I have been considering converting my small layout to DCC. Can anyone recommend a good entry level system?
NCE Power Cab or Digitrax Zephyr.
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
I use the Digitrax Zephyr. I find it easy to use and it's readily expandable.
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
You can't go wrong with either a Digitrax Zephyr or an NCE Power Cab. I own both and love both equally well.
Jack W.
parts,
For me, DCC is as much fun on a small layout as it is on a large layout. I think it was Mister Beasley (MR forum member) who said that, for him, DCC on a small layout has even more advantages. I think this is true - especially when running 2 or more locomotives independently at a time.
I would agree with Simon and Jack. The Digitrax Zephyr and NCE Power Cab are both very good DCC starter systems. I've had the Power Cab for 4-1/2 years now and enjoy it very much.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
parts323 I have been considering converting my small layout to DCC. Can anyone recommend a good entry level system?
Depending on what you expect your final DCC control configuration to be, the MRC Prodigy Express can be an even less expensive way to get started.
The only real drawback to the MRC compared to the other 2 starter systems mentioned comes if and when you want to add a computer interface to program the decoders in your locomotives. The MRC computer interface uses MRC-proprietary software, which has limited functionality compared to the open source (free) JMRI/Decoder Pro software.
To use JMRI/Decoder Pro with the MRC systems, you would have to use the Digitrax PR3 as a stand-alone controller for the programming track. Given the price of the PR3 compared to other computer interfaces, this is not a bad deal regardless of DCC starter system chosen.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
One more vote for the Zephyr. I have nothing against the NCE, I have just never used it and so have no opinion on it.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I started with the power cab and it performed very well. It's very easy to get started and has plain english menu's. I'm sure the Zephyr is right up there judging by the posts. You won't go wrong with either one and would probably also do well with the MRC unit.
Springfield PA
While I am sure the Prodigy Express is a good system, I will not go for it for the following reasons:
Poor handling of Advance consisting,
No CV read back
No support for Universal consisting, therefore consisting MTH locos is out of the question for now.
Limited computer interface, no support for JMRI
A few thoughts:
I would suggest looking at CVP Products "Easy DCC".
It costs a little more, but gives you two deticated throttles. It makes a nice programing station later if you expand to wireless.
And, if you go wireless, their handheld is very user friendly and much more ergonomic than most of the others in my opinion.
I will also echo the comments of several others about layout size and DCC. I consider DCC much more of a benifit on a small layout compared to a large one. On large layouts it is easy to keep trains "in their territory" and/or design good DC systems for multi train operation, not so much so on small layouts if you want to operate more than one train at a time.
Also, small layouts generally don't require a lot of DCC "infrastructure" like power districts, boosters and the like - truely taking advantage of "user/installer simplicity". Large DCC layouts often require as much "wire" and complexity as large DC layouts, especially as features expand with size (signaling, dispatching, turnout control, etc).
And, of course if you want onboard sound, you will want DCC.
If I ever build a DCC layout, Easy DCC would be my first choice.
Sheldon
Basically do a search of the forums here and other sites. you'll see just a few manufacturers that consistently have favorable comments and some that don't. As you can see on this thread there are 2 that are definitely constantly mentioned and won't let you down. I personally have the Power Cab and Digitrax Super chief, and have had the Bachmann starter system and NCE Phpro. Anything by NCE of Digitrax have shown to be quality product in my book.
Lots of great advice guys. Thanks for the feedback.