Chosing a DCC Starter System for N Scale

NCE vs Digitrax vs MRC vs EasyDCC

System Type & Features	NCE Corporation	Digitrax	MRC (Model Rectifier Corporation)	EasyDCC
US$ Pricing: A$ Pricing:	https://www.modeltrainstuff.com https://www.brunelhobbies.com.au	https://www.modeltrainstuff.com https://www.brunelhobbies.com.au	https://www.modelrectifier.com https://www.hobbylandaustralia.com.au	https://www.cvpusa.com https://www.gwydirvalleymodels.com
Basic Starter Systems	NCE DCC Twin Starter Set 3 Amp Dual Control DCC System Command Station • Booster 2 built-in independent Throttles Expansion port for up to 6 throttles 3 Amp (42 Watt) P314 power supply* $192.00AUD • $119.99USD *If purchasing from USA note that a NCE P114 2 Amp Peak Power Supply (Input 120VAC/240VAC, output 13.5VDC) must be purchased to comply with NCE factory warranty. $23.99USD. Requires US/AUS adapter plug $8.34AUD at Bunning's	Digitrax Zephyr Xtra DCS51 3 Amp All-In-One Throttle Command Station • Booster Built-in Throttle Runs up to 20 throttles PS514 (70 Watt) Universal Power Supply LT1 LocoNet Cable & Decoder Test Kit $315.00AUD • $169.99USD	MRC Prodigy Explorer Command station/throttle 1.6 Amp Power Supply Operates up to 4 N Scale Locos (3 with sound) They must have addresses of 1, 2, 3, or 4. No upgrade path $139.98USD	EasyDCC CVP1 Basic Starter System CS2B Command Station Zonemaster 7 Amp Booster 2 built-in independent Throttles 12VAC Transformer DCPS 120 Watt Universal Power Supply 7ft Modular Cable $495.00AUD • $279.00USD If the unit is purchased from the USA the system ships without a 12VAC Transformer You save $4.00USD Check out https://www.jaycar.com.au for a suitable 240v 12VAC Transformer
NCE Power Cab and added SB5 Booster MRC Prodigy Express2 EasyDCC Throttle	NCE Power Cab Starter Set 2 Amp Command Station and Power Cab handheld controller Maximum of 4 Cabs Operates up to 8 N Scale Locos Wireless compatibly 2 Amp P114 120/240V power supply $275.00AUD • $149.99USD NOTE: Requires US/AUS adapter plug if purchased from USA $8.34AUD at Bunning's	NCE SB5 5 Amp Smart Booster The SB5 Smart Booster expands the features of the Power Cab starter set: • Increases total power output to 5 amps • Maximum of 6 Cabs • Converts to plain booster to expand to a PowerPro • Used with SB5 the Power Cab becomes a walk around throttle Includes P514 12/13.8 Volt DC, 5 Amp internationally approved power supply $355.00AUD* • $164.99USD++ * The SB5 can only be left on a short or overload for a maximium of 2-3 minutes. Consequently all Australian supplied systems have a NCE EB1 cricuit breaker supplied and set to 2.5 amps. ++ If purchased from USA an Australian Power Cable with a Female IEC-C7 Plug is required. $14.88AUD at Officeworks. An NCE EB1 circuit breaker is $23.99USD.	MRC Prodigy Express2 Command station/throttle • Booster 1.6 Amp Power Supply Programs 2 or 4-digit addresses Runs up to 32 throttles Operates up to 4 N Scale Locos $209.95AUD (when last in stock) $229.98USD NOTE: Prodigy Express & Advance DCC systems are also sold under the UK Gaugemaster brand label and so will include 240v power supplies. Refer to: https://www.gaugemaster.com	EasyDCC XR-1300 Throttle The XR-1300 plug-in throttle is lightweight and comfortable, does not require batteries and connects to the fascia plate via a two conductor stereo type phone-plug and a 20' cable $160.00AUD • $89.00USD
