HI Folks: IM getting back into the hobby after about 20 years gone, I will be doing a DCC layout, but havent made up my mind about which brand, NCE or Digitrax. Im quite interested in hearing your input, but more interested in hearing WHY you choose what you choose. I am planning on an N scale layout, around the wall on 2 levels in a 10x10 bedroom. I definately want to include signaling (appropriate to the Western USA) and be able to pick up throttle and have things just work. Thanks TIM
The NCE system is simpler and more user friendly............If you want to get into things like signaling, the Digitrax system allows more advanced features.
I have the NCE system, and I like it. I've never really looked into the Digitrax signalling system, but the new NCE light-it system is simple and works well with JMRI.
The Digitrax throttles are pretty frustrating to use. It’s like trying to use a graphing calculator.
I went with NCE because most tasks are done through menus on the dogbone throttle. A modular club I was with had Digitrax so I had to dive into it. Both have strong points. You need to experience each and do even the basic tasks to determine for yourself which you want. Don't confuse what some would say is more advanced with more confusing or the need to know all the underlying tech info. The systems do the same thing but go about it a little differently. NCE is still my choice and even though I have quite a bit of Digitrax for my modular efforts my home layout will feature NCE.
I bought a Digitrax Zephyr in 2006 and then I bought a Zehpyr Xtra a couple years ago. I use both on a a 4x8 layout and run up to 5 independent consists without issue. They play well with JMRI. I am happy with Digitrax.
NCE for me. Cab control much easier... operate w just 1 hand while holding coffee/snack w/other. Their online forum is excellent.
I'm using MRC, because that's what my club works. It's similar to NCE in terms of ease of use. I've used NCE in the past with great success. But let me throw a 3rd option out there. Are you at all computer savvy? Because either system can be connected to a PC running JMRI and then via JMRI, you could have a smart phone based throttle. In fact, with JMRI, you could be in a position where you almost never touched the regular throttle. I guess what I'm saying is, if you want the easiest to use, I'd say NCE. If you're computer savvy use whichever is cheaper and get the computer interface.
I bought into Digitrax when I first got back into the hobby and was immediately frustrated with it. Very difficult to program. It was like they made it difficult on purpose as a pride thing. I don't get it and I have been professionally working in electronics/RF design and repair for over 15 years. I also found the DigiTrax decoders to be finicky at best. Couldn't read/write them half of the time. Had a few burn up just sitting on the track idle. I sold everything and switched to NCE. Bought the $140 PowerCab and was immediately in love when I got it home. Easy to program, easy to operate and best of all it was much cheaper. As for decoders, I have switched to TCS. Even my currently DigiTrax equipped locos are getting swapped out for TCS and I'm selling the old decoders off to someone who actually wants it. I have since upgraded to an NCE PowerHouse Pro and it's amazing. I have that tied to a Raspberry Pi 3 running JMRI and the setup is a dream. Can't wait to fully deploy it on our new layout currently in building phase. Save yourself the headache (and some cash) and go with NCE.
I've had NCE PowerHouse Pro since the dawn of DCC (1998) and have never regretted it! Does everything I want and more than what I need. At the time, it seemed the best overall system and nothing that has happened since then has changed my opinion. Using it now with Raspberry Pi and JMRI and smart phone Engine Driver on both my phone, and on my Kindle.
A consideration that no one has yet touched on: Are there other DCC modelers that you know who are close by? If so, what system do they use? It is really handy to have friends close-by with the same system. You can use each other's throttles, exchange troubleshooting info and operation tips, and even substitute command stations, boosters, etc. for troubleshooting purposes. Don't underestimate the value of having people around with similar equipment. No matter what system you have, DCC is complex; having access to a user group with the same system is invaluable, IMHO. Though I personally think NCE's system is more user-friendly, I have Digitrax, largely because the rest of the modelers I interact with also have Digitrax. When one of us has a problem, we can solve it collectively pretty quickly. John C.
HI -- Im quite computer savvy, but my layout wont feature any external computer interface, at least originally, Im not so concerned about perfect replication of signals, just something that works and looks good, I read about someone who had his signals set up so that as the train tripped it it went to red, then after a set period of time, to yellow and then green -- that would be cool with me Thanks TIM San Luis and Rio Grande
I got an MRC system with the WiFi module. Nice to control trains using an IPhone and Wi Throttle. Works well but I also got the NCE Power Cab to do programming and also to use with the clubs NCE system. One of the venues that we set up at has apparently encrypted their WiFi so we cannot use the JMRI WiFi so the Power Cab handheld would act as a throttle on the club's NCE system. I think that you will find that, like everything else, the various DCC systems have their pros and cons and you have to determine which is the right fit for your situation.
This is true, but he's asking here because I can only assume he wants to see what the majority use and are happy with. He is unlikely to go out, buy system, try it, take it back, buy another, try it, take it back, and so on. It's just not feasible. He could also be in the same situation I'm in where the closest serious model railroader is almost an hour away from me. Sometimes you don't have the option to just drop by someone else's layout to see what they use. That's where the internet and these forums are gold. Just my opinion.
