I would look at the Digitrax or NCE

I would look at the Digitrax Zephyr or the NCE Power Cab. Tony's Train exchange has a comparison of these systems, that might be a good place to start. A little more then $90.. but these are both intro systems for fulll out pro systems. Both feature the option to get smaller simpler throttles that can be handed to a youngster.

Perhaps if you discuss more about what you want the DCC to do for you others with those systems can chime in.

Regards,

Chris

$90 is kinda pricey

rf:

The Bachmann is a very bare-bones system - your decoder setting programming is limited to bare necessities, and you can't read back decoder settings.

The Bachmann is a fair system if you want to just get your feet wet in DCC on the cheap, but you can do better than $90. If you check this eBay auction, you can get the Bachmann basic system for circa $70 with shipping.

As you learn more about DCC, you'll want to sell the low end Bachmann and upgrade to something more advanced.

Of course our sponsor, Tonys Trains Exchange, has lots of more advanced starter systems for you to pick from. I'm sure others on here can offer their advice as to each of the systems and what's good about them.

I like the Digitrax Zephyr

I like the Digitrax Zephyr and have used it on a friends layout. My idea is to have a coffee table layout within a few years. I'm renting my home right now and don't have the space needed for a larger layout. My plan currently has 5 remote turnouts and I'm planning on using a DC powered control panel that operates the turnouts and various lights I'm planning on having. I know that DCC can be used for remote turnout control, and lighting control but I like the idea of a control panel. I'm primarly interested in DCC for the realistic start and stops, and being able to run a switcher while the freight is being transported without blocking a section off.

+

Personnaly I started with the Zephyr also. I had done much reading and found the E-Z command had too many limits to be of use in the long run.   If very bare bones is what you require,  it is the perfect answer.

But then so is DC.

Marc

E-Z Command doesn't let you do very much

If you want to be able to do things like change CV values to do speed-matching or fine-tune the sounds on a sound-equipped loco, the E-Z command can't do that.   Check out this DCC systems comparison chart on Tony's Trains' website - the E-Z command isn't even listed.  OTOH, an additional 90 bucks will get you the NCE Power Cab - definitely a worthwhile investment.

Thanks, that chart helps out

Thanks, that chart helps out a lot. I was wanting to change the CV values so it looks like that Bachmann unit won't cut it. Christmas is coming up and I might be able to convince my wife to spurge a little and get me a controller and decoder. That of course will have to wait until the children are taken care of. Well, back to messing with radars.

The Zephyr is great for small kids

Although the Zephyr is not a walkaround throttle, it is very good throttle for small children. The handle is quite large and so is the direction - brake handle.

I have had small children down to three years who had a good time running with the Zephyr.

I have the EZ command system

I have the EZ command system and it is not that great of a system I would recomend that you go with the Nce Power cab even though it is a little bit more money at $189 its a lot better and they just upgraded it to support 29 functions for sound locomotives. Another thing is if you wanted to you can always upgrade it very easily to support wireless and radio capability. I also have one other problem if you want to have sound locomotives the EZ command system only has 9 functions for sound and the Nce system has 29 so I would defently go with the NCE system. it is also very user friendly so it makes it easy to use for the kids.

You can make the Zephyr

You can make the Zephyr throttle "walkable" by putting a jack every five to ten feet or so on your layout.  It's a very simple matter to unplug and replug the throttle and it will not interrupt the operation of the trains.  The NCE powercab, as far as I know, contains everything in the throttle, so it might be more difficult to do something like this.

Just my observations.  Digitrax can be a pain in the rearend, but if you stick to the manual and to doing your electronics in solid manual fashion [like perfect, pretty, everythign in order and in the right places] then you can usually solve most problems through internet self-help forums...most people have had the same problems before you!!!

Otherwise, when it is running it's really nice.

I saw a review of DCS in Model railroad News.  I almost laughed when teh reviewer comented on how DCS claims to have a display that is simpler and more human then the other displays.  it is indeed simpler, and dare I say, just about as cryptic as all the others!!!

Give it time and someday throttles will operate like those new iphones and other things.  Nice GUI interfaces, simply buttons, and all your favorite features - only you don't NEED a manual to know how to use it!!  I didn't need a manual to learn how to use things like the alarm clock, calendar,a nd other things on my Cell phone [Razor 3] and I fail to see why model railroad throttles shouldn't transcend across of the digital divide too.  the current throttle require reading the manual JUST to figure out how to enter the engine and how to run it.

When we get these new throttles, DCC/Whatever is under the hood will not matter one iota anymore.  If it was easy enough to understand [read: complicated programming in the background, simple user interface support in the foreground] Everybody will use the system that allows for single engine control on multiple engine track - fact of life!!

Making the Zephyr do fancy tricks

The Zephyr is really designed as a static throttle and not for walking around. I have one and I wouldn't use it as walk around. For that I have a Digitrax DT400R which owrks very nicely with the Zephyr thru the required RJ91 interface.  I like the combination as I can run 4 trains this way though I don't anticipate having to do it for awhile.

At some point I'll to upgrade from the Zephyr but I won't scrap my Zephyr because it will make a nice throttle for the car float/apron and yard area on my layout. That's why I like Digitrax. Everything is upward compatible.

Irv

UR91 is what makes a Digitrax system radio-enabled

Irv - did you really mean to say UR91 ? 

I daisy-chained one of these guys right in with my UP5 panels and I haven't used any tethered throttles ever since.  I'm sure the same thing can be done with a Zephyr.  And if you don't quite have the cash for a DT400R, you can get a UT4R wireless throttle for train control only (i.e. no CV programming).