[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (norskman @ 19 Jul 2008, 16:30) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Good Day to all the above members who hav kindly contributed so well to my posting..am very much obliged to you...

I must just make it clear that i am quite isolated where i live with no support what so ever and certainly no where to try out one let alone several different sytems..
That is why it is so important to receive feedback from you guys, as well as the likes of DCC Supplies e.t.c.

Having read quite a lot now on the Zephyr..i am sort of leaning to a more up to date sytem..offering at least more functions...

so please keep the feedback coming very much obliged to you
regards Steve

***Hello Steve

For a unit at asimilar price to the Zephyr (which isa good unit) I'd strongly recommend you look at the NCE PowerCab - it has exceptionally up to date features and is excellent to use - and it also at an excellent price. One very strong feature is that it has ALL the features of the big NCE system and can be used as a controller for the big system if later you wish to upgrade

regards

Richard Johnson
DCCconcepts

 

[Richard Johnson]

***You do need to be careful about the decision method. If you shop by "look" you will almost certainly end up disappointed. My recommendations are always based both on own use and the sale of hundreds of systems to many different modellers, followed by assessment as to their satisfaction after purchase. NCE generates more smiles and far far less customer questions than other brands because its very usable and user friendly.

I recommended the NCE not for its looks but for its high function level and performance, and while you may not like the "look" its ergonomicas are among the best in the industry, as it has a display that actually communicates very clearly to the user and most importantly it is a one handed controller that has all commonly used functions placed so that no matter which hand you use it with, all operations can be comfortably carried out using the thumb. This is the reason it is now the most successful of the US brands and combined, these reasons are why clubs who started with other brands are rapidly changing to NCE from digitrax and others - ease of use / durability / ease of understanding / comprehensive features.

DCC has standards but each brand designs controllers differently: Brands also often leave off key features so they can "upsell" you later - examples are the dynamis and the roco, neither of which allow reading of CV's unless you spend a lot more than the start set costs!

Design errors often exist in relation to usability too - For example the MRC or gaugemaster attempted to copy the NCE as it was clearly the best of the handset types but accidentally made their handset a 2 handed controller by making a mistake as to where the speed control should be.

Digitrax did the same sort of error with the DT400, incorporating many good features such as dual knobs but making it with no differentiation between button shapes or sizes so it was comparatively confusing to owners. (its my experience that in clubs who use digitrax, most members have real trouble programming and understanding easy features - I know as they all bring me their loco's to fix them when they have made silly mistakes!!

Hornby added features but made functions impossible to use easily by combining button pushes with knob actions so it takes 3 steps to do a simple thing other brands do with one push, (anyone whio likes sound quickly ssells their Hornby unit!)

ESU made a lovely and very clever design but really only added the motorised knobs as a visual/emotional feature but forgot about ease of use in other areas so made menu's a little too cryptic... so users often find it a little harder to get used to than they need.

Keep researching and looking but do think about your operating need and the ability of the controller to fill that need, NOT the "look" as a key issue

Richard

 

[Richard Johnson]

***Hello Steve

Whichever you decide, its important you are happy with it.

The NCE is surprisingly comfortable in your hand, and is very easy to use even without looking at it as the buttons are each different in feel and are very well placed for comfortable use, so you can enjoy watching the trains not the control unit!

What I don't know is your budget - If you could afford it I'd probably go for the full system at about GBP250.

However the NCE is perhaps the ONLY start set that lets you upgrade in 2 steps with nothing missing in the features at step one, so you could also simply start with the PowerCab which is excellent especially for sound loco's as the functions are so easily used....

This will give you a full system with all features inc power supply for equivalent to just under GBP100.

Later, you could add the full base station from the PowerHouse Pro system (part# sys-box) which will be about GBP160 or so plus another plug in panel to mount at the layout (about GBP10 I guess)

The Powercab controller even comes with the second lead needed for the SYS-box.

