DCC controller for a basic 6x4

[Trainnoob]

I am planning on returning into the hobby and starting with a Hornby trakmat layout and I also want to return to DCC. I known it's not possible to say which controller is best but what controllers should i look at for a trakmat layout, I'm personally happy with Computer control but preference wise I want a physical interface to control the trains from, I don't need fancy bells and whistles I just want a DCC system that control trains with Sound and also a few accessories. I looked at the Hornby elite but I'm not sure because I have had bad experiences with the Hornby Elink in the passed and Im worried I would struggle with the elite too.

 

Edit: forgot to mention I used to have a DCC++ system but as mentioned above I'm looking for something with a physical interface.

Edited March 28 by Trainnoob

[kev]

My own preference is the gauge master system but lots out there 

[rogerdee]

If you want sound and accessories then you will be better off with a more expensive controller, it depends if you want touch screen or physical buttons and knobs.

 I use a nce powercab and oldie but good for what I want others talk about is the z21 you will get lots of different options if you can go to a shop that has a selection you can try to see what fits you best.

 

[Trainnoob]

1 hour ago, rogerdee said:

If you want sound and accessories then you will be better off with a more expensive controller, it depends if you want touch screen or physical buttons and knobs.

 I use a nce powercab and oldie but good for what I want others talk about is the z21 you will get lots of different options if you can go to a shop that has a selection you can try to see what fits you best.

 

I don't want to pay alot money for an expensive controller that does the same stuff my old cheap DCC++ could do. However I really want something with a physical interface because it feels pointless staring at a screen to control trains so I might as well play train simulator in my personal opinion. So I'm thinking of something that's mid range like the NCE you suggested or the GaugeMaster.

Edited March 28 by Trainnoob

[Pete the Elaner]

I know less about the others but the advantages of the NCE are:

 

It is popular. Many of us can answer questions about it, both online & at local clubs. I feel this is a very underrated point to consider.

It is modular. With a Powercab, you only pay for the basic kit & if you want something extra (programming track, USB connection for your computer, upgrade to 5A), you only pay for the component you want. If you were to upgrade it to have the same features as a Powerpro, you will not be paying much, if anything more than buying the full Powerpro to start with.

It is well featured: You can access 4 digit addressing, 28 loco functions, you can feed it commands from a computer or mimic panel.

Like most things, you adapt to it; using the benefits & finding the ways around the limitations without actually realising they are limitations.

[Steven B]

The Digitrax Zephyr is a nice unit and easy to expand into the rest of the Digitrax universe should the need arise.

 

I'd suggest visiting a DCC specialist and trying out the likes of the PowerCab or Zephyr. All the on-line suggestions in the world aren't worth as much as spending time using the actual systems.

 

If you're happy with a touch screen then DCC+ (or the newer DCC-EX) or a SPROG (with PC) can be controlled via a smart phone.

 

Steven B 

[Nigelcliffe]

22 minutes ago, Trainnoob said:

I don't want to pay alot money for an expensive controller that does the same stuff my old cheap DCC++ could do. However I really want something with a physical interface because it feels pointless staring at a screen to control trains so I might as well play train simulator in my personal opinion. So I'm thinking of something that's mid range like the NCE you suggested or the GaugeMaster.

 

Cheap and DCC++ and physical knobs: 

1 - design/build own device to connect to DCC++.    There are a few ideas out there which would be a starter. 

2 -  USB "OTG" cable, and a physical volume USB encoder device.  That plugs into an Android Phone/Tablet.   With the EngineDriver App (probably the one already used for DCC++), the Volume and buttons give you speed/direction, loco selection is still on phone touch screen.   Cost about £20-30 in bits and pieces, assuming you have the phone/tablet. 

 

Cheap and physical knobs: 
MERG DCC system,  but its DIY build. 

Cheap and physical knobs: 

Pick something up second hand.  

 

 

 

[jamesed]

I'd recommend 

a Roco z21 Start system

that comes with a wired Multimaus (which has a knob!) but is fully upgradeable at a later date if you want to take advantage of wifi and mobile app options.  At £234 for the set it's a bit of a bargain. They appear to be out of stock in most places at the moment but no doubt will be available again soon. 

