Another question about converting my 23 year old layout to DCC. I notice that Model Railroaders MR&T
uses Easy DCC for their operating system but you don't hear much talk about it even though it is company that has been around for years in Richardson, TX. I don't look at cost hard because you get what you pay for in this world. Lenz is out their and CVP makes some items to work with Lenz. EVeryone says that NCE is the clearest to use. The hand held cab on Easy DCC looks to be very comfortable and the power (amps) seems ok, plus they have many accessories that you would need so why don't I find that many who use CVP Products Easy DCC or happiness with a product keeps them quite? Doug
A modeler here uses EasyDCC on his home HO layout with radio throttles, and we use the EasyDCC at our HO club layout to run the outdoor display during open houses. I also use CVP's AirWire900 radio throttles and decoders for all of my G-scale trains.
EasyDCC and AirWire are very reliable products. Why they haven't gained as much ground in popularity as NCE, Lenz, Digitrax, etc. is proabably due to their costing a little more than the other brands -- but you definitely get what you pay for with CVP products.
I think the main reason is that, as far as I know, all CVP sales are direct from the manufacturer at list price.
Besides not being discounted by a local retailer, that also means that the day before your big operating session or open house, if you suddenly find that you need that critical DCC component, well, you're simply out of luck.
When you combine that with the fact that the competitions' product lines are arguably more extensive and their systems more flexible, well, it's not a surprise (to me at least) that CVP isn't the right fit for more folks.
Single source is why you don't see as much about them. It's all sold direct, none of the big well known DCC dealers carry it.
They were a little late in supplying some fo the more advanced features like 4 digit addressing, but now support every current feature.
It was built as an operator's system, therefore there ar enop facilities whatsoever for signalling and detection. To add that you will need to add a standalone Loconet for a Chubb C/MRI system.
It's one fo the few to not use some sort of variation on a telephone plug and jack for the cab wiring. I cna buy their reasoning for the cab plug-ins, phone plugs are much more robust that the little plastic rj plugs, but to use coax for the under-layout wiring - interference isn't an issue with any of the systems that use flat stin wire, so that just seems like serious overkill to me.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I addition to that stated already, Easy DCC started out as an unassembled kit. That would have slowed its sales in the early days when other companies were selling ready to run systems at close to the same price point. They also didn't have a line of decoders. Decoders can help create brand preference. You only need one system to run DCC. Decoder purchases go on and on and...
Martin Myers
I agree that the "single source", almost, for CVP products has not helped their popularity. Also as mentioned the original kit approach which appeals to a limited number of folks. And they still look like they are build from a kit....which is probably true.
Lenz doesn't seem to be very aggressive or progressive although they do offer some unique products.
I think that NCE has done a much better job of distribution (You can get them anywhere.) and also the very important "user interface". The throttles are very easy to hold and use. The knob can be manipulated with the thumb (one hand control) and the buttons are well marked and easy to remember. The "fit and finish" of the NCE products is also much better than most...I think.
MRC was very "slow out of the chute" but has come a long way. And they have very good brand recognition and a loyal base.
CVP products and support should be very good, but again, they are sort of a tech oriented outfit. The Apple of DCC.
Jim Murray The San Juan Southern RR
jwmurrayjrthey are sort of a tech oriented outfit. The Apple of DCC.
More like the LINUX of DCC, really. i don't have a layout yet, and am still in advanced planning stages, and I have to say this thread has really helped me. Previously I was looking at Digitrax exclusively, but I may now think about CVP as a mix-and-max solution.
I dunno, if the Linux reference fits anyone it's probably Digitrax. They are the only ones with a peer to peer network bus (of the major US brands), and there's always some other hidden feature revealed - like the playable whistle, the DT400 throttle was released before that idea ever saw the light of day, but - hey, they built the DT400's with the pressure switch from the beginning.
And there are far more DIY options - projects all over the place with PICs and Aurdino chips to make your own decoders and accessories. Not to mention the most third party options of all major manufacturers - you could conceiveably build a complete Loconet-based system and use not one product actually made by Digitrax themselves - even throttles and command stations.
More like the LINUX of DCC...
Oops! I forgot about Digitrax. One of the rally big players. Maybe the biggest?
NCE
CVP
Lenz
I never have liked the finish and feel of Digitrax, but I'm sure it must be good stuff because of its popularity.
But...DCC is great in any flavor.
No DCC Wars here.
No DCC wars at all for me either but I do agree about the look of Digitrax kind of toy like. Doug
i have used my system for 7 years now. Have used CVP at friend's layouts for more than a decade. Rock solid reliable, easy to use and no frills. I haven't ever needed much more than a knob and a few buttons to run trains. We are all wireless. The reliability of the wireless system is what attracted me to it years ago.
Customer support is excellent. Cost is a bit high but I haven't regretted buying the system. Many of my friends run cvp. We don't spend much time on DCC system issues (lots of time on decoder issues, but those are the same with any system), mostly just run trains. Small shortline steam - ops oriented, no consisting, no ctc/remote signalling, mostly sound decoders.
My suggestion is try before you buy.....
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
I'm considering all for my 23 year old layout but everyone's opinion is important to me and at my age I don't want to spend a year studying a manual either'. I do know from what I have read all over that NCE is a cut above when it comes to starting and using a new system. But again I ask why CVP Products Easy DCC for Model Railroader Magazine's MR&T Doug
I live far out in the front range of Colorado so UPS and Fedex are my best friends. A trip to Caboose Hobbies in Denver is a days voyage so this is why I started this thread in the first place. I wanted opinions from Model Railroads that are well versed in DCC. I appreciate all of the replies believe me! Doug
Our club uses the radio throttles from CVP on our Lenz system. Very reliable throttles but only 4 functions plus F0. I see the newer systems handle more functions and they even have a LCD screen now.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Stevert I think the main reason is that, as far as I know, all CVP sales are direct from the manufacturer at list price.
Ulrich Hobby Shop and Litchfield Station sell CVP EasyDCC products and several G-scale dealers sell AirWire900 decoders and related items; and there are probably others.
CVP has been very slow in setting up a dealer network, but they finally seem to have begun trying.