Hello all. I just have a quick question about DCC. I am still operating with DC, but doing my due diligence on DCC with the notion of upgrading when I expand my present 4x8. I read many items concerning NCE, Digitrax, Bachmann, etc. systems, but hardly anything about CVP's "Easy DCC". Having been to their website, the system looks and sounds pretty cool even though their "basic system" is more than most of the other mfg's. Any opinions out there? Keep in mind that I am at best, electronically challenged. Thanjs in advance for any info.
I chose to go with the CVP products after reading a lot of reviews online, including here on this forum (thank you Joe Fugate, again, for your DCC clinic post). Note that I have no other DCC experience than with this product, so please bear that in mind.
I chose it for my starter system as I wanted one that I could simply move to my final layout, and expand it as needed. I was attracted to the fact that it came with two cabs right away on the main panel; I felt that that made the price a little more reasonable overall.
Since purchasing a basic set (although I got a dual zonemaster instead of the single one) I have added the tethered throttle. I have also added a programming track booster for the Tsunami sound decoders.
Am I happy with my decision? Yes. Are there better systems out there? Sure. Would I do it again? Yes.
It's been reported that there are issues with the Easy DCC and complicated consisting; that for me is a non-issue based on what I'm planning on doing, but you may want to research and consider that. It is also limited to the number of functions (it cannot do 20+), but they may update that in the future.
The Pros.
1. easily expandable. adding and wiring the tethered throttle after the fact was a piece of cake.
2. great owner's manual and guide
3. it seems to read and program whatever I throw at it (remember limited experience here)
4. for under $600 i ended up with three cabs, the dual zonemaster, powersupplies, etc. I think this is more than other systems, but not many come with 3 cabs.
Cons that I've come across. Note these may reflect across other systems as well.
1. LCD screen is in hyroglyphs until you figure it out.
2. Can only buy direct
3. some parts (like the tethered thottle controller I added) are bare bones - just a circuit board, no case or intergrated power supply.
Hope this helps.
I'm trying to model 1956, not live in it.
chpthrls,
EasyDCC makes a very good system - although they really haven't updated their system much recently. If you decide to go with them, you'll get a rock-solid product.
For simplicity, I like the NCE DCC systems. I use the Power Cab, which uses the identical interface throttle as the Pro Cab throttle. The big difference between the two is that the Power Cab is a command station, booster, and throttle all rolled up into one. The Pro Cab is only a throttle. However, the Power Cab can be plugged into the Power Pro Command station and used as an extra throttle.
I find the Power Cab/Pro Cab throttle interface very intuitive to use and operate. I also like the fact that, although tethered, the Power Cab is a "mobile" throttle. When used in conjunction with the Power Pro or the Smart Booster (SB3), the Power Cab can be plugged and unplugged into any UTP panel so that you can follow your train around your layout.
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 have an Easy DCC system that is dedicated to portable use for programming decoders and to operate our outdoor modular HO scale layout during our club's semi-annual open houses. This one is just the basic command station and a 5 Amp booster connected to some flex track and mounted on a piece of masonite with a frame around the edges so it can be moved to wherever it's needed.
A fellow club member has the Easy DCC Wireless system on his home HO layout.
Easy DCC was the only one that could program a sound decoder until we purchased an NCE PowerPro Wireless system. One big advantage to Easy DCC is upgrading. The main CPU is socketed, so when they release an upgrade all you have to do is pop out the old microchip and plug in the new one. Practically every other system has to be returned to the factory to be upgraded. CVP is slow about releasing upgrades, though.
The quality of components and construction of the Easy DCC system is top-notch, and so is NCE.
I use CVP's AirWire900 wireless DCC system for all of my G-scale locomotives and have found it to be extremely reliable.
I think the thing he wants to know isn't what it means to you, but can it be easily installed and used by someone who is electronically challenged. Is there a lot of wiring to be done between components and so on?
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
chpthrlsKeep in mind that I am at best, electronically challenged.
I like the console concept of the CVP base station. The interface uses English type phrases to control it. It has two throttles built in. The associated wireless system is one of the best there is (but limited to 8 throttles). The base starter system comes with a power supply. This is often an add-on for other starter systems like Lenz. Keith G. is a great guy.
For a price comparison you might want to consider the base system plus one throttle.
I guess that I didn't make myself completely clear with my original query. I've actually been leaning toward an NCE system, but am wondering why not much is mentioned about the CVP. Is it that there are not a lot of users, or is there a price issue, or......? As further clarification, I'm modeling in HO and presently running a two cab DC operating system.
chpthrlsbut am wondering why not much is mentioned about the CVP. Is it that there are not a lot of users
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with Zimo, NCE, Digitrax, Lenz, or CVP. I am guessing the same could be said for the Prodigy. Unfortunately there are only so many systems one can own and/or use on a regular basis in order to give first hand info about. Prodigy is one I've not even touched.
Have you held an NCE hammerhead throttle? Consider carrying it around for a couple hours as an operating session would normally last. That will determine if you really like it or not.
Something not mentioned - pretty much irrelevent if you go wireless, but using wired throttles - ALL of the other systems, NCE, Digitrax, MRC, Lenz - use variations of plain old phone wire to connect their cab bus. CVP uses coax. Makign phoen cables is super easy, so long as you buy a good crimper. The good ones have one slot that cuts the wire off in a square end, and another to strip the outer insulation to just the right length - there's a hard stop inside, butt the wire against it, squeeze the handle, pull the wire. Coax can be a but more finicky sicne there's the braided sheild and the center conductor to deal with. Maybe it's just me but I can probably crimp on 4 phone jacks in the time it takes to do one coax end.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Cutting and working with Coax is actually easier in a lot of ways than telephone cables. The new screw on connectors (which CVP sells, or you can get elsewhere) do just that - just screw on to the stripped end. You can make a secure connector in less than a minute.
Coax also has two advantages over phone - a larger diameter cable means minimal signal drop (not that relevant here as I don't think folks run super long distances) and it's shielded, nice when your line runs close to an electrical source.
I've noticed what you say - no one seems to talk about CVP, but that's not because its bad. I was running mine just last evening. and thinking at how nice it works (and that's probably the best thing about it - it just works, and works *** well. Having two cabs on the control panel is really useful, especially for folks like me with a small layout, that is 99% of the time run by a one man crew.
Oh yeah, I drive a Saab as well (but an old one a 1993 convertible, I haven't cared for the looks of the models since they were taken over by GM)
CVP's Easy DCC is a rock solid system. And I love mine. It doesn't get much play, compared to Digitrax or NCE, because it doesn't have as wide a customer base. Also, Easy DCC is only available direct from CVP, whereas Digitrax & NCE are available everywhere. CVP has execellent documentation and customer support.
Personally, I like both the feel of the handhelds and it's use of stereo plugs and coax for the control bus.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
I just thought of one more thing. You might ask, "If CVP is so great why do you have four DCC systems and none of them are CVP?" Answer, CVP will never go on "sale", so the only way to get a good deal on one is in the used market. On the other hand I've gotten killer deals on the more main stream systems (more than 75% off retail). A CVP is still on my want list but it gets harder and harder to justify yet another DCC command station.
Hi, my own ideas on these systems. I am using Digitrax, zephyr. the price was good and have had little problems with this unit.
I am fairly new with DCC, started it about one year ago and now have 12 engines converted. At present I can run 3 trains using the "jump" feature of this sytem. I am using a double trottle cab and it works fine. A lot cheaper than buying these expensive trottles. My intensions are to buy a 2nd zephyr, this way doubling the wattage to 5 and using 3 more trottles.
Being retired, I have to wait till the money is not needed somewhere else. but xmas is coming and it's on my santas list.
hodaka112
lac-Megantic,qc
With all due respect, Hodaka, the OP (original poster) was inquiring about Easy DCC, not easy dcc. Easy DCC is a product line, much like Digitrax is a product line (who might also make an easy dcc system, but they don't make the Easy DCC.
It's all a bit confusing, that much I'd agree with.
Your notes are interesting though, as a comparison. You are looking to buy a second zephry (which is just about $200 for a one station hand held cab with powersupply, list price from Digitrax - $165 on eBay currently) that puts out 2.5 amps.
The Easy DCC system I picked up, complete, was $500 without shipping. That provided three cabs, one walk around (tethered), and a dual zonemaster, one zone of which has an auto reverser built in. And it puts out 7 amps.
so for $350 you get 2 cabs, and 5 amps. Or, for $500 you get 3 cabs, one mobile but tethered, 7 amps, and dual zones including auto reversing.
It becomes an interesting monetary equation when put in this perspective. Would there be wiring problems running dual Zephyr's, or does Digitrax make a product to do that?
Cheers!
$149 from any number of reputable dealers - hmm, maybe I should resell them on ebay if you can get them up to $165.
Anyway, no issues at all, you just configure one to be a booster only. There's no difference really fron any other DCC system when you add extra boosters for additional power. The bonus with the Zephyr is even in booster only mode, the throttle still works.
Thanks for that, as I've mentioned before I don't have any dcc experience other than with the CVP products.
So for $300 for the twin zephyrs, which means $130 more for the CVP that has 3 cabs (one extra) and a 7 amp single zonemaster (2 more amps than the twins), or $200 more for the CVP with 3 cabs and the 7 amp dual zonemaster with auto-reversing.
Based on these numbers, the CVP seems pretty reasonable for the price, based on what you get.
Food for thought.
Keep in mind if you plan to add signalling and stuff you'll need to use another system with Easy DCC, such as C/MRI, since Easy-DCC doesn't lend itself to those functions. With Digitrax, this is all supported by Loconet, no running extra wires around for the signal system, it all plugs into the same wiring that runs to the throttles. You also don't need to upgrade to the top end Digitrax system to do any of this, it will all work with even just the Zephyr.