Advanced Starter Systems	NCE Power Pro 5 Amp Starter Set 5 Amp Command Station • Booster Pro Cab handheld controller Maximum of 60 Cabs Operates up to 250 simultaneous trains Operates up to 127 consists RS232 computer interface included Requires a power supply of 15VAC @ 5 Amps 75VA $764.00AUD • $399.99USD If purchased in Australia a 524-TX02 5 Amp 15v AC-75VA Transformer must be purchased at the same time for $95.00AUD. If purchased from USA you can buy a Tortech Plug Pack 15V 5Amp AC Transformer (Part No. PSU-15-5) for $71.00AUD from https://www.tortech.com.au	Digitrax EVO Evolution Advanced 5A Starter Set DCS210 Command Station/Booster with Intelligent AutoReverse DT500 Super LocoNet Throttle (Infra ready) Run up to 100 addresses at the same time Run up to 100 throttles at the same time Over 9000 Locomotive Addresses Two DCC Outputs UP5 Universal Panel PS615 5 Amp Power Supply One LT1 LocoNet Cable & Decoder Test Kit $650.00AUD* • $359.99USD AUD price is an estimate and is subject to exchange rate changes NOTE*: If purchasing from USA check that the PS615 Power Supply is suitable for 240v input	MRC Prodigy Advance2 Command station/throttle • Booster 3.5 Amp Power Supply Input: 15-16 volts AC or 16-17 volts DC Output: DCC signal with 14.5 V amplitude Maximum of 99 Cabs Address Capability: 2-digit (1-127) or 4-digit (1-9,999) Speed Steps: 14/28/128 Advanced and Universal Consisting $449.98USD NOTE: Prodigy Express & Advance DCC systems are also sold under the UK Gaugemaster brand label and so will include 240v power supplies. Refer to: https://www.gaugemaster.com	EasyDCC CVP2 Expanded Starter System CS2B Command Station Zonemaster 7 amp Booster Zonemaster Universal Power Supply One XR1300 Plug-in Throttle One Throttle-bus Extender Two 7ft modular cables. 16VAC external transformer for Throttle Extender. Provides two fixed cabs and one walk around throttle. $765.00AUD • $429.00USD If the unit is purchased from the USA the system ships without 1 or 2 12VAC Transformers You save $12.00USD Check out https://www.jaycar.com.au for a suitable 240v 12VAC Transformer IMPORTANT NOTE: Given the varied power supplies required for EasyDCC systems and the confused literature, it would seem prudent to buy from the local Australian dealer and not from USA
Wireless/Radio/Duplex Starter Systems	NCE Power Pro 5 Amp Wireless DCC Starter System 5 Amp Command Station • Booster Pro Cab handheld controller Maximum of 60 Cabs Operates up to 250 simultaneous trains Operates up to 127 consists RS232 computer interface included RB01 Radio Base Station 6' RJ12 Cable for RB02 900MHz Hi-Gain Antennas Requires a power supply of 15VAC @ 5 Amps 75VA $977.00AUD • $519.99USD If purchased in Australia a 524-TX02 5 Amp 15v AC-75VA Transformer must be purchased at the same time for $95.00AUD. If purchased from USA you can buy a 240v Tortech Plug Pack 15V 5Amp AC Transformer (Part No. PSU-15-5) for $71.00AUD from https://www.tortech.com.au	Digitrax EVOD Evolution Advanced 5A Duplex Starter Set DCS210 Command Station/Booster with Intelligent AutoReverse DT500D Super LocoNet Throttle (Duplex Radio) UR92 Duplex Transceiver Panel Run up to 100 addresses at the same time Run up to 100 throttles at the same time Over 9000 Locomotive Addresses Two DCC Outputs UP5 Universal Panel PS615 5 Amp Power Supply One LT1 LocoNet Cable & Decoder Test Kit $880.00AUD* • $527.99 USD AUD price is an estimate and is subject to exchange rate changes NOTE*: If purchasing from USA check that the PS615 Power Supply is suitable for 240v input	MRC Prodigy Advance2 Command station/throttle • Booster 3.5 Amp Power Supply Input: 15-16 volts AC or 16-17 volts DC Output: DCC signal with 14.5 V amplitude 28 Accessory Functions Two or Four digit addressing Advanced and Universal consisting Simultaneously run up to 32 throttles Speed Steps: 14/28/128 $629.98USD	To Quote EasyDCC: "[EasyDCC] Wireless equipment is licensed for North/South America and Japan. It is not licensed for sale to Europe or Pacific Rim countries."
Service Agents	NCE in New York, USA and MRRC Shop in NSW, Australia. NOTE: MRRC charge a $100 surcharge on NCE equipment purchased in USA.	All Digitrax repairs are carried out by Digitrax in Panama City in Florida, USA.	All MRC repairs are carried out by Model Rectifier Corporation, Edison, New Jersey, USA.	Gwydir Valley Models, NSW, Australia and CVP Products, Richardson, Texas, USA.

© Copyright 2012-2022. Dennis N Turner. All Rights Reserved.