12-04-2012, 02:20 PM
Well, I'd ask yourself how you've been operating your current/previous layouts , and do you like it that way or would you prefer a different method?
A walk around has several advantages, you can 'walk' along with your train, and throw hand operated turnouts, uncouple cars, or just have a look. Of course if you currently have a centralised control panel, you'd end up walking back and forth to throw a turnout etc, but if you eventually equip your turnouts with accessory decoders, you can do so from the throttle too.
The NCE Powercab is a good starter system, and offers a degree of walk around, however the Powercab must be connected at all times, otherwise the trains will stop, as the Powercab handheld IS the DCC commandstation. However NCE does offer fairly cheap additional throttles and they can be plugged / unplugged to your liking. You would need to install a couple additional connection panels along the fascia but they aren't that expensive either. Yes NCE also has a USB interface.
If you expand your system into a larger one in the future, the power cab throttle isn't completely wasted, it can still function as any other throttle at that stage. Not a bad way of doing things I feel.
The thumb wheel certainly makes 'one handed' operation possible, and the display on the NCE powercab is good. It can display a lot of information and doesn't rely on just numbers and abbreviations. It is certainly a serious option to consider.
To further help you choose, I'd recommend reading the articles in Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine (free downloadable), where some systems were introduced and compared. (look at the september 2012 issue)
Koos
A walk around has several advantages, you can 'walk' along with your train, and throw hand operated turnouts, uncouple cars, or just have a look. Of course if you currently have a centralised control panel, you'd end up walking back and forth to throw a turnout etc, but if you eventually equip your turnouts with accessory decoders, you can do so from the throttle too.
The NCE Powercab is a good starter system, and offers a degree of walk around, however the Powercab must be connected at all times, otherwise the trains will stop, as the Powercab handheld IS the DCC commandstation. However NCE does offer fairly cheap additional throttles and they can be plugged / unplugged to your liking. You would need to install a couple additional connection panels along the fascia but they aren't that expensive either. Yes NCE also has a USB interface.
If you expand your system into a larger one in the future, the power cab throttle isn't completely wasted, it can still function as any other throttle at that stage. Not a bad way of doing things I feel.
The thumb wheel certainly makes 'one handed' operation possible, and the display on the NCE powercab is good. It can display a lot of information and doesn't rely on just numbers and abbreviations. It is certainly a serious option to consider.
To further help you choose, I'd recommend reading the articles in Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine (free downloadable), where some systems were introduced and compared. (look at the september 2012 issue)
Koos
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