Hi all, so, which system is the best? I’m sure we’ll have many different posts for this.
Here is my situation: I have many locomotives, I want to use signals and eventually I may want to run things using a computer , radio is likely with tethered cabs in the yards and, no, I don’t care for sound. My biggest thing is Ease of Use. Price is not a concern at this time.
I’ve seen Digitrax, NCE and have used CVP Rail Command. I realy liked the simplicity of the CVP system. Can you folks give me pros and cons of what you believe in or used please?
I use Kato Unitrack. The switch machines are thrown by a DS-64 after they recieve the command from my DT400 throttle via the loconet.
The 8 amp command station is backed by a 2012 power supply that is capable of 20+ amps or feeding multipule boosters.
Practically, there are like 120 engine address can be stored, no limit to program options and I have not yet hit something that I cannot do with this system.
I bought this system at the hobby shop on discount and basically this will be the only system for the remainder of my life such as it is.
The signalling can be supported by the Digitrax Se8C (Either that spelling or the SEC8…) board. I have researched the future use of B&O CPL’s with this system.
Yes I can patch into the chief with the computer but need a cable for that. Maybe will do that some day.
The only thing that I can or will do is upgrade to full two way radio someday, that is easily done.
Finally but not last, the reason I bought the Chief is that I understand and enjoy the system very much. Cost was secondary. I suppose it is my way of learning DCC. All in and learn as I need to make things work.
The basic starter stuff I knew will be a waste of my money, time and create frusterations as I did not want to be limited in any way in the future.
Well, John. You didn’t waste anytime in starting this brand new forum out with a topic that’s a proverbial “can of worms”. Thank you for a least putting some constraints on it. [^][tup]
Any one of the systems that you’ve mentioned will work well for you. For ease of use, I personally find the NCE interface more to my liking. I have tried Digitrax but the button layout of the Pro Cab or Power Cab throttle is more intuitive…to me. For the needs that you’ve mentioned, the 5 amp Power House Pro would be better for you than the 1.7 amp Power Cab.
John, if you’d like to take a virtual tour of the Power Cab (essentially the same throttle used with the NCE Power House Pro sytem), click on the link at the bottom of my post and go the review page on my web site. There’s a short review of the Power Cab. It also contains pictures and comments to give you an idea of what you’d see if you were holding and/or using one yourself. And the review of the CAB-04p throttle and the Smart Booster might also be inciteful, if you should care to read them.
Where’s that “opening kettle of fish” graphic when I need one?
As always I will reply with, “Whatever system you like is whatever system works for you” They are pretty much all capable of the same things give or take.
Just pay attention to things like
Will I need a walk around throttle?
Will I need a wireless throttle?
Will I want software support?
Do I want to use a particular feedback system?
How much current will I need?
Will my layout be modular, and what do fellow modular users use?
How important is an easy to use cab/throttle? Will 1 or 2 extra button presses mean that much to me?
BTW: Joe Fugate is a wonderful source of information on this topic.
The CVP system is very easy to use. A limitation with it is the programming must be done from a fixed panel. If you are going to have a LOT of radio throttles working I have heard of people having problems when they have more than 8 EasyDCC radio throttles going. I have had friends that had issues with the 4 digit addressing (they may be fixed for now).
I really don’t like early Digitrax throttles, they are very hard to figure out. i recently operated on a layout with the most recent radio throttle and it was a LOT more intuitive and user friendly.
I have also used a Lenz system and it was OK too.
I personally have an NCE system with a mix of radio and tethered throttles. I am happy with it. Several others in this area also have NCE systems randing in size from my 300 sq ft layout to rooms with 2500 sq ft.
My vote for best DCC system would be “Decoder Pro”. It is not a system but an indispensable free software program that has made my Digitrax Chief easier to use.
I am very content with my Digitrax Super Empire Builder DB 150 and the 5 amps of power it offers. What I really like, though, are the twin DT400 throttles, each with twin clickable encoders that allow me to run two engines on one throttle simultaneously, and four if I have the nerve…hasn’t happened yet.
I find my Digitrax to be easy enough to read and use. I would agree that you can’t expect to pick up a DT400 and get trains running just like that. But, manual open on the bench and throttle in hand, it soon becomes very clear and the rest is pure enjoyment. Whatever Digitrax decides to offer in the future, twin clickable encoders should stay on their premier throttles.
1- Digitrax SuperChief. It’s probably more system than I’ll ever need (certainly more than I need now!) but I’m a belt-and-braces kind of guy and don’t like to have to buy things twice. There are a few things that helped me decide: discussions with system owners and three LHS’s, availability of add-ons, (especially locally), reasonably priced and ease of setup and use.
2- Yes, absolutely. Instructions are clear and simple, easy to use, does everything I ask of it. Is there a better system out there? Oh, probably; there’s always something better coming along. But the Super Chief does what I want it to do, will grow with me, and I don’t feel that I spent too much. I have no complaints.
