What cheap dcc controller?

[Bobzilla]

I'm using a dcc++ homebrew system, but want a basic cheap system that will be easy to plug in and get going without having to sort out computers, so that my 8 year old son doesn't need me to set it up.

Suggestions please. Current contenders are bachmann ez command and hornby select. Don't need a whole load of features, but need to know the limitations.

[Mountain Goat]

Bachmann Ez controller is very easy to use. Its child's play! The only downside is that one only had 9 DCC loco addresses to use and one DC (Which they no longer recommend using due to potential issues). (They call it ten loco addresses. I tried they years ago. Dont know if they are different today).
Like I said. Very easy to use. Just limited if ones collection of locos expands.
I've not tried the Hornby version. It does have more loco addresses. Maybe others can comment on how easy they are to use.
Another controller I recommend is an older DCC controller called the Lenz Compact. It had 100 addresses and is fairly easy to use. Not quite as easy as Bachmanns controller, but I feel is still a nice simple controller which is fully expandable (Though one may need to look on the secondhand market to expand). You will normally need to buy a seperate transformer though for the Lenz Compact unlike the more basic Bachmann controller. The good thing is that one can buy the Lenz Compact at very reasonable prices on the secondhand market.

[Paul Palmer]

I use the Hornby select,very easy to use,and since I had the latest update it is a pleasure to use,basic yes but suits my needs

[Rog (RJ)]

I wouldn't normally recommend the EZ Command but for a youngster it's probably the easiest to use.

[Brian]

I have to agree with Rog (RJ). Just be aware of its limitations.
The Hornby Select at firmware V1.5 is far better than older versions were, but its still not NMRA compliant and some issues can still occur with other makes of decoder in locos!

A lot will depend on what you're prepared to pay for a basic DCC system?
An EZ Command will be around £110 new and a Select around £100 or a little more. Both can be obtained cheaper if purchased unboxed as removed from train sets! However, you're almost in the realms of a Gaugemaster Prodigy Express (£138ish) or slight more expensive but fully featured NCE PowerCab (£140ish) Highly recommended!
One of these isnt bad either! link click here
Please note the quoted prices are purely a guide. I'm sure a thorough internet search will produce lower costs.

[Paul Palmer]

Good informative reply Brian,i only use Hornby dcc chips and so with select I have not had any issues,i should have mentioned that in my post

[Mountain Goat]

I am impressed for what one can get for the money. However, which ones are best for a child as were like I was as a child, if one has settings to fiddle with they're in!
The advantage of the Ez command is that only a few basic settings can be altered so a child can't go too far wrong. Yes, when one is older one can get a better system.

[RAF96]

There are several DCC systems that are not NMRA certified and warranted, merely designed to be compliant. The manufacturers dont bother to get them tested by NMRA due to the cost.

The Select is only non compliant as the DCC signal ‘rings’ under no load conditions, but once you load the track with a couple of locos then it damps down and there have been no reports of this ringing causing problems. The latest update version is very reliable.

A guy on eBay was flogging a damper cable for the Select which supposedly filtered out the ringing frequencies. There is plenty of discussions on another forum about it.


Rob

[Brian]

I am impressed for what one can get for the money. However, which ones are best for a child as were like I was as a child, if one has settings to fiddle with they're in!
The advantage of the Ez command is that only a few basic settings can be altered so a child can't go too far wrong. Yes, when one is older one can get a better system.

EZ Command is very simple to use. As I said previously just be aware of its limitations.

[Chris]

I suppose one of the advantages of the select that hasn't been mentioned is that in time if you upgrade to the elite it can be used as an extra controller. so its not a case of selling it to upgrade