Which DCC system should i use?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
61

Like you, most users of the NCE system from early on seem to be satisfied with their old NCE systems first offered some 25 years ago..

However, snice this topic is about someone asking for recommendations for a DCC a system, I’m recommending a system based on much newer designs and technology which comes with highly recommended throttles, the UWT-100 and UTW-50. In many cases, users of the much older NCE system now prefer the TCS throttles over the old hammerhead throttles. Something for newer purchasers to consider -Train Control Systems. The Train Control System DCC system was designed and engineered during the past 5 years and has been on the market for about 2 years now. I really love the menu driven controls on the throttles.

1 Like
62

Geez, this thread started in March and the OP is considering an NCE Power Cab. Early on, I encouraged him to consider NCE.

I have no issue with TCS or you liking it.

I was replying today to the issue of consisting that someone raised. NCE does a good job consisting.

Sorry if that offends you.

63

Rio grande, with all respect, I couldn’t disagree more. I’ve found Digitrax to be very user friendly. Bring up lead loco, then bring up consisted loco, just be sure travel directions are correct and you’re good to go, Easy peasy as far as I’m concerned. I have no experience with other manufacturers.
Maybe other manufacturers are even easier but Digitrax is surely intuitive as far as I’m concerned.

Regards, Chris

1 Like
64

I keep reading this stuff and still have no real ideas on what I should recommend for my friend. We are moving forward with his layout construction, when it becomes critical I guess we will figure it out.

Yes, I am building two layouts at once, one for myself and helping a friend build a smaller layout.

His will be DCC, mine will still be DC.

And I have become active in our local group again, at least somewhat, so I am once again operating DCC layouts. Many of those guys who had Digitrax years ago have switched to stuff like TCS, and many are using their phones.

Not me, I hate using the phone as a phone, let alone using it as a throttle.

Controlling turnouts with decoders was mentioned above - been there, used that on a Digitrax layout way back - that was terrible. That guy not only ditched Digitrax for his next layout - he built control panels with buttons for the turnouts…

Why push 5 buttons when you can push one? I only push one or two even for complex routes and I can control them locally or on the dispatchers panel, what more do you need?

Consisting, glad I don’t have to do that…

I think it might be down to TCS or CVP for my friend? But who knows?

Sheldon

65

aside from that TCS uses wireless WiFi controllers, the main difference between systems is the user interface and it shouldn’t be surprising that some people are more confortable with one interface than another. What may seem great to you may be confusing to someone else.

Some of our club members are finding consisting using the new Digitrak DT402d more difficult than the older DT402s controllers because they changed the user interface, the sequence of buttons.

66

LOL. This thread reminds me of Coffee Talk on SNL back in the 90s.

“Talk amongst yourselves”.

The thread started on March 12th when the OP asked about which DCC system to use and commented that he was considering an “NCE Power/ProCab controller”. We haven’t heard anymore from the OP since March 12th although I asked on March 15th “whatcha gonna do” after he got a lot of good advice. Never heard back.

The OP has been on other threads since then, but he seems overwhelmed by trying to build a layout, a spray paint booth, and find “parts” for his layout and spray booth. So, I have to wonder if he is following this thread revival.

Rich

67

Digitrax simply has too many buttons, spaced too close together on the older throttles, with too many long button sequences to remember - AlI my friends around here started with Digitrax - they have all moved on, at least in terms of the user interface.

My lack of interest is sound, and lack of interest in controlling turnouts from the throttle, gives me a built in bias that had little to do with DCC itself. I simply don’t want throttles with that many buttons, that many functions, that level of complexity.

Again, I hate my smartphone, I hate the endless multi step processes on any touch screen device. For me they are just a necessary annoyance of the modern world.

Sheldon

68

Full disclosure, I am completely satisfied with my Digitrax system but last year, after reading here how nice the TCS UWT100 throttle is, I purchased one and it is now my main throttle to run trans. I do still occasionally use my Digitrax 402 and always use it to build/change a locomotive consist.

Regards, Chris

1 Like
69

I’ve been reading up, Life’s been insanely busy as of late, I’m currently making some final plans and making the main building for my layout a Lazer Cut kit i can assemble. As for DCC, I’m taking a look at the TCS throttle.

70

why? what do you like about it?