[Ron Ron Ron]

2 hours ago, Trainnoob said:

.....I'm personally happy with Computer control but preference wise I want a physical interface to control the trains from, ......

 

2 hours ago, Trainnoob said:

.......I don't need fancy bells and whistles I just want a DCC system that control trains with Sound and also a few accessories.....

.....as mentioned above I'm looking for something with a physical interface.

 

1 hour ago, Trainnoob said:

I don't want to pay alot money for an expensive controller that does the same stuff my old cheap DCC++ could do. However I really want something with a physical interface because it feels pointless staring at a screen to control trains.......

 

If you can get past the "physical interface" bit and are definitely looking for sound, then the most inexpensive DCC system is no system.

i.e. not a physical hardware based system, but a virtual one...as in something along the lines of Hornby's Bluetooth based HM7000 / HM DCC system.

(North American modellers can look towards the similar BlueRail Trains based, Soundtraxx Blunami system)

If already in possession of a smartphone and/or a tablet (e.g. iPad), then all you need to get started is a suitable power supply.

The virtual DCC system is "free".

 

Downsides...

Only works with Hornby's own range of Bluetooth fitted decoders, out of the metaphorical box.

Sounds available are currently only limited to prototypes that Hornby offer in model form.

Sound project rollout is slow but steadily progressing.

Non-sound versions of the Bluetooth decoders, have yet to be released, but are in the pipeline.

The expansion option, by linking with a physical DCC system, to control other (non-Bluetooth) DCC locos and accessories, is currently limited to DCC systems with XPressNet interfaces.

 

If you can put up with those limitations in the short term, this is the least expensive and easiest way in DCC, particularly with sound.

It would save you the risk of buying a DCC system that may end up being the wrong choice, or one you don't particularly get on with.

In addition, if you eventually decide on a physical hardware based control system, there's no money lost and everything remains compatible.

 

Food for thought ?

 

 

 

.

[jpendle]

4 hours ago, Trainnoob said:

I don't need fancy bells and whistles I just want a DCC system that control trains with Sound

I think that's an oxymoron 🤔

 

Surely you do want bells and whistles on your sound equipped loco's? 🙂

 

But seriously, sound equipped loco's from Bachmann, Dapol, Accurascale, et al, frequently use function keys up to F28, so a simpler 'cheap' controller might not support that.

 

As @Steven B said, it's a very good idea to visit a specialist DCC retailer and try out different systems, they can also advise on which systems would meet your needs.

 

Regards,

 

John P

[GrumpyPenguin]

You can narrow you choice down immediatly by deciding   if you want a hand held controller or a fixed controller.

 

The Powercab is very popular but it is a little dated & clunky. The speed control "knob" is not to everyones taste. You cannot name your locomotives and AFAIK has only a 2amp output.

 

I would recommend that you look very seriously at a Roco z21 Start with Multimaus or a complete starter set & sell on the rolling stock.

The Multimaus has many function settings and you can name your locomotives or use numbers. It is easy to use with one hand, has a large speed control knob anf physical buttons.

The big advantage with the z21 family is that you can upgrade to touch screen/phone later if you want. Also, with touch screen you can control points ect with your layout schematic.

 

[moawkwrd]

Isn't the issue with a lot of the go to choices (Powercab, Gaugemaster Prodigy, Digitrax) etc that the sound functions are either on or off? My understanding is that you need to look at European systems to get something that'll allow momentary functions from the controller as the US ones only allow that with function 0 or 1 (I forget which) (even the Hornby Elite is better at this than those technically better systems - can activate sounds by holding the respective number button for as long as you want them).

 

If you didn't want sounds and functions etc the choice is a lot simpler.

 

Something like the Piko SmartControl WLAN might be worth a look - it's relatively new, simple to use and nowhere near as expensive as the Roco Z21, but more capable than the z21. I'm thinking of replacing my Elite with one, unless I go back to DC (but that's a different discussion!). I believe it's a based on the Ulhenbrock DAISY system but appears to be more advanced than the DAISY II WLAN.

