I am finely looking at going dcc after 30 years of model railroading but I need a easy to program system over features. I've done some reading & due to ease of use & price narrowed it to MRC & Bachmann. But I'd like to know from people who've used them witch is easiest to use. I have 20 dc locos to convert some are dcc ready but most are old Atherns & AHM's.
If you only have 2 choices then I'd say MRC hands down. Otherwise i'd add NCE or Digitraxx to the possibilities.
Bachmann is basically for very low end starter with little program-ability. It will run a couple of trains with ease and will hold you off if on a tight budget until you can upgrade.
The others including MRC open you up to more possibilities. A little steeper learning curve but more loco's on track the same time with the ability to run consists and the ability to change individual parameters in the DCC decoders.
Note: Most DCC systems are easy to operate and use. It's when you want to change or correct problems with decoders that program ability become important. And when running DCC it will become important.
Springfield PA
Which MRC system are you comparing to which Bachmann system? Prodigy Express, Prodigy Advance sq, Bachmann EZ Command or Bachmann Dynamis?
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
Well you aren't giving yourself much to choose from, not trying to second guess you but are you strictly looking at this form a cost point of view? If so please don't the Bachmann dcc system is a poor example at best and I personally feel you'll be throwing your money away. MRC dcc command stations are no where near as bad as their decoders and for an entry level system they are ok. I agree with he other poster who mentioned NCE as a good choice. Cost effective, you can get a starter set (power Cab) for around $150.00 It has all the features of their power house pro with the exception of the amount of amperage out put. If your building or have a relatively simple layout not running a lot of trains etc. then the Power Cab will be all the system you will ever need. Some like Digitrax which is a good system as well it's just not my choice. To be honest it's like the Ford vs Chevy argument, both good system both do pretty much the same thing etc. the difference being MRC has a very bad track record with their decoders so that in it self would make me apprehensive about buying one of their systems.
NCE, MRC and Digitrax are up market systems, which enjoy a good reputation, also here in the forum. The Bachmann E-Z command system is a cheap system, and that describes it all. The Dynamis system, however, is not bad at all, but too close in terms of price to better system, IMHO.
The choice, which system to buy, is finally a very personal one. Go to your LHS and let them show you the systems. Take at throttle in your hand - how does it feel? Do you like the way you operate the throttle? Do you prefer a knob for speed control or a slider? Can you imagine holding the throttle in your hand for an hour or so, without your hand cramping? For that very reason, I am going for a Lenz SET 90 system. But that´s my personal choice.
soo800easy to program system
Do you mean easy to use or program engines? I used a Bachmann E-Z for three years and it is easy to use. But as stated you can not program engines CV's, just address. You can program with the Dynamis, but I have never used one. I was close to getting one, but the cost of another throttle was out of line.
Far as the E-Z being cheap, I prefer calling it affordable. Nothing cheap about it's quality just limited to what it can do.
If you are interested, I have no use for mine anymore. You can have it for $35.00 plus shipping. I got it from a member of this site. Time to pass it on now.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Hi!
With all due respect, I would recommend neither, and instead go for Digitrax or NCE - both of which have wonderful "beginner's" systems.
I switched to DCC a year ago, but did a lot of research beforehand. Much of it was reading these Forum postings and asking a plethora of questions of the good folks that participate here.
It was fairly obvious (from my research) that folks were having more difficulty with MRC/Bachmann systems than with Digitrax or NCE. I was disappointed with MRC as they had been the DC powerpack leader for decades, and I figured they would be into DCC in a big way. From what I can tell, they came in "too little, too late". Anyway, I ended up chosing a Digitrax system and so far all my installed decoders are NCE. I have had NO problems with the equipment whatsoever.
This is not to say that MRC/Bachmann are no good, but it is saying that you would probably be happier in the long run with Digitrax or NCE.
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I would echo what others have said, and say "go for a really good system from the gitgo". When I switched from a non DCC system (Dynatrol) in 1990 to NCE, the difference was like night and day. I know other DCC systems are good, but the NCE is the one that caught my eye, so I didn't shop around anymore. My system has expanded since 1990 to include 4 different power districts with a booster for each, lots of throttles and the same NCE power source and main system as I started with. The NCE command station has had some improvements since then but I was comfortable with upgrades. In attending operating sessions at various times and at various locations, I can tell you it is best to start with a top line and save the constant "upgrading" piece by piece. I am electronically challenged but I am very comfortable with NCE, and since I have operated with Digitrax and Lenz systems also, I can tell you to put your money up front and get a "goodun".
I have a Bachmann Dynamis system and I have found that it works very well for me. I have a small layout and it meets my needs. I enjoy the wireless aspect of the product. Some will say that because it is IR(infra red) that it is a line of sight product and this is true. But, it has a 180 degree range of signal.
Since you're new at this, I'd like to point out that any DCC command station can be used with any DCC locomotive decoder. You are not limited to one manufacturer's products in that regard. However, the components on the control side are generally not inter-operable. So, while you can use an NCE command station with Digitrax decoders, you can't use an NCE command station with a Digitrax throttle.
The throttle is your interface to the system. It's important to have one that you're comfortable with. For example, I have large hands and old eyes. I love my Lenz System 100 throttle, which has a big display and big buttons. Others might prefer some of the Digitrax throttles, which are smaller but nevertheless have many more buttons. It's important that you like your throttle, because you will be limited to one manufacturer, in general, once you commit to a system.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.