Cheese I am not sure how you are figuring your price comparison. All the pricing below pulled from www.litchfieldstation.com so discounted from list price.
For NCE
Power Cab $140.36
Radio Base station $124.76
Radio basic cab $140.36
I think you also need the SB3 to be able to add the radio $77.96
For and NCE total of $483.44 or $405.48 without the SB3
Digitrax
Zephyr $143.89
UR91 Radio module $114.89
UT4r basic radio throttle $99.89
for a total of $358.67
for further comparison, the Digitrax Super Chief 5A radio set with the DT400r super throttle is $499.00 the NCE Powerhouse Pro 5A radio is $546
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
$140 for the zyphyr wow I thought $160 was good.
anyways how I did the prices is. I found a good price for the base system and used that then went to the manufactures website and got the prices for the booster, throttle, and reciever or in nce's case the pcp.
cheese4432 wrote:The lenz wasn't on my list because they are all over $200. tstage I read the review it is simple but there is more wiring for more ports to plug in the throttle or does the booster make it wireles?
As you can see by the price break downs above, your going to be paying WAY more than $200 to get a Zepher to do what you want it to do. And that's for 1.7 amps. Now take your $358 and add a booster on top of it. AND the guys at Digitrax told me the Zepher (and their other units) don't come with power supplies. Don't know how true that is, but the Digi tech told me that on the phone. He said figure another $80 for that.
cheese4432 wrote: $140 for the zyphyr wow I thought $160 was good.anyways how I did the prices is. I found a good price for the base system and used that then went to the manufactures website and got the prices for the booster, throttle, and reciever or in nce's case the pcp.
Cheese. I still don't see how you came up with a wireless solution based on the Powercab coming in at $130 odd less than a wireless based on the Zephyr? Both the NCE wireless station and the wireless cab cost more than the equivalent Digitrax parts.
loathar wrote: As you can see by the price break downs above, your going to be paying WAY more than $200 to get a Zepher to do what you want it to do. And that's for 1.7 amps. Now take your $358 and add a booster on top of it. AND the guys at Digitrax told me the Zepher (and their other units) don't come with power supplies. Don't know how true that is, but the Digi tech told me that on the phone. He said figure another $80 for that.
The Zephyr is 2.5 amps (the Powercab is the 1.7A system) The Zephyr includes the power supply see the link to the Digitrax web site http://www.digitrax.com/prd_zep_basic_set.php
The higher end sets (SEB and the Super Chief) do not. The Magna Force power supply from DCC specialties will set you back about $40.00 for these systems. http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?productid=110013&cat=39&page=1
sorry for the confusion I went for a walk around system of sorts with another pcp and second throttle/programmer and a reciever/pcp type thing for the zypher along with a infrared throttle or plug in something like that anyways because it's cheaper for then an actual wireless system. So in a nut shell I went with plug in port type of walk around of sorts or is this way not a walk around system? Anyways the throttles are corded to plug in to a jack to cend the control canges.
On question can dcc switch controls do three way switches? because my 5 track yard desighn calls for one.
Edit: I am going by the base system price not by the base plus accesories or else I would have automaticly gone with the bachmann system.
now for prices
nce
digitrax
Like I said earlier base systems taken from the cheapest place I found and the rest taken off of the manufactures website.
cheese4432 wrote: sorry for the confusion I went for a walk around system of sorts with another pcp and second throttle/programmer and a reciever/pcp type thing for the zypher along with a infrared throttle or plug in something like that anyways because it's cheaper for then an actual wireless system. So in a nut shell I went with plug in port type of walk around of sorts or is this way not a walk around system? Anyways the throttles are corded to plug in to a jack to cend the control canges. On question can dcc switch controls do three way switches? because my 5 track yard desighn calls for one.Edit: I am going by the base system price not by the base plus accesories or else I would have automaticly gone with the bachmann system.now for prices ncepower cab $140booster $80pcp $20throttle $90digitraxzyphyr $160booster $180throttle $80plug in port $46 Like I said earlier base systems taken from the cheapest place I found and the rest taken off of the manufactures website.
Do you really need a booster? If you add the DB150 booster to the Zephyr you will have 7.5A all together. Unless you are planning to run more than 10 locos at once I suspec that the 2.5A of the Z will be more than enough. I have never hit the power limit of my Z.
Currently I don't need one. I might in 10 years so I won't get a booster. Hmmm now the digitrax is cheaper but not cheaper then the nce.
Cheese,
The more I read your post the more I am getting confuse as to what you are looking for and how you manage to put prices ont those systems.
Here is what I understand so far. You are looking for a thetered system with the possibility of two cabs with an avarege power output, could be 3 amps.
With the NCE Power Cab here is the prices I come with based on Tony Train Xchange price list.
