Looking for DCC system suggestions. Requirements:
1. Have control options for sound effects
2. Have control options for light effects
3. Walk around capabilites, preferrably included with set and not an option because;
4. Must not be too expensive.
5. Must have enought track juice to power 2 trains maximum, with sound and light effects operating on both locomotives.
I know some DCC systems, like Lenz Set 90 have what I'm looking for, but are way too expensive. I also know of others like Digitrax Zephyr can have add on throttles, but LTS wants 170 for the Zephry and another 170 or so for DT400 throttle. The UT4 throttle just might not cut it. The walk around is completely open, I have no problems using a tethered throttle or IR type throttle, again as long as it is not too expensive. It will be a small HO shelf, most likely along one wall so something like a 600 dollar Digitrax Super Cheif IR set is way too over kill, and way too much money.
Other options like CV feed back or stationary decoder controls are unnessacry, but of course if one model has them and another doesn't and both are reletively the same cost I would go for the one with more options. Expandability isn't much of a concern either. This layout is more or less to get me started in the hobby and give me some experience in the hobby. I will be treating it as a serious layout, not just something put up to let me run trains around, by it is by no means what I plan to have for the rest of my model RR life.
Just as ideas I have been interested and looked a little into Digitrax Zephry and Super Empire Builder starter sets, NCE Power Cab, MRC Prodigiy, and CVP EasyDCC. I liked the look of the CVP best, still leaning towards it, but again the lack of walk round cabability. I know of Bachmann and some others, but the others were way too much $$$ to be concerned with. The local train shop sells Digitrax exsclusively, although one of the proprieters has informed me they do have some NCE items (Power Cab) left over in inventory from a while back when they were an NCE dealer that he could give me a good deal on.
Also as an idea, sound effects would be limited to mostly prime mover sounds, not sure if I will have a grade crossing where horns/bells will be needed. Light effects would be defined such as roof mounted mars lights, head lights following prototypical rules like Rule 17 Lighting, head light control, and ditch light control where I could make it flash or steady.
In case of any incompatibilities, sound decoders would be either Digitrax, Quantum, Tsunami, or Soundtraxx. Most likely would be Quantum or Soundtraxx, I plan to run a freelance RR so will most likely be purchasing the loco's I want in other RR paint and them painting/superdetialing for my RR.
Low cost system with walk-around standard doing what you want either an NCE Power Cab or the MRC Prodigy Express or Advance 2. If you can get a good deal on a Powercab that is significantly better than the web vendors like Tony's trains or Litchfield Station go for it.
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
It sounds like you know your options pretty well (and in no particular order):
a). Digitrax Super Empire Builder: $275 at www.tonystrains.com plus $40 for a 5 amp power supply, so call it $315.
b). NCE PowerCab: $150, but if you want true walkaround, you need their SmartBooster for another $100, so call it $250.
c). MRC Prodigy Advance: $247
d). MRC Prodigy Express: $125
e). CVP EZ-DCC: the basic set is $279. One walkaround throttle is $89. All told, around $368 for a basic set plus one throttle.
Going by the above list and your own givens and druthers, I'd say the race is between MRC and NCE. If you can live without the SmartBooster, I'd say go for the NCE system (especially if you can get it cheap). I know you say you have no real desire to expand right now, but NCE does a better job of expansion than MRC does, IMHO, and offers a PC connection and wireless throttles in a better package.
BTW, I'm a 10-year Digitrax user. I still think Digitrax is the best system for most people, but given your specific situation, I think the NCE PowerCab is your best bet.
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
Sounds like you've done your homework. Whats your question?
I'm also a long time Digitrax user/owner but given your requirements, the NCE Power cab would be my first choice.
Martin Myers
Sounds like the PowerCab is what you want. But your LHS is charging too much for a DT400 if it's $170 for the wired version.
There won;t be any discounts on EasyDCC since it's only sold direct by the manufacturer. The price you see is the price you pay.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
MILW-RODRI know some DCC systems, like Lenz Set 90 have what I'm looking for, but are way too expensive...I liked the look of the CVP best, still leaning towards it,
Paul3e). CVP EZ-DCC: the basic set is $279, but I can't find it at Tony's. So call it approx. $220 if we follow the usual 22% off ratio that Tony's follows. One walkaround throttle is $90 MSRP, so around $70. All told, around $290 for a basic set plus one throttle.
Ah, my apologies. I did search Tony's website, and it did turn up an old notice about Tony's selling EZ DCC. I figured I just couldn't find it. I guess that agreement didn't last too long.
I'll go back and change my post...Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
DrilineSounds like you've done your homework. Whats your question?
TZ, there are "right" answers when it comes to garden tractors. Just like in this hobby, you get what you pay for. I have a 40-year old Simplicity (under the Allis-Chalmers brand) and a 30-year old Wheel Horse (now owned by Toro), and they cost each of my grandfathers a pretty penny when new. But they have lasted a long, long time (I just mowed the lawn with the Wheel Horse on Monday). Better yet, I can still get parts. I can tell you from personal experience that Kohler and Briggs & Stratton are quality gas engines...I wouldn't buy anything less if I could help it. I also would not buy any tractor from a big box store like Home Depot, a hardware store like True Value, or department store like Sears. It's like buying your model railroad locos from Toys 'R' Us. Go to a garden tractor store to get a good garden tractor.
