I have narrow down my search on DCC System to EasyDCC or Digitrax Empire Builder. Anybody have any Pro/Cons on either or both of these system. Dwyane
I have the Digitrax Chief so I will only be able to address Digitrax. The top 2 reasons I bought Digitrax are radio control and the loconet. I understand EasyDCC is now offering radio also. The third thing that led me to choosing Digitrax was cost. There are a lot of dealers selling Digitrax so there is a lot of discounting. The loconet doesn't rely on the Command Station to do everything. You can plug in all kinds of things into the loconet without bogging down the Command Station. This includes switch controllers and block detection. I wanted a detection system that wouldn't require a ton of wiring to install. The detection boards have two wires to each detection block (8 blocks per board) and then just plug the board into loconet. All of the information can then be sent to a computer over loconet. No additional wiring. All of the signal logic can be done in software. To upgrade all you have to do is plug in new equipment. In the case of radio control, if you don't get it to start with, all you have to do is buy a receiver (UR91)/controller (DT100R/DT300R/DT400R) and plug in. No mods to the command station or loconet. Another big thing to me is knowing that a company will be around for many years to come. I believe Digitrax will be but I am not sure about CVP. It may or may not be. A negative for the Digitrax system is the poor user interface. It is supposed to be improving with the new DT300 throttles and the DT400 throttles. The DT300 replaces the DT100 and the DT400 is a lot like the NCE and System One big monsters. That's my two cents.
When I purchased my system a year and a half ago I was having the same dilema. I contacted both companies via e-mail and got immediate response from cvp (easy DCC). Digitrax didnt return my e-mail for a month. I called CVP and talked to a salesman on the phone (Keith) and liked everything he said. He really made me feel at ease and that made my decision much easier. CVP has been around for a long time offering the Railcommand system prior to easy DCC. I am very happy with their product. By the way Keith,whom I thought was a salesman, turned out to be one of the designers of the system. I did like the Digitrax system also especially the loconet system (which I think works with all DCC systems?) But for my money I went with the company that showed me they are there to help if I get stuck! This is just one mans opinion I am sure more will follow. Wass uppp?
Ncng and Dale Thanks for the responses guys. I hope to hear from others too. I had seen a demo of the Digitrax system at a Train Show and was very impress with their system and DCC in general. Dale, I also e-mail CVP to find a local demo of their product and since I live within 20 mins. of their facility. Thay offer me a visit and demo at their facility. Dwyane
When i went DCC i wanted a system that i could get good support. Digitrax was the only one in the area. If u can't get good support, the personal kind, face to face i won't purchase the product. Especially a product that costs mega dollars and is fairly complicated. Whenever i need assistance i call my distributor and most of the time he has the answers the rest of the time i use the forums. So personal support would be my first choice
The human interface with Digitrax is an issue (I have the Chief). The Digitrax gurus are well aware of this and are working on it as I type. Two new throttles have been released which are suppose to easy the pain - I can't comment on their effectiveness. Digitrax is the number one company in DCC now, and I am guessing they would like to keep it that way. I was surprised by the comment on how slow Digitrax was to email a response as it was one of the first companies on the internet, in my experience, that responded within 24 hours of an email sent out to them. But I feel by going to Digitrax you will receive one additional bonus offer that can't be matched by any other competitor. And this alone makes it worth the purchase price. And I realize very few have touched on this additional bonus. I guess they are trying to keep it secret. But if you suffer from insomnia, putting on the Digitrax demo tape is sure to cure your inability to sleep. This feature alone almost makes it worth the purchase price.
i have a chief too. i purchased mine 2 1/2 years ago. There was no demo tape or i did not get one with my system. But i did hear of one and in Dec. of 2K i got a copy of one. Thats why i say u need face to face support. Just like going to your favorite hobby shop and getting help
Thanks Again for all the input. I planning a trip tomorrow to a local hobby shop that has both systems I am interested in. Trainboard and it's members are great! Happy Railroading!
