I'm still looking to start building my HO layout. I plan on operating 2 to 3 trains. Two main lines and one yard. For DCC control which is best for my needs and the pros and cons between NCE and Digitrak?
Thanks for any feedback.
Hi, this subject has been discussed numerous times, on various model railroading forums, have you researched each and learned as much as possible about them? Do you know someone or a club that operates these systems so you can see and feel firsthand what they are about? Also, there's numerous videos on youtube that show how these systems operate, watched any?
Then there will be those forum members who want to know why you selected those two systems and not the one they're operating.
The only person who knows best for you is......you
Terry
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
As Terry has indicated, this topic has been covered many times on the forum, so everyone who replies to your question will be be repeating stuff that has been covered before. You may want to use the Search the Community box on the right side of the screen to do some basic research.
But, let me make a couple of points to start you in the right direction. First, by limiting your selection process to NCE and Digitrax, you have picked two of the most popular manufacturers and two of the best DCC systems. Second, both NCE and Digitrax have starter systems and advanced systems. As you might expect, the starter systems are less expensive than the advanced systems, but the advanced systems have greater capabilities than the starter systems.
One thing is for certain. It would be difficult to criticize your choice if you selected an advanced DCC system. So, do what I did and select the best advanced system available, and that would be the NCE PH-Pro 5 amp system. If you are willing to spend a little more, then consider the NCE PH-Pro wireless 5 amp system which will permit you to operate without the need for tethered throttles.
Rich
Alton Junction
Everyone prefers the one they use. That is, after all, why they bought it.
I chose Digitrax because I liked it's expandability. Only you know which is best for you.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Phoebe Vet Everyone prefers the one they use. That is, after all, why they bought it.
"Do You Regret Buying The DCC System That You Currently Use - - And Why ?"
richhotrain Phoebe Vet Everyone prefers the one they use. That is, after all, why they bought it. Interesting. Conversely, maybe that should be the subject of a separate thread. It could be titled... "Do You Regret Buying The DCC System That You Currently Use - - And Why ?" Rich
Interesting. Conversely, maybe that should be the subject of a separate thread. It could be titled...
Yes, I regret buying my Digitrax Chief system; not intuitive to my brain and I have to be relearn over and over to do basic things.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Don;t regreet my choice at all.
After all these years you've had it, you should have basic operation down pat. I haven;t even really touched my stuff for almost 5 years now since I moved and the basic operation of a train is, well, kind of hard to forget. The selection and running process is the same on ALL systems, just the name on the button might be Loco on one system and Select on another.
I even remembered how to use my Zephyr when I pulled it out recently to test a new loco I bought. And it's been practically foerever since I actually touched the console - not long after I bought it way back when, I bought a DT400 throttle and used that pretty much exlusively. My last layout, the Zephyr was underneath it acting as the command station and power to the servo controllers, and I never touched it.
I greatly dislike being forced through a menu system to do things. It's easier when first starting, but as soon as you get proficient and know what you want to do, it's far faster to just be able to do it, instead of every time going to a menu option to get to program mode, then another option to pick what kind of programming, then another option to get to the point where I can enter just one CV because all i wanted to do was asjust the volume on my sound decoder. Direct access to the options eliminates that menu scrolling - I'd rather hit the Program button, then the CV button, and enter the CV I want.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker I greatly dislike being forced through a menu system to do things. It's easier when first starting, but as soon as you get proficient and know what you want to do, it's far faster to just be able to do it, instead of every time going to a menu option to get to program mode, then another option to pick what kind of programming, then another option to get to the point where I can enter just one CV because all i wanted to do was asjust the volume on my sound decoder. Direct access to the options eliminates that menu scrolling - I'd rather hit the Program button, then the CV button, and enter the CV I want.