That way you would have a working system for the hobby/workbench (ex the original PowerCab purchase) and then just by taking the controller to the layout and plugging it in, a full high power system for the layout.

I am a very long way away from you in Australia - I would very strongly recommend that you look to Bromsgrove models in UK for your NCE - John Russell is an excellent guy to deal with and gives very good service and backup service.

Kind regards

Richard
DCCconcepts

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (Nigel2001 @ 21 Jul 2008, 05:16) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I would have thought the basic PowerCab set for £100 would be adequate. Add a second handset if required later. But take advice from retailers such as Richard and John R

regards,

- Nigel

***Steve...
Given your last post I'd agree with Ngels last post: start with the PowerCab and upgrade later.

***Paul/Lancashire Fusilier....
Yes, but you have a very linear approach to your layout and your decision arrived after your having preplanned all layout control using D brand items and so mentally were totally committed already..... It goes back to my earlier post, making your mind up after defining needs clearly, which you had done. Your approach is very rare indeed.

***Brian...
There is no mk1 and mk 2 handset - they are all the same.
The 3 modellers I asked to evaluate it found the postioning of the knob counter intuitive and unnatural, as did I.... certainly not a convenenient 1 handed controller in comparison to the options.

Richard
DCCconcepts

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (SRman @ 21 Jul 2008, 14:00) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Richard, I think you missed the joke here: Brian referred to his mk1 hand, not handset!

Whispered aside: It sounds to me like he may have an extra elbow and wrist joint!

Oh gawd - I have to slow down - sorry

Richard

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (wiggy25 @ 24 Jul 2008, 21:49) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Steve asked me about this so I've done this little diagram.
If it's wrong then please someone copy the image and alter it and repost it!!.

Hope it helps and if I've missed anything or something isn't quite right please correct it and state why, hopefully this thread will make a great DCC starter for those new to it all!

Cheers

Ian

I appreciate the motivation and effort you've gone to with it but it is a bit wrong I am afraid.

(1) The primary droppers to the section go through the BD20 ferrite core and these are the ONLY droppers to that section - the BD20 is not added in parallel with other existing droppers in the same section.... if other droppers excist the BD20 will not see anything at all!

(2) The CP6 is a current limiting device but is NOT a full overload protection in the same sense as an EB3 or other brand short circuit protector. It only buffers shorts and limits the current to below system shut down.... but it still leaves more than normal power going through the offending device (ie the loco or wagon thats derailed). For systems other than PowerCab higher current bulbs are needed. (it should be highlighted that its ratings are powercab specific in this application).

In general the CP6 should be used to help where the odd frog is giving annoying momentary shorts or other intermittent issues, but it should in my opinion not really be used to totally replace full "power off to section" short circuit protecton.

Richard
DCCconcepts

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (wiggy25 @ 24 Jul 2008, 22:31) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Cheers Richard,

Not really having anything to do with the BD-20's or even wanting PC control, I didn't know the full ins and outs of connecting these up, I should really have read the instruction manuals on the NCE website.

Yep your right, the CP6 is really for use with low power systems.

The EB3 doesn't work with the PowerCab, the current is too low..tried it and spoke to NCE who told me to use the CP6 instead.

I'm sure like many things there will be something available that will completely shut down the section in case of a fault, but I don't have anything fitted on my layout that will do this, as I've got the Smart Booster connected I should really use something!

Cheers

Hi Ian

I must admit I wondered why you'd added the BD20 in the first place - a diagramme showing how to sectionally protect a layout was a good idea without complicating it as most would get lost with the added complexity!

Yes, EB3 isn't good with Powercab and CP6 does the job OK on a low power layout.... I am a fan of the bulbs in some areas and have fixed many modellers frustrations with a common old 1156 taillight bulb costing a dollr or so wired to their momentarily short circuiting insulfrog points etc etc....!

I just think that it needs to be clearly stated that the CP6 is a good buffer specifically for PowerCab but is NOT a universal answer to totaly layout protection.

Kind regards

Richard
DCCconcepts