I made the rounds at some local train shows. The clubs that had displays set up had a variety of systems. Every display I went to had the most friendly people you would ever hope to meet and they were not shy about talking your ear off. They all talked in depth about their systems; warts and all. Seeing all the different systems in action was a learning experience that I just couldn't get from reading. At the end of the day, I went with MRC because it fit my needs the best.
The local club uses Digitrax but all the people I know use NCE. Go figure. I had a guy at the local club tell me that you should choose Digitrax if you want to control a large layout and that NCE is more user friendly on small home layouts. Myself, I am about to make the jump from DC to DCC and have decided NCE is the way to go for me. I have used both and the NCE was more user friendly.
I have a medium size layout 24' x 12' x 48' L shape and run 30+ car trains, I also have a large coal mine branch line that requires a lot of switching. I selected Digitrax mostly because of the dual hand held throttles. I can have several trains running on my single track main line with passing sidings. Using just two hand held throttles I can control 4 trains without recalling. I can also just use one dual throttle and control the main locos and bring in helpers and have control over both without going back and forth without recall. I also really like the UT4 throttle for switching, it's really easy to use with one hand, and the large knob gives very fine control. I like the more adult user interface of Digitrax instead of the more simpler one, once you learn it it's much easier and faster to use. But again try and use all the systems before making a purchase, I changed my mine several times before going Digitrax and sure glad I did!
I too chose a MRC wireless for several reasons. The primary one was in recognition that I am electronically challenged. That made the choice an easy one. Digitrax had a 100+ page user manual MRC had a 24 page manual. Right now the club is in the process of choosing a DCC system and it is looking like they will go with NCE as two members already have NCE. Surprisingly no one wanted to go with Digitrax.
NCE Power Cab (two of them thanks to a lucky find on eBay) here, for several reasons: 1) Most of the group I hang out with, in multiple scales, use it, so it's easy to get help, which I frequently need 2) I much prefer the feel of the throttle in my hand. I can hold it behind my back and use it easily. 3) They are right up the road from me and provide very good service. I can't just walk in (that's not fair to them anyway) but I can get a quick turnaround on advice and counsel. I wish they had more of a range of drop-in decoders available, but I don't think any one manufacturer covers the entire range of these anyway.
Jack, I think the closest club to Marble Falls, Texas is AustiN-Trak. I believe they use Digitrax but you would have to ask them. I went with a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra and a UT4D throttle. I am in the process of building a home layout using T-Trak modules and will be running multiple trains. While the NCE system is nice, it is rated at 1.5 amps while the Digitrax Zephyr is rated and 3.5 amps. I am a member of North Texas T-Trak and the club uses an 8 amp Super Chief Xtra with radio throttles at show setups hence the UT4D. I use it as a radio throttle at club setups and use it as a tethered throttle at home. Also the UT4D is a nice simple switching throttle which is great with an operations oriented layout. And as an added bonus, Digitrax will be very easy to set up for computer control using a PR3 Xtra and JMRI software.
It may have been covered, but there is another considration You are building a small layout. I dont think you can go wrong with your choice of starter set. Have you looked at jmri? With 1 more affordable component, a laptop, some free software and an old, or current smartphone all programming and control is simplified and improving faster than the hardware folks can keep up. My NCE choice came before I found JMRI down to being able to sit near my 5x10 layout, with the controller in hand. If I were buying today, Id go Digitrax for the dc loco and larger starter set transformer and rely on jmri for programming decodets and armchair control.
Also glancing through the responses, any base system will control any decoder, so you can choose decoders on price, warranty, features, on a loco by loco case.
Many thanks to all of you that responded to my request for help and advice. It has been so helpful and informative in helping me arrive at some decisions in choices of DCC systems. After tons of reading, research, videos, your inputs, etc., I've decided that the system that best meets my needs because of simplicity, expandability, learning curve and aesthetics, is the Digitrax Zephyr Extra. I'm anxious to receive it next week. I hope I'm not disappointed with it. It's not that much of an investment, so if I'm not happy it won't cost an arm and leg to switch to the NCE Power Cab. My next step now is to get my 4 x 5 layout built by a builder and start purchasing scenery and buildings, etc. Thanks again for all your help. I'll stay tuned in to this forum for additional ideas and support. It's great to know I have a place to turn to for help. Jack (patriothonor)
I can confirm that AustNtrak uses Digitrax. While you are waiting for your layout go get a T-TRAK module from Terry Nathan (www.t-kits.com) and build a T-TRAK module. You'll have it built and sceniced before your layout arrives. It will be great practice and then you can go hangout with the T-TRAK guys in AustNtrak and use them as a semi-local knowledge base.
If you are after simplicity go with an MRC system??? As for which system is best, in my opinion all 3 are great!
I originally started with a 3x6 layout so I went with a Prodigy Express. Inexpensive and I believe is the simplest to learn out of them all next to the NCE. Problem with the Express, there is no expansion until you go with the costlier Advanced system. Now, I expanded my layout to include a L-section, I want to be able to control my turnouts using DCC. Now, I'm looking at either the NCE or DT.