71

Good to have you back. We missed you. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

Rich

72

Greg, to me it takes the best features of both the Digitrax 402 and the NCE hammerhead throttles. The display is big and bright, it has a scroll wheel encoder that’s easy to use one handed, it has two sets of throttle buttons (one set for single step increase-decrease, one set for user defined increase-decrease, like 5 steps or 10 steps or whatever), it’s light weight, uses two AA batteries that last a long time, there’s no cord attached, you can switch between two locomotives with a single button press, and it just “feels” right. The cost I think is on par probably with either a Digitrax or NCE but you do need to buy a Digitrax Wi-Fi interface module to hook it up to a Digitrax system, but the install was easy peasy. There is one downer at the moment. The throttle, if using the thumb wheel, when scrolled down to zero will on its own move up to 1. The issue is not physical I believe but with the electronics. The issue doesn’t happen when using either set of buttons. TCS is aware of the problem and with be issuing a firmware update in the near future. My throttle was purchased in the beginning of this year. That said I still use it pretty much exclusively for running trains. Hope this helps.

Regards, Chris

2 Likes
73

the TCS prices are unexpected

  • uwt-50p wifi controller $220
  • uwt-100 wifi controller $300
  • cs-105 command station $500
  • LT-50 teathered starter system $150 (similar to NCE PowerCab)
74

Using my cell+Enginedriver with Digitrax completely changed my model railroading experience. Among other things, it makes consisting super easy.

Simon

75

As I mentioned, I’ve always felt consisting with Digitrax is very intuitive and easy.

Regads, Chris

76

:+1:

77

Each DCC system does things a little differently, so sometimes it’s not a ‘good or bad’ choice with they way they do it, just what you’re used to or what works best for you.

The CVP “Easy DCC” system I use has a Command Station with two built-in throttles to run two engines/trains separately. If I want, I can run things sitting down and throw all the mainline turnouts from there. When I’m done running trains, I like to set all the turnouts back to “normal”, so I do “accessory” “1” “normal”, “accessory” “2” normal, etc. until they’re all set, then hit the “escape” button to clear it. Goes very quickly!

Works the same with the handheld, but you have to hit “escape” between each turnout - but then, I normally am only using that when following a train around and doing one at a time (although it’s nice to know I can run trains and throw turnouts with the remote from anywhere in the basement).

command_station1
command_station1700×566 38.9 KB

78

Go to youtube and watch some demos of dcc-ex. tough to beat $150 for 5 amp, wifi built in, withrottle and engine driver support, jmri supported and so on. I’ll keep my Digitrax cuz sometimes you really need a true throttle but if i ever need a second system i know what it will be.

1 Like
79

I’m back into the hobby and went with dcc-ex. I’m thinking the learning curve is higher than digitrax, but I’m all in so far. As far as a real throttle, do these not qualify? TCS UWT-50 & UWT-100 WiFi Throttles (Physical) — DCC-EX Model Railroading documentation

I have a long ways to go before I outgrow engine driver of the best app on iOS.

80

Digitrax and NCE, the two largest DCC companies in North America, currently exist purely due to market inertia, and not because of the merits of their product offerings.

Digitrax has dug in their heels with proprietary technologies like LocoNet, Duplex, and Transponding over the standards of LCC, Wi-Fi, and RailCom. To be fair, LocoNet is a great technology but ironically, other companies have much better products for it than Digitrax itself. Meanwhile, NCE has barely changed in 25+ years.

Digitrax’s consisting is actually even easier to do, but very limited in functionality, since they are single-ended and you can’t send functions to all units.

NCE’s consisting was by far the most robust and prototypical until TCS beat them at their own game, removing their one remaining competitive advantage. Digitrax matched their ease of use in 2006, TCS and Digitrax both offered robust radio systems in 2020, and in 2022, TCS finally beat them at consisting.

CVP is ancient and quite expensive. You can get the throttles for an XPressNet system, but at this point, I fail to see why compared to using Wi-Fi throttles.

Just use JMRI WiThrottle server.

TCS is expensive, but their stuff is extremely well engineered. If you’re going to pay top dollar, TCS and NCE are the two expensive options, and TCS is superior in every way.

When looking for a DCC system, people should consider all the options out there, not just the two biggest players in North America. The legacy proprietary systems from Digitrax, NCE, CVP, Lenz, and MRC are long in the tooth compared to modern options like ESU, Roco, YaMoRC, and TCS, or alternative systems like WifiTrax, SPROG, and DCC-EX.

2 Likes