Which DCC system to buy?

[jwils1]

mobilman44

Hi again!

Gotta interject something here.....  In determining whether to go NCE or Digitrax, I found the NCE hand held much more appealing than the Digitrax DT400.  BUT, I ended up going with the Digitrax in spite of that perceived shortcoming.  However, in using the DT400s, I have found them to be pretty user friendly - which I admit was a surprise to me.

Mobilman44

The exact same thing happened to me.  I too was surprised and found the DT400 so much easier, and more fun to use.  I actually had the NCE for awhile and quickly found out that the DT400 was far better for me.  I used them both side by side for awhile and had to force myself to try the NCE as I kept wanting to pick up the DT400 instead.

[simon1966]

You know what I think it is......On the surface the NCE throttles are easier to pick up, look at and operate for a total newbie.  It takes a little longer to get going with a Digitrax throttle, but once you know the basic philosophy of the DT throttle it becomes very intuitive to use. As the saying goes, first impressions etc, but IMO this perceived advantage of being easier to use disappears within the first 5-10 minutes of use for the vast majority of users.  There is a tremendous amount of mileage made out of this perceived difference in ease of use.  Which results in surprised comments when it is discovered that the DT throttles are actually rather nice things to use. Personally, I think that the "ease of use" argument is way over played.  If it was the most important feature, we would all be using EZ commands or Prodigy systems.

[rrinker]

I'll also add that if, down the road, you intend to add signals and block detection - with Digitrax the infrastructure is already in palce. The same bus that connects the throttles to the command station also carries the signals for detectors and signal controllers. ALso, you aren't limited to Digitrax components, there are several manufacturers who sell devices certified by Digitrax to work on their Loconet bus. Most of them are actually linked BY DIGITRAX on their web site - that's right, Digitrax lists and provides web page links to people who sell competing products!

There is one other advantage of gthe Digitrax Loconet that is not provided by ANY other DCC vendor - EVERYTHING that happens on the Loconet - comands from throttles, detection events from a block detector, commands to stationary decoders, etc. is echoed on the bus. Thus a computer interfaced to the system can not only control things, it can monitor and/or intercept what each operator is doing. You can see the throttle settign of every selected loco, what direction it is going, and what functions are activated. You can intercept a command from a throttle and do other things - like NCE's macro capability on steroids. One of my uses of this feature is to provide for local turnout control AND a centralized dispatcher. When operating alone, buttons ont he fascia will oeprate the motorized turnouts. When oeprating with a full crew with a dispatcher in place, the CTC turnouts will not operate when the buttons are pushed. How this works is simple - the buttons will be connected to input cards, so they generate a loconet message. With the computer off, the stationary decoders will respond to this message and operate the switch motor. With the computer on, the computer will see the message from the buttons, and ONLY if the dispatcher has actived the local power switch for that turnout will the switch motor move. Otherwise, it will only move when the DS clears the route and presses the code start button. At first my CTC panel will be virtual but someday I hope to build a 'real' one with toggles and lights.

                                        --Randy