I hear JMRI / CMRI can help with that
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
I rarely use JMRI to program because by the time I get it loaded and open up a roster entry, I could be DONE with what I am doing witht he throttle. I just never set that many things - my era and prototype doesn;t need ditch lights, flashing warning becaons, or any of that stuff. And I NEVER use speed tables - there's no need. All the decoders I use fully support CV2-6-5 for 3 point speed curves which is more than sufficient to get two locos to run together in MU. So many of those DecoderPro advantages are lost on me. And my sound locos are all Loksound - it's not even worth trying to read and write the whoel decoder with JMRI, not when I have a Lokprogrammer that does it many times faster. I also don;t constantly fiddle with CVs - once I have a loco running the way I want, it stays that way. I even pulled out my lone QSI sound loco after nearly 6 years sitting in the transport case, and it fired right up on the cab number address - it didn't lose its memory, even sitting for so long (and decoders SHOULDN'T - I'm not sure why peopel have issues with this). So the idea of DecoderPro being a backup is kind of a non-issue as well (and see the first point, my loco setups are pretty simple - address and basic headlights for the most part, so if one should somehow get lobotomized and need to be reset, it's not much to deal with anyway). As for other components of JMRI - the thing I found most useful of all was the Loconet specicif stuff that let me peak inside the command station and see what was going on. There are many threads across many forums on how to properly dispatch locos with Digitrax because if you don't, you end up filling the memory and getting a FULL message. Well, with the slot monitor in JMRI you can visually see the difference between doing it the right way and just randomly selecting locos.
So it IS useful - but to program a single CV? All those mouse clicks to run JMRI and get to the single CV programmer window, vs a couple of button pushed on my throttle - yeah, I know which one I use...
Check Tony's Trains site for different systems but it might be dated.
Hands on is the only way to really know what suits you.
Try to find a train show or train shop. Be advised, a train shop will usually tray to sell you one a manufacturer wants you to have, not necessarily what you really need.
I will not tell you what I have been using.
There are also dead rail systems out. Wireless, no wires to track. Even use a smartphone or use a smartphone with wires to the track systems.
All kinds of technology for running trains today.
I like the answer of why did I buy the system I have?
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.
You might as well ask us to pick the best wife for you or the best craft beer or the best single malt scotch.
I do not regret my NCE power cab purchase and while my present layout is just a couple switching modules, future expansion will not require a booster nor wireless operation.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
It is a personal preference thing. My first and only one was the NCE PH-Power Pro 5 Amp Wireless system and I still love it all these years later.
Jason Shron has a new video out and touches on all the NCE controllers they use in their factory in China.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I have an NCE Power Cab at home and we have Digitrax at the club. NCE is easier to use. NCE has better displays and the buttons are easy to identify. Digitrax uses antiquated display technology and all the buttons are exactly the same. NCE is more intuitive. Digitrax is not as intuitive.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I started in DCC with a Digitrax Zephyr. I found it worked well by itself or with plug in throttles, but it's radio control was spotty. I ended up switching to CVP Products system. I find their radio system to be much more reliable. That being said, programming with their stuff is more work; I ended up using the Zephyr for my loop of break-in run / programming track (although I also use Decoder Pro for a lot of programming).
http://www.cvpusa.com/easydcc_system.php
Is there a club or operating group near you? If so, what do they have? If there is any chance you might go to operate with them sometime, it is handy to have what they do, so you can take your own controller along. That's how i finalized my choice of NCE.
Good luck,
Richard
hon30critter I have an NCE Power Cab at home and we have Digitrax at the club. NCE is easier to use. NCE has better displays and the buttons are easy to identify. Digitrax uses antiquated display technology and all the buttons are exactly the same. NCE is more intuitive. Digitrax is not as intuitive. Dave
I agree with Dave. I found the NCE was like learning to play an instrument once you learn where the buttons are I just go by feel and don't look at the thing when operating.
I find both equally easy to operate. The NCE throttle is larger, and doesn't quite fit my hand, Digitrax, the same knob that controls speed clicks to change direction so I can just hold the throttle down at my side one-handed and turn the wheel and click it to reverse, so the actual direction button is kinf of superfluous. Being able to actually control two locos at the same time with the Digitrax cab is handy when you are running alone. That's true control, not flipping back and forth.
