I'm finally switching over, so I guess that means that it's time for me to make the choice, NCE or Digitrax. I was wondering if you guys can help me figure out which would help suit my needs better. It's a small layout, where I may have 2 or 3 locos moving at once, but I may also have several others stopped in the yards or sidings. Due to the size and location of the benchwork, I do not think I would need to go wireless unless the cab has a significantly short cable. Eventually, if it's not just wishful thinking, I would like to implement computer-control/automation, signals, and dcc control of turnout switches. Based on this website, I see both offer full sound support, so I guess I'm good there. Also, I was wondering do decoders work with almost any DCC system, or if I buy a loco pre-equipped with a decoder, is there a huge chance that I'll have to swap it out for a compatible one? Thanks
Any brand locomotive decoder will work on any other brand system. I use a Lenz system and have locomotives with Digitrax, Lenz, Soundtrax, ESU , etc decoders.
There are quite a few DCC system makers, not just NCE or Digitrax. Roco, Lenz, EasyDCC, MRC, Zimo,...the list goes on. And they all have mulitple models. They are all so good and utile that is really is/should never be a matter of going NCE or Digitrax, but should be about which system, which model, offers to service the needs you have previously decided you must satisfy to enjoy your railroad. As the previous gentleman has said, DCC decoders all respond to any DCC system across the hobby. The only variation between them is the number of CV's and what they control, but also what the range of variable inputs they can accept. For example, some decoders control sounds with settings between 1-15 as a range, while others require you to input a value between 1 and 255. If I recall, the master sound volume on LokSound decoders is between 1 and 60. But no matter what, once you set them yourself to suit your tastes, every single DCC system will activate those sounds as required.
DCC preference.................... There are as many opinions about the "best" DCC system as there are people who use them...........I'll give you my experience and you can suit yourself. I've owned (and tried to operate) "Digitrax" and "NCE - PowerCab". BOTH are excellent starter systems, and both can be expanded. I found "Digitrax" to be very frustrating! & the manual is written "by geeks for geeks", IMHO. The "PowerCab" system is easy to operate out of the box, and the manual is written in plain English, for those of use that don't have advanced degrees in electronics (lol). I think the "PowerCab" would be an excellent choice for the layout you mention. As far as decoders go, I prefer "TCS", as they have a one year "goof proof" guarantee (they will replace your decoder if it goes bad, even if the fault is yours). I have no experience with sound decoders, so I'll leave that to another.
