I did the rounds and found that the simplest system to use with about as user friendly of an interface was the NCE system.
I've heard that a lot. On the other hand, I'll endure complex/complicated IF there is a compelling reason to do so. But there had better be a payoff for the complexity. So far I've not really heard any arguments for the extra hassle involved with stuff like using hexidecimal to enter numbers.
I have called NCE many times when I was stymied with an issue, or had a problem and they have been great to deal with.
That's about the 3rd time I've heard that, and it is important.
I don't really know that much about the radio side of Digitrax, but when i was first looking i know digitrax only transmitted commands.
Said in a kindly manner, not a wiseguy... Why does it matter? What does the response tell me and how do I use that info?
I guess at this point, you need to try both and find out what is most comfortable to you.
I don't feel I could really try either one enough to narrow down my decision. They're obviously both pretty good systems. The fine points that will distinguish them most likely won't be apparent during a short test run. By the time I learn enough about the system and DCC to figure out what I missed by not buying the other system, I'll have learned it from the one I did buy.
So, that's where you folks come in...
I don't believe that any of them are cheap,
Well, cost is a factor, but not to the point I'll buy an inferior system just to save some bucks. I tend to have my model railroad stuff a long time. I still have a couple of those old MRC brass cased powerpacks, and use them. My last purchase of advanced train control electronics. Pulse power and momentum, talk about state of the art! I've also got some vintage Tyco crap err, I mean classic rolling stock.
To be fair about my vintage stuff, I do very little modeling, spending most of my railroad hobby time running real steam locos. If I spent more time on the layout, I'd have upgraded systems sooner.
So, I suspect I'll have this system a long time too. I want to get one that I'll be happy with.