We were all once newbies just like you, and most of us were helped by others when we got started. Just payin' it forward!
When comes to choosing a DCC system my feelings are mixed. I.have MRC Prodigy Advanced Squared wireless, but, I have not set it up. I also have an NCE starter set intended to be used for a separate Z/Nn3 layout. So my mantra regarding DCC is: If you are not confused... then you don't understand the situation.
I also use MRC Prodigy Systems. I started with a used Prodigy Express 1408 system which came with two Express handhelds for $60. I then got a 1504 Powerpack which upgraded it from 1.6 amps to 2.5 amps. Then, I got a new discounted Prodigy Advance^2 1415 handheld. This made my basic Express system pretty much the equivalent of a Advance system. If you had an Express^2 system, you wouldn't have to send it in for the upgrade. Just add the Advance^2 handheld and bigger PowerPack when you wanted. I then got a discounted 1412 Wireless Conversion Kit with Handheld when the LHS went out of business for $50. I sent in my Express system to MRC to have the firmware and software upgraded to the latest version (V3) so that it would work with the wireless system, the wired or wireless computer interface, and the WiFi module. At the time, I think it was $40, including return shipping, to do that. I sent in my system along with the Wireless Conversion Kit for upgrade. After three weeks I got my system back and it worked flawlessly with the Wireless. I acquired a 1515 Wireless computer interface and was able to use JMRI with my system. That was pretty seamless and opened up a whole new world of learning and capabilities. I got a 1530 Prodigy WiFi module and that let me connect up to 8 phones or tablets running WiThrottle or Engine driver to my system in addition to my handhelds. At an estate sale, recently, I found two 1406 Prodigy Advance systems with a Prodigy Advance handheld, a 1411 Prodigy Wireless handheld, an original Advance 3 amp PowerPack and a 1504 PowerPack and two AD150 8 amp boosters for $100. They said they were selling them that cheap because no one likes them. I said, "Well, I'll give them a try." Both systems and boosters work fine. One of the systems had been upgraded to V2 so that it would work with the Wireless system but the other had not. Neither had been upgraded to V3. I contacted MRC Customer Service and they told me to send in both systems, the Advance handheld, the Wireless handheld, and my Advance^2 handheld, and they would upgrade them all to the latest standard which would make both systems equivalent to the latest Advance^2 systems. It was $130 to do that including return shipping. Two and a half weeks later, I got both upgraded systems and the three upgraded handhelds back. I went the long way and followed the MRC upgrade path, which a lot of folks say there isn't one, and now have a robust system with two wireless cabs, four wired cabs, can use an additional 8 phones or tablets for wireless throttles, and a couple of backup base units. When I get to start on my newest and hopefully last layout, I already have my DCC system ready to go. I could add an additional 84 cabs to my system, it supports 99, if I wanted to. I lucked into doing it cheaply, but I like the MRC Prodigy system. It's easy to learn and easy to use. All the pertinent instructions are printed on the back of the handhelds. As always, YMMV.
Something else I will add to the conversation - for multi-train control, in my opinion ANY DCC system is a huge upgrade over DC. Even the Bachmann E-Z Command, which only allows 10 addresses, controls 10 functions, and doesn't have a mechanism for CV programming, is better than DC. My first DCC system was the MRC Command 2000, a very limited system with only 10 addresses and control of two functions. The first time I ran two engines on the same track with individual control of each, I was hooked on DCC for life. P. S. - funny thing about the Command 2000 - as limited as it was, it had three slide pots on the unit for the throttles, so out of the box you could have direct control (without changing which loco the throttle is controlling) of three locomotives at the same time, most starter DCC systems only give you direct control of one at a time without adding throttles.
I think NCE had a dual throttle console on one of their entry-level systems. I don't know if they still make it.
+1 And it was the Bachmann EZ Command Controller and two Bachmann F7 DCC Equipped purchased here on Trainboard for a great price. Like I said I only ever had a few DC locomotives and they were lower quality in most cases.
I will add my vote for NCE. I love my power cab. Now that I am looking to build a much bigger layout that what I had recently, I will be looking into the SB5 to upgrade the system.
