Ready to jump back into the hobby and started looking for DCC systems. From what I've read, NCE meets my requirements but no one has any wireless systems in stock.
Am I missing something?
Thanks for all the helpful comments!
Ebay had a couple for sale, preowned. If you can't find the whole system, you might be able to buy the components separately to make it wireless..
One seller had one new but tethered, so all you would need to do is get the antenna and then have the Pro Cab updated to wireless which NCE can do..
Neal
A hobby shop (WHITE ROSE HOBBYS in YORK,PA.) has the NCE 524002 PH-PRO-R POWER PRO 5AMP WIRELESS DCC SYSTEM. I do not know if this is what you are looking for. I use the Lenz DCC system.
If you're looking for wifi-style "wireless", have you investigated:
- Roco z21 (the white box units are the best buy)
- Digikeijs DR5000 (works with the z21 wifi app, as well)
I have both. I use the z21 ("z21start") for actually running the railroad. I was able to find the DR5000 used for a great price ($108) on ebay, I've been tinkering with it upstairs for my "test track".
Of the two, the z21 is actually the easier to get up-and-running. Flawless performance running trains nearly every day since 2018, can handle any decoder you use without any trouble at all...
i think the "chip shortage" is affecting inventories
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
I sent a Switch-8 back to NCE in February for repair. They said that they would send me a new one. Great, except that it was out of stock then and still is now. In fact, everything seems to be out of stock at NCE.
Rich
Alton Junction
modeltrainstuff.com has some NCE systems in stock. Only one or two of a couple different systems. Personally I'm planning on the TCS system. I already have two of their throttles.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Think I'll wait until inventory is back before I spend my money!
NCE is updating their radio system again, from what I can gather. Maybe that's part of the reason they're out of stock on all the radio stuff.
You might look at a tethered NCE system, then add a Wifitrax WFD-30 or WFD-31 to get wireless with your cell phone. I just added a WFD-31 to my radio NCE system, and it works great! Here's a link to a video I did about it:
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
NCE has been continually redesigning their products as parts become obsolete. In some cases there were several revisions as parts became obsolete before the revised product was finalized for manufacturing.
Another change coming is the elimination of the serial port in favour of a USB port.
And yes, some of the radio parts reached end-of-life so NCE had to redesign with new parts. It'll also come with new features in the process, thanks to the upgraded radio modules.
betamax NCE has been continually redesigning their products as parts become obsolete. In some cases there were several revisions as parts became obsolete before the revised product was finalized for manufacturing. Another change coming is the elimination of the serial port in favour of a USB port. And yes, some of the radio parts reached end-of-life so NCE had to redesign with new parts. It'll also come with new features in the process, thanks to the upgraded radio modules.
It seems as if NCE has had no sales of anything in 2022.
There are several issues everyone is facing.
First, are the parts available?
Second, can you get them in the quantities needed.
Third: Price. The wholesale cost of the parts drives the final price. When everyone is competing for a scarce resource, the highest bidder wins. Even the distributors are competing for components.
NCE and the other DCC makers have to deal with erratic delivery schedules and increased costs as a result, making it hard to fulfill their orders and plan production.
Hello All,
Have you tried Mountain Subdivision Hobbies?
They show the NCE 5 Amp system in stock.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
As far as parts and customer service goes.....NCE or Digitrax?
Main line As far as parts and customer service goes.....NCE or Digitrax?
I have no experience with Digitrax, but I believe that their customers are equally pleased as well.
Main lineAs far as parts and customer service goes.....NCE or Digitrax?
I switched to NCE for the ergonomics of the throttles, and expandability.
richhotrainI have been very pleased with NCE over the past 19 year period since I first got into DCC. Their telephone customer service is impressive. They answer the phone immediately, and they provide advice right then and there. I have no experience with Digitrax, but I believe that their customers are equally pleased as well.
Before switching to NCE I contacted them via email with questions about wiring.
They responded quickly, not only with the information I requested but other info pertaining to my initial question.
I have also used Digitrax customer service.
For specific questions not covered under their:
(Which can require a lot of searching with no results.)
You are required to set up an account and create a Service Ticket- -yes for questions not just repairs.
It typically takes them 24-hours to respond.
Once your Service Ticket has been addressed, you can reference the ticket number if you have further questions. This is typically answered quicker than the initial Service Ticket.
The information is equally as helpful, but the Digitrax process can be lengthy.
As an example, When I used "Advanced" consisting with my NCE system and Digitrax decoders, the consists ran slow.
I contacted NCE and was informed that the issue was with the Digitrax decoders.
Next, I went through the Digitrax Service Ticket procedure.
A few days later Digitrx responded that it was the architecture of their decoders and to set CV 57 = V 102 when using Advanced Consisting with NCE systems.
The information from both customer services was appreciated and accurate but the Digitrax process was lengthy and cumbersome.
This is in no way representative of the quality of both systems, just an observation of their respective customer services.
Many manufacturers are havung chip supply problems for decoder manufacturiing so many items are out of stock. Since you are getting started checkmout soundtraxx and their new Blunami decoder system. It operates with a smartphone app over Bluetooth. Yu don't even need a DCC system to use it.
There are a few wireless 5amp procab-r systems on ebay but, they are listed welk above the $600 mark. I saw 3 yesterday. One was $649, one was $699 and yet another at $739.
Pretty pricey but for wired it was over $450 ehen I bought mine. Add in the $200++ for the rb02 and another $100 or so for the procab conversion and your above $750 anyway♀️
I have been using Digitraxx for two and half years. I had some problems with their decoders, throttles, etc but the custom service was very good. I can get reply in one day. One of my throttle had problem and was out of warrantee. I spent $25 plus shipping from me to them and they fixed and shipped it back to me in one month. So I feel conformable with them. This is just my cent.
Jerry
Modelrrsupply on ebay, which is mountain subdivision hobbies has 2 ph pro-r 5 amp systems available for $702 each.
Hiawatha Hobbies has a NCE Power PRO-R Wireless System for $686
If you create a user account with Mountain Subdivision Hobbies the price is significantly cheaper.
They also have the Pro Power Cab package for less than $200.00
NCE has recently been shipping their 5 amp systems . Might want to recheck with whomever you use .
model train stuff has some digitrix in stock. Digitrix Evovd evolution express is a wireless system...