Arto From my recent experience you're probably going to walk into living hell. 40+ years of this (not including the childhood Lionel years). I got into DCC 4 weeks ago and its been downhill since. But as they say, "to each his own". I have a lot of computer experience, both hardware & software, particularly with CADD & video imaging systems. As a systems integrator, if any of my customers had to go through what I'm going through I guarantee you I wouldn't get paid.
From my recent experience you're probably going to walk into living hell.
40+ years of this (not including the childhood Lionel years). I got into DCC 4 weeks ago and its been downhill since. But as they say, "to each his own".
I have a lot of computer experience, both hardware & software, particularly with CADD & video imaging systems. As a systems integrator, if any of my customers had to go through what I'm going through I guarantee you I wouldn't get paid.
To the OP:
Don't let stuff like this scare you away from DCC.
As a counterpoint, I jumped into DCC 10+ years ago (Digitrax Super Chief) and never looked back. As a matter of fact, I can't think offhand of *any* issues I've ever had that weren't self-induced.
Yes, DCC has some "rules" and idiosyncrasies, but as long as you're aware of them and work within them, you'll be fine.
Be warned I have yet to fins one of those comparison that doesn;t have errors in it, often across the board - ie, it will be wrong for Manufacurer A under the Feature B row, and wrong for Manufacturerd E under the Feature F row, and so forth. So they aren;t biased charts - they just have mistakes. And many are old and outdated.
Also, what's commmon and popular in Europe and the UK is usually quite different than what's popular in the US. In the US, Uhlenbrock, CT, and ESU are generally rare, Lenz has a small following. Roco is also rare. Digitrax and NCE are the biggest - check the states on layouts in the magazines, and in the annuals like MRP and GMR. One or two others, mostly NCE and Digitrax. There's strong support for NCE in Australia, but I'm not sure about the UK. You can generally obtain most any system anywhere, the problem is getting support for one that isn't commonly used in your country.
Your best bet is to stop by a few shops and try them out and see which you like best. If you have multiple shops near you, that would be best - sometimes a shop may carry 3 or 4 brands but are partial to one and not always because it's best, but because they have the best margin on that one. So hitting up a few different places should help even out any prejudice towards a particular brand. If EVERYONE agrees - it may just be the best option.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Links to read.
http://tonystrains.com/tonys-off-the-cuff-dcc-comparison/
http://www.dccconcepts.com/index_files/DCCbrandecisions.htm
I have never been interested in the bragging about how many locos can be controlled. The best I can do is run three locos at one time.
Any thoughts on other systems would only be opinions. The NCE has satisfied me.
I am sure if you search You Tube you will find experiences of others. “Experiences” of others is important but your mileage may vary.
Are there any train users/clubs in your area?
You can search for dcc systems reviews also but be careful of opinions from some about other systems. Try to stick with those who use a system.
I use Google for searching.
Good luck.
Rich
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.
I use the NCE Power Cab for three sound locos. About two amps max.
The 5 amp Power Pro is at our local club. Some users "donwunder" use the NCE systems also.
Google NCE DCC. Manuals are online.
Better get use to it. We are in the Digital Age. I am 75 and know what it is like.
So I'm just getting back into the hobby after a thirty + year gap and things have moved on since I was a boy.
1) I'm not really into 21st Century technology - I use my mobile for texting and making calls, and that is it. My wife can work the TV remote better than me. Facebook and Twitter are really not my thing. I built my PC - but don't ask me to do anything too technical with the programmes.
2) My current plan is for a small HO switching layout with just one or two engines running at a time - however I may be moving house in the next year or so and I'm hoping there will be room for me to expand. At which time there may be scope for more than one operator at a time.
I think I need something fairly intuitive to set up and use that can be scaled up should the need arise. I'd rather not break the bank if possible.
I've done a little reading online and there seems to be consensus that the Bachmann Dynamis system is a dog. But apart from that there seems to be little agreement. I live in the UK and the two main producers (other than Hornby) seem to be Lenz and MRC.
Can someone point me to a good comparitive review? MR doesn't seem to have published such a thing for a couple of years - and given how technology moves on...
Thanks
Malc