There is so much info out there about DCC, yet I’d like to hear advices from real people about their experiences.
I have decided to go DCC as I have too many trains for DC.
My scale is HO. All the locos I have are DCC-ready.
I am looking for decent DCC system with WIRELESS control.
Something that is reasonably good yet not very expensive (contradiction, but hey, I never know
Same for decoders, decent but not very expensive.
Also if anyone can also recomment an online store where to get this stuff.
I use the Atlas system but it’s been “left in the dust” by others by now.
I think that you would like the NCE wireless system. NCE seems to do everything and has a good “user interface” (also a build-in PC interface, I think).
Try several systems if you can and also consider if you want a system that is compatible with others in your area (like clubs or anyone you would want to operate with.)
I don’t see how you can go wrong with Lenz, Digitrax or NCE, for now, but budget may dictate a less expensive system.
There are many good decoders. It depends on what features you want.
Take your time and you’ll end up with a system that you like.
Cheapest wireless DCC system is probably an Atlas Commander Duo-pack with a Lenz XPA wireless adapter that uses a cordless telephone as the portable controller. (Sounds weird, but it’s actually a clever solution). Less than $200 for both pieces. Downside: 2-digit addresses, limited functionality. Upside: Compatibility with the entire Lenz line of DCC products.
It goes up from in price from there.
Everyone will tell you to buy the system they own, so you won’t get much benefit from all the anecdotal information.
The best advice I’ve heard anybody give was:
a.) Select a DCC system for which there are knowledgable people available to help you.
b.) Select a DCC system that has a handheld controller that feels good in your hand, makes sense to you, and that you deem satisfactory. It doesn’t matter what the featureset of a manufacture is if you hate using their controllers.
I actually think most of the systems out there are very good and similar in value and function. I have a Digitrax Zephyr and am happy with it. Digitrax’s website is easy to look over.
MRC’s new system is interesting.
I have had good luck with Eberly’s Tony’s Train Exchange, Southern Digital and Steve’s DCC.
As far as a decision, all the suggestions above are good. However, nobody wants to, or nobody should make a recommendation to you, as this is a decision you need to take responsibility for and no one else.
deschane is right, all systems have there good and bad points. But it is decision that you must make yourself. I would recommend however that if you can go run a layout with DCC, or even a couple of different DCC systems, then you can see how each operates, whether you like the handheld controller, ect. I myself run the Marklin Digital system, I love it. I have also used the digitrax system and highly like that system. Talk to Jim Thomas of The Train Exchange in Kokomo, IN. He is very knowledgable on the digitrax system and is a dealer for them. Cheers and Good Luck. Mike
Hey guys, thanks for advices !
I guess you are correct, I’ll have to make a final decision.
In that case can you please give me a subset of brands that I should consider ?
NCE, Atlas, LENZ, what else ?
Also I don’t underestimate advices such as “I run XXX and love it” as it is still a better argument that advertorials in magazines and online.
I’m a long time modeler but a DCC newbie. Have been reading quite a bit.
I have been very impressed with the Digitrax system. A good friend purchased a Zephyr. It is “EXCEPTIONALLY” easy for a newbie to set up and run! He invited me over to his house and let me try out. After reading through the manual, it’s basically a 1,2,3 process. We ran several DCC equipped locomotives including a Sound equipped BLI GG1, a brass SP GS4 with mars light, and a Kato GE with Soundtraxx sound.
I really enjoyed myself. I’ve decided to get a Zephyr. Easy to use, good warranty, and my favorite feature: It’s expandable! (Some of the other systems don’t offer expandability.)
IMHO for a layout that’s going to be run by one to two operators with a maximum of 3 trains running at the same time-----------GO ZEPHYR!
I have run operations on a friend’s layout with the NCE radio pro cabs, both with the rotary throttle and with the pushbuttons to throttle up or down. It is GREAT! However: Three things to compare with other brands: 1. If you don’t adjust the throttle every so often it times out and you have to re-call up your loco to regain control. 2. depending where the reciever is bodies, walls, etc. can block the signal. 3. there can be a delay between the time you change throttle or direction and it actually changes at the loco.
