Beginner DCC Systems

[mrazz]

Hello,

I'm finally ready to post the big question. I've been researching DCC systems, of which I know nothing about. I have it narrowed down to 2 systems, either the Digitrax Zephyer or the NCE Power Pro package. I know its a matter of opinion, with that said, can someone comment on the pros and cons in plain english. Maybe help me consider which will be the best in a long run?

I have started the benchwork on an HO layout that will be 2 feet wide and run the entire perimeter of my 12 x 12 area in my basement. I plan to run 2-3 trains at a time with a throttle for myself and my 9 year old son. The plan will eventually be to expand farther beyond the 12 foot lenth, but not at this time.

If anyone can offer any specific insight on these systems that would be extremley helpful. And by the way, I have spent hours studying "Tony's Train Excahnge" web site, very helpful, but looking for more information.

Thanks for your time, Mark

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 I have the Digitrax Zephyr basic system (2.5 amps) and I'm quite happy with it. I find it easy to use and I can easily program whatever CV's I need to. With the CV readback I can see what the existing setting of and CV is as well as verify that it was set to whatever I programmed it to.That keeps me from having to refer to a notebook to see how I set a decoder two months ago.

[cacole]

 I have the NCE PowerPro Radio system for my home HO scale layout and we use the same system at our HO scale club.

The club system was purchased first after a lot of consideration of the various systems that were available at the time.  Digitrax did not offer radio when we were considering the various options.

Two things that favored NCE at the time was totally wireless control and no need for any wiring around the layout to install plug-ins for controllers.  On a large club layout the control bus wiring would have cost a considerable amount and would have required weeks of work to install.  With NCE everyhing, including programming, can be controlled from the wireless throttles.

Digitrax is also a great system, but NCE was the better choice at the time.

You might learn more about the systems by going to each manufacturer's web site and downloading thier instruction manuals instead of relying on Tony's system matrix.

[nyflyer]

Mark

Thanks for posting the post I was just about to post myself, you saved me a lot of typing.  With the exception of my benchwork, 20' x 12' and my son is only 7yrs old everything else is identical.  I will be watching the replys closely. 

If you don't mind me piggybacking your post I have a very specific question to add to your post to help me understand all this better.

I'm planning to use (buy) only new generation DCC/  sound equipt locomotives to run on my new railroad and need to know how much amp power I will need for running about 3 or 4 engines at a time. And since the Zephyer and power pro don't seem to have the amps required (from what I have read so far) WHAT add ons will I need to add on to the system

[mrazz]

Piggyback all you want, the more knowledge the better. Thanks for everyone's replys so far.

I noticed on the Tony's Trains web site, the comparison chart of different start up systems, that the Zephyr system does not support "Direct Mode Programming" (not sure what this is)  or software upgrades. Not sure if this is something  important to weigh in on the choice of the Zephyr or the NCE system.

 

[maxman]

davidmbedard

With the Power cab, you will need to buy the SB3 (smart booster)

I think there is some confusion here.  Original post said PowerPro.  I think Cacole responded with an idea that it was a PowerPro, and David B. responded with an answer that assumes it is a PowerCab.  And then OP posted a concern that there was not enough amperage with the PowerPro to run a couple sound equipped locomotives, which probably is a concern with the PowerCab, but maybe not with the PowerPro.

So, in order to get on the right track, so to speak, are we talking the PowerCab or the PowerPro?

Regards

[mrazz]

I'm sorry, i am trying to compare the Digitrax Zephyr and the NCE Power Cab System. The system that is MSRP $179.00.

[jrbernier]

  The Zephyr(and the rest of the Digitrax command stations) do not have an 'upgrade' port to install code fixes.  I guess they have never needed it.  The only 'upgrade' to a Digitrax system I have seen is the recent 'factory only' upgrade to DCS100 systems that increase the number of function keys available(really not a fix as it added function).

  As far as programming, there are more than enough options with most systems that allow you to get in over your head!  I have both a DCS100 Super Chief and a DCS050 Zephyr system in my house(I got the Zephyr so cheap I could not pass it up).  Both are 'full function' systems.  If I was out looking for a DCC system, these are my requirements:

• Expansion Capability
• Computer Interface(Decoder Pro is the only way to go when programming decoders)
• Full CV 'Read Back'
• Dedicated 'Program Track' output

 

Jim Bernier

[simon1966]

Mark,

I can tell you for a fact that the Zephyr has enough power to run 4 plus HO sound locomotives at the same time.  Just for kicks I had 10 running on my system, admittedly slowly as there is not room to control that many in practical terms.

My layout is an around the room setup.  I have 2 boys 9 and 12 and the 3 of us will run together using the Z command station throttle and 2 additional hand held throttles that I have added to the layout.  I concur with others and have added a PC interface to my system and use the Decoder Pro application for programming the locos.  One feature that I really like about the Zephyr is that I can be using the program track while the boys continue to run trains on the main layout.  Some DCC systems do not allow this and shut down the layout when the program track is in use.  This is the case with the PowerCab I believe.

