NCE or Digitrax

[asciibaron]

i'm looking to buy a system for my small N scale layout.  i have been looking at the Digitrax Zephyr and NCE Power Cab - i like the simple nature of the NCE system, but the Digitrax system seems more expandable.  i intend to use the system on a future medium sized N scale layout. 


any suggestions?

-steve

[rsauerbrun]

First off I would choose the DigiTrax brand. As I understand, of all the DCC systems in use at clubs, 70% are DigiTrax. So if you ever want to take your stuff and run at a club, DigiTrax may be the best choice.

Secondly, I would seriously consider spending a little more and getting into the Super Empire Builder Starter Set. This costs just a few more bucks than the Zephyr, but gives you a better set of starter components to grow later. It also establishes the basic LocoNet wiring structure you can use to expand your layout.

Hope this helps ... 

[John]

I agree with the Digitrax choice, but would pass on the Super Empire Builder .. and stick with either the Zephyr for the current layout, or go with the Chief from the start .. the SEB is less capable than the zephy or Chief .. just my 5cents

[amato1969]

I absolutely LOVE my NCE system, and they now have an entry-level system that's fully expandable.  The throttle is simple to use, and the programming menus are great.

I think, however, you should test drive both before you buy.  Another consideration is whether you may operate as a guest on other layouts.  In that case, you may want to "join the crowd".

[mmyers]

I'm with John on this. Zephyr or Chief. Pass on the Empire Builder. It's lack of read back ability will eventually be missed.
BTW, I own one of each and wish I'd just started with a Chief.

As far as choice of system. You will be running Digitrax on the club layout and a DTxxxR will be needed to do so. Why use a different sytem at home? NCE and Digitrax throttles are not compatible.

Martin

[seusscaboose]

John and Martin are dead on....

"readback capability" and Club use of controllers are key...
IMO the biggest benefit of Digitrax is that my direct group of DCC friends all use it, so if i need to troubleshoot, or converse about it, they can be a resource, instead of leaving me alone on an island of DCC...

Zephyr for now and boost it in the future...

Your expertise will come on the computer side IMO.

hey... you planning on using powerpoles on that layout?

[asciibaron]

i don't care if i'm an island, i want something that is not complex, readily connects to a laptop, and allows me to run trains in a prototypical manner.

no power poles on the layout - it doesn't need them

[seusscaboose]

i don't care if i'm an island, i want something that is not complex, readily connects to a laptop, and allows me to run trains in a prototypical manner.

no power poles on the layout - it doesn't need them

not familiar with NCE... so i am in deep water here... but does it use JMRI and interface w/ a computer?
i suppose a quick internet search would yield me the answer

[ñiao]

IIRC, there is PC interface now for the NCE ....

[Mark5]

I'm watching this as I really doubt I'll ever join a club again ... so aside from the taking it to the club aspect ...

Things may change though if I semi-retire soon - maybe I'll actually have time to see other people's layouts.

[amato1969]

The NCE command station has an RS-232 interface.  I haven't used the JMRI software, so I can't comment on how well it works.

  Frank

[bsoplinger]

I'd make the following suggestions:

1) If you're in a club, you most likely can use your controller as another cab on the clubs system. Very helpful, clubs are always notoriously short of cabs. So if your club has a Digitrax system (and most clubs do), that makes the Chief a nice choice. Or the Zephyr and a DT400 throttle (the same one that comes with the Chief) to save a few bucks.

2) If you don't care about the club or don't have one, etc, then I'd suggest the NCE ProCab starter system. Easy to use, expandable (via a booster or by using the ProCab as a PowerCab throttle on the large NCE system).

Both choices give you CV readback, a very useful feature if you're going to program decoders yourself. Just the Zephyr isn't really a good choice.

Both choices also can be used with JMRI the free well supported system that I think it about the most used software choice simply because it can handle so many different systems.

Personally I hate Digitrax systems and the DT400 throttle. Take it from there

[scootbird]

i'm looking to buy a system for my small N scale layout.  i have been looking at the Digitrax Zephyr and NCE Power Cab - i like the simple nature of the NCE system, but the Digitrax system seems more expandable.  i intend to use the system on a future medium sized N scale layout.

I jumped head first into the DCC world and found the NCE Power Cab to be very simple and intuitive to get up and running in just a matter of minutes.  The cab itself IMHO is much easier to maneuver around on and fits the hand very well.  Have not had the opportunity to expand but my research indicated that it could be easily upgraded with a booster as a first step and from there another leap for some extra $ gets you a Pro Cab with your Power Cab unit usable in that scenario as well.  I think the NCE Power Cab is worth the investment from both a $ and ease of use point of view.  My 2 cents (when adjusted for inflation and fuel surcharges = 20 euros.)

Mike

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[cv_acr]

The NCE Power Cab can also be used as a regular controller on a full NCE system.

My club has an NCE system, and one of the guys has a PowerCab. It gets used at op. sessions the same way as any other throttle.
Another guy in the club also uses NCE on his home layout, and he has a few wireless throttles. NCE has a wireless base station and wireless throttles that can be added to the system if you want the wireless route. The wireless throttles do have a cord plug in the bottom the same as other throttles, so they can be used as a regular plug-in throttle as well.

[ñiao]

Dumb question: What's wrong with a Zephyr for a small home layout?