No Mention of CVP Easy DCC

Bruce:

Why no mention of Easy DCC, especially since they have a newer radio throttle?

Chuck

MRC?

Hi Bruce.  Thanks for the information on NCE and Digitrax.  I've been using an MRC wireless system since I converted from Dynatrol some years back.  I originally bought it as a workbench system for the ease of setting CVs but never did get the NCE system I was looking at.  The MRC does everything and has, for me, a better throttle.  It has been bulletproof so far.  It looks like MRC has upped their game with the elite and I am interested but I also like the NCE choice of cabs.  With the number of sound decoders I run the flexibility of more power would be good.

I wonder why you didn't include MRC in you otherwise useful article?  Digitrax is pretty much out for me because of the tiny buttons.  NCE looks good but the manual is kind of a nightmare.  There are other systems as well, CVP and Lenz I think.  Information on them would be really useful.

just a thought.

Dave

NO CVP

Bruce,

I second the comment, why have you not mentioned CVP's Easy DCC?  It is the system used by a good 85% of my friends.  There are also many other manufacturers besides Digitrax and NCE worthy of comment.

CVP released a new throttle a while back that is very easy to use.  At the recent Narrow Gage Convention displayed a throttle under development that won't use batteries but will be charged via a USB cable.  

By the way, they were the only DCC manufacturer at the NNGC.

T

DCC Cab direction control

Bruce,

I'm a little surprised that there was no mention of the double-click (of the encoder) direction reversal available for use on Digitrax DT400/402 throttles. This is a really useful facility when switching, particularly when going into delay on a Kadee.

Bob Perrat

Other brands

Hi, all and thanks for your comments.

I only talk about things that I am very familiar with. I've used Digitrax for seventeen years. I've owned NCE for about ten years.

When I owned Litchfield Station, we had (and it still exists there) a layout that had Digitrax, Lenz and NCE systems ready to power it with the change of a connector. Then I was conversant with Lenz, but I haven't even had a Lenz throttle in my hand since I sold the business in April of 2010, almost 5-1/2 years. I don't know what they are doing since American Hobbies took over the distribution.

CVP has chosen NOT to sell through dealers. Hence, there is no local support and little mention of them in the media. I cannot change their business model, but it doesn't get the word out well. All I know about CVP relates to a couple of operating sessions I've attended at a layout in Tucson that uses EasyDCC. His throttles are older 2-digit (I believe) units, so not something to discuss for the future.

However, all of you who are picking on my choice of throttles to discuss have missed the basic point. TRY THEM OUT AND FIND WHAT YOU LIKE! I cannot tell you what will work best for you. The goal of this column, perhaps not well stated, was to show things to look at and compare, not to recommend (or dis) any particular brand. I apologize for any confusion that my writing has created.

NNGC

This year there was a convention scheduling pile up.

NMRA in Portland 8/23 to 8/30.

NNGC in Houston 9/2 to 9/5.

And, for me, NMRA PSR convention in Scottsdale 9/16 to 9/20.

The NNGC coming so close on the heels of the NMRA National was, I believe, a major issue for both. I know vendors who chose to bust their hump and be at both and they collapsed after Labor Day. Many chose one or the other.

CVP, being a Texas firm, had an easier time of attending both and did so.

Thanks

Bruce, thanks for your guidance and input on your monthly columns, they are always must-read for me. You've never steered me wrong since we met back in your Litchfield Station days!

As Bruce mentioned, find what you like and stick with it. My first experience running DCC and sound was on a friend's layout who used NCE. He explained he chose NCE because of the better ergonomics and display on the throttle, but his big turn-off with Digitrax was the little choo-choo logo. Not a very scientific basis for selection, I agree, but it resonated with me as well.

I know each of these suppliers has a market that likes their products, and it's great we all get to choose what works best for us.