Anyway, both are good systems made by respected manufacturers, so you wont really go wrong with either choice.

[mrazz]

I seem to be leaning towards the Digitrax Zephyr system. I'm a little concerned about entering the world of Digitrax and finding out it will get very expensive quickly. Do we have to worry about components becoming obsolete and limiting the expansion of the current system a few years down the road?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 That was the fear people had when the Zephyr came out, yet here we are years later an dthe Zephyr is just as viable as it was then. As far as I know every DCC component Digitrax makes will work with the Zephyr.

[simon1966]

mrazz

Do we have to worry about components becoming obsolete and limiting the expansion of the current system a few years down the road?

 

Mark, this is probably the strongest feature of a Digitrax system.  Everything hooks together via the loconet interface.  With very few exceptions virtually everything that Digitrax ever made works together on the loconet.  The sort of thing you might add in the future is a new booster/command station.  If you were to do this, the Zephyr throttle would still work and the booster part of the Zephyr can be used to power a separate power district.  Digitrax has built its reputation on backwards compatibility of its devices.

[rrinker]

mrazz

I seem to be leaning towards the Digitrax Zephyr system. I'm a little concerned about entering the world of Digitrax and finding out it will get very expensive quickly. Do we have to worry about components becoming obsolete and limiting the expansion of the current system a few years down the road?

 Nope. There is exactly ONE Digitrax component that doesn't work with the current system, and that it the rather oddball CT-4 throttle from the pre-Loconet Challenger set  - which was discontinued 11 years ago. And even that's not 100% true, there was a company makign an adapter for them so you could use it on a newer system - with 4 knobs it's kinda handy to run the Roco DCC crane.

 If you check eBay you will see there really aren't a lot of Digitrax items offered, and when they are, even the older items go for nearly full price - because they work just fine with a new system.

 There is also no premium charged for later upgrades - say you buy a DT400 throttle now and later want to add radio. You can send it in for a radio upgrade and the cost is the same as the difference in price between the radio and non-radio throttle.

                                               --Randy

 

[Paul3]

I have been a Digitrax DCC user at my club for 10 years now (Chief system), and I've had a Zephyr at home for the last 6 years.  I have not really used any other DCC system for any length of time (no more than 5 minutes at a whack, in other words).  My club layout will eventually be 6300 sq. ft. (with block detection, signals, transponding, etc....the whole kit and kaboodle), while my home layout is 25' x 50' and is as simple as can be.

The Z's pros vs. the NCE PowerCab are:
1). Simple form factor - A throttle knob that's a potentiometer and a direction lever that are big and easy to use.  It's shaped like a powerpack that most people have used before, and the LED display is large and easy to read.

2). Jump ports - The Z allows for up to two additional DC powerpack throttles to be connected to it to provide 2 more digital throttles.  This is great if you have young people who you might not trust with running something more complicated.  You assign the jump port to a DCC address, and the jump port throttle will run the train and change it's direction, but that's about it.

3). The lack of software upgrades - Digitrax, while they can do software upgrades, has not done so because it's generally not needed.  New devices simply plug in and work.  One doesn't have to worry about which software one is running on one's throttle or command station because LocoNet is more like LAN...it's a peer-to-peer network, not polled bus.

4). LocoNet compatibility - There have been 9 LocoNet throttles made in the past 15 years, and the Z is compatible with all of them (the CT-4 is not a LocoNet throttle as-is).  LocoNet also boasts more 3rd party development than any other DCC brand, with computer software, clocks, control panels, and some hardware.

5). Less expensive wireless capability - With Digitrax, you need a $150 UR91 radio receiver and a $40 upgrade to an existing throttle, or you can use the built-in Infrared LED's on the DT-type throttles and use a $35 UR90 IR receiver.  If you get a Digitrax radio, you won't need a repeater as it has a 200' range.  With NCE wireless, you need a $125 RB02 radio receiver and $70 upgrade to an existing throttle, plus you may need $102 RPT1 radio repeaters.

The NCE PowerCab's pros vs. the Zephyr are:
A). Walkaround form factor - The PCab is tethered walkaround, with all the benefits that it brings as compared to being locked in one place.

B). More functions - The PCab handles at least to F12 and maybe F28, while the Z by itself only goes up to F8 (to get more Z functions, use a DT400 or UT4).

C). More in-depth display - The PCab's multi-line display provides more information than the Z's 4-digit LED display, and some of the interactions are easier because of it.

D). Software upgrades - The PCab, like all NCE products, keeps getting upgrades (AFAIK).  So when NCE thinks of something new, they put it into the software.  With Digitrax, when they think of something new, you generally have to go buy it instead of just adding new software to it.

E). Duplex radio - One never has to plug in for NCE radio throttles, while one has to with current Digitrax throttles for certain operations (like selecting locos).

If you want any more information, don't hesitate to ask.

Paul A. Cutler III
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Weather Or No Go New Haven
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