My son needs to upgrade to a much more advanced DCC system. It's for a 5x11 foot layout and he runs more than 4 loco's at a time. Here are some of the things he would like to be able to use:
1. 4 digit address assigning2. Wireless control3. 4+ loco's running on layout 4. Enough power for 4-5 loco's running
There were 1 or 2 other things but can't remember at the moment. One of the MRC systems seemed to have it all. http://www.modelrec.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=7735
It's a well deserved Xmas present so I have no problem spending the coin for him. If you recommend something else by all means please chime in. Thanx.
Number 2 of your list will eliminate most of your starter systems such as the NCE Power Cab and the Digitrax Zephyr. Running wireless will also eliminate the Lenz systems unless you add the Easy DCC for Lenz wireless throttles. So the options you have with the criteria you list will be the NCE Power Pro R and the Digitrax Empire Builder radio. Both of these systems will do more than you will ever need. Both are easily expanded on and will give long time service.
With the MRC system the hand controller is also the command station. If something happens to it (dropped) the whole system is down. With the others you will still be able to operate on another throttle. Adding another wireless throttle will cost as much as the whole system. Engineer throttles on other systems are less than half the price as full function throttles. You can add wired throttles to the MRC system as you can with all other systems.
If you would like walk around wired systems then choices are limitless. Lenz, NCE, Easy DCC and Digitrax all have great systems for a whole lot less money.
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!
Rob,
When you say "4+ loco's running on layout": Are they separate locomotives, or are they sets of consisted locomotives? Personally, running, controlling, and keeping track of two locomotives (or two consists of locomotives) simultaneously on a smaller layout is about all I can handle.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
locoi1sa Number 2 of your list will eliminate most of your starter systems such as the NCE Power Cab and the Digitrax Zephyr.
Number 2 of your list will eliminate most of your starter systems such as the NCE Power Cab and the Digitrax Zephyr.
Actually, Pete, that's not true. You can add wireless to a Power Cab or Zephyr; it's just generally a more expensive path to take than purchasing a wireless system from the get-go. You could add a radio base station and a wireless throttle to both and be up and going.
Tom.
I was trying to be more cost effective for the basic requirements the op put forth. The Power cab has only a recall of 2 locomotive addresses and I am not sure how many the Zephyr has. With 4 to 5 locomotives running at once in separate trains being able to recall addresses quickly would be a paramount concern. Having a more powerful system right out of the box would be an easier learning curve than immediate expansion and additional components needed. The PH Pro R and the SEB R exceeds the basic 4 requirements without additional pieces. Plus the OP would not have to do any upgrades until they are ready for them if needed at all. The Zephyr has twice the power of the PC but adding the smart booster will help. The OP did not specify if lighted passenger cars will be in any of those 4 to5 trains. Just 4 of the Spectrum lighted passenger cars on my layout robs almost a half amp of power from the system.
Hope this clears things up about my earlier post.
If either of those other two was using JMRI for programming that eliminates the MRC.
If he already has an Apple device or an Android phone or tablet, and a wireless router in the house, than wireless control can be added to just about any other system for the cost of that system's computer interface, NCE, Digitrax, Lenz, CVP all support JMRI.
If one of the other things was adding detection and signalling, Digitrax wins hands down. None of the others have an as capable control bus, and there are tons of third party compatible add-ons.
--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 would have agree with Randy. The MRC Prodigy Express has a very expensive upgrade path. And with NO capability of adding JMRI in the future - it becomes a 'dead end' system. Many folks get tempted by the low discounted price of the Prodigy Express. A friend has had one for about 3 years. He has really gotten used to using JMRI at the club to program his engines, and really cannot do this at home. The LCD panel on the throttle is starting to go out and the repair cost is almost as much as the system.
I gave him my old 'Zephyr' as long as he got a DT4xx throttle. He is getting a wireless throttle and receiver and I will help him install everything after he returns from vacation. The Digitrax Zephyr is an entry system that is 'full featured'. The 'built-in' throttle is sort of a turn off, but I have never used it! I bought it from a LHS that was going out of business about 6 years ago, and have used it for programming upstairs in a spare bedroom/study.
Thye NCE Power Cab is another good option - at least it has a good upgrade path, and you can use JMRI with it. I have used it, and it is a nice system. Like all other NCE system, there is no 'analog' mode to run DC engines. Since it comes with a 'Hammerhead' walk-around throttle, you already get a good super throttle in the package.
I would suggest sticking with either of the 2 big DCC players in the US market(Digitrax or NCE). It will money well spent.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Buying a good DCC system is a big deal for most of us. I have to agree with Jim in his post about getting either a Digitrax system or an NCE system. In my opinion, the NCE system is more user friendly, but you should take a look at the manuals of the systems that you are considering. Both NCE and Digitrax have web sites where you can download the manuals of the systems you are considering, and read them.
I would have a tendency to get him the NCE Power Cab system to start this year. Next year, or for his birthday, you can start adding parts to it. Either the radio stuff next or a smart booster (adding more power for more trains), then the other part next time.
