Which DCC systemis best for the $

[tdodge]

After reading & reading. Which DCC system would be the best and most for the money??

My layout is a double main line with each 70' oval overall. Small yard at one end for storagage and switching.

I should be able to run 2-3 trains on each main line.

I enjoy passenger trains. So I do have 2-3 powered units that would run as one passenger train.

Maybe someday have 2-3 operaters running there own loco.

I would like to do consisting, sound, and speed control.

Thank You for your ideas.

Is there a common or any problem that you have had with your DCC that you are using?

I have read Tony's Train Exchange DCC comparison that is very helpful.

Now I'm looking for the DCC system that is acually used buy the people and rate for the people the good and bad points if any.

Happy Railroading

[Anonymous]

Maybe you've already done so, but I recommend you read the thread by Joe Fugate on selecting the right DCC system.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=49375

Everyone has their favorites and their own opinions on this. Using Joe's evaluation methodolgy should help you.

Doug

[tstage]

[#ditton] on what Joe just said.

In the recent December issue of MR, they had an article about chooing DCC systems called, "DCC Buyer's Guide". It was a okay general article but didn't go into depth enough about each system. Joe's thread does that.

Tom

[bn7026]

3 things.....

1) with DCC you generally get what you paid for (low price = less features).
2) get the best system that you can afford to buy - you'll have it for a long time and it doesn't make sense to upgrade 12 months from now (i've seen some upgrade from a train set DCC within months of purchase)
3) Go with the handheld you like the best -

Tim

[Anonymous]

There has been a lot of discussion here over recent weeks alone one what is good or best.

Here is a summary of my personal opinions on the subject.

1.. If you want multiple operators then this should eliminate the Atlas and MRC products.

2.. Your maximum would seem to be 9 locos, this would eliminate the smaller units - like the MRC Prodigy Express and the as yet not available NCE PowerCab. The MRC is low in current capability and not readily expanded, the NCE, whilst it can be expanded would need to be expanded immediatewly to meet your minimum requirements.

3.. The three prime contenders left are products from NCC, DigiTrax and Lenz.

• DigiTrax - US based, gives you a choice of a fixed unit (Zephyr) or hand-held units. If you want multi-operators then a hand-held based system would be best. Good general support, plenty of accesories, good documentation, plenty of users out there and your local hobby shop is probably a dealer!
• NCE - also US based, excellent product with good expansion and radio remote capability. Good support, excellent documentation, easilly expanded. They dont have the same range of accesories but most things are compatible (with the excpetion of transponding).
• Lenz - German based but with excellent US representation. Two basic kits (Set-90 and Set-100). Again support is good, documentation is excellent and they support all the standard functionality that you are seeking. Good range of accessories including some unique products. Lenz is really the father of DCC, the NMRA standards are derived basically from Lenz specifications). They also have a number of newer technologies which I find attractive.

This still leaves other manufacturers to consider, Zimo (from Austria), Roco (another German company), ZTC (from England) and Uhlenbrock (also German), each of which appeals to narrow markets but personally I would not suggest these as a first system.

You should also consider such issues as, do you want to buy from a 'walk-in' outlet? Would you be comfortable dealing with an internet based DCC specialist (I personally use Tony's Trains and Litchfield Station on ocassions)? What are your friends using?

Caveats: I own equipment from DigiTrax, Lenz and NCE. I am happy with all three. I have used Uhlenbrock (I have railroading friends in Europe), Zimo (a friend in Wales) and ZTC (with a friend in England). I don't use, nor am I interested in sound. My two DCC layouts are N scale, one is about 2x4 feet, the other 3x7 feet.

[Anonymous]

You got lucky tdodge...
This is the first time I have seen a thread on this subject where the responses were other than "buy brand X (because that's what I have)".
These fellows gave good advice....

[selector]

If you can, go someplace where they offer at least two different systems (manufacturers), and askj to try running trains with them. Your brain wiring and your hands will tell you quickly which to buy. Or, if you are left disappointed, you will know what to look for if there is a DCC system extant for you.

Good advice to assume that the more espensive systems are generally better for larger numbers of locos, but the way they do that renders some of them less appealing than others. So, this is one of those times when we can suggest what things to look for, but you have to determine for yourself what it is that makes or breaks a system for you.

