I have had a DCC system for some time, made by MRC, and I do like it, however it has recently started to wear out. The programming track has died, and while most decoders allow for programming on the main, I still need a programming track for those that do not have that feature! I have a wireless system, which I really like, and that is a feature I would like to keep. I have thought about getting another MRC system, but I am also thinking about changing to a new system altogether, and I am looking for suggestions. I have used Digitrax, and honestly I was not impressed, so you'll have to work harder to convince me if you think that is the road I should go. What systems do other people here use? What do you like/hate about them? Are they fairly easy to set up and use? Also, are they easy to expand? Right now I have a small room for an L shaped switching layout, but eventually, when I have a basement to develop, the railroad will either be growing drastically or will be replaced with a bigger one, so ideally the DCC system will be fairly simple to expand for use on a larger model railroad. Wireless is preferred, but not required. I do like not having to be tied to the layout, and having the freedom to move around during operations, without having to unplug and plug in the throttle. I have been looking at NCE's website. I have not heard much about their systems, except that they are supposed to be pretty good. If anyone uses one, please tell me what you think of it. It has been a while since I bought a DCC system, but it seems that NCE systems are a little bigger investment, but I am willing to pay a little extra for a good system. If they are good, what makes them good? Just let me know what your thoughts are on various systems that you use/have used. I'll be replacing my system over the summer, so I still have some time to think about it, but I'd like to know where to look.
No offense, but if you have no other concrete opinion of Digitrax other than you are 'not impressed', it is hardly worth our while to attempt to second guess you or to dissuade you from your impression. I am a satisfied Super Empire Builder user who happens to have two DT400 throttles as a lone operator. It keeps four locomotives handy at my fingertips with just a tap on the appropriate encoder knob. My system works flawlessly, and has for six years. About the only nice-to-have would be the radio route, and I can't really justify the expense. I'd rather get a new steamer. About all else you should do, apart from entertain replies here and elsewhere, is to figure out if your amperage needs will be met with a given offering. They change over time, as has your own requirement. Whatever you choose, I hope you continue to enjoy all that DCC affords its users, and that you have a blast with the wireless capability.
Hello! If you like the MRC system but it's starting to wear out, have you contacted MRC about a repair? In my experience they have been very responsive for both my DC controllers and DCC system. Perhaps it only needs a firmware upgrade or minor repair.
I have never seen a DCC system to "wear out". I suspect your system has a problem that needs to be fixed. Anyway, I have had the NCE Power Cab for a few years. It has the program track option and does it quite well. It can be linked to a PC also. Look carefully at the NCE site. Many never see the links to the manuals for the various options. Our club has used the NCE Power Pro for a few years. Do a simple Google search for NCE Power Cab if you want more info. There is also a very good NCE Group in the Yahoo Group section. Many DCC Yahoo Groups also. Many seem to be trapped in one or maybe two train forums and miss out on a lot of info. Rich
If you like the MRC system I will echo what others have said and suggest that you contact MRC about service. I have no direct experience with the MRC system, but I have picked up used Digitrax throttles and had them fixed by Digitrax and I was amazed out how painless and relatively inexpensive the process was. If you really want to get away from MRC, keep in mind that Lenz, NCE, and Digitrax all do pretty much the same thing. Some folks have this erroneous notion that for Digitrax you need to know hexadecimal and that's just not true. I'd avoid getting too many online opinions from folks hundreds or thousands of miles away and see if there is a system that most of the local users in your area use. That's probably your best bet, whatever it is, as you have a lot of local knowledge and expertise you can draw from when you need help. Adam
It is actually a pretty subjective choice...........but I will tell you my experience. I am not a person that likes electronic gadgetry, so it was hard to convince me to go w/ DCC in the first place. I bought the "Digitrax" radio "Super Chief", because it was new/old stock and I got it for a great price. It turned out to be WAY more than I needed, and I thought, needlessly complicated. I then went to the "Digitrax" Zephyr. It probably would have been a good starter system, but I got hold of two "lemons" right in a row. Luckily, "woo woo woo" was very nice about warranty replacement. After getting one that worked as it was supposed to, I sold it because I just didn't feel good about it anymore. At this point, I was about to give up DCC altogether. I decided to give the "NCE" Power Cab a try (that was actually what I really wanted to start with, but let myself be dissuaded.) I am REALLY happy with it!! I ran a loco right out of the box, without even looking at the manual. Programming is simple, and the system is pretty intuitive. I fumbled through my first decoder "program" without a lot of trouble. Unlike Digitrax, you don't have to be an electrical engineer to understand the manual.
