has anybody had any experiance with the nce powercab dcc system or the digitrax zepher dcc system? both seem to be good prices for entry level dcc systems, which is what I am looking for.
They are both excellent entry level systems. Can't really go wrong with either.
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
The best advice I can give you is do some research. Go to a hobby shop and/or local club and see what the features are. Kindly ask to hold a throttle and try to operate a train. This topic comes up quite often on these forums.
I have the NCE Power Cab and wouldn't trade anything else for it. It is easy to use and display is easy to see.
Will
I've used both and I prefer the Digitrax Zephyr. I find it slightly easier to use and the buttons and controls are located in one central area.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
This question comes up over and over. It is like asking do you like blonds better than red heads. My self, never ran a NCE, ran a Zepher and did not like it. Just did not do what I wanted, which was walk around capability. I went with the Digitrax Super Empire Builder and fits my needs.
What do you want to do with the DCC system? My self, have a good sizes bench, 3 main lines and want easy control of two trains on each main line.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
I prefer the powercab for ease of operation and programing CVs. I had a Zephyr And had sent it back so many times I told Digitrax to keep it. They were very good about service and did return my money although,I was out a couple shipping charges. My powercab was plug and play. never a problem. I think the Zephyr had problem dealing with the in rush of current to sound decoders. I have 5 to 7 sound units on the track with 4 of them double heading trains. The little power cab never complains. Just my experience, others may differ.
Lee
cudaken This question comes up over and over. It is like asking do you like blonds better than red heads.
This question comes up over and over. It is like asking do you like blonds better than red heads.
Never tried a Powercab. Own a Zephyr and a Super Empire Builder radio set. My wife is a red head.
Martin Myers
Love my Zephyr, wouldn;t trade it for anything. Inrush problem? I tested it with 8 sound locos, shorted the track, no inrush problem. It also programs everything I've thrown at it. Fully expandable as your needs grow, no aprt is ever wasted. You can added track dection and signalling, all using the same wire that is also the cab bus. And there are lots of third party options for said expansion - you aren't limited to just Digitrax. The Digitrax web site even provides links to those venders who make compatible hardware and software.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Lee, like Randy, my Z has never had an issue with shut down due to inrush and I frequently have more than 10 locos in its district. You must have had a lemon.
As I said at the top, they are both good. The decision, being a personal one, is really down to look and feel of the throttle. I would also keep an eye on expanded capability. Ask yourself questions about the max number of operators you might want at one time?, number of locos actually running at once etc. Great system that it is, the Powercab has a bit of a quirky upgrade path and may simply not be able to do what you want in the future without purchasing the top ot the line system as the upgrade path.
A good example of this is number of operators. From Day 1, I wanted 3 operators (me and my 2 boys) and quickly wanted to add a 4th guest throttle. The Zephyr can handle 10 throttles right out of the box without an upgrade needed, other than the purchase of the throttles. The PowerCab can only handle my requirement for 3 or 4 by adding the smart booster option. This is in no way a dig, because for many it would be irrelevant, but is an example where your specific needs might lead you to one solution over the other.
I looked at a variety of starter sets and decided on Digitrax but upgraded to the Super Empire Builder. For me it was definitely the right decision because it has features the Zephyr doesn't have. It was a little pricey so I shopped around many places and bought it from Factory Direct Trains. Kalmbach publishes a book DCC Made Easy that has a chart in the back about the different starter sets and their features - it's a good reference. Also, I understand if you can actually try out the various sets it will be helpful.
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
I would like to thank
all of you for your answers and for confusung me even more!!!!!!!!!!! I"m only kidding. your info has been very valuable to me. My humble layout is very small, but expandable for the future. Thats why I am looking for something for now but also for the future so as I learn more and grow the layout more, I won"t have to be spending more money on controlers and I can put more into the railroad. Living in northeast pa just 20 mins from steamtown , you would think railroad hobby shops would be plentifull. not to be, there are two and both are a distance away from me. No local clubs that I know of either. Thats why I think highly of this forum and apreciate all your answers. and please if anyone else has input, keep them comming. thanks again
It is very difficult to get anything but generalities and or simply "I have X and it is the best" type comments unless you provide more specifics about what you are looking for a system now and in the future.
Do you want to walk around with your trains or sit in one location?
How many people will run trains simultaneously now and in the future?
How many trains do you want to run simultaneously, including in consists?
These kinds of things. You will get much better advice that way. As of right now all we know is that you want an entry level system at a good price that can expand. Based on that, flip a coin, either system will meet that need. Both are made by reputable manufacturers that will stand behind their product. Both have legions of fans and advocates.
I have the Digitrax Super Chief and I love it. I have never had a Zephyr but I love Digitrax. I Have not used the others except for Bachmann EZCommand which I don't recommend. Ken disagrees with me on that. He loved his.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I started over ten years ago with a Digitrax Radio Super Chief (DCS100). I only had a small apartment layout but had plans for a basemnt layout in the future. Although $600 was a lot of money to get into DCC, my Digitrax Chief is still going strong. The nice thing about Digitrax is the system is upgradeable. I will be moving to the new duplex radio. My upgrade investment will be for a duplex radio receiver (UR92) and new throttles. All of the other equipment and throttles will still be utilized. I have since purchased an Empire Builder (DB150) to expand my DCC system. It was less expensive with the Emipre Builder rather than just buying a booster because I also got a throttle and throttle jack in the set.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
BTW I am on my second Zephyr, although not due to any failure or breakage. Both have been flawless right out of the box. My first one was lost along with all my model railroad equipment and tools, but when I started back in again last year I did not hesitate to get another Zephyr. Still haven't replaced my DT400, but all of my running so far has consisted of 2 sections of flextrack hooked together. Planning of a new layout is in progress right now.
jamnest I will be moving to the new duplex radio. My upgrade investment will be for a duplex radio receiver (UR92) and new throttles.
I will be moving to the new duplex radio. My upgrade investment will be for a duplex radio receiver (UR92) and new throttles.
You don't need to buy new throttles. Beginning in September Digitrax will be offering to upgrade your existing throttles for a price much cheaper than buying new ones.
DT400 to DT402 CONVERSION PRICING
Upgrade To New
Additional Features
Upgrade Price
29 Functions
SimplexRadio
Duplex Radio
DT400
DT402
x
$25.00
DT402R
$50.00
DT402D
$65.00
DT400R
What do you reckon, come Tuesday Digitrax will have thousands of throttles on their door step awaiting upgrade! I plan on sending in my DT400. I love my new DT400D and would be really happy to have 2 on hand.
Quite possible. I already bought the UR-92, but I thought I would give them a little time to catch up before I send in my DT-400.
This is the other thing I like about Digitrax. They add a new feature, you just get the new gizmo and plug in. No command station upgrades needed. And should you decide that getting radio right off the bat is a bit too expensive, fear not because there is no price penalty for adding it later, the cost of the throttle upgrade is the same as the price differential between the radio an non-radio throttle.