Both systems have simpler engineer cabs for running trains - that's what moost people ought to be using to just run a train, the full cab is for programming and consist setups.
NCE consisting has more features, but I don't think it's simpelr to set up than Digitrax. Digitrax, just pick the lead locoo ont he right knob, select the second loco n the left knob, press the consist button - you're done. NCE has more steps to set up but in exchange you get some extra features like easily reversing the whole thing.
If using a smartphone as a throttle is your 'thing', some like Digitrax and MRC have an adapter that plugs into their respective systems, no computer nedded. Other systems support this by using a computer running JMRI and an adapter for the system.
Thanks for all the feedback. I do not know of a club anywhere near me. Nearest train shop is 45 mins from here and they didn't have any controllers. An hour and a half away is Annie's Trains in OC CA.
I'm partical to NCE because of the one-hand operation and the wheel for speed control. And from what I've seen it also looks eaiser to learn. The NCE PH-Power Pro 5 Amp is probably what would work best for me now and in the future.
BTW, if anybody knows of a club in the Riverside or San Diego Counries area please let me know. Thanks.
Youtuber TSG Multimedia is at the other end of the state, but seems to find a lot of model railroading and real railroading.
Maybe this link will help;
http://sdmrm.org/join-a-train-club/4593960390
BigDaddy You might as well ask us to pick the best wife for you or the best craft beer or the best single malt scotch.
richhotrainAs Terry has indicated, this topic has been covered many times on the forum, so everyone who replies to your question will be be repeating stuff that has been covered before. You may want to use the Search the Community box on the right side of the screen to do some basic research.
A Google search usually does better than the Forum Search the Community:
https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS759US759&ei=oCsYXNjlOJLYtQXfvqzgDQ&q=site%3Acs.trains.com+which+dcc+system&oq=site%3Acs.trains.com+which+dcc+system&gs_l=psy-ab.3...2455.10377..11833...0.0..0.89.1175.17......0....1..gws-wiz.ELmmjNsm_10
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
richhotrainThat's easy. The one I got, Two Brothers Atom Smasher, Glenlivet.
Right on Rich , bumps!
Mike.
My You Tube
rrinker I rarely use JMRI to program because by the time I get it loaded and open up a roster entry,
OK, OK, we get it, you run it on a 386
On a slightly more serious note -- I found it helpful for the "first time" programming of the fleet; since all the decoders got the same basic info (excepting address).
Decoder Pro is pretty handy for recording your CVs all in one place. However, given that Randy has pretty much standard on ESU decoders for his fleet, it can be faster to program from your DCC throttle using individual CVs rather than through DP.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Yep, I vaguely remember a rather long writeup he did about dealing with ESU on Digitrax like ... uh ... quite a while back.
Seriously just pick one. Its a Chevy or Ford thing. Either Digitrax or the other one will serve you well. The controls are kinda like a tv remote fairly quick you are used to it
Hi,
As indicated, this is a much discussed topic that is mostly loaded with subjectivity. That said, you can't go wrong with NCE or Digitrax. I chose Digitrax in 2008 and am very happy with it. That said, I could have gone with NCE and likely would have felt the same.
Few among us have in depth experience with more than one system, so I guess its pretty common for us to "love the one we have" - although we really don't have much of a clue if another would be better for us.
Still, I would highly recommend Digitrax or NCE for the same reasons..... Both are in wide circulation, have outstanding track records, can be bought from many sources, have active forums, and can be nicely used by the beginner and up to the advanced users as well. You really can't go wrong with either.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Rich,
You recommend Tony's Trains as a good source for gear? Seems they have good prices.
Litchfield Station is great source for decoders and pretty much anything DCC-related. The prices are good and they are particularly fast with the shipping. (I've gotten items in 2 days.) And the butter mint with your order is always a nice treat.