Hi guys,
I would like to hear some opinions on the NCE Powercab as compared to similar systems such as the prodigy express, etc. Also, ease of use is a big thing. Thanks for your help.
Hi,Can't compare it for you because I don't have experience (other than in-store) with any other brands but the PowerCab/ProCab system is quite easy to use and seems to be a pretty good buy comparatively. I picked up a PowerCab two weekends ago and got up and running with two switchers and a half-circle of sectional track in just a few minutes - took me longer to strip the wires on the "terminal track" than to get it going.
I like it pretty well and think it will expand with me - I'm still blown away by being able to operate two locos on the same piece of track though, so I'm easy to please. I'm sure there's someone here with more experience with the thing.M
I bought a Power Cab back in January and I like it a lot. I did find out something interesting, reading the manual at least three times before trying it out was a big help. Some people like to try, question on a forum because of problems and then read the manual. Don't laugh. Since you are a member of the male species, you know exactly what I mean. It can be similar to programming a VCR.
It is upgradeable also. The NCE site has good documentation that you can download. There is a NCE Yahoo Group with loads of good data in their Files and Photos sections that you can download. This forum is ok but the Yahoo group is more specialized.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCE-DCC/
This guy has a lot of good DCC info. He also uses the NCE stuff.
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn/index.htm
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
KlickyMobster wrote: Hi guys,I would like to hear some opinions on the NCE Powercab as compared to similar systems such as the prodigy express, etc. Also, ease of use is a big thing. Thanks for your help.
Only COOL handsome people use the NCE powercab. Just look at tstage. You want to be part of the cool crowd don't you?
Derrick,
I can't attest to being cool or handsome, but I can attest to the fact that the Power Cab is very intuitive and easy to use. I've had mine for nearly 2 years now and like it very much.
If you'd be interested in reading an initial review of the Power Cab that I wrote when it first came out, click on the link below:
NCE Power Cab review
This will take you to my Review page on my web site where the link to the review is. There's also links to reviews on the CAB-04p throttle and Smart Booster.
Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage wrote: I've had mine for nearly 2 years now and like it very much.
I've had mine for nearly 2 years now and like it very much.
Good grief Tom has it really been 2 years! My oh my how time marches on.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
simon1966 wrote: tstage wrote: I've had mine for nearly 2 years now and like it very much. Good grief Tom has it really been 2 years! My oh my how time marches on.
As the frog says, "Time's fun when you're having flies!"
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
simon1966 wrote: tstage wrote: I've had mine for nearly 2 years now and like it very much.Good grief Tom has it really been 2 years! My oh my how time marches on.
Yepper, Simon. End of February 2006...Believe it or not! And next year your boys graduate from college.
Although you might be able to find it slightly cheaper on eBay, $140 is what it's normally discounted at.
I know what you are saying about cost. That's why I ended up going with the Bachmann E-Z Command first for a year. Got mine for $53 (~50% MSRP). It is a limited system though, as you will NOT be able to alter or adjust CVs with it. However, it can still do quite a bit - including 8 sound functions.
I enjoyed the E-Z Command for the year that I had it then sold it to someone here on the forum, who's still using it.
Hey all!!
What method do you typically use to mount the power supply?
A shelf? Or other?
Dan
Dan,
The power supply for powering the Power Cab comes in the form of a "wall wart" or wall transformer. The transformer is already enclosed and plugs right into a wall outlet. The other end is plugged into the back of the PCP panel, which the Power Cab is connected to from the front side, in the LEFT connector port. Make sense?
daboneman wrote: Hey all!!What method do you typically use to mount the power supply?A shelf? Or other?Dan
What power supply? The throttle cab IS the power supply. There is a wall wart you plug into an outlet and thats it!
Hi Dan, wazzz up?
I plug the wall wart(power supply) into a power strip mounted on the inside edge of my layout. The power strip has a master switch so all layout functions are plugged into this.
