NCE or CVP EasyDCC

[Denver]

I currently have a small 10' x 5' N Scale switchback layout running steam under DC, which is fine, but I am building a 37' x 13' N Scale layout based in Denver, CO., around 1959-1962. As it was not uncommon at that time to lash as many as 7 F units together to pull a train I will have to install a DCC system.

I have narrowed my choice down to NCE or CVP EasyDCC. Which is considered to be the better? What are the differences? The retail pricing seems similar but NCE is available through dealers at disounted prices whereas CVP appears only to sell direct at full retail Is that right?

Is there differences in what is displayed on the hand throttles? What about their wireless radio systems. How to they compare?

Dennis

 

[Texas Zepher]

Denver

I have narrowed my choice down to NCE or CVP EasyDCC. Which is considered to be the better? What are the differences? The retail pricing seems similar but NCE is available through dealers at disounted prices whereas CVP appears only to sell direct at full retail Is that right?

Yes.  But remember "full retail" is an illusion put out there to make the street price look cheaper.

Is there differences in what is displayed on the hand throttles?  What about their wireless radio systems. How to they compare?

Both their wireless systems are top knotch.

My CVP system is older so I cannot compare it to what is displayed on the current hand throttles.  What exactly are you looking for?  On my NCE (Pro-Cab) I prefer the utility throttles for trains.  I mainly use the big hamer head for programming things.  The Utility-04 has no display and the 06 has simple things like throttle setting.

The HUGE difference between the two is that NCE has no control panel it uses a throttle,  CVP has a console control panel for system controls that also has two built in throttles.   As I am a big believer in 1 train - 1 throttle, I really like the that for a one person operation.

 

[bagal]

An interesting question, I hope some more EasyDCC users comment. I am a Lenz at home but our club went through an evaluation process and considered Lenz, Digitrax, NCE and MRC. NCE won and we are very happy with it but I have always wondered if EasyDCC might have been a good choice. Unfortunately we did not have access to a system to evaluate.

On a layout that size you probably show go straight to wireless. The wireless easyDCC system will also give you two fixed throttles on the command station?

Bill

[rrinker]

 Depends on what you want to do with the DCC system. For train control only, they all work well, but if you want to add more than just locos and stationary decoders, you'll want to look elsewhere. You've already excluded the best system for support of detection and signalling.

                    --Randy

[skagitrailbird]

If you haven't read the article at the link below I believe you should. Mark Gurries is one of the premier DCC experts.

https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/choosing-a-dcc-system/dcc-system-comparisons/nce-vs-easydcc

There is much info on CVP Producte Easy DCC at this link:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/210453.aspx

Personally I like NCE but the CVP system is also very good.

[trainnut1250]

I have used CVP easy DCC for 15 years on my layout and other local operations based layouts as well.  The main reason I chose CVP is that at the time (before the NCE wireless redesign), CVP had the most reliable wireless throttles around.  Since then the others have caught up.  I was never a fan of the big D and didn’t consider that system due to the interface.

I like the ease of use of CVP and the simple, spartan controls offered in the RF1300 throttle.  Unfortunately CVP no longer makes this throttle and it has been replaced with the 5000.  I am not as fond of that throttle due to its shape and the stop less encoder wheel.  However it has lots to offer if you don’t have a prejudice from the old throttles. 

My CVP system is rock solid and I really don’t spend lots of time messing with the control system.  I run small steam with multiple operators on a small TT&TO ops based layout.  We don’t consist or speed match and we don’t use detection or advanced signaling.  In my area, there is a core of about five or so of us that are running Ops based layouts and use CVP. Part of my choice had to do with seeing the system work well on other layouts.

I would suggest that you try both systems (and the big D) if possible before committing the cash. 

Guy

 

[wjstix]

Both CVP and NCE are high quality products from what I can see. Both offer starter sets with two throttles. I have the CVP one. I plan to try the wireless, perhaps this summer or fall. (I switched from Digitrax after failing to get their wireless sytem to work reliably.)

The NCE one has separate function buttons for each one, but you have to hit a shift button for 6-9 I believe. The CVP one has a full keyboard, but only one throttle at a time can use it. I'd say CVP's one does more, as far as programming options for example; you can use it to control DCC accessories too. From what I can see the NCE has very few buttons, so I'm guessing needs more added on to do as much?

I don't know that the prices are all that different, I think CVP prices for each of their product are comparable to other company's products. Since it's not sold thru retailers, you're not going to find bargains or clearance sales with CVP products, but then dealing directly with the manufacturer is a pretty reliable way to shop too.

 

[wjstix]

Both CVP and NCE are high quality products from what I can see. Both offer starter sets with two throttles. I have the CVP one. I plan to try the wireless, perhaps this summer or fall. (I switched from Digitrax after failing to get their wireless sytem to work reliably.)

The NCE one has separate function buttons for each one, but you have to hit a shift button for 6-9 I believe. The CVP one has a full keyboard, but only one throttle at a time can use it. I'd say CVP's one does more, as far as programming options for example; you can use it to control DCC accessories too. From what I can see the NCE has very few buttons, so I'm guessing needs more added on to do as much?

I don't know that the prices are all that different, I think CVP prices for each of their product are comparable to other company's products. Since it's not sold thru retailers, you're not going to find bargains or clearance sales with CVP products, but then dealing directly with the manufacturer is a pretty reliable way to shop too.

https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/200542419-DCC-Twin

http://www.cvpusa.com/easydcc_command_station.php

 

[maxman]

wjstix

The NCE one has separate function buttons for each one, but you have to hit a shift button for 6-9 I believe.

No, I believe you have to shift for 10 and above.

[cacole]

maxman

 No, I believe you have to shift for 10 and above.

 

 

Yes, you only need to use SHIFT for 10 and above.

[MisterBeasley]

bagal

An interesting question, I hope some more EasyDCC users comment. I am a Lenz at home ...

I also have a Lenz system, but last year I decided to add wireless to avoid wiring a control bus across a liftoff bridge leading to a new section of my layout.  Lenz does not make a wireless throttle, so I bought the CVP add-on which is specifically made for Lenz systems.  It's a small box that connects to the Lenz control bus.  I bought it with two throttles and it's a very solid and reliable system.  I'm very happy with it.  I still use the Lenz for programming, but I'm just used to that.  I'm not sure what kind of programming capabilities I'd get from the CVP throttles.

I bought the CVP system direct from the manufacturer, as was pointed out earlier.  There was an ad in MR in the pre-Christmas season, and CVP had them on sale with a considerable saving.

[CSX Robert]

wjstix

The NCE one has separate function buttons for each one, but you have to hit a shift button for 6-9 I believe.

maxman

No, I believe you have to shift for 10 and above.

 

cacole

 Yes, you only need to use SHIFT for 10 and above.

 

 

To clarify, wjstix was talking about the NCE DCC Twin, not the Power Cab or Pro Cab.

 

[Bayfield Transfer Railway]

I've used EasyDCC since 2006 and been very pleased. I especially like the long, thin wireless throttle shape. I became convinced after running on Chuck Hitchcock's Kansas City Flats industrial layout... a busy day of running and not a single glitch.