Hi, Looking at getting a DCC system who makes the best equipment? And how do I add sound to the Bachmann DDA40X comes with control decoder but no sound? Thanks
Well the best DCC System has be argued for many years now and will continue to be as things advance. But with that said the easiest to me has be NCE Powercab; simple to set up and use quite expandable at a reasonable price. I've also owned the Lenz 90 which I found not so easy to use. The other question you have about the loco sound add I can't add anything to since I haven't attempted that, but I'm sure there will be somoen here that has that will add to that. And now let the debate over the best DCC system continue :wink:
If you are not familiar with the concepts in the greater topic of DCC, probably all systems will require some discomfort, anxiety, and steep learning in the first hour or two. And that's presuming one's wiring doesn't need/couldn't use some modification. I returned an EZ-Command from Bachmann within an hour because I had not done my homework. My bad. My next purchase was the Digitrax Super Empire Builder. Now into my seventh year, I see no reason to wonder if I could have made a better choice. In fact, I purchased a second DT400 throttle within a year because it really was a case of if one is good, two would be even gooder. I had to get into the manual, sure...probably the only electronic device every conceived where a new owner had to actually read a manual....right? Now, I only consult the manual when I realize I can't remember how to do an Ops Switch function to reset the base controller and get rid of the information for the stacking of addresses.
You'll find a truckload of threads on what DCC system here. If you can, I'd recommend finding a quality shop with a few different kinds and then trying them out. Also, see what the majority of modelers in your area use and try to stick to that or those brands if you can as that locally available knowledge-base will save you a lot of potential headache. I have used both Digitrax and NCE. I prefer Digitrax as I feel it does more, is less clunky to use, and more expandable, but I am sure you could find an NCE user here who would cite their preference for NCE for almost the same reasons. If there is a possibility that you'll go bigger or get more operators get something that isn't a total dead-end, with an upgrade path. Digitrax, NCE, and Lenz fit this bill. There may be others.
I when with the NCE system 5 amp with pro cab, as for the sound in the centennial Soundtrax has a decoder with sound that fits where the current decoder is.
DCC Please decode the above sentence. By your first question, I assume new to DCC. Bachmann sells the N scale and HO scale. Expect a challenge if you have not done any DCC installs. There is no best, only what you like best. You should really do a Google search for "dcc controller comparison". Rich
If I might add, I am currently in the process of choosing which DCC solution I am going to purchase myself. I have watched a bunch of videos on youTube of users with the DigiTrax Super Chief controller and also those with the NCE Power Cab. My personal observation at this point is that I like the NCE Power Cab for its seemingly user friendliness and ease of use. I do however like the DigiTrax Super Chief for the expandability and the fact that it supports more functions than the NCE Power Cab. I read in an article somewhere that some of the more advanced locomotives have upwards of 19 or more functions and the DigiTrax is the only one I have found that will handle at least that many functions. I think the NCE only supports 14. Also I like that DigiTrax makes the expansion modules for other track features such as switches and the like. One thing I try to keep in mind when purchasing anything, is the old adage that you get what you pay for. I look at quality of construction and between NCE and DigiTrax I would have to go with DigiTrax. The article I mentioned earlier is called Tony's DCC Primer found at Tony's Train Exchange. I tried posting the link to it but am not able to due to this boards registration restriction. The article is available for download which is very nice because it can be used for future reference. These are just some observations that I hope will help you in choosing as well. Peter
My first DCC system was a Digitrax Challenger set I bought in the summer of 1993. My second system was a Lenz System 01 (predecessor of the Lenz Set 100) which I bought in 1994 or '95. I still have both, although the Digitrax is only used now to be an additional booster for my HO module club's Super Chief, while I use my Lenz System for my On30 and N T-Trak modules. I really like the Lenz system the best, although I agree that the LH90 throttles are not as easy to use as they should be. However, the LH100 throttle is much easier to use, but it has only pushbutton controls. Over the years, I have had my Lenz equipment upgraded whenever possible, and I am now using the current operating system (v3.6). I think that Lenz is the best for upgrade ability, but I don't think that advantage can continue. I have also used NCE systems on a friend's layout, but I don't like their hammerhead controllers very much. With my Digitrax system, I use the UT1 throttle (now discontinued by Digitrax), and I really like it's simple to use controls and also the fact that it doesn't require any battery. What I don't like about Digitrax is the complex button sequencing needed to do most anything. I also don't care for the "full-house" controllers for Digitrax, MRC, and NCE because they look like TV/VCR remotes, and seem to be far more complex than necessary. I prefer a simple controller with a large knob for the throttle, like my Digitrax UT1, too bad it's no longer made. I have no experience with CVP's Easy DCC, and from what I've read, it looks good, but because their distribution is so poor due to not selling through dealers, I can't see them becoming much of a force to be reckoned with in the DCC marketplace, no matter how good their products may be. Bill in FtL
I think part of the answer is based on what sort of railroad you have (or intend to have) and how you operate it. My railroad is on the larger size (33x14 when done) - around the walls with a peninsula in the center. Most of the turnouts are manually controlled as you follow the train. I originally wired it with cab control which was fine until construction got past the end of the peninsula. The first time I disconnected the throttle and sprinted around the peninsula to plug back in I said "Time for DCC, and it will be wireless!". Some day I hope to host op sessions and wired throttles might get tangled too. I selected the MRC wireless system because it provides all functions using the wireless throttle at a reasonable cost - I think called "Full Duplex" communication. Some other wireless offerings I considered at the time required you to plug the throttle in to select and operate another locomotive. which then means in my case running network wiring around the layout and installing plug-in ports for the throttles or else running back to the main station to change addresses, then run back and move a second locomotive out of the way. So, my advice is think about how you will run the railroad, determine the features you want and/or will need in the future, then look at systems that provide those features. George V.
