I want to jump into DCC. I am a computer nerd and would like full access to all DCC features. I have read that some systems are more complex then others. The more complex, the better for me. Been looking at Digitrax.
Any suggestions?
Well, not to start a flame war, or to kvetch, but judging by the annoyed posters who swear that Digitrax almost ended their foray into DCC because the manuals were so complicated, I’d say just stop right there and go right in that door…Digitrax. Also, you probably know about loconet…it’s wonderfully complex. Gruesome, dark, and mysterious. Abandon all hope, though, if ye enter.[:-,]
I recommend the same system as mine, an NCE PH-Pro 5 amp wireless system.
I don’t know about complicated, but it is a sophisticated trouble free system that I have owned for 12 1/2 years.
Rich
Pat,
Digitrax and NCE both make very good DCC systems and both have their strong points. I’ve been using my Power Cab since 2006 and like the interface for its intuitiveness. Others prefer Digitrax for their throttles and features - particularly Loconet.
If possible, it’s best to try a system first-hand to see which one appeals to you the most. And only you can determine which one is best for you…
Tom
DCC systems are varied as to features & capacities. If you live in the US and there are others in your area, find out what they use. This will give you a good support network. That said:
- Digitrax - Full featured systems in several sizes. Upgrade compatibility is a big key value. They are the largest selling brand in the US.
- NCE - another good brand with several systems available. Upgrade path is also good.
- MRC Prodigy - Can be bought quite inexpensive, but the upgrade path can be expensive.
The above said, while the DCC packets sent out all meet the same standard - The cabs/throttles are not interchangeable between brands. If you are a ‘nerd’, I would suggest getting into JMRI and attaching your DCC system to a home computer. Programming decoders is so much easier using JMRI(and it is free). You can also break out of the propriatory cab/throttles and use your smart phone as a throttle with JMRI - well worth the time to look into this. All of the above systems support JMRI…
Jim
If you haven’t run across the term “Arduino” you should do some research. It is way above my pay grade and interests but it might suit yours.
I can’t comment on the MRC stuff, zero experience there.
By all accounts NCE seems to win in the easier to understand and get you doing things other than basic CV programming for addresses.
Digitrax is nice and does everything it says it can, although their instruction manuals are garbage. I know firsthand I own a Digitrax setup. With some digging and online resources you can get it all going however.
One thing I will add, I do not know if you are a solo modeler or looking to join a club, but being new to DCC, if going/joining a club is in the cards, you might want to go with the same equipmment they use. Nice to have experienced help when there is a problem or you don’t understand something.
[?] You can get an Arduino Uno clone for 5 or 6 bucks.
It’s possible to get into DCC for very little money. Someone has developed an Arduino-based system called DCC++ that can be built for about $30. It’s not a scaled down system. You have access to all decoder features.
There’s a subforum devoted to DCC++ over at the Trainboard forums.
Steve S
I removed a 5 year old Digitrax system and replaced it with a NCE Power Pro 5 amp system. I should have started with NCE.
Never operated with another system so I cannot compare, but I bought an NCE Power Pro wireless and have been very happy with it. Connected to a PC and use JMRI to program and more importantly store decoder configurations. If you’re planning to play with decoder configurations I would say the JMRI connection is a must have.
To say something is “above may pay grade” does not mean that it is expensive. “Above my pay grade” is an idiom that means too complex or important for my skill set (because gnerally speaking the people with a more complex or important job get a higher pay).
If I was going to buy a DCC system…Easy DCC by CVP Products, one of the first, still one of the best.
Sheldon
[:D][:D] Robert nailed it. I didn’t think it was an unknown expression but this morning SWMBO told me she never heard the expression “You can never be too thin or too rich”
There are others here who can have a high level discussion of Arduino with the OP. I just put it on the table for consideration.
Digitrax is what you want. It will do all you want,and since you are a computer nerd it will be easy to understand. I am also a computer geek and I found that the manual was not that hard to digest. Of course I found a book on low lever operating system calls and found that I not only enjoyed reading it,I understood it and was able to use it when I wrote code.
I have two Digitrax systems - both Zephyrs. One is dedicated to programming and the other to running trains. I am not a computer geek and have not had any trouble in understanding the manuals and putting them to work. I don’t know why others have had difficulty understanding the manuals.
Joe
Code and a LOT of computer related things are not so much hard as they are detailed. CV values and dcc stuff is detailed and missing a step can be very frusterating.
Seems like alot of expense just to do decoder programming, but I guess that having 2 complete DCC systems gives you a spare/backup DCC system as a result.
ditto - I’ve used CVP since 2000.
Guy
I did an awful lot of research and questioning before I left DC for DCC. For me, it was a $2k investment (system & decoders) and I was super cautious. It didn’t take long to realize Digitrax and NCE were the front runners. For strictly minor reasons I chose Digitrax over NCE for the system, but ended up with almost all NCE decoders.
I won’t badmouth the other systems out there, but will say that Digitrax and NCE are the “biggies” and you can’t go wrong either way.
I come from a technical background, EE degree and my regular job involves computer networks and server builds. When I researched DCC systems, it was the Loconet on Digitrax that sold me. None of the other brands has anything nearly as capable as this bus system. In fact people with other brands often install Loconet to handle their detection and signalling when they get that far. There is more third party support for Loconet than the others combined - both pre-built components that are compatible with loconet as well as DIY bits, including libraries for various microcontrollers so you can build your own devices.
That said, I’ve never had any issue figuring out how any of it works, nor have I had any issues with other non-technical people figuring out how to use the Digitrax equipment. The manual complainer is ONE person here and seems very prone to hyperbole, since Digitrax manuals, at least for the past 10 years, are almost exactly like any others in that in the first few pages they tell you to hook up wires to the proper terminals and then press certain buttons on the throttle and your loco should run - step by step getting started directions that get you up and running in a very simple fashion. The more advanced features come up later, including a button by button description of the throttle and what you would use each button for, often with examples. It’s all freely downloadable, so you can compare the manuals from different systems.
–Randy