Short answer - None. There is no best. Do a search and see the zillions of threads on this exact topic.
define signals. Do you mean like ABS and CTC traffic control signals for the trains? Digitrax has a signal system that uses and integrates with their loco-net. Our club is using the Digitrax signal modules on our layout which is a Lenz DCC system.
Ok, now there is something to work with. Personally I would say the MRC Prodigy comes close there. A big dial with channel numbers on it. Dial up and go.
Then you might consider the CVP Easy DCC system. It has almost the same console interface as the Railcommand. In addition it comes with two built in throttles. Their wireless system is probably the best out there if you can live with only 8 wireless throttles. I use the CVP wireless with my Lenz.
I own a Digitax Zephyr, several MRC Command 2000s, a Lenz, and a non-DCC Railcommand.
Check out Tony’s Train Exchange. There are a lot of articles about DCC there. I am in the begining construction of my 3rd layout and this one will have DCC. I have used the Digitrax on my dad’s layout, and it works fine, but the one thing I don’t care for is the small knobs for un the UT-4 handheld, not good for short fat fingers. I have really been looking hard at the Lenz set 100. It seems very easy to use and I liked the 10 yr warranty,and big buttons[:)].
I have Digitrax Super Chief with radio. I love it. The radio is the best toy in the train room. It must be sort of simple, I made it work.
I got a sound decoder in a brass steamer, so that can’t be too hard either. I wired for both DC and DCC but have never used the DC since the DCC was set up. My layout was wired for DC and it took less than an hour to get DCC running. I have since replaced some of the wiring, but not all.
Zimo, if money is no object. But in terms of main stream…I recommend going to your LHS and getting a hands on. Remember that you want to have a DCC system that you want to come home to, not one that you dispise.
It is very important that YOU decide which system to buy. There are many factors that will determine what will suit YOU best, but DONT let someone elses’ opinion make your decision for you. Alot of those ‘opinions’ are rather tainted.
If you’re serious that ease of use is your highest priority, then NCE would be the system I recommend. There are other considerations, though.
Do you want to have local support and a high likelihood other modelers could bring cabs to an op session? If yes, then Digitrax would likely be your best choice.
If ultra-reliable wireless (true wireless, not wireless that requires you to plug in to acquire), then I would have said EasyDCC until recently. With the most recent release of EasyDCC, there have been isolated reports of more loco runaways – and NCE is now shipping throttles that use their new Rev 3 wireless that is super-reliable and super-fast response.
So at this point regarding reliable wireless it’s something of a toss up between EasyDCC and NCE. The one big thing in NCE’s favor is the fact their wireless allows 40-some throttles on a single receiver, while EasyDCC requires a second recevier if you go beyond 8 throttles, and EasyDCC maxes out at 16 wireless throttles.
NCE also has true wireless programming on the main and very robust consisting options, with automatic double-ended consisting built in. Double-ended consisting allows you to quickly make a consist with a mix of locos having lights and sound, a
I will jump in behind Joe and say that I have been using NCE since 1999. Before that I used another non DCC command system called Dynatrol. The switch was like going from midnight to noon day sun.
I use NCE Pro, I have four boosters for the four power districts on the layout (3 decks). I have never fallen in love with the T bone Procab, but it is needed, so I have 5 of them. I really like the small cab04pr cabs for just plain running, but as sound moves in, they don’t do so good. That is why I keep the procabs around.
I had some early issues with the radio but it is working like a champ now. Layout is 35ft by 28ft, 3 decks. I have no dead spots anywhere I can find.
I keep a second command station on my workbench with one booster for testing, programming, etc. so I do no programming on the main railroad.
I did put in a cab buss at the beginning and I keep it up as there are times a tethered cab is just fine, especially in local switching.
Support? I don’t know of any other NCE user around me, and I am electronically challenged. However, the NCE group on Yahoo has some very knowledgable people, though some are very opinionated (but nice). Because I am challenged I am encouraged by the simplicity of the NCE in programming, setting CV’s, etc. and I certainly do not plan to switch to any other system.
As a solo operator on a VERY small layout I have grown to like the two throttles on my digitrax DT400 controller. It makes working with two locos very easy. I am not sure this would be much use on a layout with multiple operators. The ballistic control of the knobs (the throttle changes faster if you move them quickly) allows a really nice touch on speed.
The biggest downside to digitrax is the menus can be a bit cryptic when programming. This will be a non-issue (I hope) when I finally hook the PC up to the layout but I have not had the time to do that thanks to a new Baby. A small down side is the rubber buttons get stuck crooked sometimes.
Digitrax keeps saying they will come out with a duplex radio system but I have seen no evidence that it will actually appear.
I originally bought my system over 6 years ago because at the time it had the cheapest computer interface. I ended up storing it for 5 years and if I was shopping now I would take a hard look at NCE. At the time I bought, it was not as attactive an option.
I would suggest seeing if you can find a store that sells both and seeing which throttle is most comfortable to you.