DCC System Comparison

Sierra117 Mar 5, 2010

  1. Sierra117

    Sierra117 TrainBoard Member

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    Awesome. Thank you guys. This was EXACTLY what I was looking for. A straight forward, idiot proof explanation. I can't wait to get my PowerCab and start playing!
     
  2. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks for completing that set of instructions. I guess I did not think of that as the Powercab would have prompted this before moving on.
    Can it get any easier, wait and see.
    By the way a killer upgrade on the Powercab is now to the SB3a which becomes the command station and enables the Powercab to move freely from panel to panel and expands the recall stack to 6. More than enough IMHO.
    Another great feature of the Powercab is in the program track menus there are 7 option menus including decoder reset and decoder recovery. The basic programing to change the address and speed curves are set up in the "KISS" method to. This system makes me feal like I know what I'm talking about because it leads you into the fun stuff.
    :tb-tongue:Digitrax, not realy. Digitrax does have its strong points including transponding.
     
  3. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Keep us posted through this thread and please don't hesitate to ask any questions. I check in here in the evening and many times on the weekends and will answer as best I can.
     
  4. inobu

    inobu Permanently dispatched

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    Good that you made a choice (OP). NCE and Digitrax can be correlated like an automatic verses a stick shift both do the same basic job, ones easier than the other depending on your perspective.

    I remember when I first started learning how to driving a stick shift. I thought how can one do all the shifting, clutch, gas, when to change gears, all that!! that's too much... I've had 1 automatic out of 9 cars after learning the stick.

    Inobu

    and I run Digitrax go figure......or more so no wonder!
     
  5. Gats

    Gats TrainBoard Member

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    I discovered last night that if you are controlling the accessories, in my case operating Tortoises, the usual syntax is select accessory <accessory address> enter <1 N or 2 R> enter - turnout throws. To return the turnout to the original position, repeat.

    Nooo... you can toggle back and forth by pressing the select accessory button twice. You do need to change accessory address for other addresses of course but the same applies until you change to another address.

    I checked the PowerCab manual for any mention of this function and there is none.
     
  6. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thats a cool suprise, handy to.
     
  7. G&G Railway

    G&G Railway TrainBoard Member

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  8. jwils1

    jwils1 TrainBoard Member

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    Sierra 117,

    Happy to hear you got your Power Cab, and at a very good price. I hope that they send the manual along with it. If not, you can get one from NCE.

    Also, check to see what version your Power Cab is. I think the latest is 1.28c. If you don't have the latest you can get an update from NCE. They send you the update so you can install it yourself.

    Spidge mentioned a 10' coiled cord. I don't like the 7' flat cord that comes with the Power Cab. It sometimes drags on the floor and it's easy to step on it. I bought a 7' coiled cord and it is much better. You may get a flat cord and a coiled cord with your Power Cab, but please note that that coiled cord is not be used with the Power Cab but only if you take your throttle to another layout, like the Greeley Museum, and then use that cord to make your throttle run like a Pro Cab.

    I picked up the SB3a Smart Booster yesterday at Caboose Hobbies and really like the 6-loco recall stack. And, it bumps the power from 1.5 amps to 5 amps. You have to add a new power supply with it as well. You won't need this yet but it could be an expansion possibility for you in the future (don't buy the old SB3 as it has some problems).

    Your lucky in that you can go down to the Greeley Museum and get help from the NCE experts. Don't hesitate to do this as most modelers are more than happy to share and assist newcomers.

    Jerry
     
  9. copenter

    copenter E-Mail Bounces

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    DCC Comparisons

    I have narrowed my DCC choices down to NCE or Easy DCC by CVP. Can anyone tell me how these two compare?
     
  10. tony22

    tony22 TrainBoard Member

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    1.28c is the latest released version of firmware. Just spoke with NCE about this yesterday.
     
  11. G&G Railway

    G&G Railway TrainBoard Member

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    I would go with the NCE
     
  12. admont

    admont E-Mail Bounces

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  13. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Did I mention how to change momentum on the NCE? No. OK, simply hit the momentum button at any time, consist or not, and it will ask you for a range from 0(none) to 9(way more than can be dealt with). I run most locos on 1 as anything more may drive you nuts.
    One day I can see the screen having a progamable description of your locos to select from and the same for accessories. Can you imagine not having to post #'s next to turnouts but actually name them and select from a menu. I am willing to bet this is already in the works big time. The menus will get so large you would need a blackberry to run your trains.

    Please don't get me wrong every system has thier strengths.:tb-wink:
     
  14. Gats

    Gats TrainBoard Member

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    Both are great systems but it depends on what you need. The CVP has a twin throttle panel arrangement out of the box. The equivalent NCE PowerHousePro is a walkaround arrangement out of the box.
    The NCE may have the edge in ease of use/programming.
     
  15. asorum

    asorum New Member

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    I'm pretty new to DCC, but have jumped in with both feet. I run a Digitrax Super Chief with PR3 and old Blue and White G3 Mac using Decoder Pro. It's been easy to use and fun to run switching through some Digitrax DS64s.

    I really like my Digitrax gear, but can't compare it to anything else.
     
  16. Sierra117

    Sierra117 TrainBoard Member

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    Mom,....Dad,.....I need to talk to you. I am no longer a DCC virgin. It was a little bit ago, I was drinking, and I even set up a consist. It was awesome. I had my 2 Bachmann DDA40Xs running tail to tail. Damn I love my new PowerCab. It was easy as pie to set up and even easier to run! I was scared of this whole thing but am now eager as hell to get some sound decoders for my Kato SD70s (M and MAC) and mess with all the bells and whistles. Pun totally intended.
    P.S. Please forgive the goofy tablecloth. I set it up on the kitchen table just for a test run of both the Power Cab and my new Kato track.
     

    Attached Files:

  17. crclass

    crclass TrainBoard Member

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    Wow that is a lot of engine power. You need an awful long main for something like that!
     
  18. Sierra117

    Sierra117 TrainBoard Member

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    I know. I would have used my SD70s but they don't have decoders yet.
     

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