Power Cab $140.00
One PCP board $ 20.00
Smart Booster $ 78.00
Power Supply for the SB $ 30.00
Cab04 $ 72.00
Total $340.00
This give you a 3 amps system featuring 2 walk around cabs. This system will support a maximum of 4 cabs and will run probably 10 HO locos.
Zephyr $160.00
One UP5 panel $ 15.00
UT4 cab $ 65.00
Total $241.00
This will give you a thetered system with 2.5amps two cab one fix and one handheld. This system will support 10 locos and 10 cabs.
Jack W.
Aha! I think I will buy from tony's train exchange. So according to your charts the digitrax is cheaper then the nce. For the nce system do you need a different power supply for the booster then for the base or can you use the same power supply?
the nce has another half an amp about enough for one locomtive but my layout has only enough space to run 2 currentlywhen the yard is done 3. So the extra half amp isn't an advantage with the approximation of half an amp per locomtive that is enogh to run 5 but with the new ones at less then .5 amps it has the ability of 10.
It is a draw......for now.
oh and I edited my previous post so it should be less confusing now.
cheese4432 wrote: For the nce system do you need a different power supply for the booster then for the base or can you use the same power supply?It is a draw......for now.
For the nce system do you need a different power supply for the booster then for the base or can you use the same power supply?
You need a different power supply for the SB3.
I also agree with Simon, both are excellent systems with first class customer service. You will be happy with any one of those 2.
Agreed on all counts. Both systems are terrific and each has advantages over the other. The Power Cab does come with it's own wall transformer. You'll need a separate one for the Smart Booster.
Cheese, along Tony's Train Exchange, consider Empire Northern Models, as well. You can usually find some slightly better deals through Tim. Either establishment is reputable.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
All of the three way switches I have seen have two throwbars and you just treat them like two seperate switches, so yes DCC switch controlers can control them.
Oh good. and I didn't see in the manual's table of contents about controlling switches it can right?
And with the system, a throttle, and a port for the throttle at www.tonystrains.com and www.ares-server.com the power cab is cheaper so I will go with the nce system if it can control switches that is.
Thank you for helping me deciding wich dcc system to get.
cheese4432 wrote:Oh good. and I didn't see in the manual's table of contents about controlling switches it can right?And with the system, a throttle, and a port for the throttle at www.tonystrains.com and www.ares-server.com the power cab is cheaper so I will go with the nce system if it can control switches that is.Thank you for helping me deciding wich dcc system to get.
NCE's Power Cab and ProCab throttles do have turnout (switch) control. Digitrax should, too.
The decision is final nce power cab with port and throttle for $235.57 including shipping at www.tonytrains.com.
tHANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.
The PowerCab will control switches. In the manual where it talks about "accessory decoders", these are the decoders that control switches. Even though I am a Digitrax user, I am sure you will be happy with the PowerCab.
There is one thing I wanted to point out. You talked about getting a PCP with the PowerCab. It is my understanding that the PCP is the Panel connector that comes with the PowerCab, but to add addtional plugin points you'll want to get the UTP Panel.
Robert is absolutely correct. The PCP panel (LEFT connector port) is used for powering the Power Cab. You only need a UTP panel for connecting additional cabs.
If you get the Smart Booster (SB3), you only need the UTP for connecting your Power Cab to your layout. However, you'll still need the PCP panel for the programming track.
And don't forget to also order a 4-connector RJ-12 Cab bus cable for your extra UTP panel. You'll daisy-chain the PCP panel to the UTP panel using the rear RJ-12 connector ports. The Power Cab comes with a 6-connector cable. The extra 2-connectors on the cable are for power.
Duplex, RJ12, panel mt, plug n' play, Digitrax, NCE, System I
This is in the description for the utp at www.tonystrains.com This means that it comes with it right? or Is it seperate to be bought somewhere else on the site?
Go back to my review of the NCE Power Cab and look at the picture of the contents and the list of items that you get with the Power Cab. A PCP panel comes with the Power Cab. The LEFT RJ-12 connector (only) powers the Power Cab. The RIGHT connector is for an extra throttle. With only one PCP panel, you can use two throttles.
If you want additional connector ports (e.g. a UTP panel) around your layout, you MUST purchase them separately. The UTP panel will be connected (or daisy-chained) to the back of the PCP panel with a 4-connector RJ-12 cable.
You can daisy-chain as many UTP panels around your layout as you want. However, with the Power Cab, you'll only be able to use one (1) additional throttle at a time. If you want or need more throttles, you'll need to purchase the Smart Booster. This increases the amount of additional throttles you can use with your Power Cab from one to three. (Or, four total at any one time.)
Does that clear things up for you?
Go to the NCE web site and click on the Price List link. On pg. 2, under Cab bus wiring aids, you will see the following two cables:
Either one will work. These are 4-connector Cab bus cables.
