Can someone recommend a DCC Set

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Mike Nowakowski

Mike Nowakowski

Member
I am looking to buy a DCC Set i am a beginner so i would like a beginner set. I don't know whats good or not but can someone with experience in this recommend one. My budget is 120$. And thats ready to run.
 
Mike Nowakowski said:
I am looking to buy a DCC Set i am a beginner so i would like a beginner set. I don't know whats good or not but can someone with experience in this recommend one. My budget is 120$. And thats ready to run.
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well if your just a begginer, join the club i am too
i use a bachman easy comman system. however if i was to do it again i would by the new dynamis system by bachman. as well as a dcc system, i have a mrc tech II railpower 1440 tru sound system which worked well, however thats just dc. a quick thing about your dcc system, make sure you buy dcc or dcc ready locomotives to save time :)
 


Mike Nowakowski said:
When you purchase a locomotive with DCC can you have any DCC locomotive and will it work with your DCC set.
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I dont quiet understand the question, if you purchase a locomotive with a dcc decoder than yes it should work with your dcc set. higher end dcc systems such as zephyr and digitrax will be the best choices, but for a begginner with a budget, something simple like bachmanns dcc system is fine.
 
Mike Nowakowski said:
I am looking to buy a DCC Set i am a beginner so i would like a beginner set. I don't know whats good or not but can someone with experience in this recommend one. My budget is 120$. And thats ready to run.
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Well I guess someone should answer with a little information, it may be a little disappointing but life can be a bit rough.

I'm afraid you'll have to save a bit more $$to have one locomotive running on DCC.
The most popular Dcc systems in my honest opinion are Digitrax; NCE; MRC and not necessarily popular in that order. These are starter sets and you would still have to purchase a decoder for the locomotive. Here are some links to Tony's train Exchange, lots of information and a good website

First a Primer about DCC a good and useful read.
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm
Three Starter DCC Systems all are upgradable, each is a little different in programming than the others but all do the same as far as running the train is concerned
MRC Prodigy Express DCC system
http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/mrc-prodigye-review.htm
$125 plus shipping at Tony's
NCE Power Cab system
http://www.tonystrains.com/download/df-powercab-rev.pdf
$149 plus shipping at Tony's
Digitrax Zephyr system
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2004/031104.htm
$159 plus shipping at Tony's
Decoders well from about $17 and on upward for more bells and whistles

Do the reading then ask questions about each type before you make your decision. There are owners of each type of set posting on these forums and I sure they will be able to answer any questions

Cheers
Willis
 
for what its worth, I have been looking into DCC systems for quite awhile and still have not purchased one. I think I am going to go with NCEs starter set. I really like that you can hold and operate it with the thumb wheel and have your other hand free for something else.
 
You want a system that can be upgraded as you get more expierence and want more out of it. I believe systems such as the Digitrax Zephyr fit this bill. You dont want to have to buy a new system once you outgrow it.
 


ChevelleSSguy said:
You want a system that can be upgraded as you get more expierence and want more out of it. I believe systems such as the Digitrax Zephyr fit this bill. You dont want to have to buy a new system once you outgrow it.
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^ Truth is what this one speaks.

I bought a MRC Prodigy Express. ehhhhhh.... It works sort of. I got a "great deal" @ $118.00 shipped. But I dont think its very well built, has some pretty cheapo looking parts and from my experience with electronics I don't think it will have a long life span. I found a few defects with its operation within 5 minutes and others I have talked to about theirs also agree. You get what you pay for.
 
For a beginner with limited knowledge, I'll still vote for the Bachmann E-Z Command. It will run both DCC and DC trains and it's about as uncomplicated as you can get. You can't do things like adjust CV values, but you can change engine addresses, control the lights, and control most sounds on sound equipped engines. You can get one for $70 or less. You will outgrow it, but you can then sell it on e-bay. That's what I did and got $50 for it, so I was out about $25. I consider it a cheap way to get the basics of DCC down. I own a Digitrax Zephyr now and it was much easier to understand having had previous experience with the Bachmann E-Z Command.
 
I don't know much about the Bachmann but gee willickers Jim that sound's like a good plan and the answer to his question, plus he'll have enough left over for a few decoders to get started right away.

Cheers
Willis
 
A;; the wiring on the EZ-Command is idiot proof plug-in wiring. The cord from the power supply plugs into only on place on the control unit. The wires going from the control unit to the track is of another type that only plugs in at one place. The other end of the track wire plugs into the track. The jumper cord that can be used to connect to an external Bachmann DC controller (so the 10 button can be used as an additional DCC address) is of still another type. There is virtually no way to get the wires mixed up, although I'm sure I could find a few low foreheads down here that could manage it without too much of a problem.
 
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Mike, I'm going through the same decision. After starting the following thread:

http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15375

I got a LOT of good answers. I also have the EZ-Command set since it came with one of the train sets I bought. It's not bad for a starter, but if I got to make a decision all over again, I'd look into the NCE PowerCab, and the DigiTrax Zephyr Starter Set. Both are slightly beyond your price range - about $160 in the online discount places. But it's money well spent since you'll be using even a starter for a long time.

And if I had to decide right now, it'd probably be the NCE - it seems the most easily expandable, although the Digitrax also makes a lot of sense.

The Bachmann units seem to have good features oe the surface, until you start looking at what some of the others have to offer.

Don't get me wrong - our track is Bachmann, at this point, so are our cars and engines and switches/turnouts, but some of the questions to ask are:

* How easy is it to get started with the programming?
* How expandable is the unit?
* Do I lose the money I put in to expand?
* What features will I use and how easy is it to use them?

Hopefully, I'll post a comparison chart in the next few weeks, since I feel like I owe a lot for all the great answers I'm getting on this forum.

Anyway, the post above answered a lot of questions for me.

Good luck and let us know what you get. I'm still trying to figure it out so everyone's decisions are weighing on me.
 
I think i will get the Bachmann E-Z command. I have been looking at track and i am going to get the Atlas Code 83 track but i herd you need DCC track or is all track compatible with DCC systems.
 


I think track is all compatible but turnouts might need to be compatible. Your coupler question is better off being posted in its own thread.
 
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