I am researching DCC systems and am still running DC for now. I run 1 locomotive on a shelf layout. I don’t attend a club due to time and other constraints. I would prefer walk around or wireless capabilities. HO scale. So my question is: which one to go with? I do have a smartphone so could use that for wireless. I’ve looked in to NCE DCC and MRC but please share your thoughts.
My short answer is NCE, not MRC. But I suggest you review the almost countless posts on this forum discussing this question on ad nauseum. go to the “Searth the Community” box on the right han side of the page and type a search phrase such as “Entry level DCC.” But go to the bathroom and pour a fresh cup of coffee first. There will be a lot to read.
DCC - focus on and choose from NCE or Digitrax.
Non DCC - want be on the leading edge using wireless control from smartphone or any bluetoothLE capable device – Contact BlueRail Trains
RR Baron
NCE PH-Pro 5 amp wireless.
All of your dreams will come true.
Rich
If you are only running one loco, what will DCC give you. Sound could be a factor, but as a DCC user myself, I would have a hard time convincing myself to change to DCC if I was running your current system in DC
brakeman618,
I would go with NCE over MRC any day… And I use Digitrax!
DCC go with either NCE or Digitrax systems, only.
NCE has one comes with walk around, so does Digitrax. But, if you chose Digitrax, I would suggest the Zephyr Xtra, with a add-on hand held throttle.
NCE I am not as familiar with, so will leave the suggestions of their systems to those with more experience.
Out of curiosity, why were you looking to switch to DCC? Are you looking at expanding soon? Want sound? These answers would help us suggest better systems, but for now, until further info is given, my recommendation is stated above.
NCE Power Cab starter system. It can be upgraded as your layout gets larger.
Or Google ‘Dead Rail’ for battery powered, radio controlled trains if you are going to stay with one engine.
Hey guys, there is not much in the above replies that will be of value to the OP. As usual this question has got the usual NCE vs Digitrax debate, and dismiss MRC out of hand. You should really give him some pros and cons of each.
As far as I know Digitrax entry level walk around is the Super Empire Builder at $283.99. How is this superior to the MRC Prodigy at $139.99, or the NCE Powercab at $155.99?
Remember this is someone new to DCC, has a (presumably) small layout, and is not a member of a club.
If you gave both Digitrax and MRC systems to someone completely new to DCC to try, there is a good chance that they would actually prefer MRC!
Cheers
Bill
Thanks for nothing, bagal. How can you say that?
The OP says he prefers walk around or wireless capabilities. He has looked into NCE and MRC. He asks, which one to go with. My reply says to choose the NCE PH-Pro 5 amp wireless. How is that not of value to the OP? I told him which one to go with. Shall we all write essays on the pros and cons of each?
How is your reply more helpful by indicating that if you gave him both Digitrax and MRC to try that he would actually prefer MRC? What is the basis for your assertion? Shouldn’t you give him some pros and cons of each?
Rich
Bill:
They might indeed prefer MRC - at first. Then, once they have a little time under their belts, if someone was to hand them an NCE PowerCab, they might wish they had spent their money differently.
Sorry, I’m stirring the pot.
First, I have to say that I have only actually operated the NCE PowerCab system with tethered throttle so I’m not claiming to be an expert by any means.
When I was deciding on which system I would buy several years ago I narrowed it down to a beginner system, either Digitrax or NCE, by simply reading reviews. When I was ready to part with my money I went to The Credit Valley Railway store in Mississauga, Ontario and looked at the NCE PowerCab system and a basic Digitrax system. I can’t remember which one.
What struck me immediately was the difference in throttle layouts. I immediately felt comfortable with the NCE set up and display, whereas the Digitrax boggled my mind. It appeared to be a bunch of identical buttons and the display was inferior, IMHO. I have to explain that I am all thumbs by nature. Manual dexterity was never a strong point. Forget trying to learn how to play a guitar (I tried)!
That pretty much eliminated the possibility of buying a Digitrax system for me. However, what I personally found daunting about the Digitrax system thousands of other people have been fine with. I’m not saying that Digitrax is a bad product at all!
Here are the things I find good about my NCE PowerCab:
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I have read that some systems require a booster to program some decoders. The PowerCab has been able to program every decoder I have purchased.
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I understand that some systems cannot read back CV values (MRC?). NCE does it just fine.
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Programming decoders is intuitive, at least for me.
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The throttle layout makes sense. I also like the different acceleration/deceleration options.
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The PowerCab is a self contained
Rich, the point I am trying to make is that people dis MRC but don’t provide any sound reasons why. Most of the reasons often given against MRC have little relevance eg, people don’t like their marketing systems, or don’t like that MRC doesn’t support JMRI. These aren’t really relevant to a newby who is likely to be perfectly happy with MRC. I know people who are.
Regards
Bill
I have no experience with MRC, never owned one, never operated one.
But I have owned an NCE PH-Pro 5 amp wireless system for almost 12 years now, and it has performed trouble free. It has a user friendly throttle and operates tetherless, although a tether cable can be added for wired operations if you prefer.
The NCE system supports other DCC features as well, including stationary decoder functions for operating turnouts and signals and for automatic routing which is ideal for passenger stations and classification yards. The NCE system is totally compatible with other electronic components such as auto-reversers, circuit breakers, and occupancy detectors.
Rich
He also says he has a wireless phone that could be used as a throttle. That means JMRI and an appropriate interface for whatever system.
SO walkaround wireless control does NOT need a PH-Pro Wireless system, or a Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio system. PowerCab and interface + JMRI on his computer, or a Zephyr Xtra and interface + JMRI an he has wireless walkaround control.
–Randy
I have to plead ignorance to that concept since I don’t have a smart phone, and I don’t use JMRI.
Let’s say that he has the NCE PH-Pro system, but not wireless. If someone uses a smart phone and JMRI, do you use the smart phone as the throttle or the Pro Cab?
Rich
So My initial reasoning for DCC is sound. I know BLI sells DC and DCC compatible locos and I wonder what is the best way to run it? Is it best to bite the big expense now to possibly expand the layout later? I guess I really only see myself running one loco at a time but still would benefit from wireless. Thanks for the input so far…
If sound is important and future expansion is in the offing, then making the move makes sense. I use Digitrax, and have a control panel. But it sounds like NCE would be a good fit for your needs.
You can run some BLI locomotives and generate sound on a DC layout with their DC Master Analog Control Module.
If you only run a single locomotive on a small layout, it seems difficult to justify DCC. But, if you are willing to incur the expense now with the thought of a larger layout later, why not. Chances are, as soon as you install DCC, you will want to run more than one locomotive simply because you can.
Rich
Both. And the limits of JMRI and wireless routers generally exceed those of any DCC system, or certainly the practical limits of any DCC system (does it matter if a system can support 1024 cabs, when if you were actually running that many locos/consists the lag for controlling them would be unbearable?), you can have others come over and join as well. ANyone with an APple or Androind smartphone can run the approriate app and connect via wifi (does not use phone minutes or data plan) and operate a train. You can mix and match - someone with a tethered ProCAB can run one train, maybe you have two wireless ProCABs, they can each run a train, and 5 friends with smartphones can run 5 more trains. Nothing special needed - just the computer interface for your DCC system, for PH-PRO, a USB to serial adapter, for PowerCAB the NCE USB, for Digitrax a PR3 or Lo
Thanks, Randy.
For what the OP has, the Crest Electronics’ Train Engineer would be sufficient – wireless control of a DC layout.
The very basic Crest system is a module that connects between a power pack and track, to allow wireless control of speed and direction of a DC locomotive.