I agree. That is what is/was being asked. However, there is really no accurate way to sample enough such that "majority use" is determinable. (The numbers garnered here are so small as to be statistically insignificant.) Really we might need actual sales figures from manufacturers. So it boils down to a very small number of opinions, and then choosing what seems to be best fit for this end user. I can recall some years ago, when Lenz was at the top. But Digitrax was less costly and... Then NCE climbed the popularity ladder. This past weekend I was able to observe and use both NCE and Digitrax, side by side. Everyone was much happier using the NCE. But that is just one small observation and one lone opinion.
I agree with Ken, the fact that this takes on a "religious debate" quality has gotten folks to be careful about these kinds of discussions. I use Digitrax at home (DCS-50 and DCS-100), and the SV FreeMoN group uses NCE (but I NEVER use the NCE throttle, always WiThrottle via JMRI). Only one or two folks use the NCE throttle, which sits next to the computer/command station, and then just for consisting. I have never experienced the issues that others have with Digitrax. I find the expand-ability via LocoNet well worth the "user friendly" issues many others complain of (but then, I can do binary, octal and hexadecimal arithmetic in my head; I don't even have problems with configuration CVs which are bit flags (different bits mean different things), but then I cut my teeth doing PDP 8/11, IBM-1260 front panel programming, and 6502 and 8088 assembly programs). I think the best advice one can give is to look at the documentation on both. Ask SPECIFIC questions (rather than the generic religious debate type), then try to make a decision. But, for anyone, I recommend looking not just at the ease of setting up a small beginning layout, but think long and hard about what else you MIGHT want down the road. And look into those aspects, too, by searching different forums and asking those questions.
Wise advice given here about the dangers of these sorts of discussions. It would be well heeded. Each system has their pros and cons, and it is very easy to get very defensive of your favorite choice, especially if one of the other systems has turned out to be a poor choice FOR YOU. There's not much to be done other than find SOME way to actually try them out individually and make a decision based on direct experience. Having said that, I'll lay out the pros and cons as I see them. Digitrax: Pros - very extensible, widely supported by third party stuff. LocoNet is as good as it comes right now for the job that it does (until LCC takes over). It's the Microsoft of the bunch. I personally use it mainly because of the LocoNet extensibility and I can tolerate the negatives. Also very widely used and the most likely to find other users and therefore help. Direct (if somewhat limited and expensive) support for wifi throttles via the LNWI. Cons - positively ancient user interface, and too close to the stuff that should be hidden (CVs). Less-than-ideal documentation, as well. This can largely be taken care of by using JMRI for programming and configuration, and sticking with either utility throttles or smart phone throttles for running trains. Can be expensive, but again, third party stuff... NCE: Pros - arguably the most user-friendy of the US-based DCC designs. Cons - more proprietary and less thoroughly built out support for accessory functions like turnouts, signaling, detection, etc. They have stuff, sure, but it just doesn't feel as complete as the Digitrax system. Also not as well supported by 3rd party vendors. No direct support for wifi throttles (must use JMRI) MRC: Pros - Very user friendly design. Also directly supports smart phones with the wifi adapter. Cons - perhaps the least extended and extensible system for layout control (AFAIK). NOTE NOTE NOTE: One nice thing about adding JMRI to the system is that it allows you to mix and match... so if you want to use NCE throttles and boosters, and set up a LocoNet for turnouts and signaling and detection, you can do that and have it all integrated. You can do that anyway without JMRI, but JMRI makes it somewhat easier. To me, JMRI is worth it for DecoderPro alone, regardless of system choice. DISCLAIMER: I'm an embedded systems designer by trade, which makes me an odd bird. Many of the things people positively HATE about Digitrax, I recognize, shrug, and work around/through. In fact, I prefer Digitrax in many ways BECAUSE I can use it as components in a system that I'm designing on top of it. Most of the layout control electronics on my layout are custom-designed Arduino-based boards that communicate via LocoNet. Not many modelers are going to enjoy doing that for themselves. If I was going to buy a system just to USE and not have to fuss with all the stuff that my perverse mind enjoys solving, I'd probably go with NCE. MRC would be a second choice. I mostly don't like it simply because of few poor interactions with users who are a bit too zealous for my taste.... which is an entirely unfair way to judge the company or the hardware.
HI Folks; Thanks so much for all the input that you have given. I have used both NCE and DIGITRAX in the past, and there are things that I love about both. Right now the decision is coming down to this. NCE has the mini panel, and Digitrax does not. I LOVE The concept of the mini panel to help with switching, route setting, signaling and a zillion other things, and to this point, I have not been able to find anything similar for digitrax. THe layout is not going to be gigantic, just a 10 x 10 room with a 2 level around the wall system, so thats not a huge problem. Right now, I am not planning on external computer support, but that may change in the future, so the computer interface issues are not a big issue either right now. As far as I can tell, both systems are well established, and show no signs of going away. I will grant this, the Digitrax website is MUCH better, NCE's site is a total mess, but hopefully they will be cleaning it up. I also do not use a wifi throttle (I still use a flip phone), so thats not an issue either. Thanks to all for the well thought out responses TIM San Luis and Rio Grande
