jktrains wrote:Personally, my issue centers around those forum members who what to espouse on the benefits of their favorite system and the shortcomings of the other system, yet have no experience using the other system. These people are the worst ones to provide advice or feedback to someone who posts the question about which system to buy. Instead of providing an unbiased perspective, these people are out to justify why they chose what they did, and to stroke their ego by looking like they know it all.When I offer info about D vs NCE it comes from first hand knowledge of using each system, and not just once, but on multiple occasions, and from seeing new modelers use both systems.My primary advice to anyone considering the purchase of a DCC system is to download the manual for the various systems and read them thoroughly and answer the following questionsCan you understand what your reading, even without having the hardware in front of you?Is the manual complete and thorough in its explanations?Determine what DCC features you plan on utilizing? Does the system support these features?The last factor should be cost. Why? Because you're going to use the system for the life of your pike. Consider it an investment, not an expense. It doesn't matter how nice your locos are and how much you spent on them, you won't enjoy them if you can't control them.jktrains
Personally, my issue centers around those forum members who what to espouse on the benefits of their favorite system and the shortcomings of the other system, yet have no experience using the other system. These people are the worst ones to provide advice or feedback to someone who posts the question about which system to buy. Instead of providing an unbiased perspective, these people are out to justify why they chose what they did, and to stroke their ego by looking like they know it all.
When I offer info about D vs NCE it comes from first hand knowledge of using each system, and not just once, but on multiple occasions, and from seeing new modelers use both systems.
My primary advice to anyone considering the purchase of a DCC system is to download the manual for the various systems and read them thoroughly and answer the following questions
The last factor should be cost. Why? Because you're going to use the system for the life of your pike. Consider it an investment, not an expense. It doesn't matter how nice your locos are and how much you spent on them, you won't enjoy them if you can't control them.
jktrains
JK, I hear where you are coming from, but unfortunately there are very few people that have really used both systems to the extent that they have really good first hand experience. I have to say that I interpret what you write as being, "I'm the only one qualified to offer an opinion based on my experience with both systems, and NCE is the clear choice". I have no issue at all with you forming that opinion at all, NCE makes a great system and a worthy choice for any modeller. But there is an undertone to the message that implies the very biased behaviour that you claim to dislike so much.
Comments like "or even worse when the purchaser realizes that what they bought does perform up to expectations or that he can't get it to operate correctly." and "It doesn't matter how nice your locos are and how much you spent on them, you won't enjoy them if you can't control them." Since these are referring to "the other choice" they clearly imply that a Digitrax user will be faced with significant problems. Often I think it is this kind of subtle inflammatory off-the-cuff inference that causes a lot of the discord, because for most D users that is not their experience at all. Anyway, I think this is important, because the very unbiased credibility that you have is undermined by such.
I certainly don't want to start the very flame out I was asking about at the start, but I think that having an opinion is one thing, apparently denigrating the opposing option no matter how subtly can, and often will, get a reaction.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
simon1966 wrote: Why does anyone care what Joe Blow in Ohio selects as his DCC system of choice?Is it possible to discuss this apparent rivalry in a cordial way?
Why does anyone care what Joe Blow in Ohio selects as his DCC system of choice?
Is it possible to discuss this apparent rivalry in a cordial way?
Yes we should care and yes it can be cordial.
Thinking of the other person and forgetting ones self is the key. It's good if we can help a fellow modeler make a choice that really works best for him/her.
DCC is an investment that many will only make once. Sure, most will be relatively happy with whatever they buy, but if we can help pin-point that one system that will be best for their unique situation, then we will have done them a real service. I wish that I had received better input when I first started.
Many of you do a great job in honestly and helpfully guiding others. I think that the few who throw out the flaming darts of self-serving nonsense are easily detected and ignored by the ones seeking guidance.
