The older Digitrax throttles that were used made Digitrax frustrating to use, a number of years ago. Digitrax has addressed that problem with their newer throttles so Digi is easier to use now. The problem with Digi is a guy may have had a system a number of years ago and felt it was crap, and the guy might very well have been right - the Digi handhelds were built for geeks and nerds, not schmucks like me. But the new throttles are built for schmucks like me. However, having said all that with the new decoder program some of what I am saying is now becoming obsolete. I'm convinced that most of us should be getting the cheapest junker computer for our rooms and dedicated it to dcc and running programs like decoder pro, and throttles will be even more simplified. I'm convinced ultimately that most of the programming will be done on a dedicated track and computer and program, and the cabs (trottles) will become much simpler for fools like me.
I started with the Atlas Commander, nice and simple to learn and get going fast. A while later I got a digitrax zypher, not so simple and locked up twice in the first few days. Sent that back and got a Lenz Set-90 and very happy with it and i know I still have over 8 years left on the warranty
I have been active in DCC forums now for around 5 years or so. A guy comes in and asks advice on which system to get and another guy invariably says get the system that feels best to you after trying a number out. The flaw in this advise is that for many many guys their access to DCC systems is very very limited or non-existent at all. I have Digitrax but lets pretend I didn't. If I "petitioned" my friends to try their system out, I would end up trying Digitrax - and that's it. First off, most of my friends are still DC. Secondly, Digitrax is still King in Vancouver, BC. Thirdly, the other systems that are out there are owned by people I don't know. So for me, I would be very limited in the systems I could try out. Usually, the reason a guy is posting a thread - which system is best - is because it is the only real alternative he has other than the MR magazine articles he has available to get feedback on the DCC systems out there. There is nothing wrong in my opinion of a guy saying that his system is great as long as he is up front saying he has only used that system. For many guys, myself included, that would be true. Here in Vancouver, it is only in the last couple of years that Lenz has even made it into the stores, aside from the Atlas Commander. NCE hasn't made any real in roads into the Vancouver market. Zimo is probably over represented here in the North American market because the chap who runs the North American distribution is out of BC. My own thoughts on the "junior" newer simpler systems are they are great for teen layouts and those who are financially challenged. If you don't fall into either of those categories, you're better off moving into a more "robust" system.
All the above advice that suggests checking out as much as you can is a good thing. I switched from the DC block wiring world to DCC August of 2002. Digitrax had then recently upgraded their models. I tried them all out and decided for my railroad size, plans, expandability, etc... I wanted the Super Empire. The research is what made me happy. In otherwords, my system is doing EXACTLY what I expected it to do when I purchased it. Lenz, NCE, Digitrax, they are all good and it boils down to personal preference.
I agree with Bob, "choose the system that felt best to you when you tried many systems out" I picked digitrax 5 years ago and haven't regreted it.
Jeff: The NCE Powerhouse is a great choice. Enjoy the world of DCC. You'll never look back. Stay cool and run steam.......