The fact is that it is in the handset, the paddle, that things come to a standstill. DCC is DCC, and the innards of your controller don't matter so much as what the paddle feels like in your hands, how easily you can see, determine, and reach for, each button or slide. Are the symbols and labels eaily discerned when in a panic? Is the LCD display backlit? Where is the cord for the paddle attached, top or bottom? Does that matter to you? And so on.

[tdodge]

HI

To Doug,Tom,Tim,JDToronto,Charlie, & Selctor

Thank You for your honesty and not the voteing on which I hoped I would not receive.
I'll read your replies and find a hobby shop to try different systems myself.

Thank You again

[knewsom]

tdodge,

In deciding which DCC system to get for myself, I did a lot of cost comparisons. I ended up getting the following:

MRC Prodigy Advance - $190 (Tony's Train Exchange)
MRC Power Station 8-Amp Booster - $96.50 (Micromark)
3 Prodigy Advance Extension Plates - $56.50 ($18.50 x 3 at Micromark)
Additional PA Handheld - $56 (Micromark)

So for a total of $399 I got everything I need to set up my 14 X 19 layout with an 8 amp system. I have been really happy with it and the handhelds make it very easy to use for myself and my 6 year old nephew. The only thing that it does not do that I would like is work with DecoderPro. It does not have a wireless option, but that did not matter to me.

I have heard that others have had problems with the MRC PA, but I think it is a good system and have had no issues. This is not to say that it is the way to go for you, but it will give you an idea of the total cost of this system.

[davekelly]

I think you'll find there are as many answers to this as there are people here lol.

[aluesch]

Please, I'm not out to offend anyone but some of the most useless advice I very often hear (read) are things like:
- go with what your friends use,
- the only important thing is whether you#8217;re comfortable with the handheld,
- go for brand X because they are the best-seller so it must be at the cutting edge
- there is no best system

I couldn#8217;t care less what my friends are using, or how comfortable their cab is and how often system x has been sold. If the system doesn#8217;t offer the features and functions I want I don#8217;t have the system I was looking for, period.
What good does a cab do me if it is the most comfortable cab there is but can#8217;t do what I envisioned? What is the system going to do for me that was sold over x number of times or all my friends in the area use if I can#8217;t duplicate the operating scenarios I want?
After all, if your friends can#8217;t help you with a specific problem you may encounter, you#8217;ll have to rely on the manufacturer or its representatives anyway. And those are the people you should expect answers from fast, when you need it.

So my advice: Check out each system carefully against your list of things you are looking for. You can do this on manufacturer web sites, at shows but often you#8217;ll find more detailed information in operating manuals that can be downloaded from manufacturer web sites as well. This way you also ensure that you get the most up to date information, because DCC is evolving rather quickly. If you don#8217;t understand certain features, don#8217;t be shy. Get in contact with the manufacturer or its representative! This will also be a good indicator as to how fast the service is going to be when you do get stuck with something after the sale.
And most of all don#8217;t fool yourself: You do get what you pay for in model railroading, just as you do for anything else that costs money!
I disagree with the claim so many make: that there is no best or worst system. Yes there is. Anything that is manmade, technologically speaking, falls somewhere between the two categories.
That doesn#8217;t necessarily mean though that a cheaper system is wasted money. Just be aware that it will most likely not have the range of features or the advanced technology built-in as a top of the line system does. There can be many good reasons that you may decide on a system that is not considered the best in terms of technology but nevertheless is the best system for you.

So if you do find a system that gives you that all important option that you must have but the cab has a speed slider instead of a knob, believe me, you#8217;ll get used to the slider in no time but will always miss that feature you so badly wanted or worse didn#8217;t even know it exists because you didn#8217;t check things out for yourself!

Regards,
Art
Zimo Agency of North America
http://www.mrsonline.net/

[Anonymous]

I would check around. If you have a local model railroad club see what THEY use. Check and see how many people locally have a DCC system that you can find, and see if you can set up an operating session with them. By you actually USING different DCC systems, you will be able to form your own opinion about which system you really want. Since they are all up to NMRA code, the functioning is basically the same. For the money, I found a nice Lenz system on ebay new in the box, and have been quite pleased. The local model rr club uses NCE which is a great system too.