NCE power cab for ease of use in a handheld. This system has performed without fault for me. Digitrax Zephyr for ease of use in a stationary control panel. This system has performed without fault for me. Both systems are easily expandable, simply add money!
I am in the process of looking at different systems for my soon to be layout, as I am not a computer or electronics wizard I have just seen a new type system called Railpro which is a radio controlled system rather than thru the tracks, seems about the same price and looks alot easier to use, anybody else looking at it? it was advertised in Model Railroad Hobbyist, if you google railpro is come up.
ERIE970, I saw that same ad and watched their videos. It makes sense to me, but as an N-scaler I don't see many practical applications as the control units all appear to be sized for HO locomotives. Still, however, it does look cool.
Not according to the prices I've seen. $100 per locomotive module while you can get DCC decoders for less than $15. Sure, the RailPro module has sound, but most people don't want sound in every loco and there is no lower priced non-sound module. Handheld controllers are $400. You can get wireless full function DCC handheld controllers for $200, and wireless reduced function "engineer's" throttles for $110. Looks like a huge difference in price to me. Another way to look at it - the absolute minimum RailPro system would be $770(module + handheld + power supply). You can get started in DCC for under $200 and expand to wireless when the budget permits.
You definitely don't want to be the first in your neighbourhood with a new system, like Railpro. No matter what you get you are going to run into problems, guarantee you. You will be looking around for help; it is nice to have some one come to your home and look at what's up and give advise or even help with work solving the problem. If you have the only system in your area that is new and unique, you will be hard pressed to get help. Yes you can get help over the internet but sometimes nothing beats a knowledgeable person looking at your challenges and working with you. All the main systems are good. Digitrax got a bad reputation early on in the game when they came out with a throttle that was a geek's paradise, there is a reason their are simpler throttles, and throttles with buttons instead of scrolling through a window, from Digitrax now but the old reputation motors on.
Oh, yes. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me that "some guy" said that you need to know and use hexadecimal to use Digitrax. Ummm, no. NCE, Digitrax, Lenz... all are good systems.
Thanks for all the advice! I have looked at a few of the systems mentioned. The Railpro thing was interesting, and different, but as a few of you mentioned, I am trying to stay away from interesting and different, because it's harder to find people who can help troubleshoot it! I have to admit, I never even though about calling MRC to have my system serviced. I bought it several years ago, and it started acting funny a few months ago, although I did not think much about it at first. It started with the system going to "overload" whenever I tried to turn off one of the throttles. It allows main track programming, so I do not use the programming track, but a few weeks ago I bought some decoders from SoundTraxx and I could not get them to program on the main track, so I moved them to the programming track, only to find that there was no power. I tested all the connections and found that the system itself is no longer putting out power to the programming track. The locomotives with those decoders work just fine, but they work off of address 3 and I have not made any adjustments or customizations to the sounds yet. I suppose my first course of action will be to call MRC and find out what their policy and the cost would be on sending it back for a tune up, essentially. If it cannot be fixed, I will probably have more questions for everyone here! Curiosity has got me though. I have heard the name Lenz before, but that is about all I have heard of them. Can anyone tell me more about them? I really do not know anything at all about them or their products, and a few of you mentioned them, and now I am curious.
Your programming track won't be constantly getting power. It is only powered, and even then only in very short, small blasts, when you are programming a locomotive. I you have a non-sound decoder DCC locomotive, try programming that using a dedicated programming track not tied or connected to your DCC powered tracks. If tht works, then your programming is fine, and you may just need to use a track booster for the sound locomotives. This is necessary for a lot of systems.
Soundtraxx decoders can be programmed on the main. One thing you can not do, however, is change the currently active address. For example, you cannot change from the default short address of '3' directly to another short address, so if you were trying to give the engines a different short address it would not have worked. You can change the address that is NOT currently active. To change the short address, you would have to program a long address and activate it. Then using the long address you can program a new short address and then activate it.
