Dave Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Hi Guys, I'm looking at DCC controllers, has anyone bought the Roco Z21 system? I'm thinking of an NCE powercab or the Z21. I would love to hear what you guys are using and how you like your controllers Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 irishthump Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 The Z21 looks very impressive but it's a big outlay at £340! You can get the Powercab for just over a 3rd of the price and it will do everything you would really need. I use a Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance 2 and I could'nt recommend it highly enough, but it's a little more expensive than the Powercab at around £200. One piece of advice I would give you is to download the manuals for any system you may be considering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Dave Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 The Z21 looks very impressive but it's a big outlay at £340! You can get the Powercab for just over a 3rd of the price and it will do everything you would really need. I use a Gaugemaster Prodigy Advance 2 and I could'nt recommend it highly enough, but it's a little more expensive than the Powercab at around £200. One piece of advice I would give you is to download the manuals for any system you may be considering. Thanks, I have downloaded the manuals for both, the only downside to the Z21 it doesn't support consists, they say it will be available soon. I'm only thinking about it at the moment it will be a while before I get one. i want to make sure the one I get will do everything I need as I don't want to change again. I'll have a look at the Gaugemaster. Cheers:tumbsup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 irishthump Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Thanks, I have downloaded the manuals for both, the only downside to the Z21 it doesn't support consists, they say it will be available soon. I'm only thinking about it at the moment it will be a while before I get one. i want to make sure the one I get will do everything I need as I don't want to change again.I'll have a look at the Gaugemaster. Cheers:tumbsup: Does'nt support consists?!!! That's terrible for the price, tbh it sems a bit gimmicky to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Dave Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 Does'nt support consists?!!! That's terrible for the price, tbh it sems a bit gimmicky to me. That's my biggest concern with it, I have contacted Roco about it just waiting for them to come back to me. I am leaning towards the NCE though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 BosKonay Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 The beauty of a system like the Z21 is that development and features are just a matter of time / coding. It's a very clean way of running things tho (the geek in me approves ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Dave Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 The beauty of a system like the Z21 is that development and features are just a matter of time / coding. It's a very clean way of running things tho (the geek in me approves ) That's what I like about it, I don't want to get it and find the manufacturer stops developing it like so many other systems. Bachmann said they would have computer control with the Dynamis but it never happened. I think I will go for the NCE power cab, it offers the best of both worlds as it works with JMRI. The girlfriend has just told me she will buy it for my birthday! Which is next week, happy days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 BosKonay Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Woohoo - win win Agree on the JMRI As long as you have a compatible, computer connectable cab, that supports all the features, computer control lets you manage it from your phone / pad anyway,. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Dave Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 It seems the way to go, I can also control the points through the JMRI software with a sprog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Flying Scotsman 4472 Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 As long as you have a compatible, computer connectable cab, that supports all the features, computer control lets you manage it from your phone / pad anyway,. Operating your your layout from a computer iPad or phone for me defeats the purpose of a model layout and the feel of throwing points turning dials and controling trains etc yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Sulzer201 Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Anthony as you know this is happening more on more on the real thing! Soon computers will be running our lives completely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 BosKonay Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 You're still throwing points, etc, just using a touchscreen instead of a big knob :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Flying Scotsman 4472 Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 You're still throwing points, etc, just using a touchscreen instead of a big knob :) Not the same Stephen that's just like a train simulator only the trains are not on the screen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 irishthump Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Another point is that if everything including points is controlled from your tablet, phone or indeed your DCC throttle, when you have a short or other problem the entire layout shuts down. Even though I use DCC I still control all my points from a seperate analogue panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Dave Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 `My plan is to control the points separately from the DCC controller, I haven't decided on the JMRI and a Sprog or analogue yet. I'm deffo going for the NCE power cab pro 5 amp system, after using Anthony's I really liked it, so easy to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 BosKonay Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I use a Lenz system for locos and a hornby Elite for the accessory bus (points). You can plug both into the same PC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Dave
Hi Guys,
I'm looking at DCC controllers, has anyone bought the Roco Z21 system? I'm thinking of an NCE powercab or the Z21.
I would love to hear what you guys are using and how you like your controllers
Thanks
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