Any recommendations for a DCC system for a beginner? I'm leaning towards the MRC Prodigy, mostly because it has a rotory throttle, but maybe that doesn't matter so much. Does anyone have insight for rotory vs pushbutton and joystick throttle. I think I would like the abillity to cut the throttle emmediately instead of multiple button pushes to cut power. Is any one of them easier to program and set-up than the others? Any reliabillity or operational issues? Thanx
NCE powercab has an emergency stop in the middle. So one button press. I am sure others have similar functions. Basically the Top Three beginner systems recommended from my reading : MRC, Digitrax (zephyr) , NCE (powercab). All offer different advantages. Generally I recall more discussion about NCE and Digitrax, but I am sure MRC's prodigy has just as many threads out there. Without having anyone near me operating a system that I was aware of, I youtubed them. I watched people operate their system, and in watching I evaluated how their interaction with the device felt to my mind. I picked the model that I felt most comfortable with its operation style, and had a feature set that I would grow with me in a manner that I envisioned for my future layout. Each system has its follower and detractors so you will obviously as with anything find yay and nay sayers. Oh, I also went to each manufacturers website and read the manuals. There is a lot to be learned, and I have a longways to go. I have no idea if my decision was "right" but I am satisfied with the leg work I did. All I can suggest is: 1) Try Youtube to see them in operation. 2) Read the manuals, and if you get them in a pdf and OCR them you can search for key phrases like "stop" to compare such specifics. 3) Consider and compare capabilities initially and in growth (if you plan to expand).
A good beginner system would have, as a minimum, a 2 amp power supply, but three would be better. Five amps is a lot, but if you intend to have multiple users at one time, or run many locomotives at one time pulling substantial trains, or to power eight or nine sound-yielding locomotives at once, then 3 will probably be insufficient. So, that's power consumption. Two to three amps if you can. More if you need them. Feature-wise, about the only two big separations nowadays are with CV read-back and the number of Functions the hand-controller or key pad will allow you to activate. The decoders offer various features from lighting and lighting effects to different actionable sounds. The trend, like with Gillette razors, is to add a couple every year, so we are up to about 2073 by now. The one that makes me laugh is the guy farting into the toilet. ..okay, I'm joking, but the true number of 28 or so is kinda silly if you ask me. As for CV read-back, the decoders allow you to specify behaviours in the drive mechanism and in the sound production system. It is convenient to be able to see what the extant setting, or numerical value, is in any one CV if you feel it needs changing. The older Digitrax systems, for example, don't allow this, but I think the Zephyr does. Personally, I have the older Super Empire Builder from Digitrax, and I don't really miss the CV read-back probably because I have no experience or reliance on it. But I truly love the DT400 throttle with twin throttle knobs on it. And I love the hefty 5 amp capacity of the system. Would that be okay, or do you need to think about the CV read-back and full featured keypad? I would suggest you give serious consideration to those. They aren't currently engineered because only one person thought they were good to have.
As stated earlier NCE would be the best and easiest for a beginner, but as you'll see from the thread responses it's a personal choice. But I have both Lenz 90 and NCE Powercab, and I wish I had gotten the NCE first much easier to use. And it will grow with you as your knowledge and layout grows. And still remain simple to operate
The Digitrax Systems allow you to run non-decoder equiped loco's on address 0. They have rotary throttles with an emergency stop button. The Digitrax throttles (DT-400, 401 and 402 series) have two control knobs to control two trains. I think there is a learning period with any system you might choose. I use Digitrax and my club has two Digitrax systems. Look for a club in your area and pay them a visit and see what they use. (if they use DCC at all).
I was using a Digitrax zephyr. The key there is was, because I am now using an NCE Powercab that I got from Mike Fifer. I really like it. The reason I did not purchase one of the new zephyr sets was because of the smart alec replies that I recievd from Digitrax when I had a problem. Replies like "we don't know why that won't work, try this it might work". BS, they developed the system and should have been able to tell me about any problem and how to solve it. They didn't or couldn't. Just my 2 cents. Carl
Well to each his own. If you ask 10 people you will get 10 answers. To me the best bang for the buck is the NCE Power Cab. Easy to use and understand, good product support, system is expandable and is priced right. This system is very easy to hook up and operate. Download the manual on line and see if you understand the lingo.
