NCE vs. Digitrax comparo

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Michael --- my only experience with the MRC system was years ago -- and it's biggest drawback I saw was lack of expandability .. and some other limitations that i cant remember now ..

And constantly having to hit the speed step button!

[atsf3751]

When my club decided to convert to DCC we had to decide which system to get. We had a small group that joined all the DCC forums and looked at what was being discussed. Which system had the most support questions? Which had the most understandable responses to those questions? Which had the most convoluted answers? Comments bashing the various systems were ignored because we knew everyone has their own favorites.

They also looked at how easy each system was to use. Could someone who knew absolutely nothing about DCC be able to figure out how to run a train with just a couple minutes of instruction? After spending a couple months researching the forums, they came back and recommended NCE. We are well satisfied with that choice. After using it at the club, I chose NCE for my home layout.

[MichaelWinicki]

And constantly having to hit the speed step button!

I dunno.  I've never had that issue.

[jdcolombo]

I've used Digitrax, happily, since 1995 when I bought my first Chief set with the old horrible DT100 throttle.  While I would be the first to admit the interface isn't exactly user-friendly, I've gotten used to it.  Moreover, it is the system used by our club and club members, so there's lots of troubleshooting help available. 

But I will say that one feature of the ESU LokSound decoders is easier to use on NCE.  The new Full Throttle features can only be used in an MU consist by using Advanced Consisting (decoder-assisted consisting, in CV19, 21 and 22).  NCE automatically uses Advanced Consisting when setting up a consist; Digitrax does not - instead, all the consist information is kept in the command station (their Universal consisting).  I've never before needed or even been interested in using Advanced Consisting; now I am, and while that is doable with Digitrax by manually prorgramming CV19, it is much more difficult than with NCE, which does it automatically from the throttle when you set up a consist.

So there ARE some potential operational differences that might impact end users in certain very specific situations.  In general, I still think Loconet beats the competition, and the new DT402 throttles are much easier to use.  But I sure wish Digitrax would copy NCE's method of making and breaking consists!

John C.