Cheese, you need to figure out where you want to place your Power Cab PCP panel, then determine where you want your UTP panel. Once you have that figured out, measure the distance between the two points and buy the cable that bests fits that area. Adjust the distances between the two panels, if need be.
FYI: I like to get cables that are just slightly longer than what I need so that they don't hang or drape down underneath my layout too far. Tim Smith @ Empire Northern Models can make up custom length RJ12 cables for you and they will cost less than buying them directly from NCE. Tim doesn't have the cables listed yet on his web site. You can either call or e-mail him to get pricing. On the top of my head, I think the connectors were $1.25 each, plus $0.25 per foot for RJ12 cable.
Tim's prices are usually slightly cheaper than Tony's. And his business is just down the road from NCE in Webster, NY. (Tim: 680 Ridge Road; NCE: 899 Ridge Road) Cheese, Tim's really worth a consideration for you and he's VERY knowledgable about DCC.
Just to add my 2 cents I'll explain why I chose the MRC prodigy advance 2 for $199.00
1st I wanted a hand held throttle that I could unplug and move to other locations on my layout
the digitrax zephyr was a stationary unit unless you buy more stuff.
the NCE powercab cannot be unpluged without cutting power to the layout.
2nd the MRC had a decent (not great) amp rating 3.5
The digitrax has 2.5 and NCE has 1.7?
3rd the MRC can use common inexpensive Cat5e cables from Home depot to extend your tethered reach ( I currently use a 15' that I bought for $6.98).
I'm not trying to start a flame war here these are just my opinion as to why I went with the MRC.
bill
roadrat wrote: Just to add my 2 cents I'll explain why I chose the MRC prodigy advance 2 for $199.001st I wanted a hand held throttle that I could unplug and move to other locations on my layoutthe digitrax zephyr was a stationary unit unless you buy more stuff.the NCE powercab cannot be unpluged without cutting power to the layout.2nd the MRC had a decent (not great) amp rating 3.5The digitrax has 2.5 and NCE has 1.7?3rd the MRC can use common inexpensive Cat5e cables from Home depot to extend your tethered reach ( I currently use a 15' that I bought for $6.98).I'm not trying to start a flame war here these are just my opinion as to why I went with the MRC. bill
That was a good explanation. Actually I only looked at the Zephyr and NCE products because the MRC product was too expensive. I ended up with the NCE because I wanted a tethered throttle which the Zephyr does not have, and it looked much simpler to use and had a cool looking LCD readout. Since my layout is only 11X7 I was not concerned about having to unplug my throttle and walk around with it.
With MRC's apparent re-dedication to DCC they are probably a truly viable choice now. If expansion and growth of a system are important, I would still hesitate a little because of their track record of obsoleting their DCC product and moving on to a new model with no support of the old and no backwards compatibility. To be fair, they are at least making the right noises about the current system.
The reality is that the Zephyr is now what, 6 or 7 years old? Digitrax really hit a home run with the product and created a viable, expandable entry level DCC system. For the first time DCC became relatively affordable to the masses. It has taken a few years but NCE and other have now entered this market with newer, feature rich products. I think it is a tremendous testament to Digitrax and the Zephyr that it is still a very viable competitor in this segment. The newer offerings are not significantly better, they are very comparable. Better in some areas, not in others. How many other technology products can you think of where it is a toss up between a brand new and a 7 year old model? PC's anyone?
It will be very interesting to see what Digitrax does, or more likely has been doing. Rumors are rife that 2007 will see some interesting developments.
A while ago I was thinking of a separate area for the yard but once I repositioned it there is now plenty of yard for now and then a little. So now I really don't need the seperate throttle or the utp because of only a 4x8 so that knocks off about $80-90 so it is now just the system and seven decoders.
Now about there only being 1.7 amps from the power cab. I will only probably be running three newer type locomotives at once on in the yard and two more on the mainlines or one older type locomotive on the mainline with two newer ones. So I think 1.7 amps will be enough juice for me for several years. But that depends on how much junk we get out of the garage.
cheese4432 wrote: A while ago I was thinking of a separate area for the yard but once I repositioned it there is now plenty of yard for now and then a little. So now I really don't need the seperate throttle or the utp because of only a 4x8 so that knocks off about $80-90 so it is now just the system and seven decoders. Now about there only being 1.7 amps from the power cab. I will only probably be running three newer type locomotives at once on in the yard and two more on the mainlines or one older type locomotive on the mainline with two newer ones. So I think 1.7 amps will be enough juice for me for several years. But that depends on how much junk we get out of the garage.
I don't know how anyone besides a club can operate more than 2 engines at once. I've got two throttles and I set one engine to go round and round, while I switch with the other one. Unless you have 4 arms and an extra pair of eyes in the back of your head