What is the concensus between Digtrax and NCE

[jagged ben]

There's definitely not going to be a consensus.

The only senses in which I can think of a home system being 'compatible' with the club are

a) not having to be familiar with using two different systems, or
b) if you want to use your personal throttle at the club, either out of preference or because the club can't afford throttles.  But this is now kindof passe, because...

Clubs should probably be running JMRI and using smart phones, just so that members don't have to choose the same thing as the club, or spend more money on throttles either individually or as club.

[Randij]

In all respect to club. They are tremendously benifial, and I learn a lot, but I never like to be a sheep.
And why ask these question.
I want to contribute, and benefit other and not just follow.
Unfortunately when you are starting you can't do much until you ramp up to the experts!
Thank you to every one!

[mcjaco]

When DCC started my HO club jumped in with the MRC 2000.....what beast of unfriendliness that thing was.

Then I wrote the review article for Model Retailer on the Atlas Commander.  I used that for years (and I still have it). 

When I approached Modutrak, they used Digitrax, and the local HO club I joined also used it, so there wasn't much of a decision for me.  It was already made.  I like Digitrax, and have no real qualms about them...the decoders, have gotten a little messy lately with PnP boards not fitting correctly, etc.  I also have a friend that uses NCE, and I can jump on one of those throttles without thinking too.  I first used JMRI on a NCE system and no issues, like now when we use it on Digitrax. 

[amato1969]

NCE has been an excellent system for me and the interface is excellent.  Documentation is also excellent.  Digitrax units look like they were cobbled together with spare parts from 1985 calculators.  I know they are the preference of many, but you need to decide what your priorities are.

+1.  I am a happy NCE user!

  Frank

[mark dance]

Echoing others, pick one with a lot of local users and support.  No matter how good the documentation (or not) you will need to trouble shoot - likely at the most stressful time - and the local knowledge will be invaluable.

In terms of specifics, think through your eventual needs (number of users, capabilities, required accessories) and assure your system architecture and capabilities won't lock you out of these.

Finally, when all else fails, the market leader is always the safe bet in any market...more 3rd party support, more R&D to invest over a larger user base, more trained users, more $ to spend on service and support, etc.  "The market conspires to keep the market leader the market leader".  (Let's just hope the proprietary market leader(s) wake up and smell the coffee over things like open connectivity to consumer wireless routers and smart phone-based throttles.)

my 1.5 cents (2 Canadian cents...and dropping)

md

[Blazeman]

Always an interesting sharing of opinions on this topic, and so much more civil than what is experienced with other flash point discussions we've had here.

My take away is both systems provide what they promise. Can't find any fault in that.

I just took the Digitrax plunge. That was primarily due to a friend having it already for his to be built layout and another friend having it in place on his layout. Having those resources for guidance made the choice simpler.

[Cajonpassfan]

Happy NCE user here
For steam, I really enjoy NCE's wheel which to me, (in conjunction with lots and lots of momentum and sound) emulates steam throttle response better than buttons or pots. NCE also allows instantaneous momentum changes from the cab. Personal preference.
Having said that, I think it's time for next generation of cabs (not just NCE, everyone) with an interface that can better emulate the operation of a locomotive and incorporate the expanding range of sound and other options without adding yet more clutter. And I don't mean the iPhone. I would like to see two types of simpler operator cabs, specifically designed for steam and diesel interface, with 8 step notching for diesels, preferably designed for one hand operation to free up the other hand for other things like lining turnouts, uncoupling, making calls etc. NCE cab 06 is getting there but doesn't quite cut it, IMHO.
Regards, Otto K.

[Randij]

I found a very good of parison:

Video for DCC NCE Blog▶ 27:16▶ 27:16
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzRRCKpTjL4
Sep 3, 2012 - Uploaded by Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine
http://mrhmag.com - MRH DCC columnist Bruce Petrarca contrasts and compares Digitrax DCC ...

Very good comparison!

[peteski]

I found a very good of parison:

Video for DCC NCE Blog▶ 27:16▶ 27:16
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzRRCKpTjL4
Sep 3, 2012 - Uploaded by Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine
http://mrhmag.com - MRH DCC columnist Bruce Petrarca contrasts and compares Digitrax DCC ...

Very good comparison!

I'm not going to watch the video (too long, and my mind is already made up)  but I wonder if it mentions the clarity of the user's manual.  Like it or not, manuals are a big part of the equation (especially for lone-wolves).

[Denver Road Doug]

I'm not going to watch the video (too long, and my mind is already made up)  but I wonder if it mentions the clarity of the user's manual.  Like it or not, manuals are a big part of the equation (especially for lone-wolves).

If your mind is made up, what difference does it make?   

It really is fascinating how different people view the different systems.   I could write a book about the mix of biases and reasoning and personality types and technical issues I've witnessed over the years with respect to model railroaders and DCC.   There really is a science to it.   My view is skewed since I'm an IT geek, spent a decade in the consulting field (where I made a living out of evaluating and recommending technical solutions, much like picking a DCC system) AND I'm also a relatively accomplished and published writer.   So for me to suggest the Digitrax documentation is GREAT would be way off track, but it's also not anywhere near the myth that has perpetuated since the very early days of Digitrax when the Hex calculations were standard practice.

The bottom line in all of this is...people are different.  People absorb things differnently, they learn differently, they interact differently, and they troubleshoot differently.  It's ye olde PC versus Mac debate.      My take on it is...NONE of the systems are intuitive, yet NONE are overly complicated either.  It's just a matter of what your style is.