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
JKTrains, that makes perfect sense if you think about it. Until very recently the entry level NCE system was priced equal or higher to the upper-end Digitrax systems. As a consequence the Digitrax installed base is widely considered to be significantly larger than the NCE installed base(I have heard double quoted) . I also think that a lot of folks buy Digitrax without even knowing about the existence of NCE. Certainly I have seen a lot more Digitrax LHS dealers. In fact I don't think I have ever been into store that carried NCE.
So until recently I think it is fair to say that NCE was positioned as the "high-end" but expensive DCC player, whereas Digitrax appealed to the more budget conscious. When I purchased my Zephyr, I wanted to get into DCC but had no intention of paying $300 to $500 for something that I was not 100% sure I was going to enjoy.
So several things contribute to this.
1. If the same % switch then there will be more flowing from the large group to the small.
2. Many only find out about NCE after they have been in DCC for a while.
3. After using a starter system and wanting to upgrade NCE is positioned as the high-end so are an obvious choice. Think about all those folks that cut their teeth on old Digitrax Big-Boy systems.
4. Once invested in a "high-end" system, not many are going to trade-down unless they are really fed up.
Digitrax recognized that if you can entice someone with an entry level system then there is a good chance that they will then develop brand loyalty and grow that system. Looking back on the timing of the Zephyr launch some 5 years ago, I would say that it was more of an effort to not lose business to the Atlas, Bachmann and MRC entry level systems that were starting to show up and dramatically undercut the cost of getting into DCC. The rapid growth of the entry level DCC market must have scared-the-heck out of NCE because they must have realized that almost all their future business was going to have to come from people trading up from another brand. Very wisely they have responded with the Power Cab.
Having said all that, I suspect that the biggest threat to NCE is actually MRC. MRC's and NCE's product are very similar looking. They both are marketing based on ease of use. MRC is rapidly introducing the higher-end features that will allow their users to grow the system. MRC will almost certainly out-gun NCE's marketing efforts. To a certain extent NCE has played its hand with the Power Cab. There is no doubt that this has resulted in a significant increase in sales volume and for good reason, it appears to be a great system. I wonder what the impact has been on the Power House sales? I bet they have dropped. It will be very interesting to see how well they manage to get the Power Cab users to spend the extra bucks on the add-ons to grow the system.
Digitrax is far from secure either. The newest command station is 5 years old. The Emplire Builder is close to a decade old. The DT400 throttle was released 6 years ago. As a Digitrax user I am very interested to see what they do in the next year. I just hope that their foray into sound decoders has not distracted them too much.
Anyway, the point is that I don't think you can draw any inferred conclusion about the relative merits of Digitrax V NCE based on a greater flow from D to NCE other than it is an inevitable consequence of the market structure.
Paul3 wrote: Brunton,If you're game, I bet I can find more anti-Digitrax postings from NCE users than you can find anti-NCE postings from Digitrax users here on the MR Forum. At least it's easy to use the Search on this Forum... Whaddaya say? If not, it's cool. It's just for amusement purposes only.Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Brunton,If you're game, I bet I can find more anti-Digitrax postings from NCE users than you can find anti-NCE postings from Digitrax users here on the MR Forum. At least it's easy to use the Search on this Forum... Whaddaya say? If not, it's cool. It's just for amusement purposes only.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Paul,
While you're researching this, go beyond this forum and see how many people have changed from NCE to D and how many have changed from D to NCE. Also, if people have 'upgraded' from another system like Bachman DCC or Prodigy, which system did they changed. I get the digest from both the Digitrax yahoogroup and NCE yahoogroup, and based on my observations of posting, there are more people who change from D to NCE than vice versa. The reasons vary, but the flow from one to another seems to be greater in one direction than the other.
simon1966 wrote: I am really curious about the apparent animosity / rivalry between user of these 2 fine systems. When ever a thread is started about Digitrax is does not take long for the NCE fans to weigh in with the usual list of perceived Digitrax shortcomings and frankly the Digitrax gang is more than happy to weigh into an NCE thread with assorted opinions. So often utter minutiae becomes the spark point for less than cordial inference and discussion. Neither camp is guiltless.Both companies seem to be doing rather well. Both seem to be offering products and services that are well received and accepted by the respective users. Both offer innovations and features that appeal to different folks.How long has this been going on?Why do we seem to care so passionately about this?Why does anyone care what Joe Blow in Ohio selects as his DCC system of choice?Is it possible to discuss this apparent rivalry in a cordial way?
