New NCE Entry Level DCC System

Although not directly a Frisco item, any DCC item may or may not be considered important to some. Since this is a new system, I thought it might qualify.
Having said that NCE introduced a new entry level system called the DCC Twin at the National Train Show. To me, the interesting part of this product is that it is intended for small entry-level layouts and trainsets. By reading the below referenced report it reminds me of the MRC Dual Loco Pack that was available when I was a teenager. No price has yet been set, but one could assume that the intention is to try and make sure that everyone in the future that starts out in this hobby can have DCC.

https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/nce-info/nce-dcc-systems

Also please reference a post under the DCC sub-forum concerning Mark Guirres who wrote this review.

 

I've been doing research on a DCC system, and this is what I have found in the field:

NCE is for standard DCC controlled railroads, fair MU of locomotives, and functions. Recently learned that NCE will allow computer controlled trains*
Digitrax is the Cadillac that will take you to computer controlled layouts, MU consist perfection and all sorts of other functions for lights, etc.

The volume of trains, locomotives, animations, extra features will determine which system will work best for you.

So far, no offense to the above thread, I'm leaning Digitrax, just because of expansion capabilities. This stuff is too expensive to get into without doing your homework!

Just my .03 cents at the current rate of inflation.

 

Looks like the same idea as the bachmann EZ command. Hopefully they are smart and at least give it the capability to do some programing, like lights and more importantly factory reset because decoders do mess up. I like their idea behind it, but if they want it to work good as a stand alone unit it needs some work.

If your looking at getting into DCC I would recommend spending a little extra and getting the power cab, you would be better off in the long run. The Zephyr is also an option, but my 2c: the power cab is slightly better for the entry level system.

Ethan

 

By what I have heard from friends and others on the Internet, Bob is correct about both systems. I say this because I chose neither one but went with CVP's Easy DCC System. Market share wise, it ranks third or fourth behind the above two and there are several reasons for that, the main one being it is available only direct from CVP and not sold through dealer networks. Therefore dealers don't recommend it or probably even mention it to their customers.
By cutting out the middle man it allows them to sell a robust full featured system for less than $100 more than the above mentioned entry level systems. This system also has two independent throttles.
When choosing a system I still feel the most important consideration is support from local users in one's area. Different systems have different levels of customer usage in different parts of the country. The dealer here in Wichita carried both NCE and Digitrax, but did everything he could to sway customers toward NCE, so therefore it is the prominent system here. I know of another large city where Digitrax and EasyDCC are the prominent choices and NCE is almost non-existent.
In the end I chose EasyDCC over NCE because I felt it more suitable for my limitations with my numb hands due to larger knobs and and hand held throttles. With the recent introduction of the new T5000E wireless throttle which I feel may be the most advanced in the industry, I am very happy with my choice.

 

The above statement that NCE systems do not allow computer control of your layout is simply not true. Matter of fact you can do it two different ways. NCE makes a replacement circuit that plugs in the NCE system in place of the trottle which connects to your computer for complete control, or my power pro 5 amp system has a serial port connector right on the front panel which I use with my computer to run Decoder Pro for programming decoders, and it also can be used to control the layout.

 

Thank you for the correction and clarification Richard. I was passing along what was given to me by several different suppliers. I certainly do not want to pass along false information, so I've gone back and edited my original post. Sorry for any confusion that I may have caused.

Manny

 

I would causion you to buy a system that conforms to the NMRA DCC Standards, and both Easy DCC and MRC systems do not! For example, all Digitrax and NCE systems do, and both have the best support for their equipment.

 

From the EasyDCC Home Page:

"EASYDCC is a full featured command control system based on the popular NMRA standard called Digital Command Control (DCC)."

Also pictured is the NMRA DCC Logo.

http://www.cvpusa.com/easydcc_system.php

The statement Richard makes about "best support" is totally subjective in my opinion. I have gotten great support for my EasyDCC syatem and that's all that matters to me in that regard. If remarks like this are going to be made to try and influence others to buy one system over another or in general one product over another then they should be backed up specific examples. I for one would like to have specific examples of why my system doesn't conform, if indeed that's actually the case, so the next time something doesn't perform right I have something to blame it on!

Just my opinion.

 

Just a quick update to the price issue. It looks like the street price new system will be $159.95.

 

$160? I think just spend the extra $40 and get the power cab. If you want to keep DCC for the long haul then the extra $40 is worth it to get a system that will let you do all the programing you need to do.

Ethan

 

Bob, to answer your question, does your easy DCC system have function 8, number button 8, does it turn sound decoders on and off? it was my understanding that it does not, and that is why I said it was not conpatible with the NMRA standards. Please correct me if I am wrong. I know for a fact the MRC system does not. I know there are systems out there that do not comform. It makes a difference how the system interacts with a DCC compliant decoder. I would never buy MTH engines becuase they do not comply with NMRA DCC standards, and I would hope no one else will until he complies.

 

Keith already answered the question, but I might add that I use F8 extensively to mute other locomotives on the layout when for instance I am programming or testing a particular one. It proves to be very useful.

Richard, thanks for asking for clarification.

 

Keith, I know that, that was not my question, does function 8 turn the sound off/on in sound decoders. The fact that the Easy DCC system is compliant with NMRA standards, only means that the track voltage, and packets sent out by the system comply to NMRA DCC standards, and that it provides programming of the standard CVs. The manual does not say, and I only know one person that owns a Easy DCC system; I have never operated it and he has no sound decoders. So my question remains. The 12 function bottoms are also standardized, and I know for a fact the MRC system went it's own way and thus does not comply fully.

 

Richard, the answer is yes and please refer to my post right before (above) yours.

 

I'm not running sound in my itty bitty engines, as some of the group can attest, but my EasyDCC system came from a layout that had lots of sound and worked well. The previous owner went to Digitrax because he was running so many engines at once that were "architecture" issues with the then current version of CVP software. He also wanted to use more than eight wireless throttles, which was has been a problem for all the systems at some point in their development.
Support, both manufacturer and local, should be a key factor in anyone's decision. Experience should be obtained on an operating layout to verify impressions, unless you are good about admitting mistakes before investing in the next six wireless throttles and installing an incompatible control wiring network. (Loconet or whatever.)