But again, I say (to my own argument, this time  ) what difference does it make?  We are probably less than five years away from DCC being very different than it is today.   Even today, I think maybe a majority of DCC users are employing steps to almost completely insulate themselves from the UI of the DCC systems available at this time.    So, five years from now, it will likely be "roll your own" interface, the command station will be a commodity, and bluetooth-esque direct connect systems will be all the rage.  We may or may not even be relying on conductive track at that point.   

So my point being...don't worry about it so much.  Get what you feel comfortable with.  If you don't deem yourself technical, it would be wise to get a system that is familiar to a fellow, close-by model railroader but by no means is that a requirement.  Like I said, they're all similar in function and operation and outside the UI the concepts are pretty straightforward.   If--in your mind--the operation of the throttle doesn't suck too much, go for it!   

[Randij]

Doug I am evaluating and trying to decide.
I was a PC user for 35 year and today I use a Mac.
Why, because I had a changed to learn something new.
I am new to DCC but I can't decide on a type because I don't know and it's a lot of money to start.
This forum puts the ideas out, let's me figure out what to look at, what to read.
I'm learning, I'm a DCC virgin!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I am right at the same stage as you... Trying to make a decision. I have always hated the digitrax throttles and would never use then. That said, I'm also not a big fan of the NCE or RMC throttles. They just feel old and crusty. Reading the comparability page on JMRI is giving me nightmares too.

I am seriously considering the ESU system. Their wireless throttles user Android and Wifi and they are in process of releasing their own Android throttle app. This pretty much brings the whole system together using non-proprietary technology. I like the fact that I don't have to worry about my titles getting knocked offline when the Wi-Fi or microwave is on.

BUT no one else users it so I'm on my own. Also documentation is German first and English as a second language. And that gives me pause.

[mark dance]

I am right at the same stage as you... Trying to make a decision. I have always hated the digitrax throttles and would never use then. That said, I'm also not a big fan of the NCE or RMC throttles. They just feel old and crusty. Reading the comparability page on JMRI is giving me nightmares too.

I am seriously considering the ESU system. Their wireless throttles user Android and Wifi and they are in process of releasing their own Android throttle app. This pretty much brings the whole system together using non-proprietary technology. I like the fact that I don't have to worry about my titles getting knocked offline when the Wi-Fi or microwave is on.

BUT no one else users it so I'm on my own. Also documentation is German first and English as a second language. And that gives me pause.

I am watching this ESU development eagerly as well.  But at >400$ a pop, the throttle price is at least 4x too high in my mind given an underlying phone can be had for <20$.

As to the Digitrax throttles, are you referring to the UT4 style?  My operators really like the UT4 simplicity and single-handed, no-look use.  I am just not a fan of the reliability/radio quality of Digitrax's duplexing radio. To this end, limited tests this week with EngineDriver running on a droid phone, and WiThrottle on both a iPhone and an iPad, have shown far greater responsiveness (and I expect reliability/stability) when compared to UT4Ds.  I won't be able to definitively prove this last point until the next op session in a few weeks.  I don't like the lack of a tactile user interface on the phone-based systems but I love the  promise of wifi quality and stability.

md

[Denver Road Doug]

Doug I am evaluating and trying to decide.
I was a PC user for 35 year and today I use a Mac.
Why, because I had a changed to learn something new.
I am new to DCC but I can't decide on a type because I don't know and it's a lot of money to start.
This forum puts the ideas out, let's me figure out what to look at, what to read.
I'm learning, I'm a DCC virgin!

Randij,

Hopefully you didn't take any of my comments personally.   These questions come up often, but they do seem to have different slants to them so it's worthwhile to ask them, IMHO.   I think you've gotten a lot of good information here and I think you have enough feedback to begin to form your opinion about which might work for you.  My overall point is that you really cannot go wrong with either system.  And if you get one and hate it, you can probably return it or at very least not take too much of a hit by reselling it on eBay.   

One other thing I would strongly suggest....try them out, if at all possible.   As has been alluded to, the throttle and general operation should be a huge factor.  Good luck and if you have any additional questions please let us know, or feel free to PM me.   I use Digitrax and NCE (and MRC) on a monthly basis.

[coldriver]

It's difficult to make a sound judgment unless you've really owned both systems and had to deal with the full gamut of setup, programming, etc with both systems.  For me it mostly came down to a perceived edge that NCE had on radio operations when I bought in and disliking the layout of the Digitrax DT400 series throttles.  There was a time 2-4 years ago when I became a little concerned with NCE - their webpage was not being updated, new product releases became less frequent, and their advertising in Model Railroader was down to a tiny black and white ad.  In short I started to question their long term viability.  Recently those concerns have subsided with much more frequent (and innovative) new product releases, regular webpage updates, and half page full color ads in Model Railroad (same as Digitrax).  I've heard people mention that as a company they have significant technical strength but they lack marketing skill.  Word of mouth marketing will only take you so far when (for instance) your competitor is hosting the N scale Enthusiasts convention manufacturer's breakfast and giving out a free decoder to a lucky person at each table!  At any rate they seem to have gotten the message and their public presence is improving.   

I own a 9 year old NCE Powerhouse Pro 5 amp radio system and at my last op session I put it to the test with 11 throttles in simultaneous usage (7 radio and 4 tethered) almost all of which were controlling multiple unit consists.  I'm happy to report that we had no issues at all!   Overall I'm happy with NCE and seem to hear Digitrax people often mentioning operating quirks that we don't seem to face with NCE.