I am really curious about the apparent animosity / rivalry between user of these 2 fine systems. When ever a thread is started about Digitrax is does not take long for the NCE fans to weigh in with the usual list of perceived Digitrax shortcomings and frankly the Digitrax gang is more than happy to weigh into an NCE thread with assorted opinions. So often utter minutiae becomes the spark point for less than cordial inference and discussion. Neither camp is guiltless.
Both companies seem to be doing rather well. Both seem to be offering products and services that are well received and accepted by the respective users. Both offer innovations and features that appeal to different folks.
How long has this been going on?
Why do we seem to care so passionately about this?
Most animosity, IMHO, comes from someone trying to defend and justify why they purchased a particular system. If you've gone out and spent $200-$600 on a system and accessories, you want to justify, to yourself and others, why you made that choice. Add to this, what happens to someone's ego when another person points out shortcomings in their choice or even worse when the purchaser realizes that what they bought does perform up to expectations or that he can't get it to operate correctly.
When I offer info about D vs NCE it comes from first hand knowledge of using each system, and not just once, but on multiple occassions, and from seeing new modelers use both systems.
I figured that's probably what you two meant but just wanted to be sure. I agree. I good "debate" can be both informative and serve to solidify (or unsettle) ones convictions on a particular topic.
And I think that this forum is set up as such to promote a more debate-orientated "discussion" of particular topics because we:
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 understand, Tom.
I use the term in its logical sense. An argument in logic must have a certain form and must have conclusions that necessarily follow from the several premises. I do see that not all "arguments" here are logical, so "discussion" is an eminently suitable substitute.
Care to "debate" the matter?
-Crandell
tstage,I agree that discussing is always better than arguing. However, to say that arguing "accomplishes absolutely nothing" is incorrect. A good debate or argument can force the debaters to dig into the pros and cons of any issue, resulting in a more complete understanding of the issue at hand.
I have learned far more about this hobby from arguments/debate threads then I ever have from the more benign "How many locos do you own?"-type of threads.
Paul3 wrote:cacole,I think you're wrong, this kind of debate is needed. Arguing about the products allows others to see the pros and cons of each system. It's educational, as long as it doesn't get personal.If arguing about things is banned, this forum will get very quiet, very quickly...Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
cacole,I think you're wrong, this kind of debate is needed. Arguing about the products allows others to see the pros and cons of each system. It's educational, as long as it doesn't get personal.
If arguing about things is banned, this forum will get very quiet, very quickly...
Paul & Crandell,
Perhaps this is just semantics but I prefer to "discuss" rather than argue. Arguing usually has the connotation that both parties have their defenses up and one is trying to get the upper hand on his or her "opponent". Discussion carries the idea of a more equal "exchange" of information and ideas between persons or groups, to the benefit of all partaking in the exercise. That's how I try and approach these kind of scenarios.
Paul3 wrote: cacole,I think you're wrong, this kind of debate is needed. Arguing about the products allows others to see the pros and cons of each system. It's educational, as long as it doesn't get personal.If arguing about things is banned, this forum will get very quiet, very quickly...Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Amen, Paul. We can surely argue without being argumentative.
D&RGWRR476,Well, the bugs I've found with Digitrax deal more with unexplainable operation. For example, about once per operation, an operator with a radio throttle will lose control of their train in the middle of switching out a yard or running on the main. One must quickly plug back in, and then it will automatically reaquire it. This happens both at my club (Chief) and my home layout (Zephyr).
