NCE has corrected its radio problems.
I use NCE and our club has Digitrax.
Quite a few of our club members are changing to NCE for their home layouts.
Find someone who has each system and try to get a visit so you can see and use the controllers and systems. MRC was great for DC power packs in the old days, but they have fallen behind in the DCC world.
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.
cacole I did a lot of research several years ago before we purchased a DCC system for our HO scale club layout. The systems researched were MRC, Digitrax, NCE, and EasyDCC. Of these four, all are made in the U.S. except MRC, which is a Chinese product. Since the possible need for repair and customer support were important to us, we eliminated MRC from consideration. At the time of our purchase, only EasyDCC and NCE offered radio control, which was also one of our priimary needs due to the size of our club layout. Digitrax had announced an upcoming radio system but it was not on the market and they could provide no definite target date or information on upgrading existing systems. After considering the pros and cons of the three systems, we chose the NCE PowerHouse Pro 5 Amp system with three add-on boosters and two extended receiving antennas. At the present time we have 7 ProCab wireless throttles, and it takes a new member only a couple of minutes to learn the system. Since then, Digitrax has their radio system available and I have heard no derogatory comments about it. If we had chosen Digitrax, I'm sure we would all like it. If we had chosen EasyDCC, we would all probably like it, too. The main thing you should be considering is how comfortable the throttle is for you to use and how simple it is to learn. A suggestion that is always made when someone asks which DCC system they should purchase is, try to find a local club and other modelers who have the different systems and try the throttles for yourself, and then chose the one that you like best -- they are all good systems.
I did a lot of research several years ago before we purchased a DCC system for our HO scale club layout. The systems researched were MRC, Digitrax, NCE, and EasyDCC.
Of these four, all are made in the U.S. except MRC, which is a Chinese product. Since the possible need for repair and customer support were important to us, we eliminated MRC from consideration.
At the time of our purchase, only EasyDCC and NCE offered radio control, which was also one of our priimary needs due to the size of our club layout. Digitrax had announced an upcoming radio system but it was not on the market and they could provide no definite target date or information on upgrading existing systems.
After considering the pros and cons of the three systems, we chose the NCE PowerHouse Pro 5 Amp system with three add-on boosters and two extended receiving antennas. At the present time we have 7 ProCab wireless throttles, and it takes a new member only a couple of minutes to learn the system.
Since then, Digitrax has their radio system available and I have heard no derogatory comments about it. If we had chosen Digitrax, I'm sure we would all like it. If we had chosen EasyDCC, we would all probably like it, too.
The main thing you should be considering is how comfortable the throttle is for you to use and how simple it is to learn. A suggestion that is always made when someone asks which DCC system they should purchase is, try to find a local club and other modelers who have the different systems and try the throttles for yourself, and then chose the one that you like best -- they are all good systems.
It is odd but the club choose Digitrax in 1999 over NCE because it had radio and NCE was only promising it. If I recall correctly NCE brought radio only some 3 years later and it was not a good performer in the range department.
If I am wrong please correct me and provide the dates both Digitrax and NCE brought to market their radio system. It is possible old age is playing trick on me
Jack W.
The biggest drawback to a wireless system is the need to keep a good stock of replacement batteries for the throttles. An NCE ProCab uses 4 AAA batteries, and will not work very well on any type of rechargeable battery because rechargeables don't put out as high a voltage as a regular AAA cell. Still, we have been very happy with the NCE system.
Asking for an opinion of a DCC is like asking someone what their favorite ice cream favor is, a lot of opinions and almost all of them right. Simon pointed out some very good points of what to look for based on your need. I think what ever system you go with try to choose one that can be expanded on if you find that you are more into MRR and expand your layout/ fleet of locos. Both NCE and Digitrax make good systems that can be expanded on. I converted to DCC very early on and once I did, for me, it took the MRR hobby for me to a new level of enjoyment and once you get your locos chipped and your layout wired, you can operate right away.. then once you get the hang of everything you can then fine tune your locos to meet your needs/preferences.
So as you can see everyone likes what they own, so the good news is that you have a choice of decent systems.
There are numerous threads on this forum that take essentially the same track. "What is the best DCC system?" followed by several "I have brand X and really like it"
What is perhaps more important is for you to think about what you want your DCC system to do both now and in the future?
You mention a "small layout" which would suggest that most of the lower cost starter sets would do the job, but perhaps they have limitations that would be an issue in your situation?
Do you want to sit in one place and run trains, or is your layout designed in such a way that you would prefer to walk around and control the trains?
How many trains do you want to run at once?
How many people would you like to be able to run trains at the same time?
Do you want integrated switch control and or signalling?
etc, etc.... The main thing is to define your needs and then be sure that what you pick meets those needs now and can expand to meet your needs in the future.
For what it is worth, I have a somewhat expanded Digitrax system that meets my needs perfectly, but that does not mean that it would be right for you.
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
FireChief,
I've been using my NCE Power Cab since Feb '06 and enjoy it very much. I've used both Digitrax and NCE throttles and I find the NCE throttles more intuitive to operate. With that said, both companies make terrific products and it all comes down to personal preference.
If you're interested, here's a link to an initial review of the NCE Power Cab I wrote back in '06. There's also a review of their CAB-04p throttle and their Smart Booster (SB3 and SB3a).
Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I use a MRC Prodigy Wireless and I love it, its ez to set up and use. I only want to run trains so the added features of others are not nessasary for me. One thing i suggest is no matter which system you decide on , consider wireless , my layout is in a 10 x 12 room and it stiff in super , not theathered throttles to trip over when more than one person is operating and no moving the throttles when headed to far from where the throttle is plugged in.
We have ran Digitrax for about 7-8 years now. The UT4R is an easy to use radio controller for kids. The thing I like best about Digitrax is it's LocoNet. This makes it very flexible with components that can be purchased to configure a system for your current needs and expand if you wish to do so. The Zephyr Plus includes all you need to get started and yet can be expanded to use DT402D handheld cabs-these are bidirectional radio handsets with two control knobs--definitely beyond starter.
I would also consider where and how you might get assistance. Here Digitrax is most widely used. But honestly I got most of my help by calling Digitrax directly and they were very helpful. The documentation is also very good I got with my set and components. I was up and running without calling them however.
Richard
Look no further.
NCE PH-Pro 5 amp system.
Rich
Alton Junction
Which DCC system to choose is as personal a decision as what brand of automobile you prefer or which brand of computer you think is best. The answer varies from person to person.
I have the Digitrax Super Chief. It is easy to use, even my 4 year old grandson can operate it. It does everything I need it to do and can do everything I can imagine ever asking it to do.
You will find people who feel that way about each of the brands.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I am thinking of investing in a digitial command system for operation on a small layout. I would be very interested in some feedback from people that have been using products. The three I have done some research on are the MRC, Digistrax, and NCE. Personal experiences would be welcome.