Although with the NCE system you only have two locomotives in the stack that you can toggle back and forth to, the controller can select any locomotive that you want to run. Each locomotive would have a DCC decoder installed in it, and should have it's address programmed to the locomotive number on the side of the cab. That way you know what locomotive you are choosing.
If there is a hobby shop that specializes in trains near you, going there and looking at the different systems may help, but not always.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Will check out the NCE systems. Thanks guys! The wireless MRC is way over the top. $600! Wow.
The over $600.00 price is Retail. One place that sells a MRC Wireless at a discounted price can be seen at URL: http://www.dccinstalled.com/MRC-0001410-Prodigy-Advance-Wireless-p/mrc-0001410.htm
Still pricey but looks like a one and done system for what he needs. I have to say I love the dial for speed control rather than buttons but I don't think we have enough experience to make that judgement call.
Was looking at this:
http://www.trainworldonline.com/catalog/nce/ProCab-R-ProCab-with-radio-installed-5240011
But no idea what "radio installed" is. I'll have to do some more research. Too much info.
You better take a better look at that web link. That appears to be just a Pro Cab-R wireless throttle, not the system.
If you are looking at wireless from the start - You will be looking at about $500 to get your feet wet with just about any manufacturer...
Yep. Thanks Jim.
Anyone want to shoot me a link at a decent NCE system that's upgradeable? Doesn't need to be wireless. That's a bit overkill.
Oh forgot, what's JMRI?
NCE is getting ready to ship upgrade eproms. For me, my Power Cab will have six recalls. No idea what the Power Pro upgrades will be or when the systems will ship with the new upgrades.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
If NCE is what you're leaning towards, the Power Cab would be a start. Cost: $150, discounted. If you need more power (increase from 1.7A to 5 A total output) you can add the Smart Booster (SB3a). Cost: $130, discounted. Click on the link to my web site below and you can read the initial reviews I wrote for both the Power Cab and Smart Boosters (SB3 & newer SB3a). It includes pictures and lists the features of each.
BTW, Rob, I used to prefer the "knob" too until I got my Power Cab. I find that I have MUCH better control with either the fine/gross speed buttons or the encoder wheel than a potentiometer (knob). I can also do it one-handed.
Thanks Tom! Will research it. I'm sure it's everything he needs. Can you recommend a website? I don't have any local hobby shops that sell it.
Here's three, Rob:
All three are very reputable dealers. It looks like Ulrich has it the cheapest by $6.
Isn't Tony's Train Exchange well known for installing decoders in non dcc ready locos as well?
Yes, TTE can do that sort of thing for you. Tim Smith @ Empire Train & Hobby above is also very good and very reasonably priced. It's worth contacting both.
FYI: Tim and NCE are on the same road in the SAME town of Webster, NY about 1/10 of a mile from one another
JMRI - Java Model Railroad Interface. This is free software that runs on a PC. NCE has an interface to attach a Power Cab to a USB port on the PC. It will allow you to program your DCC engines and save the loco information to a file. It is so much easier than punching buttons on a throttle.
[Rob, I inadvertently posted this in another thread yesterday thinking it was this one. FWIW...]
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I thought of the following while writing my earlier post but I wanted to double-check with the NCE gurus over on Yahoo! before mentioning it. If you really wanted to go the cheapest wireless route via NCE, you could do the following:
Total cost: $436, plus a 6-connector cable for the RB02
While you might opt for #1 for now, you could add #2 & #3 whenever you wanted to make the move to wireless.
Actually, if you have an iPhone/iPod Touch or an Android smartphone, and a wireless router in your house, the cheapest route to wireless NCE is a PowerCab plus the USB interface, and free JMRI. Likewaise, cheapest route to wireless Digitrax is a Zephyr Xtra, Locobuffer USB, and free JMRI.
Might be the cheapest even if you have to go buy the phone.tablet. You don;t need the latest one, and you don;t need a data plan or even a phone plan to use it on WiFi as a throttle, and used/refurb iPod Touches and older iPhones are fairly inexpensive anymore. And there are some pretty cheap Android tablets that will work as well. Not free but potentially less expensive than a wireless throttle and the radio base for either NCE or Digitrax.
Randy, you mean this:
http://www.empirenorthern.com/product/7/NCE-PowerCab-2A-system/
Plus this?:
http://www.empirenorthern.com/product/5705/USB-Interface/
Let's make those clickable links:
Yes, those two things, plus the computer you already have, plus an iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android smartphone, or Android tablet, and a wirless router. JMRI on the PC, and WiThrottle (i-device) or Engine Driver (Android) on the device. Full wireless throttle capability. And it pretty much bypasses the number of cab limit on the PowerCab - if you have 3 friends with iPhones you can all run trains at the same time, assuming the load doesn't exceed the 1.7 amps of the Powercab. Plus another person can use the Powercab itself.
Whatever system you get, make sure to send it the registration card.
I did that with the NCE Power Cab and was notified right way when the first upgrade eprom was available. Just happened for the newest upgrade.
About a year or so later, the Cab back light failed. I sent it in and they repaired it fo free. An advantage of registering the Power Cab.
No idea about other systems, though.
Thanx for your input Brian! Already bought the NCE power cab and USB interface.