Another problem is the old Soundtraxx "shuffe" that would occasionally occur. The loco would be running, the suddenly go into reverse, then back into forward for no particular reason. I asked Soundtraxx, and they blamed Digitrax. I asked Digitrax, and they blamed Soundtraxx. I don't know who's to blame, but there are no such problems with any other decoder...even the new Soundtraxx Tsunami's. But it also apparently only happens on Digitrax layouts, so who knows? It's annoying, but not impossible to live with.
At the club, we've also had some lemons for DT400R throttles. One guy's throttle has been returned at least twice because the radio keeps conking out. Another had to return his DT400 because his LCD screen was messed up (it displayed random dots, etc.), but he might have dropped the thing once or twice without telling us.
We've also had to return a couple DT's over the years for encoder replacement. The DT100's were terrible at this, while the DT300 and DT400's are much, much better...but one or two have been returned to get these replaced.
For high end problems, the block detection can be wonky at times. I seem to get some "false postives", but I don't know if that's my Railroad&Co. software or the Digitrax BDL168 detector.
Digitrax isn't perfect. I still would absolutely choose it again, as I am very happy with it overall. But it does have little "quirks" that can make you scratch your head. I don't know if this is common with the other systems out there, as I have little direct experience with them.
Oh, and I admit that propriety systems bother me, too. Sony with Beta and Apple with computers sought to stop any other manufacturer from making anything for their product. Digitrax, OTOH, wants others to make Loconet devices. You can even make your own Loconet applications. To quote from their website:
Is LocoNet Proprietary? Yes, in the strictest sense of the word LocoNet is a proprietary system. In order to maintain a system as complex as LocoNet someone has to be "in charge" so that valuable system resources are not used unwisely. Digitrax maintains LocoNet professionally for the benefit of the hobby & works with other competent DCC developers so that they can include it in their systems. The non-disclosure agreements & licensing agreements & fees for the use of LocoNet are not intended to prevent or discourage anyone from using LocoNet but merely to insure that system resources are used prudently & to cover Digitrax cost to maintain and expand the LocoNet as needed. LocoNet Personal Edition is available to all hobbyists through our web site. This edition of LocoNet is available so that our customers can develop their own private LocoNet applications.
And say what you want about the Digitrax logo being placed all over, at least Digitrax didn't have two different companies making the exact same thing with differerent lables on them (Wangrow's System One ring a bell?).
Yes that line is from the Bard. Hamlet I think. How do I rememebr this? Well, you ever see that movie where Danny Devito tries to teach a bunch of Army recruits so they can pass their GED? Yeah..hehe they do Hamlet.
Anyway, as for the topic at hand, the only rivalry between Digitrax and NCE I am aware of is one by the users. I don't think Jim Scorse has any specific animosty towards the Irelands. Digitrax is the top selling system and NCE is probably the second best selling system in the US. I control my system with Digitrax but I use plenty of NCE decoders and accessories. They both make good stuff.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
"To thine own self be true."
-Bill S., I think.
We makes our choices, and we uses what we get. We buy-in in more ways than just opening our wallets. When someone else touts their own brand choices, we feel we have to justify what we have done, but doing it in our own heads doesn't seem to cut it. So we evoke the justification, and then an argument ensues because specifics seem to rear their ugly heads.
I am of the conviction that if I had chosen NCE instead of Digtraxx, I would be just as happy a camper, all things being equal, and would happily defend my choice.
Go, NCE!
Mark R. wrote: I would be inclined to belive it's along the same lines as the age old GM / Ford / Chrysler debate. You're going to have diehard devotees of each of them, and each one will claim theirs is better along with a multitude of reasons why. Mark.
I would be inclined to belive it's along the same lines as the age old GM / Ford / Chrysler debate. You're going to have diehard devotees of each of them, and each one will claim theirs is better along with a multitude of reasons why.