Having used both the UT-1 and UT-4 I think the UT-4 does what you would like it to do and it is a current offering.
I did my research by reading reading all the forums, looked at the various websites on DCC, considered the pros and cons of all the systems, and opted for NCE ProCab. Extremely happy with my choice.
I would have possibly followed a different course if I was converting to DCC today. But I made the conversion in 2004. At that time, only Digitrax made the decoders for almost all of the Kato locomotives and Atlas locomotives. That led me to the Digitrax Super Chief reationalizing that the best idea would be to match the system to the decoders to keep things simple. It has been a pretty good system, very scale-able and extensible. But I have reached a point where I have gone beyond its limitations. I have no doubts that the similar NCE or Lenz systems would also be very good. To get past the limitations I am seeing, I need to change the decoders and the system to use full the implementation of RailCom. So I am looking at the Zimo or ESU systems to replace the Super Chief. The main reason is that the Digitrax processing is just too slow and asynchronous. Full command and control requires the ability to provide commands and also get the feedback from the commands. This can only be done with bi-directional DCC. Neigher Digitrax or NCE handle RailCom and bi-directional DCC. Only ESU, Lenz and Zimo do. So this is a lesson to be seen as to how DCC needs can also change over time. As you put more and more functionality into DCC, systems needs and capabilities can also change. So if you want the advanced functionality of RailCom, you would need to look at these other systems to start with. You also would need to make sure the decoders were also RailCom capable. At this time only ESU, Lenz, TCS and Zimo decoders are RailCom capable. So part of my conversion is to slowly pull out all the Digitrax decoders and replace them with RailCom capable decoders. This is a post from the lessons learned club.
I believe only the radio versions of the UT4 require a battery. The UT4 replaced the UT1, and can handle 4 digit addresses unlike the UT1 with only 2 digit.
Any Digitrax throttle will work without a battery when plugged in. I use my DT400R and DT402D without batteries to test loconet voltage before a show. They will draw power from Railsync or an auxiliary power supply if the layout is so equipped. Be advised throttles without batteries will also pull loconet voltages down to a point that strange things may happen. One or two throttles will normally not cause problems. More and they can shut the layout down. This is why we enforce our good battery rule on NTRAK set ups. We also ban UT1's on large NTRAK layouts because they do not have provisions for using a battery. Martin Myers
Good choice on a full featured unit. This will allow you to run a fairly large layout with multiple operators. The Procab is not a beginners unit, but is not any more complex to get up and running than the Powercab. Some challenges you will have is programming, and this would be true of all the systems. You may need a programming booster to make changes on your decoders. The Powercab, if you were to have bought it, has the knack of programming just about anything out there. By the way the Powercab and Procab can control 28 functions by utilizing the shift key thus doubling what can be seen on the throttle labels. One of the best features you will have is the menu driven guides to help you simplify tasks so you can get up and running quickly. I subscribe to the KISS method as I am the one who needs my hand held to utilize all the functionality of DCC. The Procab also has the built in interface so you can couple to a PC and learn how to program from there which makes the entire experience much more rewarding. I do share the feelings about the large dog bone throttle, but their utility throttles can be used for running trains while saving the big throttle for major tasks like consisting. That said you really could not have gone wrong with any of the major brands. Happy railroading.
You bring up a point with the Digitrax throttles that I was not aware of. I will have to bring this up with our freemo club. Another nice feature of the newer Digitrax throttles is that they are all inferred equipped, so a battery and a IR panel is all that is needed to go teatherless for basic operations. Of course this is line of site, but still nice.
There are many good DCC systems out there. I chose to start with a top of the line starter set three years ago, and what influenced me as to what brand I would buy were two things (1) being able to easily plug in auxiliary non-mobile decoders and electronics for train detection, signalling, turnout controls, etc., etc., AND (2) compatibility with my friends' DCC systems. The easy winner for me was the Digitrax Empire Builder Radio Starter Set because of Loconet and because the majority of modelers I respect and whose DCC layouts I would be running on use Digitrax too. I just take my own throttle when visiting. Of course, some modelers I respect also run Lenz and NEC systems too. One runs Rail Lynx (debatable if it's actually DCC) and all are very happy with their choices. I am too. Digitrax was an excellent choice for me. Cheers! Bob Gilmore