I’ve had NCE since 1998, and have not regretted a minute of it. My boys took to it like little ducks to water, with the youngest at age 5 picking up his own trains.
Can’t get much easier than that![:D]
Now if I can just get the VCR to stop flashing 12:00 [:0]
Steamer fan, quantify this statement: “If you really want radio control, NCE is the only choice” Why wouldn’t Digitrax radio control or any of the other radio control systems work? Your statement is only hollow words without proof of your point of view. Dimastep is looking for unbiased information on DCC! Lets leave out baseless opinions!
The amount of locos my Zephyr can run is limited by the 5 amps maximum output of the unit. Three locos may be the limit in some instances, but more locos are more likely.
I use a lenz set 100 with the xpa cordless phone adapter it works exellent i have a pretty big layout 40 ft by 24ft by 16ft it goes thru the walls in two different places and I have had no trouble with the phone controlling trains.If your going to go dcc and you can afford to spend the money the set 100 is running about 264.00 the cordless phone adapter is about 49.00 it will be money well spent and you won’t have to upgrade in six months.
NCE is not the only wireless choice. EasyDCC by CVP products has a wireless controller, and always has had. It even works with other systems. The problem with asking “what is best” is that many people have experience with only one system, so they naturally recommend it, and the person asking the question may not be happy with that one after they purchase it. If at all possible, different systems should be compared by trying to locate hobby shops or clubs that use different types and get some hands on experience with them all, or, as a last resort, download their instruction manuals and read through them. If you can’t understand the manual, don’t buy that system.
Before DCC was born, there was analog command control. I bought into PSI’s Dynatrol and found it to be an excellent system. It was simple to operate and pretty reliable, the only problem being the receivers (decoders) got fried every once in a while. When DCC took hold, PSI developed a DCC add-on so that we who used Dynatrol didn’t have to totally abandon our current systems. Dynatrol DCC was developed through NCE and the digital decoders are manufactured by North Coast Engineering for PSI (now Lahti Associates). Dynatrol (NCE) DCC worked so well that I traded off all my conventional Dynatrol and went with their DCC. (There were a few interference issues between the two Dynatrol versions.)
My point is this: Since I began with Dynatrol and their (NCE) DCC system works so well, I will never change. Their throttles (infrared) are great and I like the knobs instead of the push buttons found on many throttles. The only issue some people might not want to deal with is the fact that other manufacturers’ decoders aren’t compatible with Dynatrol although Dynatrol decoders (dual mode) are compatible with other systems.
I would recommend Dynatrol DCC in spite of this…but my second recommendation would be for NCE.
When one of my NCE (Dynatrol) decoders failed, I sent it back to NCE and they repaired it no charge. Also, Jim Scorse of NCE was extremely helpful when I contacted him about how to change a resistor or two inside the NCE command station to make it Dynatrol compatible. In other words, NCE has great after-sale support.
I have to say also that I have yet to buy a DCC system but am looking very seriously at NCE. I will give them credit also, I have probably sent them a dozen detailed emails in the past month asking specific questions and some just stupid newbie questions. They have bent over backwards to answer any and all of my questions and getting me answers back within 24 hours max. I’m impressed so far and am 99% sure that’s my system I’ll be going with.
CVP Products “Easy DCC” is my recommendation. I love the wireless, the system is easy to set up, very reliable and the guys at CVP are great. I have tried most of the other big name systems out there and I chose CVP. All the systems have merit and it comes down to a matter of preferences. My suggestion is to spend some time learning about DCC and then go play with some systems on some layouts in your area.
I own the Lenz system for my On3 shelf layout, and find it wonderful, though i use the tethered. handset System 100. Lenz does have a wireless solution that uses a cheap cordless phone as your handset. This was mentioned in another post. One other system I can recomend is the wireless Digitraxx system. One of the clubs near here uses it with great success…easy to use, especially to set up double or triple headers in MU operation. This system also faultless in use of implementing multiple handsets, several engineers, in use at once. jennifer
There you have several people whom have stuck their necks out with recommendations! I think these recommendations are valid and would only add that Digitrax is also very responsive to questions and customer service. DCC is a small market. No DCC company would last very long if they didn’t treat customers and potential customers very well.