Mark.
Or like Apple and PC??? Hehhehe. Let's keep it civil guys.
Brian
P.S. Red Green for PRESIDENT!!!
Isn't this similar to the "Less filling" "Tastes Great" debate ?
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
Paul3 wrote: In my experience, NCE users are more agressive with expressing anti-Digitrax sentiments than the other way around...
The heck of it is, the two systems take different roads to get to the same place, and depending on the purchaser's mindset, one or the other system is better suited to that person's desired approach. And when they buy the WRONG system for their own personal mindset the defensiveness goes up even further, as they try to convince themselves as well as others that they bought the right system, while they have these niggling doubts in the back of their minds.
I chose my system (NCE) because I like the interface better than Digitrax, and I have a specific dislike of proprietary networking on a system I'm building (probably comes from having owned a Betamax VCR at one time). A third, but much less important, reason is that NCE doesn't shove their logo in your face on every connection panel you buy and install on your fascia (OK, that one was a loaded statement. Don't everybody get TOO upset! I'm just good-naturedly twisting some tails here! ).
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Having made some posts about NCE, but never having used Digitrax, I can only assume from what I read that Digitrax is also a good system.
All my posts have been either:
Explaining how to do something (like consisting) with the NCE system for someone having trouble with it, or wondering about how it's done, or,
Responding to a post claiming Digitrax is "better" or "the best" system, or correcting a Digitrax user's misconception of NCE. I try to point out that they both have their good features but also drawbacks. I also have said many times that usually the most important thing is which one "feels right" to a particular user, and not to spend the money for either system without talking to users of both, and if at all possible getting a hands-on demo of both.
As far as I know, nobody has taken any of my posts as hostile. I hope not.
simon1966 wrote:OK, first off I admit I am an idiot for even asking the question. My intent is not to create a flame session, just to try and understand the historical basis for this, if indeed any exists.
OK, first off I admit I am an idiot for even asking the question. My intent is not to create a flame session, just to try and understand the historical basis for this, if indeed any exists.
Simon, first off, you're NOT an idoit. Even though you have your opinions and preferences, you're probably one of the most well-balanced and outspoken "discussionist" here on the forum. I appreciate your boldness to even ask the question.
I am really curious about the apparent animosity/rivalry between user of these 2 fine systems. When ever a thread is started about Digitrax is does not take long for the NCE fans to weigh in with the usual list of perceived Digitrax shortcomings and frankly the Digitrax gang is more than happy to weigh into an NCE thread with assorted opinions. So often utter minutiae becomes the spark point for less than cordial inference and discussion. Neither camp is guiltless.
Sad, but true. I really don't know the answer either. Simon, I do think you hit the nail on the head when you used the phrase "less than cordial". Although this seems to be magnified more whenever we discuss/compare the systems of these two fine DCC companies, it's not an unfamiliar guest on other topics, as well. (Just look at the recent DC thead.)
Discussion is great and can actually be quite constructive and helpful when done without a condescending or superior attitude. Once that enters the picture, it's not long before the spark becomes a flame, then the MR "Fire department" must be called in in order to "hose the forum down".
Are the principals of NCE and Digitrax openly hostile to each other?
I don't think they have to be. I'll be the first to admit the Digitrax does some really nice and smart things with their DCC system. (A couple that I'm still waiting for them to release.) And there are those here on the forum who know, comprehend, and explain things about their DCC system far better than I will ever be able to do. In most cases, it just comes down to two different ways of approaching and/or tackling DCC operations.
Agreed. You could almost liken it to using a PC or using a Mac. Both are powerful machines that can accomplish similar operations with pretty much the same results. However, their approach to doing that might be very different from one another. And, one may actually do a better job at certain things than the other one, and vica versa.
How long has this been going on?Why do we seem to care so passionately about this?Why does anyone care what Joe Blow in Ohio selects as his DCC system of choice?Is it possible to discuss this apparent rivalry in a cordial way?
