71H Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Good morning all. I have a bit of a problem. I am slowly converting my 00 loco's to dcc but 2 of them, MLV class 419 & the S & D 7f are both 21 pin but i cannot program them. A couple of years ago, i bought the Hornby dcc freight set to see if i was going to like dcc or not. I was converted once i set it up !! However, the Hornby select controller will not do speed control but even worse, it will not program any 21 pin as i said above. I called Bachmann & explained to them thinking it was their 21 pin loco's but they said i need a better dcc controller. My question is to those that might know & be helpful, is; "which one do i buy please ?" There are so many dcc controllers out there but some are so expensive & they might be out of my reach so to say. Is there a good controller out there that could be the 'dogs bits' so to say ? If any of you would be kind enough to throw a few ideas this way i would be ever so grateful to you. Many thanks andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 NCE Powercab. Look no further. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 25, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2015 Hi Andy Am sure you wont regret the investment! What is your budget? Kind regards Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BoD Posted January 25, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2015 You are as likely to get as many different responses as there are systems, everyone having their own particular favourite and each with their own perfectly valid reasons. If there is any chance that you can get to an exhibition or a shop where there is the opportunity to try different systems I would certainly take that opportunity then you can select a system which you feel comfortable using. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
71H Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 Thank you all for the replies. Budget will be around £200 Phil. BoD, the nearest model shop, Mirkon in Taunton closed down. The next nearest to me is Osbornes in North Devon. Thank you again lads andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
centraltrains Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 A short term quick fix would be to buy Hornby sapphire decoders (which are 21-pin) and they would work with the select. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 I have succesfully used Gaugemaster Prodigy on indoor layouts for 4 years, I have used Bachmann Dynamis which I personally was not too keen on, Prior to those I used Lenz systems which were fine. It as mentioned above you will get quite a few different recomendations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnb Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 An NCE Powercab will be comfortably inside your budget. They are usually in the region of £130. I've had mine for several years now and it does all I want it to. I have rather a mix of decoders, (long story that) and all are fine with the Powercab. But as previous posters have indicated, everyone has their likes/dislikes, so do try to test out a few and see what you like handling. BTW it's the same for the chips too!!!! John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRman Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 I am biased in that I have an NCE system. This does everything I need it to do and I like the hand-held controller's ergonomics. In addition, a Power Cab has sufficient extra programming track "oomph" to be able to reliably reprogram most sound decoders, as well as normal non-sound ones.However, you need to work out what you want from a system, and whether you prefer a hand-held controller or a console-based one. The Hornby Select is not a good choice to start with because it is not NRMA compliant. However, having got that as a toe-in-the-water exercise, it seems that you have whetted your appetite to do more with DCC - I started off that way with a Lenz Compact system, which was just as limited as the Select but at least it was compliant with the standards.For the price, the nearest equivalent system for price, abilities and features is the Digitrax Zephyr, which is console based. The NCE Power Cab is better at some things and the Digitrax at others, although the NCE is, in my opinion, rather more "user-friendly".Other systems are also good and have their supporters: Lenz, in particular, gets many mentions. Some others are higher end units and cost a good deal more. Bachmann have announced a new version of their Dynamis, the Ultima. One of the more essential features missing from the Dynamis to date has been the ability to read back values from decoders. If it is able to do that and is fully-featured and affordable it may be worth a closer look too.Best of all, if you can visit other DCC users, friends, clubs or retail stores with display/demo layouts to get a feel for the different systems, you can make up your own mind based on the hands-on experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amdaley Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Hi Andy. Go to a shop where you might be able to try various makes. If you can't do that or you have no idea of what's what get an NCE Power Cab. You will not regret the choice. You can update this system later on by the addition of other items like power supplies, cabs (controllers) etc. You are in the South West so you might find a local model rail shop amongst this lot. http://www.yell.com/s/model+shops-south+west+england.html I don't know anything about any of the shops but try & go to a shop which has several different makes of DCC control on sale. Take your time & do lots of reading. The one bit of advice I would stress is to keep away from the train set type of controllers like you have at present. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliebanger Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Provided you are happy with the hand-held, walk about capability (rather than desk-bound console types) the system least likely to surprise you with 'deficiencies' you did not know about due to your inexperience is the NCE PowerCab. That might sound like damp praise but it is not intended to be. NCE PowerCab will not suit everyone, but it does everything you are likely to need regarding setting up, maintaining and running all types of decoders. There are similar looking handset types, but don't be deceived by external looks. NCE is the most ergonomical design and the command structure is intuitive easy to learn. The manual is pretty clear too. There is a clear upgrade path if you need it which will incorporate all your initial purchases, so no dead money. Speed control is either via buttons or thumb wheel, use either or both as you see fit. Kind regards, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted January 25, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25, 2015 Some of us who are DCC-users have limited experience of systems other than the one we use - 17 years with Digitrax in my case. Thus listen to those who have tried many, but ideally, as has been said, get to somewhere that can offer hands-on experience with multiple systems. Next year you might buy another loco that you find you like better than one you have now. Your DCC system is likely to be with you for many years, and needs to be right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 NCE for me. Has seen me go through the upgrade path, and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
71H Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Gentlemen, Thank you all for you're replies. As has been mentioned, there are lot's of dcc controllers etc on the market. Now, going by the majority of what you all said, it appears that this NCE is the one that seems to do an awful lot of things. ie; decoder programming, speed control etc etc. So, i shall endeavour to seek out one of these & give it a whirl at a shop. Am i right in hearing that the gaugemaster ones are lifetime guarantee ? Is it just the guagemaster ones or are there others ? Many thanks again for all the useful answers gents andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymw Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Hi Andy, There's a model railway shop on Bridgwater station, another shop at Burnham on sea, and also one in Minehead. I don't know if any of them have dcc gear for sale, maybe best to phone first. Best wishes, Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigelcliffe Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Now, going by the majority of what you all said, it appears that this NCE is the one that seems to do an awful lot of things. ie; decoder programming, speed control etc etc. That's not what people said. Many manufacturer's systems will do the same things as NCE. The reason NCE gets mentioned a lot is that their entry controller is reasonably well designed and therefore reasonably easy to get to grips with. My view is that, yes, the buttons and features are well grouped (with a couple of clangers which can be avoided), but the NCE PowerCab is a huge handset when something more compact could do the job just as well, if not better. There are alternatives, some are better designs (in the opinion of individuals), but may cost more. Am i right in hearing that the gaugemaster ones are lifetime guarantee ? Is it just the guagemaster ones or are there others ? Gaugemaster have good support (often repairing DCC controllers well outside guarantee for nothing), but the "lifetime guarantee" is only for Gaugemaster's analogue controllers. Their DCC controller is a rebadged MRC unit from the USA. - Nigel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 26, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 26, 2015 I go along with Olddudders that Digitirax is very good and we have used it for (not quite so many years as him) a long time and its very expandable system, can do programming, allows computer interface etc. However I have very limited knowledge of the other systems, so going to a DCC specialist where you can try a few of the different systems out is a good idea if you can get to one or a show where they may be demonstrating a few systems. Or do you have a local club where members use a variety of systems? Its really worth having a go using a few different systems as utlimately if you don't like the throttle on a particular system then it may not be the one for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Riley Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I've had a NCE Powercab for several years and find it excellent. The only drawback I can see is that, if it needs repair, you have to send it to the US and it may take some time before you get it back. But then most DCC systems are made overseas and I guess the same applies. Are any made in the UK apart from ZTC? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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