That's a good consideration, thanks for adding that in.
CVP was one of the first companies to enter the DCC market. When it first came out, Model Railroader had two or three issues devoted to the step-by-step assembly and installation instructions because it came only in kit form. Keith Gutierrez was the designer of the EasyDCC system and is still the owner of the company. They started out with a different command control system called Railcommand that is now regarded as obsolete, though they still offer some support for it, so CVP is certainly no late comer to the market; they just don't have much of a dealership chain set up. Tony's Train Exchange used to sell CVP's EasyDCC system, but for whatever reason they no longer carry it.
There seem to be a lot of dealerships handling CVP's AirWire900 wireless DCC system for G-scale trains, but for some reason EasyDCC never became as popular as the AirWire.
hodaka112 Hi, my own ideas on these systems. I am using Digitrax, zephyr. the price was good and have had little problems with this unit. My intensions are to buy a 2nd zephyr, this way doubling the wattage to 5 and using 3 more trottles. hodaka112 lac-Megantic,qc
My intensions are to buy a 2nd zephyr, this way doubling the wattage to 5 and using 3 more trottles.
Correct me if I am wrong but adding a second Zephyr will not give you a 5 amps system but rather you will divide your layout into two districts of 2.5 amps each.
Maybe adding a 5 amps booster will be more cost effective. Tony in Vermont could be a good source of information in this matter. http://www.tonystrains.com/
Jack W.
After talking to Lance Mindheim, he is using strictly Easy DCC on all his own layouts including his new Miami switching layout. He has gone with the wireless version and says there is nothing to setting it up.
Larry
camaro After talking to Lance Mindheim, he is using strictly Easy DCC on all his own layouts including his new Miami switching layout. He has gone with the wireless version and says there is nothing to setting it up. Larry
I hate to show my ignorance like this but who is Lance Mindheim?
Lance is a frequent contributor to Model Railroader Magazine and will have an article in the Model Railroad Planning 2009 Magazine available in January showing his new Miami Downtown Spur layout. He has had several articles in Model Railroader showing his N scale Monan, that has been dismantled to make room for the Miami theme. Lance makes his living as a custom layout builder through his "Shelf Layouts Company. He runs his Easy DCC on both of this home layouts.
Check out his East Rail and new Miami Downtown Spur at www.lancemindheim.com.
rrinker Keep in mind if you plan to add signalling and stuff you'll need to use another system with Easy DCC, such as C/MRI, since Easy-DCC doesn't lend itself to those functions. With Digitrax, this is all supported by Loconet, no running extra wires around for the signal system, it all plugs into the same wiring that runs to the throttles. You also don't need to upgrade to the top end Digitrax system to do any of this, it will all work with even just the Zephyr.
Texas Zepher rrinker Keep in mind if you plan to add signalling and stuff you'll need to use another system with Easy DCC, such as C/MRI, since Easy-DCC doesn't lend itself to those functions. With Digitrax, this is all supported by Loconet, no running extra wires around for the signal system, it all plugs into the same wiring that runs to the throttles. You also don't need to upgrade to the top end Digitrax system to do any of this, it will all work with even just the Zephyr.I know you didn't mean it, but your post makes it sound like Digitrax has signaling built in. Even with Digitrax one must add a bunch of stuff to have signaling. The cool thing is IF you use Digitrax signaling equipment THEN it uses the existing Loconet. Currently I use Digitrax Signaling equipment with my Lenz DCC system. I do have to run another wire (for loco net), it would be the same with Easy DCC.
Yes, I didn't mean to give the impression that it's built-in. The bus to carry the data is there. And there's equipment by others that also works over LocoNet - RR-CirKits, Team Digital, CML, and others.
And the other key part. ALL data (I am resisting the urge to use the word 'signal' here to avoid confusing an electrical signal with a railroad signal) goes over the LocoNet. What this means is that a computer interface connected to it will see EVERY command - from a throttle, an occupency detector, whatever. NCE now has a feedback board and a signal driver board, however with the serial port on the command station does not echo all commands sent to the track. Based on the description on Tony's, the NCE signal boards communicate to each other through a seperate 2-wire bus. The standard polled throttle bus just isn't 'real time' like the LocoNet network. Same with Lenz. This all means when I make a panel in JMRI, I can operate the turnout by clicking the panel control, or by using a throttle, and they will always be in agreement. Or one better, I can 'lock out' engineer control of the turnout via my JMRI panel and then grant authority on a turnout by turnout basis - an engineer with a throttle can try sending all the switch commands they want but nothing will happen unless the logic on my panel lets it happen.
Sure you can always do what you did, add two systems together. You can actually use Loconet and Loconet devices without a Digitrax command station, several devices as well as the Locobuffer can provide the required network termination but you will be completely dependent on the computer for function, outside of simple routes that can be programmed into some devices. One DCC system is expensive enough - I don't know that I'd want to buy two.