Simon, all good and reasonable questions. Yes, I really believe we can discuss our (AND other's) DCC systems in a cordial way, without getting personal or combative about it.
My attitude for someone who is looking for information about "what DCC system is the best" is to find out what THEIR current and prospective needs are - e.g. size of layout, number of locomotives (DC and DCC), number of throttles, wireless, etc. With answers to those questions, it's then easier to narrow down the field to determine which DCC system is best suited for THEM and THEIR needs.
Lillen is the most recent inquiree that comes to mind. Since he still had some DC locomotives on hand and wanted to run them, but wasn't sure if he would ever convert them over to DCC - even though I use "Brand B" - it made more sense for Lillen to look at Digitrax because of the ability to run a DC locomotive on address "00".
Anyhow, I know not everyone is going follow the rules of "cordial etiquette" when it comes to discussing things here on the forum. (And I've actually done a pretty lousy job myself recently, in that respect. ) Still, I think we can openly discuss the pros and cons, the fortes and shortcomings of our respective DCC sytems without getting so personal and pugnacious about it. And...it doesn't hurt to admit that someone else's system actually does a better job at something than the one you use.
As Red Green always says at the end his fly-tieing monologues:
"Remember, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together."
And whenever the battle is between one system (DCC, computer, thermostat, box of crackers, etc) that pushes ease of use vs. another who pushes capability, the loyalists are often polar opposites. Somewhere in this tripe I am posting is probably a left brain/right brain thing for somebody to get a government grant to study!
I use Digitrax, but I hope everybody does the same thing I do.....evaluate needs, what they want to do, read and research, discuss, read and research some more, eventually make a decision and move forward. The reasons I chose Digitrax may not help Joe, and the reasons he settles on his choices may not mean much to me. It is hard to make a mistake with any of the major systems on the market, unless you base your decision on a head count of the post "Which DCC system should I buy?"
In summation.......Less Filling!
- Mark
What kind of unreliability and bugs have you encountered with Digitrax? I am asking becasue I am going down to buy the Super Empire Builder this month while it is on sale.
Yours in Model Railroading,
Yours In Model Railroading,
John
Littleton, CO
I believe the animosity comes from the idea that Digitrax and NCE have been almost polar opposites when it comes to DCC design, and therefore there is some friction.
For example, NCE for the longest time offered only a "full boat" system, while Digitrax has normally offered a three-tiered system of starter sets (beginner, advanced, and expert, if you will).
NCE systems routinely get software upgrades but few new products, while Digitrax hardly ever gets a software upgrade but routinely offers new products.
Back in the day, NCE was the "user friendly" choice but more expensive, while Digitrax was the "economic" choice (the Chief was always about $50 cheaper than NCE...and the older, more basic sets were cheaper yet), but had probably some of the worst throttles for "user friendliness" (the DT100 and UT1).
Digitrax has always been on the leading edge of DCC development in most things (first DCC with IR & radio throttles, first with block detection, first with signalling, first with F12 support, first with bi-directional decoder system, first with a "big knob" throttle, etc.) but has lagged behind in reliablity and has bugs that still aren't solved. NCE has proceeded at a much more sedate pace of developement, but their products have been more bullet proof.
I won't deny there's a little bit of brand loyalty at work here. But those that buy NCE are doing so for different reasons than with Digitrax, and vice versa. These differences lead to the friction that is mentioned above.
In my experience, NCE users are more agressive with expressing anti-Digitrax sentiments than the other way around, but I liken that to the Mac vs. PC debate. The less popular brand name users always seem to take it out on more popular leading brand name. Take a look at a MacAddict magazine, and it will be full of anti-Bill Gates cartoons and comparisons with PC's. Look inside PC Magazine, and if there's an Apple in there, it's probably by mistake.
tstage wrote: Yes! Now shut up!!! Tom
Yes! Now shut up!!!
