DCC advise - NCE or Piko

[simben30]

Hi All,

Seeking some advise on DCC systems,  I am in Australia with an outside track being built and looking at swapping over to DCC control.   I have been looking at several systems,  one of them being the Roco Z21 due to the ability to control the train via the iPad which is a great feature.  However the Z21 would not be powerful enough especialy with having big USA trains.

So currently looking at either a Piko DCC or NCE DCC system,  the NCE system seems to have a better appeal to me as it has the ability to connect a via and then in turn use software to control via iPad.  But one thing that I am not keen on with the NCE is the switch decoders are supplied only a circuit board.

Piko swich decoders are encolsed in a weather proof housing

If you have any advise on NCE systems and which switch decoders would be good for outside use, would be keen to know. Or how to protect the NCE switch decoders outside.

 

Thanks

 

Simon

[cacole]

NCE specializes in DCC for the smaller scale indoor layouts, not outdoor G-scale.

Piko is more into G scale than NCE, so their products would probably be more weatherproof.

The only product made by NCE specifically for G-scale, other than a decoder, is their G-Wire radio throttle for use with CVP's AirWire receiver/decoders.

[piercedan]

You can use any decoder with most command/central stations, just read the specs.

I can control many brands of switch decoders with my system as well as many brands of engine decoders.

So, I have LGB/MTS engine decoders, Zimo decoders, MRC engine and switch decoders, lenz switch decoder, Train-Li Pro Drive all working on my zimo system.

I have set up CV's for friends with digitrax and Massoth decoders with my Zimo system.