NCE systems generally

I have both a Powercab which I use at my workbench for programming and testing new locomotives and an NCE PowerPro 5 Amp set with 2 additional boosters, and to which I added radio, for the layout. NCE's components are generally intuitive to use and well made. Their manuals are instructive and not, in my opinion, dense and incomprehensible. Customer Service is top notch, perhaps the best in the industry, with friendly people on the other end of the telephone line. Also the Yahoo users group is very helpful to newcomers.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCE-DCC/

John

I Like Mine

I find the system easy to use, and visiting operators seem to have no problems operating with it after minimal instruction.  The radio throttles work much more reliably than those on Digitrax layouts where I've operated (the throttles must frequently be plugged back in to re-acquire when many are in use, something that never happens with NCE).  The manuals aren't perfect, but I prefer them to Digitrax or Easy DCC.

Digitrax Cumbersome

I've had the opportunity to use several different DCC systems over the years and have always found Digitrax to be cumbersome to use - far too many buttons and dials on the hand-held and the acquisition problems Rob notes above.

The group I operated with back east was pretty much exclusively NCE on home layouts (when they had DCC) and a large modular layout.  Even as a relatively DCC-illiterate, I have had no trouble with programming, consisting or operating with NCE - the equipment is fairly intuitive to use.  I would recommend it for a command station based DCC system over the others.

DCC change

I have an NCE system, the 5 amp and a power cab.  My good friend Bill has a Digitrax.  I am not fond of Digitrax.  It seems temperamental and very sensitive to shorts.  Shorts are going to occur, and I much prefer the response of my NCE.  On the other hand, Bill seems to prefer the Digitrax.  I find the Digitrax confusing to Mu, and to select a locomotive.  The NCE is very easy to Mu, and to select a locomotive.  However, like so many things, the mission statement of the layout owner is going to be the deciding factor. 

If you are in the southern part of New Mexico, (Alamogordo), please let me hear from you.  We both have a large scale outdoor railroad, and an indoor HO railroad.  His is HOn3 and mine is a building HO.

Roger Bodwell

roger.bodwell@us.army.mil

DCC Change

I forgot to add, I am anxiously awaiting the production of the signal controller (SIG Twelve)  from NCE.

Roger Bodwell

roger.bodwell@us.army.mil

Is it easier or just

Is it easier or just different?

There are many different DCC systems out there. I've read numerous forum threads regarding one over the other.

I have used a Digitrax system since 2007. My first Dcc. I purchased it because thats what most people around here, including the local clubs use. Haven't used any others, so I can't say my Digitrax is hard to use or easy to use. I did read the manuals to understand the process involved to preform enabling different functions or actions. Do I have to look up some things when I haven't done them for a long time? Sure.  Does pressing three buttons instead of 5 or six mean it's easier, or just different?

I just don't think it's that hard.

It's no different than posting images on this forum. It takes some people a long time (ok forever) to figure out how to do it. Once they understand the process (hint: you have to upload the image to the server) people don't have any problems. Now they understand the process and it's a piece of cake. 

But I don't think  that I would sell my Digitrax for a different competing  system.

If you have an op session you just have to teach the new engineers how to mu etc on your layout. Is it part of their job to know how to do it? Sure. 

It's not that hard.

I've been saying this since I was 18..   Difficult is only a state of mind !

Randy

Re: Randy

I suppose that depends on your point of view.  Before I chose a system, I used all of the major ones (NCE, Digitrax, Easy DCC, Lenz and MRC).  I found NCE the most intuitive to use, and I've had numerous visiting operators tell me they find it simpler than Digitrax for them if they're not regular users of either.  I use Digitrax on a semi-regular basis as I visit layouts to operate, and I still find its interface baffling at times, which has to be at least partly due to how I'm used to thinking in general - not necessarily specific to DCC.  That's not to say that everybody would agree, or that Digitrax is necessarily more difficult for others.

NCE FROM MID 90'S

I have been and I am a die hard NCE person, but I what to be fare about were you are heading. I also operated around the country on many Digitrax Systems and 95% all work fine.  About the same percentage as NCE. These two manufactures represent about 90% of the DCC business in US. If you can, try and find someone around you who is experienced Digitrax system user to take a look at the way your layout is operating.  Just buying a new dog my not get ride of the flees.

I will say systems you do not want to use 1st Easy DCC, it not easy, and has very limited market. Bad Easy DCC stories are endless.   MRC is in a world of its own, Lenz no longer has US help service.

MRC still is a good system.

But Art is right!  It is in a world of its own.  If JMRI intergration is important to you then MRC is not your answer, but if you don't have intentions of using JMRI, then MRCs system is a viable choice.  I have used it now for 5 years and have been happy with it so far.  As far as running trains goes it is pretty easy.  I have also operated on a friends layout using NCE and like that also.   

So, in short,  JMRI, yes?  then choose NCE!

If your not going to use JMRI,  then both systems will offer what you need.

Before choosing a system, I downloaded and read the manuals for the different systems and choose accordinglly due to ease of reading and understanding the operating instructions.  I think the 118 page manual versuses MRCs 20 page manual tells the story.

Choose wisely!

Size of manual is irrelevant...

The size of the manual is irrelevant.  What matters is whether you need to look at it at all in order to get things done, and if you do need to look at it how easy it is to find stuff in it and understand it.

Best way to choose is if you can actually play with each system you're thinking about.  Or maybe get a demo at a train show or something.

I will now reveal my bias by saying you can't go wrong with NCE.  I have friends with lenz and digitrax, and I've operated on an easy DCC layout a few times, if I had to start fresh I'd still go NCE.

- Ken

Size of manual.

Your are correct in that respect Ken, but having a manual that is easy to read and understand is something of value.  I for one, do not like having to look up how to do something every time I go to do that task.  If I were to start over I also would choose NCE over the MRC system.  Not because one is better than the other, but because I think the NCE system is much more flexible and expandable over the MRC system.  Art said it best,  MRC is in its own world!  

NCE Works Wonderfully

I bought one of the first NCE systems manufactured, and have never looked back.  I tried Digitrax, and have many friends who use Digitrax to this day.  And I must say that NCE is far and away more intuitive.  I can hand a throttle to someone who uses EasyDCC or Digitrax or whatever, and then they can operate within minutes, if not sooner.  But go to a Digitrax RR, and the same EasyDCC guy or Lenz guy or MRC guy will have no end of trouble.  Why must I plug and unplug to dispatch a locomotive?  Why must I dispatch a locomotive at all?  How do I acquire a consist?  How do I create a consist?  Etc.  Give me a break!  The whole idea of the operator laboring over those simple issues is ludicrous.  Let the computer (in the DCC system) do the work -- which is what NCE does.  Still, I have to give Digitrax credit -- they eventually realized that hexadecimal [the sign of a lazy programmer] was a VERY bad idea.