Your mother wears army shoes.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
I really don't want to get into a feature-by-feature which system is better discussion here as that will inevitably turn into a flame out. It has all been said many times before. I already have DCC so am not in the market.
What I was trying to explore is if there is any basis for the apparent hostility and sniping that always seems to come up in discussion of DCC regarding these two companies. Is it just simply "my toy is better than yours" type discussion or is there a deeper basis for this, such as genuine animosity between the companies themselves?
I did not mention Lenz, Zimo or any of the other myriad of DCC companies as it is much rarer to see them involved in the clashes.
Please go and read the original post I think it is clear what I am asking?
Mark R. wrote: What about Lenz ??? I really believe their products are often overlooked here in the US ( and Canada ). They have been at the fore-front in design and technology for years, even having a key role in sharing their technology to develop the NMRA DCC system standards. They have one of the best warrantees of all the manufacturers and a virtually bullet-proof system. Why the apparent lack of users ???Mark.
What about Lenz ??? I really believe their products are often overlooked here in the US ( and Canada ). They have been at the fore-front in design and technology for years, even having a key role in sharing their technology to develop the NMRA DCC system standards. They have one of the best warrantees of all the manufacturers and a virtually bullet-proof system. Why the apparent lack of users ???
If you want an awesome, no holds barred system, take a look at Zimo... but like Cartier's, if you have to ask the price, you don't belong in the store
In all fairness, they both have great products. It comes down to personal taste, IMHO, as to which system you like. I am FAR from an expert, but both have a myriad of options, are easy too use and are upgradeable. Too me, how the throttle feels in your hand is important as well; I would recommend, if you are looking to buy, to go put the throttles of each system in your hand and see how you like it... this is what you will spend the MOST time "interfacing" with, and most people skip this step (hard to do from an online retailer!).
I've used all the big 4 systems extensively and I have personally owned 3 of the 4 systems (Lenz, EasyDCC, and NCE).
In terms of its networking features and under-the hood design, Digitrax is one of the most feature rich with its LocoNet, although the popular European system Zimo may be able to claim its under-the-hood design is superior -- but currently Zimo will cost you about double what any other DCC systems from the big 4 cost you. Rumor has it, however, that Zimo is introducing a starter system soon with a much lower price point.
NCE's network features are less robust than Digitrax's, but NCE specializes in making its user interface as friendly as possible. As a result, NCE's loco consisting options from the handheld, for instance, are rich and easy to set up. While Digitrax can handle either command station or decoder-based consists, Digitrax doesn't let you mix and match them without the need for you to develop a fairly good understanding of all the ins and outs of CV19 consisting from a technical level.
In short, Digitrax is powerful if you want to really go to town with DCC devices everywhere, but has a somewhat geeky interface if you want to get fancy. NCE is less powerful in what it will let you do with DCC devices all over the layout, but it's user interface is generally more obvious and robust than Digitrax's.
Both are well built systems and serve their users well. Digitrax has the advantage that they were first to market and their marketing ability is better than NCE's, so their user base is probably twice the size of NCE's. NCE also had some serious wireless issues until rev 2 of their wireless was released a couple of years ago. Many modelers find Digitrax's requirement to plug in to acquire a loco somewhat annoying, while NCE allows a fully wireless solution with no need to plug in to address anything.
Both have their strengths and weaknesses. For someone who simply wants to run trains and never wants to concern themselves with anything under the hood nor ever wants to do DCC signalling I personally recommend NCE. If you prefer to have local flesh-and-blood help or you want to do lots of DCC-based techy stuff on your layout, then Digitrax is probably a better choice.
Since about twice as many people own Digitrax, there's a much greater chance that you will have someone nearby who can give you personal assistance if you go Digitrax. It's also true that with more people owning Digitrax, there's likely more operators who can bring throttles to an op session that will work with your system if you go Digitrax.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon