Hello , I’m starting a HO layout (been few years since my last layout) and trying to start out right. I’m going to the 2006 train show and hoping to get a DCC starter set thinking of NCE Pro cab and I hope to integrand a PC to my layout . What is the “best” PC programs out there and is the Pro-Cab from NCE a good choice or should I look at others like Easy DCC , or Zephyr from Digi-Trax . I will have up to 3 - 4 operators max. on a 10’x6’ L shape layout and a future to go around the edge of the room a 24’x40’ . I have been reading till my eyes bleed . Too many options to figure out . Or please steer me to he right links .
My personal recommendation based on what your given parameters is go with the Pro-Cab. I believe that system will have everything you could want for a layout the size you are talking. A simple EZ Command or similar I think won’t have the flexibility or features you may eventually require, but it will work none the less even though you will outgrow it almost immediately.
This is a good example of paying a little more up front, but getting a good system that fills your needs.
Probably too many opinions too… I can only speak from my personal experience when I suggest going with Digitrax… Thier computer interface is a little long in the tooth, if you can find one, but from my understanding, they are updating it… Adding throttles is a simple matter of buying them and plugging them into the loconet buss. To my knowlage, the Easy DCC is the only one that comes out of the box ready to connect To a computer with an RS232.
I don’t know what Show you are going to but my suggestion would be to seek out the layouts where they are using DCC and talk to the owners. Also find the vendors and chat with them… It’s my Personal opinion that what makes one DCC system better than the others is the throttles and unless you intend to take your throttles to other local layouts for operations, buy the one that fits your fancy the best.
Over in the general discussions forum there are a couple threads you should seek out. One is choosing the best DCC system started by Joe Fugate (jfugate) and the other deals mostly with throttles started by someone else. Better yet, here they are…
First off, I think you should check out the brand-new NCE powercab. It’s a starter-level system that literally just came out (in fact, it only starts shipping this Friday). Tonystrains.com just posted a review where they basically said this is now the best starter-level set. I’m not in the market for a set at that level, but looking it over briefly, they’re probably correct. Definitely worth checking out.
Now more generally: I absolutely concur with Rolleiman than the key to a DCC system is the throttle. In terms of the stats and capabilities, they’re all pretty much equivalent until you get into the hair-splitting level. Now, I do myself prefer the NCE throttles whereas Rollei likes Digitrax, and neither of us is “wrong” - it’s very much a matter of personal preference.
The one other factor to consider is if you ever want to go wireless, because they do differ quite a bit there: Lenz has no ‘real’ wireless option, but rather an adapter that lets you use a cordless phone as a throttle. Personally I hate that . Digitrax offers several wireless options, but their wireless is one-way only, not duplex. What’s that mean? The most obvious effect of one-way is that you must plug your throttle in to change locos. You can select a loco, unplug, and run it wirelessly to your heart’s content, but you have to plug back in to change. NCE and EasyDCC both offer full duplex wireless throttles. On the wireless front, I say they win. And in all fairness, the EasyDCC throttle will work with the Lenz system, so Lenz does have a good wireless option, just not made by Lenz.
Of course, you can buy a ZIMO system and spend a couple thousand dollars… But I have yet to figure out exactly what makes Zimo better than any of the others (other than having a lot more blinky lights and being a little more “elegantly” designed.)… Very cool, but I don’t personally think it’s 4-5x the price cool.
Thanks tangerine-jack , rolleiman and kchronister . You guys cleared up a few things for me and I am leaning to the Power Cab from NCE but did not know what time in 06 it was coming out . Great to hear its shipping soon . I’m going to The Big E Train Show in W. Springfield Ma. next weekend . I’m buying all my track , some rolling stock , hoping to pick up a Dash8 loco w/sound and a Dcc system . Now just have to hide the total cost from my wife [:D] or I’ll get a [B)] lol. I did read Joe Fugate thread but it went dead never gave a winning line up and did not know about the “DCC Throttle Shoot-Out” good read.
THANKS again gents JLRC
That’s a LOT of cost to hide from the wife… Good luck with that… RE Joe’s thread, I don’t think it was his intention to Pick a winning lineup but to compare a common feature (consisting) among the different Starter systems. It’ll still be up to you to decide just how much nutz and bolts you want in a system… To Just run your trains and toot the horn on that Dash8, a Bachman DCC package will probably do it for around $50 or so.
At any rate, good luck… Show us some pics when you get things up and running…
Yeah, tha’ts a bundle to hide from the wyf… I take the easy way out… She asks what I spend on trains, I ask what she spends on scrapbooking, we agree some things aren’t “need to know” and leave it at that…
Bruce at Litchfield Station has a comprehensive comparison of the various systems available. Go to this site and click on Comapare Sets. It takes you through a process of selecting the correct size (power) set, then shows options.
Hi - just to confuse you more, I really like my Lenz DCC system…[:D]
I’ve been on this forum for a little over a year now. One thing I’ve noticed about DCC is that everyone who has it, loves it. It doesn’t matter which one they have, so it’s hard to make a mistake and get the “wrong” system. The one thing people do mention is that there are a few low-end, “starter” system which are NOT expandable, and those should be avoided.
I might see you at Springfield. You and ten thousand other railroaders. So, welcome aboard, and don’t be shy here.
(Last night, my wife came home with a big wall mirror for the living room. That was a semaphore going vertical to me, so I ordered some Peco turnouts I need for my engine house track. Well, she didn’t try to hide the mirror…)
I am really confused. I am in the same sport jlrc47 is. I am going from N scale to a DCC HO system in my basement. I am going to a 24 x 16 layout but not sure where to start. Am i going to out grow the NCE power cab very quickly ?? I wanna get my track and a starter set here in the near future.
I agree that if she buys scrapbooking stuff I can but toys. Since I bring home the bread I can toast a loaf every now and then.
Please guide me in the right direction even with what track to go with. I am almost clueless, my dad went O gauge and I am stuck in the middle.
You might want to start your own thread on this, you may get more responses… I can’t speak for the NCE so I’ll let someone else do that… To kick start you though, browse through this quick read I’ve set up for beginners (relative) like yourself. It’ll at least help you generate the right questions to get the info you need.
LOL . i hope you realize that your wife thinks you buying track is spending money on yourself , and that her buying a mirror is a household expense [:)]
MisterBeasley , I’ll be the one with the clueless look on my face and [}:)] waiting for dark to go home and seek all the " for the house " items into the house [:D]
I have to disagree. CVP makes a wireless throttle that is compatible with both Atlas and Lenz DCC systems. I bought one for use with my Atlas system but I am going to upgrade to a Lenz system and my CVP wireless throttle will work with it. It just needs slightly different settings on the receiver.