I know has Digitrax, so we can take our own IR DT300s along to operating sessions.
- I work in the software business: if product A scores 95 and product B scores 85, and product B has a much wider market share, go with product B: more available infromation and opinion, more people with skills, more third party products, more funds going into R&D, more momentum in general
- it is made by a Kiwi
(copied from my post on other board, but very applicable here…)
Spent 20 or so minutes witht Tonys Trains, Based on my requirements, they recommended the NCE because it could do everything the digitrax chief could do and is far more user friendly. Larger readout screen, plain english descriptions etc and support for more functions
My requirements were:
- Has to have full support for sound. Must be able to address all functions of soundtraxx decoders (this eliminates atlas and mrc)
- Need a walkaround throttle (eliminates zephyr unless pay $140 more)
- Has to be user friendly. I am not a rocket scientist just an accountant (favors NCE)
- Want a knob/dial for throttle - no keypads (favors NCE, did not like keypad throttles)
- Enough power to support up to 4 locos (i have a 4x8 layout - but may expand) (does not favor entry level systems- atlas, mrc, zephyr )
- Would like to program decoders from computer and/or provide readback of decoder settings right from the command system/throttle (NCE has read/write and computer interface is included)
This also helped…
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/s/c/s/5/5.html
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/s/c/s/u5/u5.html
And i purchased a dcc (soundtraxx) locomotive, misc cables and cab panel. Just under $700 for all.
Here is a list of the locos and prices before and after dcc/sound from tony’s
http://www.dcctrains.com/download/Loco-Specials-2c.pdf
I could have spent less and been fine but… i like the premium stuff. Hell, the soundtraxx decoder cards are about $110 each. I’m not about to put that on a $30 locomotive.
I’ll keep ypu updated on my progress
The comment was made above that only Digitrax will run a non decoder equiped loco on address “00”. I can run non decoder locos on “00” and I have neither Digitrax nor NCE. As I recall, the 00 running feature was mentioned in advertising for several manufacturers systems a few years ago. Let’s stick to facts here. I tried Digitrax with those original throttles several years ago and quickly bought a competing product. I have heard that they had improved their throttles since then (1998), but I haven’t tried one.
Ok, I know you originally asked about Digitrax and NCE. but I’m curious why you’re not considering Lenz?
Scott
I heard that Micro Mark has a big sale on the NCE system, something like $324 or 325. But sale is over end of May. Anyone shopping for a system might check it out, that’s a pretty savings.
I really considered Zimo for a very long time as it has some features none of the others do. The one I really liked was sending an address back to your computer so you could tell where every engine was on your layout when you fired it up. I could not justify the price or the Euopean origin however. Why not Lenz? It is my opinion that because like everything in life there is going to be a shakeout with several current producers dropping out until one or two are left. I don’t think Lenz will be a survivor in the long haul.
There have been some good bits of info in this thread but one of the most important was the recent comment about which companies are going to be around the longest. It might not seem to be a big deal but a good many years back I was one of the many railroaders who bought the Onboard System made by Keller Electronics. The selling point on that system was good sound, the best in that period. But a few years later Keller went under and left a bunch of us high and dry. I waited until last year to scrap my old Onboard system and then after a great amount of research, I bought a NCE radio unit. Thus far I have been tremendously happy with the operation. Plus, I am also very happy with the information the company put out about its stability, which is something everyone should consider when making this type of investment. I mentioned that in an earlier thread where somebody asked about the best entry-level system. Anyone thinking about buying a system should also check out that thread on this same forum. This is one time where you can’t do enough research before making a purchase. Good luck in your search.
Lenz has been an intergral part in the development of DCC up to this point, and with thier future products coming, combined with the fact that they make the Atlas DCC system. I doubt Lenz is gowing away anytime soon. I doubt any of the current brands will be gone in 10 years. (Except maybe some idiot in Maryland who deserves to be chain spanked and have his nose rubbed in doo-doo!)
The true beauty of DCC is that there is room for many manufacturers to share a common architecture, so each can find thier niche in the market, and go with it. Thats why the NMRA conformance warrants and standards were written in the 1st place.
As far as the original question goes. NCE for the last 5 years now. NEVER had a moments regret.[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
I think appearance is important now days. . . All the systems work well, and the price differences don’t seem as great as a few years ago.
Somebody above suggested buying what other people in your area have. . . good suggestion.