[cmrproducts]

With this talk of what is best for a DCC system, without you the potential owner not trying out several systems, one will never know how a system operates.

And this wanting features, just how does one figure out what features you need or want. The hype from the mfg of equipment is just that hype. THEY want to sell you a system. All DCC systems do what they advertise otherwise there would be problems with false advertising!

Now how they do these things is the real answer. And if you don’t use a system you will never know.

As for using what most of the other modelers use in the local area. This is probably a good thing as they will be able to help you through the learning process. If you have a different system then the way it operates (selecting engines, changing CVs will be different) and they will have a hard time helping as they are no more familiar with the system than you are. No matter how good the system is you will still have problems understanding something.

Once you have a DCC system you will be able to host operating sessions. And having the same type of system as the area modelers have, goes a long way in cutting your expense as now you do not have to supply all of the throttle/keypads. Been there!

And as for the system being easy to learn with big readouts and menus once you have a few months of leaning you usually do not need all that easy stuff anymore. At least I don’t as I know where the buttons are and usually hold the keypad down at my side and I am concentrating on the train running not the BIG display.

If you have to rely continuously on the display readout apparently the display is better looking than the layout!

BOB H – Clarion, PA

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by knewsom

tdodge,

In deciding which DCC system to get for myself, I did a lot of cost comparisons. I ended up getting the following:

MRC Prodigy Advance - $190 (Tony's Train Exchange)
MRC Power Station 8-Amp Booster - $96.50 (Micromark)
3 Prodigy Advance Extension Plates - $56.50 ($18.50 x 3 at Micromark)
Additional PA Handheld - $56 (Micromark)

So for a total of $399 I got everything I need to set up my 14 X 19 layout with an 8 amp system. I have been really happy with it and the handhelds make it very easy to use for myself and my 6 year old nephew. The only thing that it does not do that I would like is work with DecoderPro. It does not have a wireless option, but that did not matter to me.

I have heard that others have had problems with the MRC PA, but I think it is a good system and have had no issues. This is not to say that it is the way to go for you, but it will give you an idea of the total cost of this system.

I am in the first stage of something similar to this. Currently have a MRC PE, which I think is a fantastic system for the price. Yes, there are limitations (no read back, limited power, no way to hook up to a PC). The next step is to add a PA cab which will give me read back and a 5 amp booster (from Tony's or I may go the MRC 8 amp booster) for additional power. Thus I'll have a two cab system with at least 5 amps for the same cost of many one cab systems.

I have a couple of threads on the General forum that describes the thought process I went through in deciding on the PE.

I like my system, as I am sure most folks here like the system they use. Good luck and make sure you fill us in on what you decide on and the thought process you used to reach your conclusion. Doing so will surely help others in the future in their DCC choice.

Dave

[selector]

I may be wrong, but two people appear to me to have asserted that few of the criteria I suggested in my response matter. With respect...you are entirely incorrect.

I hate to use the clout of my graduate background in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, but how the human perceives the item is (I'll say it again)..."everything." What the mind does not "get", it cannot use. If a person needs backlighting to read the LCD display at certain times, not having it will render the item useless during those times. No equivocation there. If the paddle is awkward, too large for the person's comfort, has buttons that are essentially a labyrinth of unintelligible symbols, the prospective buyer will decline to purchase the product...with perfect reason.

It is always, as in any other purchasing instances, incumbent upon the buyer to establish for herself the requirements of a control system. One way to do that is to read what others have used for criteria. The other, necessary, step is to evaluate the product personally, but only after setting guidelines for the evaluation. To ignore issues like backlighting, button/slide configuration, and function control is sure to result in dissatisfaction, eventual replacement, and lost appreciation and value.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Bad points??? There are none. Just ask anyone that uses a system, who is going to say.

[Anonymous]

I have the Prodigy Advance and have ran up to 5 engines at a time with no problems. I think this is a good system for someone that does not have any experience with DCC. It also works well with NCE decoders. It does have limitations, but for the money and the ease of operation, I think it should be considered. The Digitrax system offer more in the way of future operations and expansion, but I think that you need to be experienced in DCC to understand and get the most from these systems. Good luck! Let us know what you choose.