Best DCC System

[indiana rr]

 I have a 4x8 HO scale layout.  I am looking to convert it to DCC.  I notice that many users have Digitrax but a lot of the videos on the website show a MRC system.  Which is better?  Why did you pick the system you are currently using?

[CTValleyRR]

Indy,

This is a huge can of worms to open -- and it has been opened many times on these boards before.  You will find ardent advocates (to be polite) of all of the major brands here, as well as vociferous haters of some of them.

I suggest that you keep an open mind and scan some of the threads in this forum.  I suspect you will find more than enough information.

 

[simon1966]

Seriously, just look back a few pages on this forum and read the countless responses regarding DCC systems.

[mfm37]

 Digitrax.

 

[pastorbob]

NCE for me, but that is a personal preference.  However, be very very careful about MRC.

 And like the others said, this subject has been beaten to death on every forum in the known world.  Suggest instead of starting a new world war, you do some review of past postings.

Bob

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

 The best system is one someone give you for free, but in the event that doesn't happen I think it's fair to say there is no right answer to your question. It's brought up here many many times and it's akin to the Ford vs Chevy vs Mopar muscle car argument. Do your research on the internet, talk to people in your area who have a system that you may be interested in or possibly a club near by see what they run.

Whats right for me and others here may not be right for you. I have both NCE on my HO and MRC on my son's N scale layout. I have no problems with either one for what I am doing they work just fine. Some say one manufacture is not as user friendly as another but again we're back to personal preference. What some may find hard you may think is a walk in the park.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 My personal choice is the Digitrax Zephyr. For me it was the simplicity of the system. Everything is in one unit. If I want to expand the system I don't have to worry about compatibility between the components as all Digitrax system components are made to work together. I don't have to get higher grade components to use a DT400 throttle with my DCS50.

[BIG JERR]

zephyr, took along time for me to make a choice,,now that I got it ,mad that I waited so long to decide......J.W.

[tstage]

The best DCC system is the one that best fits YOUR needs, wants, and preferences.  What your needs and wants are may be completely different than what somebody else's needs and wants are.

Bachmann, Digitrax, CVP, Lenz, MRC, NCE, Zimo, etc. all make good to very good DCC systems.  And each has their pluses and minuses.  A few Important questions that you need to answer:

1. How many locomotives do you currently have?  How many are DCC?  How many are DC?
2. Of those that are DC, how quickly do you plan on converting them over to DCC?  Would you like to still be able to run your DC locomotives on your layout until you can convert them over to DCC?
   
3. What's the maximum amount of locomotives that you plan on running at a give time?
4. Will any of them have sound?
   
5. Will you be running your layout alone?  If not, how many more users do you expect?
6. Will you have any reverse loops on your layout?
7. How heavy do you want to get into programming and tweaking your DCC locomotives?  "Keep it as simple as possible!"...or, "Hey, I'm up to experimenting and trying things out."
   
8. Will you want to operate your layout using a computer?  (Although not necessary, a computer and JMRI Decoder Pro can be used to make programming your locomotive's decoders easier.)
   
9. Will you eventually want to add signaling to your layout?

By answering these questions, it will help you narrow down which system will be the best fit for YOU.

And, as others have previously mentioned, this topics comes up quite frequently on this forum - maybe two or three times a week.  Searching through the other threads on the topic may prove to be helpful to you and answer some of your questions.

Hope that helps...

Tom

[Railcon44]

Howdy,

Do some searching and talk some of the modelers and hobby shop owners. I did this and than finely said to myself, your making this to hard. So i went to my hobby dealer and to him i'm done give me the Digitrax. I bought the super Cheif with the  Dt 400 throttle and i have been very pleased. I don't run any Dc engine because i love sound, it makes them so much more realistic and i like dealing with Digitrax, their helpful and right to the point. Another thing you could do is get ahold of Steve Urlich at Urlich models, now there is a guy that knows his stuff when it comes to Dcc. Just do a search for Urlich models.

Railcon44 

[mobilman44]

Hi!

I went thru this about 8 months ago, and did a whole lot of research and question asking.  While I ended up with Digitrax, I could have easily gone for NCE.  These are the two big players, and have systems and expansion capabilities for pretty much whatever you could want.

Like the old "Ford vs. Chevy", a lot of folks are VERY opinionated about which is best.   So watch for this as you go thru older postings on this forum.

IMHO, assuming you are a long term model railroader and/or intend on being in the hobby for years to come, I would go with Digitrax or NCE and never second guess that decision.

Mobilman44

[elansp]

You have gotten some good responses so far.  I purchased a Digitrax Zephyr.  Club runs NCE. 

[locoi1sa]

 Chevy vs ford, less filling - great taste, Half full - half empty. Someones own system is way better than the other guys. My club uses Lenz with CVP wireless throttles, My friend has a Digitrax system, I have an NCE Power Cab. All are good systems. Which one is better? All of them. Which one is worse? All of them.

   My only advice is to go to a hobby shop or train show and physically grab and hold each throttle in your hand and see how you like it. Work the buttons and knobs. See if you can work it with your eyes closed or not looking at it. Do you want a speed control knob or buttons or thumb wheel. Only you will be able to tell.

        Pete

[Phoebe Vet]

First recognize that it is just my personal preference.

Second  I have a Digitrax Super Chief and I love it.  I have never wished for anything it can't do.

[wholeman]

I have an NCE Power Cab.  It does everything that I need and then some.   Just my opinion.