These (large knob type) additional cabs for the NCE DCC system come two ways …Cab04p with a potentiometer, and Cab04e with a digital encoder.
Am I right about the difference between the two …the knob with the potentiometer has a definate, limited range of rotation, like maybe 340degress.
Whereas the 04e with encoder has no limted range of rotation (no stops).
If I am correct, the 04e is better for 128 step speed control decoders?
What would the cab with a pot be better for?
Or do I have this all wrong?
Thanks
Jim
Its just the difference in the feel of the throttle. Both work equally as well with any type of decoder.
With the pot you have a definite reference to what speed you have set. For a given decoder and a given angle of rotation you get a given speed, every time.
With the encoder its relative to the speed you turn the knob and the amount you turn the knob, but where the knob is doesn’t have any relatioinship to the speed directly.
I prefer the pots because it has more resistance to the rotation and “feels” better to me (they are also cheaper!).
Dave H.
I personally prefer the Procab units. i think that they are more ergonometric and I like the display info.
I have a small problem…I have learned DCC on the NCE and used both the procab and the handheld in the radio version. I love it and operating with it…BUT! @ things I wish NCE would address: 1- the lag between command and action. 2- the frustrating “timing out” of the handheld. I have been running on the main for a while and come to a yard or other speed restricted area and Whoa…no control! Frantically push horn to get it back before accumulating any more brownies from the dispatcher! Of course because I have altered the position of the throttle before recognising the need to pust horn, I either take off like a jackrabbit or come to a screeching halt! Pleeeze, NCE, come up with some fixes and I will buy your system ASAP. John Colley Port Townsend, WA
All cabs work equally well with any type decoder. It’s all a matter of personal preference.
John ; could you elaborate a little more on the “timing out issue.” I’m not an dcc owner, but looking into it. Thanks.
John–I have been using my NCE system for nearly two years now and I have not experienced the lags to which you refer. Do you have your locos programmed for a lot of momentum kind of stuff?
John is referring the lag time when using the wireless feature. There is a certain delay for the system to acknowledge each key press. You certainly can’t press keys as fast as when the throttle is plugged into the throttle bus. But it only takes a few minutes to ‘feel’ the time needed between key presses and it is not significant. BTW, I experience the same thing on Digitrax’s wireless throttles.