Lillen wrote: Bapou wrote: With NCE, the ProCabs have push button and thumbwheel control so choose what you want. (im guessing you would say thumbwheel) How does this work? Is it a small wheel at the right side of the control that I use with my thumb? I know it might seem like a really dumb question but I can not see it on the pictures that I've seen. Magnus
Bapou wrote: With NCE, the ProCabs have push button and thumbwheel control so choose what you want. (im guessing you would say thumbwheel)
Magnus,
It's an encoder wheel in the middle of the throttle, between the two sets of gross and fine speed buttons. It has resistance to it but no physical stops. It's also "ballastic" in design - i.e. the quicker you rotate it; the faster the speed increases or decrease.
I've found that I actually prefer the speed buttons when operating. However, when using the Yard mode to switch out cars, the thumbwheel is very handy to use. It's nice having the option.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks for explaining guys.
It's not the best solution if I had the choice between that and a "normal" knob.
Magnus
jktrains has summed up the NCE system better than I could have done. I have NCE at home and Digitrax at our club. The only thing I like about Digitrax is their LocoNet. Other than that I wouldn't have a Digitrax system if you paid me. I was able to use the NCE system without spending hardly any time at all with the manual. As an example, if you want to turn the lights on, you push the button labled headlight. If you have sound and want to ring the bell, you push the button labled Bell. If you want to program a loco, you push the button labled Program, and you get a menu on the display in Plain English. Really easy.
Since most of the comments I have seen here are for either NCE or Digitrax, you should try to find someone who has those systems in your area and arrange for a visit. Most modelers are willing to 'show off' their systems. A hobby Shop in your area may be able to help you find layouts that you can visit that are using each system.
By the way, the way the knob and speed buttons are set up on the controller, it's a one-handed operation. You will be carrying your paperwork, or uncoupling tool, or throwing turnouts with the other hand.
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.
Lillen wrote: Thanks for explaining guys.It's not the best solution if I had the choice between that and a "normal" knob. Magnus
If you're interested in NCE, you don't need to let thumbwheel on the ProCab deter you. NCE offers the Cab04, which is a smaller, "traditional-style" handheld throttle with a large knob, toggle switch and buttons (see http://www.ncedcc.com/nce2_015.htm). It is available with a potentiometer control (with a hard stop at 0 speed) or an encoder-style control (full 360+ degree rotation).
Most of the guys I know who use NCE don't use the ProCab for regular operation- they use it only to set up consists and program decoders, and instead use a Cab04p or Cab04pR to run their trains.
In my experience evaluating DCC systems for friends who want to convert their layouts, the ProCab has been polarizing, being either the biggest "plus" causing them to choose NCE, or the biggest "minus" causing them to choose against it, largely on the basis of size.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
If a knob (or potentiometer) is preferable, NCE does make the CAB-04p[otentiomter] throttle:
Click picture to enlarge
I once saw a picture of a Power Cab/Pro Cab throttle that an NCE user modified slightly to incorporate a potentiometer. Pretty slick idea. Sorry I don't have a picture of it for you though.
Quick question for the Digitrax users: Do all Digitrax throttles have a "knob" of some kind?
tstage wrote:Quick question for the Digitrax users: Do all Digitrax throttles have a "knob" of some kind? Tom
Yes, at least the current ones, DT400 and UT4.
tstage wrote: Quick question for the Digitrax users: Do all Digitrax throttles have a "knob" of some kind? Tom
Yes. There are two sizes of knobs- the large knob on the Utility throttles (UT1, UT2 and UT4-series) and the smaller knobs on the DT-series throttles (DT100x, DT200, DT300x, DT400x) and the BT1 "Buddy Throttle". For those who find the smaller knobs on the DT-series throttles too small to use comfortably, it is possible to replace the knobs with larger ones.
The knobs on the Utility throttles are connected to potentiometers, while knobs on the DT-series and BT1 throttles are connected to digital encoders. The DT-series throttles also have pushbuttons on the keypad which can be used to change speed.
Thanks, Bertil and Fritz! That's good info to know.
Even though I am an NCE user, I did try out a Digitrax DT300 throttle recently at an open house and found that the dual speed knobs were very handy and convenient to use. Still not enough to make me want to switch though.
tstage wrote: Magnus,If a knob (or potentiometer) is preferable, NCE does make the CAB-04p[otentiomter] throttle:Click picture to enlargeI once saw a picture of a Power Cab/Pro Cab throttle that an NCE user modified slightly to incorporate a potentiometer. Pretty slick idea. Sorry I don't have a picture of it for you though.Quick question for the Digitrax users: Do all Digitrax throttles have a "knob" of some kind? Tom
That seem great. Thanks to all of you helping out. But I do have one more questions. Is this available wireless?
About visiting somewhere around or checking the LHS. I do not know of anyone around here that have either Digitrax or NEC. Wireless is not that common in Sweden I think. I do not know anyone who have it. My LHS would be in Stockholm and that is 300 miles away so I'm pretty much stuck with what info you guys can provide.