You will love the powercab. I settled on it as it seemed the easiest to learn and master. Not that I have mastered it yet.
John
I am also looking at changing from DC to DCC in the near future. I have researched both the Digitrax and the NCE systems. At this point I have decided to go with the ProCab system. The expandibility of the system is one of the reasons I am looking to go to this system. I know that both systems are expandible, but I like the hand held throttle that comes with the PowerCab system. The base Digitrax system is more of a stationary transformer. I operate alone 98% of the time so the limited throttles is not an issue. My layout is also very long so I want the walkaround capability without buying an additional throttle. Also, the local train club uses a NCE system, so I have a nearby source of help if it is required. Also, if I join the train club I will be able to use my ProCab controller on the Clubs system. Both systems are good, but for me the NCE system is the system I will be buying.
I have a PowerCab and I like it very much. I also run my layout alone about 75% of the time, but I do think it would be handy to run a second throttle and also to be able to unplug the throttle and plug in on the opposite end of the layout. The PowerCab by itself must remain plugged into a single powerpanel at all times. It will, however, allow use of a second throttle which can be moved around. Another option is a Smart Booster, which I think will allow you to use the PowerCab or a ProCab throttle and move it around. Tom Stage should be able to help confirm that. I am planning to purchase a second panel and a second throttle soon. I'll probably by a ProCab throttle since the controls are identical.
Jim
jim22 wrote:Another option is a Smart Booster, which I think will allow you to use the PowerCab or a ProCab throttle and move it around. Tom Stage should be able to help confirm that. Jim
Confirmed! (Boy! That was easy. )
I received my new Power Cab from Litchfield Station yesterday, got it hooked up today and it's working great.
After a lot of thought and study, I selected Power Cab to get started on my new N scale layout. Also, lots of thanks to people like Tom, Spidge and others for many helpful and instructive comments.
I'm still running Lenz on my HO layout and am probably crazy to think I'll have time and ability to now run two scales and two DCC systems, but, I'm sure having fun trying!
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
jwils1 wrote:I received my new Power Cab...yesterday, got it hooked up today and it's working great.
I received my new Power Cab...yesterday, got it hooked up today and it's working great.
Good to hear, Jerry! Keep us posted on how you like it...
KlickyMobster wrote:I was already planning on another throttle and at least one more hook up panel, actually. How hard are they to hook up though? I'm assuming all I have to do is run a wire from the bus to the panel, right?
All you need is an RJ-12 4-connector cable and a UTP panel. The cable connects from the back of the PCP (or Power Cab) panel to either one of the RJ-12 ports on the back of the UTP panel. (It doesn't matter which one.) That's it. You're good to go.
Derrick, if you're interested, I know where you can get custom length RJ-12 cable at a very good price. The last time I ordered it, it was $2.25 for both connectors and $0.25 per foot. (For example, a 4' cable would cost $3.25.) Saves having a big loop of extra cable underneath your table.
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
I had a Zephyr for a couple of years. I sold it and bought a PowerCab. I like it way, way more than the Zephyr. It is, of course, hand held and the Zephyr is not. But for me it's all in the design of the unit. Whoever designed the Zephyr just didn't care much about usability. With the PowerCab you get a menu driven system so you never need to consult the manual but the menus don't get in your way either. You get an emergency stop button that doesn't kill the entire layout. You get two sets of throttle buttons and a thumbwheel, a quick way to change the momentum setting, lots more functions, and a lot of other features. I can highly recommend the PC.
george
Had my PowerCab for 18 months now with no problems. Would recommend a second throttle, as the only minor irritation is that the "recall" button only allows you to scroll between the active loco and one other without having to re-enter an address.
Occassionally I do want to have three locos running at the same time in my yard and not being able to scroll between all three is a nuisance.
That apart, it's very easy to use, programming is logical and simple and it works well with the NCE, Lenz, Digitrax and TCS decoders in my fleet.
Ian