Now if you're just talking about a lawnmower that looks like a tractor, then that's different. But real garden tractors need to be of quality construction, IMHO.(jeez...did I just go waaay off topic or what?)
From all you describe the Prodigy Advance Squared just might be the very best system for you. It has plenty of power (3.5 amps), walk-around capability, F0-F28 functions to cover all possible sound options, a nice hand-held throttle which IMO is better than the NCE Power Cab as it has a knob speed control instead of a thumb wheel, very easy to use, quick convenient progamming keys, nice loco recall feature, and is shorter and lighter than NCE. It's probably all the system you will ever need, unless you want to upgrade to wireless someday.
You can get it for $194 plus shipping from John's Hobbies.
http://www.johnshobbies.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=56_174&products_id=751
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
jwils1the Prodigy Advance Squared...has...a nice hand-held throttle which IMO is better than the NCE Power Cab as it has a knob speed control instead of a thumb wheel
It should also be noted that - in addition to the thumbwheel, the NCE Power Cab comes with gross and fine speed buttons, which I like using MUCH more than the thumb wheel because of the incrimental accuracy. The speed buttons are set to 10 speed steps per press for the gross and 1speed step per press for the fine. The thumb wheel is handy, however, when using the Power Cab in Yard mode.
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 jwils1the Prodigy Advance Squared...has...a nice hand-held throttle which IMO is better than the NCE Power Cab as it has a knob speed control instead of a thumb wheel It should also be noted that - in addition to the thumbwheel, the NCE Power Cab comes with gross and fine speed buttons, which I like using MUCH more than the thumb wheel because of the incrimental accuracy. The speed buttons are set to 10 speed steps per press for the gross and 1speed step per press for the fine. The thumb wheel is handy, however, when using the Power Cab in Yard mode.T Tom
It should also be noted that - in addition to the thumbwheel, the NCE Power Cab comes with gross and fine speed buttons, which I like using MUCH more than the thumb wheel because of the incrimental accuracy. The speed buttons are set to 10 speed steps per press for the gross and 1speed step per press for the fine. The thumb wheel is handy, however, when using the Power Cab in Yard mode.T
Good point Tom. The MRC2 also has speed buttons in addition to the knob. I've found the buttons very handy when using the throttle one-handed while uncoupling during switching moves.
jwils1a nice hand-held throttle which IMO is better than the NCE Power Cab as it has a knob speed control instead of a thumb wheel,
I thought so too until I found out while testing the Prodigy Advance that the throttle knob is located at the bottom of the controller and the horn,bell and other buttons are located at the top of the throttle requiring two hands to operate. So I didn't buy it.
Driline jwils1a nice hand-held throttle which IMO is better than the NCE Power Cab as it has a knob speed control instead of a thumb wheel, I thought so too until I found out while testing the Prodigy Advance that the throttle knob is located at the bottom of the controller and the horn,bell and other buttons are located at the top of the throttle requiring two hands to operate. So I didn't buy it.
That's interesting and shows how we all are so different in our preferences. I've used all of the major DCC systems and am much more comfortable using two hands with all of them most of the time, even with NCE.
In those situations where I need to go one-handed, I could do it with all of them. Since we are all different that's why it's sure best if a potential system buyer can personally try out the different throttles. I sure thought NCE was going to be the most comfortable until I used it awhile and discovered that my fingers became very tired and sore after awhile. But for others that probably isn't the case.
I'm personally now a Digitrax user and find the DT400 to work the very best for me (I really love that throttle). But, MRC (which I have used a lot) would surely be my second choice. It just seems to me the for the OP's situation that MRC2 seems to fit the best for him.
For what it's worth, to you, I chose the CVP system for compatibility and expandability.
I have not been dispointed.
I'm trying to model 1956, not live in it.
The PowerCab is backlitted, very useful to use at middle light. At full darkness, you see the display but can´t see the buttons and wheel...but I suppose it is common to every other control...someday the DCC manufacturers will make and all backlitted, as some premium home theatre remote control, to use in an almost dark layout room.
I had many of the same DCC issues, got the MRC PA2 in December, and have been very happy with it. I got it for $195 from Tony's Trains (generally, not always, but generally one of the lower priced vendors on the web, and a good source for DCC info-thanks Tony!). I did a lot of reading, research (this web site helped-reading past posts), testing a couple different systems and talking to people at the local hobby shops and model railroad clubs. For what I wanted, feature wise, and for what I could afford, the MRC PA2 was the best fit for me. Like almost any purchase, some personal factors are going to weigh in also-things like hand vs throttle size (I'm leaving that one alone), throttle layout, thumbwheel vs knob, etc. Take your time and buy when you've made an informed decision, but don't wait for 'this new thing' or 'that upcoming feature', you'll end up always waiting. Once you make the purchase, don't look back either. Because the hobby is constantly advancing, tomorrow is always going to bring something better. If finances allow, you can upgrade regularly. If not, wait several years before upgrading, thus allowing the addition of several new features, which justify the expense.
I would choose the NCE System
This thread has been very helpful in my search for a DCC system. I've been leaning toward the MRC sytem, but I have questions about if it is compatible with all DCC decoders?
Santa Fe all the way! I have questions about if it is compatible with all DCC decoders?
Yep, any of the DCC system will work with other brands of decoder.