seeing as how I am probably the most beginner-est of anybody, I am really enjoying my Bachmann EZ-command, I dont have a large amount of track or engines, but I like that I can simply and intuitively control the sounds and speeds and directions of my locomotive independently of the others, I do wish I had something "deeper", but because I wanted something simple and small, and I got it on ebay for 75$ new, I am colossally blown away by it! It is my first experience in the DCC world, a Bachmann 4-8-2, and the EZ-command unit
There is no best, only what work best for you. Unless you can try different systems, you might just have to go with what looks right to you. I have the NCE Power Cab which can run at least four locos but I can only run three comfortably and then in consist on my home layout. I bought it because my club uses the NCE Power Pro and my cab can plug right in. No other reason. The cab has buttons and a encoder knob for speed control. I do not use the buttons as the encoder knob works just fine for me. I have not been comfortable using buttons for speed control. I have been using encoder knobs for many years and I pay attention to what the display tells me. NCE has add on throttles that use the encoder or potentiometer for speed control. Some prefer the potentiometer control as there are max and min stops for the pot type control. The encoder knob does not have max and min stops. There is a Yahoo DCC group for the NCE stuff that is a help at times. There is also a DCC MRC Yahoo group that can be a great help. Rich
When first interested in DCC, some years back, read a lot on Lenz and their willingness to work with NMRA to come up w/good DCC Standards. Was impressed, so went looking for DCC throttle; very fortunately found good used Lenz Set 90 and LOVE IT! Am about to send it off for Lenz revision 3.6 upgrade. And just about to start new, small HO switching layout. Can't Wait to be running a railroad again; this time; with DCC! My two cents.....Old Tom aka papasmurf in NH
I agree that you will have many views based on technical or operational experiences, but it all depends on you. I like the NCE for many reasons and the biggest is the use of menus within the system to guide you to a more pleasurable experience. I have the Powercab for use on my home layout. The dog bone throttle can almost replace the manual it guides so well. I especially like the momentum button, a row of consist buttons, 3 throttle controls, a programmable options button, and a screen that gives easy to understand info. We use Digitrash at the freemoN club and the more I use it the more I want to convince the club to switch, but the other members have to much money invested for me to consider that recommendation. I just poke'm in the ribs from time to time. Maybe I just don't know enough about Digitrash but I like to carry a drink in my free hand or shake someones hand rather than have a cheat sheet or the manual connected to me while operating. As suggested before if you can find someone or a club to allow you to try the system and run it through some of the simpler tasks like changing the address, consisting (advanced and old style), momentum changes, changing CV's, etc... You will be amazed as to the differences. There's no other choice but NCE.
I couldn't agree more John, our N Trak group here has Digatrak and it's a real pain verses the Powercab, which is SO much easier
Well, I'll take my "Digitrash" over having to lug around an NCE dumbbell throttle anytime! Seriously though, why is it that so often you see NCE users degrading Digitrax, generally with no hard data to back it up, instead of just explaining the differences in the systems. Maybe for you, but it cetainly isn't the best answer for everyone. For me, a major part of the decision came down to this: I considered a Power Cab, but to do what I evetually plan(4-5 operators and computer dispatching) with NCE would have required me to eventually upgrade to a Power House Pro box (for over $300); however, the Zephyr will handle it all just fine.
[FONT="] Trying to get a popcorn gif inserted, but the software doesn't want to recognize it. Anyway, I don't see why it would be necessary to 'trash' Digitrax unless one feels threatened by it. I must say that I haven't looked at the manual in years, and only needed it close by for the first two or three days of use. Nowadays, it is simple to push a rocker switch on a power bar, pick up either of my two DT400 twin-encoder throttles, select a locomotive, and have fun. What's complicated about that, or better or worse than any other system? Beats me. [/FONT]
It depends on how "beginner" you are. When I began in DCC, my father and I were building a large room size layout, so we went with a Digitrax system that could handle our ambitions (4-6 trains, many locomotives, two+ operators). That was over 10 years ago and the system still works perfect today. (As matter of fact, I'll be visiting home for Christmas and cant wait to fire up some trains. ) When I moved away to college, I could only get away with a small layout, so I purchased the MRC Prodigy Express because it was cheap (Got mine for about 75 if I remember correctly) and could handle my desires (2-3 trains, 3-4 locos, just me operating). One gripe I have though is that the control knob went ka-put very quickly. :thumbs_down: I can still use it if needed, but instead of adjusting speed appropriately, say one speed step per notch, it now takes about a full revolution to change one speed step. One cool thing about the Digitrax system,their control knobs have dynamic response. The faster you turn the knob the faster the throttle responds. In a risky situation, you can just whip the control knob and it will quickly reduce the speed of your train. For an emergency though, I'd recommend just using the emergency stop button (standard on all systems I know of). Emergency stop will stop ALL activity across the layout where as the control knob will only stop the selected train.
You know, I was reading your post with interest until I got to the "Digitrash" part. I have reasons for preferring Digtrax to NCE but don't go around trashing NCE because of it. There system has its design quirks too. Personally, I don't like scrolling through menus. But NCE is not trash. Martin Myers
I have a NCE Power Cab and SB3A booster. This system serves my purposes. From reading other posts the Digitrax has more of a learning curve.
Well, Oarb00, watcha' gonna do? ... pls advise the what & why of your choices as it might inform others ... My 2 cents is to look at what you need to do and will do in your future in the hobby(of course, you might not get to the bottom of that question.) And its your wallet. Some starter sets don't grow up too easily, and others will grow but the costs are different across systems. I was a beginner 2 yrs ago and asked the LHS to configure a package of track, rolling stock, and DCC equipment. They chose Digitrax's Zephyr, TCS & Digitrax decoders. Worked well for me. Paid for one decoder installation but was shown how to do it myself. Agree with all that the DigiZephyr is not the easiest to use, but that issue is in the past. And, it worked out of the box very easy. Wire it up, plug it in, works. The next steps are the ones that took a little reading and thinking. The Zephyr allows very detailed control of advanced DCC features, although you must work it. It has great growth potential. Other systems work, too. Its your choice.
The BEST beginner system is the system you will use 20 years from now. There is ZERO difference between the controls and throttles on a "beginner" and a "full" system. Why waste your money buying a 'beginner' system, just get a "real" system right from the get go and do it right.