Edited March 30 by moawkwrd

[Trainnoob]

On 28/03/2024 at 17:27, jpendle said:

I think that's an oxymoron 🤔

 

Surely you do want bells and whistles on your sound equipped loco's? 🙂

 

But seriously, sound equipped loco's from Bachmann, Dapol, Accurascale, et al, frequently use function keys up to F28, so a simpler 'cheap' controller might not support that.

 

As @Steven B said, it's a very good idea to visit a specialist DCC retailer and try out different systems, they can also advise on which systems would meet your needs.

 

Regards,

 

John P

The only controller I have seen that can't do up to 28 functions is the Bachmann EZ command. I not looking for the cheapest controller possible but I personally don't feel I need to go to the most expensive options either, I haven't seen a mid range system I didn't like, and that's where my trouble because I don't know which one. Also, I 100% agree about visiting a DCC specialist if lived near one but unfortunately for me I don't.

[Trainnoob]

On 28/03/2024 at 16:47, Ron Ron Ron said:

 

 

 

If you can get past the "physical interface" bit and are definitely looking for sound, then the most inexpensive DCC system is no system.

i.e. not a physical hardware based system, but a virtual one...as in something along the lines of Hornby's Bluetooth based HM7000 / HM DCC system.

(North American modellers can look towards the similar BlueRail Trains based, Soundtraxx Blunami system)

If already in possession of a smartphone and/or a tablet (e.g. iPad), then all you need to get started is a suitable power supply.

The virtual DCC system is "free".

 

Downsides...

Only works with Hornby's own range of Bluetooth fitted decoders, out of the metaphorical box.

Sounds available are currently only limited to prototypes that Hornby offer in model form.

Sound project rollout is slow but steadily progressing.

Non-sound versions of the Bluetooth decoders, have yet to be released, but are in the pipeline.

The expansion option, by linking with a physical DCC system, to control other (non-Bluetooth) DCC locos and accessories, is currently limited to DCC systems with XPressNet interfaces.

 

If you can put up with those limitations in the short term, this is the least expensive and easiest way in DCC, particularly with sound.

It would save you the risk of buying a DCC system that may end up being the wrong choice, or one you don't particularly get on with.

In addition, if you eventually decide on a physical hardware based control system, there's no money lost and everything remains compatible.

 

Food for thought ?

 

 

 

.

Yes, I will look into this option too.

 

 

Edit: Thanks for your help guys, I have decided best on the advice here im going to look at either Roco Z21 white or the DCC-ex system. And since hornbys HM7000s run on conventional DCC systems I might look at fitting one to my Hornby A1.

 

Edit: Might still have a look at the Hornby elite as it's available locally.

Edited April 1 by Trainnoob

[Izzy]

I think as soon as you add 'sound' into the equation that alters how well many systems/handsets work with it. Yes, many can handle up to the 28 functions now, even though a few locos are already in excess of that, but it's more about how  they cope that becomes the issue. Multile button pressing just to set/use a higher function number becomes a real pain. You may only want to use a few of them, but you can't sort them to suit, no adjustment of any kind. This leads you to discover, as I have, that is really only glass screen systems of one type or another that suit.

 

I have now adopted a Z21 after 14 years of a Prodigy PA2. Used with a cheap large android smart phone as the throttle (£59) it's been a revelation as to the way it can be set to suit the individual user. Choose what sound functions you want, in the order you want them, and how they operate, latching/non-latching etc. Give them names. No having to use a crib sheet or remember Fn numbers for each individual loco.  More costly. Yes. But worth it? Without doubt. Yet actually the new Z21 and the phone cost no more than I paid for my PA2 system.

 

If you don't use sound then it's a different matter in many respects but the fact remains that many systems just don't have the adjustments, even basic ones, that the better European ones do. In this regard it might be that the new system coming from Bachmann might give many modellers what they need. Until it arrives no one will really know but it might be worth hanging on to find out.

