Acela026 What are your opinions of the NCE Power Cab system? I got a good offer from an older friend on the system (He had used it before he upgraded to a bigger system). Or would I be better off with the Digitrax Zephyr Extra? Right now I am leaning heavily towards the NCE. At the max I would be running 2 (maybe 3 on rare occasion) trains at once, on roughly 70' of track. There are no accessories that require power. Thoughts or opinions??? Acela
What are your opinions of the NCE Power Cab system? I got a good offer from an older friend on the system (He had used it before he upgraded to a bigger system). Or would I be better off with the Digitrax Zephyr Extra? Right now I am leaning heavily towards the NCE. At the max I would be running 2 (maybe 3 on rare occasion) trains at once, on roughly 70' of track. There are no accessories that require power. Thoughts or opinions???
Acela
I didn't have any idea of DCC and a friend recommend me NCE, so I bought the Power Cab and after ten minutes I was already playing with my trains. Its easy and very user friendly.
I would definetely recommend it!
Acela, check your conversation section.
Springfield PA
Something else which I consider to be very important when purchasing something such as a DCC system is, where is it made and how is their customer service.
NCE, Digitrax, and CVP are all MADE IN THE USA.
MRC, Lenz, Bachmann, etc. are made in CHINA or GERMANY with very limited technical support.
The timbers beneath the rails are not the only ties that bind on the railroad. --Robert S. McGonigal
Jim-
I understand where you are coming from. However, it was not until a few minutes after my previous post that I looked at the Digitrax Zephyr & the NCE powercab. Previously, the systems I was looking at were up in the $3-400 price range. Thank you for pointing that out though.
I do not quite understand your comment on 'price'. Both the Digitrax Zephyr and the NCE Power Cab starter system can be found for well under $200 - You are not going to find any other system with the feature set of these at a better price. The EZ Command system system will only address engine numbers up to 10. The Prodigy Express is also limited in addresses and growth. A DCC system is something you invest in. I have had the same Digitrax system since the late 1990's.
We had a guy who bought a Prodigy system on a clearence sale - it will address up to 23 or 24 engines - just not the 4 digit number on the engine. As long as the number was under 24, he was fine. He would ask someone to 'program' his engine and then not be able to run it on his layout - it will only run at the club. That 'deal' was not a good investment....
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
locoi1sa What system did you operate that bit you? Lenz, Digitrax and NCE are all great systems. If you are already familiar with one system it would be easier to jump right in. Pete
What system did you operate that bit you? Lenz, Digitrax and NCE are all great systems. If you are already familiar with one system it would be easier to jump right in.
Pete
I don't remember exactly what the system was but it definitely a Digitrax. The only thing that turns me off is the price, especally for just a 4x8! I'll keep searchin...
And don't overlook the used market. I've seen some really nice CVP and Lenz systems go on eBay for really cheap. I didn't buy them because one can only use so many DCC systems regardless of the good deals.
i will second that, if some one has not already done so.
rrinker WHile numerous people here have stared witht he Bachmann EZ Command, I cannot agree with recommending someone buy that. Yes it's cheap. Yes you can probably resell it when you outgrow it - when, not if. It's DCC on the cheap, and you do get what you pay for. Instead of a throwaway system, better to get a system that can grow with you and gives you a full DCC experience out of the box - the two main contenders here being the DIgitrax Zephyr or NCE PowerCab. Both do nearly everything a big expensive DCC system, are super easy to use, and can be expanded later on as your empire grows without having to toss out the stuff you already paid for. --Randy
WHile numerous people here have stared witht he Bachmann EZ Command, I cannot agree with recommending someone buy that. Yes it's cheap. Yes you can probably resell it when you outgrow it - when, not if. It's DCC on the cheap, and you do get what you pay for.
Instead of a throwaway system, better to get a system that can grow with you and gives you a full DCC experience out of the box - the two main contenders here being the DIgitrax Zephyr or NCE PowerCab. Both do nearly everything a big expensive DCC system, are super easy to use, and can be expanded later on as your empire grows without having to toss out the stuff you already paid for.
--Randy
Very will stated.
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
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Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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Bachmann E-Z Command Digital Command Control System
You are only likely to be disappointed if you don't determine beforehand the power needs and the features of the system you eventually buy. Assuming you have a justifiable appreciation of the features and power demands you'll want, you could place all the complying systems on a shelf 10 feet away, blindfold yourself, throw a rag toward the shelf, and learn to be very pleased with the system nearest which the rag lands.
They are all good, some a bit tougher to master, some with ergonomic limitations as judged by users...but if you are determined to master the appliances, you will be a happy DCC user.
Crandell
Think of Digitrax's Zephyr Xtra. 3 amps of power, inexpensive and easily expandable.
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!
I would like to upgrade to a DCC system before the end of the year. Does anyone have any reccomendations for a realatively inexpensive, starter DCC system? I have used one quite a few times at a club (Unfortunatly 300Miles away) on numerous occasions and I am hooked! Please let me know what you think!