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.