I like the fact that NCE seems to be easy to get into. I'm not interested in looking in manuals for two weeks.
Lillen wrote:That seem great. Thanks to all of you helping out. But I do have one more questions. Is this available wireless?
Yes, it's called the CAB-04pR.
tstage wrote: Lillen wrote:That seem great. Thanks to all of you helping out. But I do have one more questions. Is this available wireless?Magnus,Yes, it's called the CAB-04pR. Tom
Thanks once more. I found it Walthers! Well there is another point to NCE. I can get that later as well since I have no need to rush and buy that. Because I assume that you need both kind of controls?
Both kind of controls? I'm not sure what you're asking there.
gandydancer19 wrote:...I have NCE at home ... if you want to turn the lights on, you push the button labled headlight. If you have sound and want to ring the bell, you push the button labled Bell. If you want to program a loco, you push the button labled Program...
tstage wrote: Magnus, Both kind of controls? I'm not sure what you're asking there.Tom
I'm sorry. I meant the control that comes in the starter sets like this:
http://029ebf1.netsolstores.com/powerhouseproradiocontrol5amp.aspx
Are all the components available separately? I would assume so. But my guess is that a "set" is cheaper.
But can you do everything with the simpler CAB-04pR? My guess is that you need the more advanced control to program with.
Lillen wrote: tstage wrote: Magnus, Both kind of controls? I'm not sure what you're asking there.Tom I'm sorry. I meant the control that comes in the starter sets like this:http://029ebf1.netsolstores.com/powerhouseproradiocontrol5amp.aspx
The Pro Cab-R throttle is the only throttle you'll need to run your layout. If you want an extra throttle, the CAB-04pR will work fine for you. You can also use tethered throttles with your radio setup, too. (They just have to be plugged in a UTP panel.) You aren't forced to use radio-only throttles with the NCE radio DCC system.
Yes to both questions. You can buy the components separately but they will be cheaper in a set. The extra throttles you do have to purchase separately.
But can you do everything with the simpler CAB-04pR? My guess is that you need the more advanced control to program with.Magnus
You can use the simpler CAB-04pR to operate your layout but you'll still need the Pro Cab throttle for programming purposes. From what I've been able to tell, the CAB-04pR throttle has just the first two rows of buttons that the -04p throttle has. Therefore, there are no number buttons to push.
Tom, Thank you for answering my questions.
It was pretty much as I thought. I will probably get the set first and then expand on it with the CAB-04pR later. The same with the boosters that I will need. I'm still waiting for the Swedish company to see if they can get these things for me.
I hope you don't think my questions are stupid. I just rather ask twice now and look a foll then order these things for quite a lot of cash and finding out that I am a fool!
The ultimate thing for I guess would be to have a a Pro Cab that I had a wire to save the cash on that and then a wireless CAB-04pR for operations since that is the one I would like to be using. Is it possible to just buy the not cordless set and upgrade it to radio control? Or is that just stupid costing me more then getting the normal radio set at once?
What do you use to make a wired system wireless? Is it this:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/524-24
Lillen wrote:Tom, Thank you for answering my questions.It was pretty much as I thought. I will probably get the set first and then expand on it with the CAB-04pR later. The same with the boosters that I will need. I'm still waiting for the Swedish company to see if they can get these things for me. I hope you don't think my questions are stupid. I just rather ask twice now and look a foll then order these things for quite a lot of cash and finding out that I am a fool!
Not at all. It's always good to ask questions so you have a better understanding and knowledge of something before you dive into it.
It think it's a matter of what you can afford to do. If you're ultimate goal is to go wireless, can you afford to buy the wireless now? If so, get the wireless.
According to the FDT web site, the regular NCE Powerhouse Pro 5-amp system will run you roughly $132 less for the Pro Cab throttle and command station than buying the NCE Powerhouse Pro Radio Control 5-amp system, which has a modified Pro Cab throttle and the additional RB02 radio base station. However, if you decide to "upgrade" from the PH Pro to a PH Pro-R, it's going to cost you substantually more to do it this way.
Say, you bought the regular PH Pro system and wanted to upgrade to radio, you would need (at a minumum) the RB02 radio base station (~$160 MSRP US) and you'd still have no radio throttle. Your choice would be to either:
What do you use to make a wired system wireless? Is it this: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/524-24 Magnus
At a minimum: a RB02 radio base station and a radio-installed throttle, like those mentioned above. If you layout is more substantial in size, you may need an additional repeater(s) so that command signals aren't dropped.
Magnus, the guy to really talk to about this is Joe Fugate. He had the CVP Easy DCC wireless system on his Siskyou layout for years and it worked well for him. However, within the past year, Joe has convert his layout over to NCE wireless.
Joe said he initally had some communication problems with the NCE wireless in his first OPs sesssion. I believe those problem have pretty much been resolved - either by Joe or by NCE improvements.
Hope that helps...