 

Bob

 

 

 

[Taigatrommel]

How about a Piko SmartControl Light? £145 at DCCTrainAutomation, controls up to 24 functions. As Loconet devices there's absolutely heaps of add ons available from various manufacturers (e.g. computer interface), and you'd be able to use the throttle with other systems such as Digitrax or Z21. It allows a library of named locomotives with a selection of icons which you can further adapt by adding icons above the functions to represent their use on a given loco - useful for sound.

 

The SmartControl Light is basically a rebranded Uhlenbrock Daisy II - this is my go-to throttle whether I'm using the Fleischmann Twin-Center that runs my coffee table layout, or the YaMoRC YD7001 that I use for my main projects. Even having Z21 on iPad and phone I'm far more likely to plug the throttle in.

[GrumpyPenguin]

1 hour ago, Trainnoob said:

 im going to look at either Roco Z21 white

Just a small pedantic point - the Roco z21 white uses a lower case z, the black uses an upper case Z to differentiate.

 

There is a feature comparison chart available, the main differences between the two is that the Z21 Black has a separate programming track output and the ability to change the track voltage.

 

With the z/Z21 family you can have the best of both worlds - a handheld physical controller (MultiMaus), a "device" such as a smartphone/tablet or both at the same time.

[andyman7]

2 hours ago, Trainnoob said:

The only controller I have seen that can't do up to 28 functions is the Bachmann EZ command. I not looking for the cheapest controller possible but I personally don't feel I need to go to the most expensive options either, I haven't seen a mid range system I didn't like, and that's where my trouble because I don't know which one. Also, I 100% agree about visiting a DCC specialist if lived near one but unfortunately for me I don't.

The latest version of the Bachmann E-Z command can do up to 28 functions. I know many would turn their noses up at it but for a small layout with a few locos, if you're not into resetting CVs etc it's a simple bulletproof design.

I have an earlier version I picked up for a song that I use on a test track and despite its limitations as a tactile piece of kit it's really good.

 

https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/80824/36-502-Bachmann-E-Z-Command®-Plus-Digital-Command-Control-System

[TWG]

1 hour ago, Taigatrommel said:

How about a Piko SmartControl Light? £145 at DCCTrainAutomation, controls up to 24 functions. As Loconet devices there's absolutely heaps of add ons available from various manufacturers (e.g. computer interface), and you'd be able to use the throttle with other systems such as Digitrax or Z21. It allows a library of named locomotives with a selection of icons which you can further adapt by adding icons above the functions to represent their use on a given loco - useful for sound.

 

The SmartControl Light is basically a rebranded Uhlenbrock Daisy II - this is my go-to throttle whether I'm using the Fleischmann Twin-Center that runs my coffee table layout, or the YaMoRC YD7001 that I use for my main projects. Even having Z21 on iPad and phone I'm far more likely to plug the throttle in.

 

At £145 the Piko SCL is, in my opinion, a remarkable bargain.  However I think that it is now obsolete, replaced by the SCL WLAN.  It no longer appears on the Piko website.  DCC Train Automation do not have it in stock, but it is still available from Gaugemaster.

 

The Smart Control Light WLAN, mentioned by moawkwrd above, is reasonably priced for a wireless device.  I do not think that overall it is more advanced than the Uhlenbrock Daisy WLAN, though it does have a better display, support for the extended accessory format, Railcom Plus and XPOM.  It is not based on the Daisy; Piko are going their own way with digital equipment.  It has no connection for a wired controller and it has, though Loconet was included in the original specification, no communication bus.

Regrettably in my view, Piko have come up with their own wireless system, rather than using the well established z21 or Withrottle - unlike the Daisy WLAN, which can also communicate with an ECoS or a Märklin CS3 - so there is no way to use a phone or tablet for control.  However if these limitations do not bother you, the Piko product could be a good buy.

 

[Taigatrommel]

Yeah, if the SmartControl Light WLAN had Loconet I'd be snapping one up, or if the throttle could communicate by any other protocols the way the DAISY II WLAN can.  I hadn't twigged that the SmartControl Light was no longer being sold by Piko.  In light of this, I'll revise my recommendation to the Uhlenbrock Daisy II, though it costs a bit more for the start set.