Lone wolf.
I use nothing more than the NCE command station and throttles.
Rich
do you have more than one throttle, use more than one throttle at a time?
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I have a long double mainline, so I use a throttle for each mainline. It just makes it easier to control movement on the layout.
Rich
I personally like the controller for the NCE system better. That said, it appears the Digitrax is more involved in updating their product line than NCE, with backward compatibility.
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I have the Cab06p, Cab04r (no longer produced) and the Procab NCE throttles. I also use the TCS UWT-50 and a variety of smart phones via a WFD-31 and dedicated wireless router.
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would you possibly be interested in a DIY NCE cab PCB that uses an ESP32 that just has buttons like a cab005?
Couldn’t tell you Chris, We have so many dogs move through here it is hard to keep track, plus it was twenty years ago. They were likely from a litter we had at the time.
Not really, but thanks for the offer.
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Everyone has their personal preference, I use Digitrax and for the older Athearn BB locomotives, you’re going to need the DH123AT (discontinued) if you can still find it.
None of the above. I recommend:
YaMoRC YD-7001
or
DCC-EX CSB1
NCE has been very trouble free for me, and having a programmable cab is really great.
what controllers do they use?
Whatcha gonna do?
Rich
So what is up with NCE availability right now? I have friend getting back in the hobby, helping him build a layout. I recommended he go DCC but NCE does not seem to have any product right now?
I am encouraging him to check out various systems, but my choice would be NCE or CVP Easy DCC.
Sheldon
Greg asks:
“what controllers do they use?”
DCC-EX CSB1 uses either a smartphone or tablet running the appropriate software. I have no idea whether a “handheld” controller can be used with it.
YD-7001 is a “universal” controller and will work with either wifi (smartphone or tablet, using the Roco z21 app is probably best with these) or handhelds of various designs.
I have never once used a “handheld, pushbutton” type of dcc controller, so I have no idea what works.
After “learning” on a tablet using wifi (z21 app), I don’t believe I’ll ever use anything else. Nothing else could be … “easier” …
the common complaint with glass screens is the need to look at them to locate the spot to press.
a controller with a knob can be operated without looking at it by rolling the knob with the side of a thumb
even a controlled with buttons can be operated without looking at it.
i’m seriously considering designing a PCB for a generic 3V battery powered controller with 4x4 keypad, OLED screen, WiFi and optional RS-485 interface (e.g. NCE cabbus)
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Do it, greg.
Rich
Exactly, we type on a computer keyboard without looking, but try and do the same on a glass screen keyboard. There may be a learning curve to that but it is thrown out the window as soon as the size of the screen changes, like going from a phone to a pad. Plus, with a pad you need one hand just to hold it.
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With NCE, I can hold the control in one hand and push the buttons with my thumb. It took a while, but it truly is one-hand operation. Not to say some others aren’t the same, but I don’t think I could do that with my phone. My kids probably could. 
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