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Why DCC-EX? - Comparing EX-CommandStation to Commercial Systems

Introduction

A common question we see is why should someone choose our EX‑CommandStation over the many commercial systems that are available. This page is a brief discussion of some of the advantages and disadvantages of EX‑CommandStation and the whole DCC-EX ecosystem. (To see a detailed list of specific features of various systems we would recommend looking at the DCC Wiki .)

First and foremost, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with any of the commercial offerings. While we believe strongly in our products, the commercial systems do have some advantages that we don’t quite match. (See below.) So we fully understand that the EX‑CommandStation is not necessarily the best option for everyone.

Areas of Comparison

This page will compare the following areas in broad generic terms:

Cost

Hands down, the EX‑CommandStation is the lowest cost DCC Command Station option available.

Depending on the configuration you choose, the least expensive commercial system will be three, or more, times more expensive than a EX‑CommandStation. Also, it won’t have a fraction of the built in features (see below) that the EX‑CommandStation has, which you will likely have to pay additionally for in the commercial systems.

Purchasing

This is one area where the commercial systems win out.

You can walk into store and pick up a commercial Command Station in a box with comprehensive manuals and know that it is all there and that will work first time.

With the EX‑CommandStation, while we now have sellers that can supply a complete system, most people purchase parts from different suppliers online. This can therefore take some time to arrive, and there have been issues occasionally with poorly manufactured boards. So in general it is not as plug-and-play.

Setup complexity

The commercial systems are ahead here.

Unless you purchased a complete system from one of our resellers, along with the purchasing process the commercial systems are a lot simpler to setup.

Loading the software, assembling the boards, making a case, etc. while not individually difficult steps, can be still be daunting for some people. Conversely, for some this becomes part of the attraction/challenge. Like the building a kit loco or building, some people enjoy it, some don’t.

Note: A common comment made is “..but I don’t know how to program…”. This is a common misconception. You DO NOT have to know anything about programming to setup an EX‑CommandStation. If you can join rail/track together and answer some questions, then you can assemble an EX‑CommandStation.

This due to the EX‑Installer program that runs on Windows, Mac and Linux and hugely simplifies the software loading process to the point where you need know nothing about Arduino programming to be able to install the software, maintain it with updates or configure it.

Usability

Once the systems are setup, there is generally not a lot of difference in terms of usability between the commercial systems and an EX‑CommandStation.

While not functionally different, the area of greatest difference is that most of the commercial system come with some form of physical controller. Most EX‑CommandStation owners use inexpensive or hand-me-down smart phones to control their locos.

You can have/use physical controllers (not a phone, tablet or computer) with EX‑CommandStation, but that is an additional item to build or purchase. Note that there are multiple inexpensive physical throttle designs that you can build yourself.

Built in Features

Here the EX‑CommandStation wins hands down.

DCC and DC loco control, Auto-Reverser, WiFi throttles, Rosters, EX‑RAIL, JMRI connectivity via WiFi or USB, Sensors, turnout/point control and other features that are built into EX‑CommandStation that generally require additional addons to the Commercial Systems. For example, for one brand the USB connectivity add-on alone is more expensive the an entire EX‑CommandStation.

However, there are features that a built into some of the commercial systems that are not exactly built into the EX‑CommandStation, including:

  • Hardware Throttle.
    Many commercial starter sets come with built-in throttles. EX‑CommandStation requires the use of some sort of external throttle. Most of which are free but are not technically part of the EX‑CommandStation ^.

  • CV programming
    Many commercial starter sets can program CVs using the hardware in the box. EX‑CommandStation requires the use of Engine Driver, JMRI or EX‑WebThrottle which, while are all free are not technically part of the EX‑CommandStation ^.

  • FastClock. For the EX‑CommandStation this is an optional extra.

  • Simple to use Advanced Consisting

^ We don’t consider this a negative, just a difference. The out-of-the-box capability to use multiple external devices as throttle or to program decoders is flexible and powerful.

Options/Expansion

EX‑CommandStation fares very well in this space.

Over and above the extensive built in features (above), the EX‑CommandStation supports IoTT connectivity, EX‑Turntable, EX‑IOExpander, with more to come. DCC-EX is evolving on a daily basis. (See Community below.)

Having said that, most of the commercial system have different expansion options. However, some of these only go to fill in the features that come out of the box with the EX‑CommandStation. In their favour they are generally plug and play, whereas the DCC-EX options require some tinkering.

Support

This is more of a mixed bag.

With commercial systems you are more-or-less guaranteed high quality support, replacement for faulty items, etc. The catch is that depending on where you are in the world and where the manufacturer is, there can be long turnarounds to get that support. Even longer to get replacements or repairs.

Because members of the DCC-EX team are located world-wide, there is usually someone that can help you within a few hours on our Discord Server .

For the EX‑CommandStation however, in terms of replacement/repairs, unless you purchased through one of our resellers, it is up to you to deal with this side of the process. The positive is that, if you wish, the costs are so low that you can keep spares of most items and still be well under the total cost of a commercial system.

Community

DCC-EX is clear the winner here.

While the commercial systems have strong followings, and there are plenty of people on various forums that will be happy to discuss their systems or provide help, they can’t compare to the DCC-EX community.

DCC-EX maintains a Discord Server where hundreds of people world-wide are actively engaged in discussing and evolving the EX‑CommandStation and its add-ons on a daily basis. You can generally get answers to questions within a few hours and, if you interested, you easily find yourself in deep conversations about existing and upcoming features.

Non-proprietary / Open Source

The other aspect of DCC-EX that should not be glossed over lightly is that it is all open source using of-the-shelf or open source hardware. Everyone is free to use or modify our code and hardware designs as they see fit, for non-commercial use. This shows clearly in the volume and rate of features and options being continuously added by the team. We actively invite, encourage and support people who want to contribute to the products.

With the commercial systems, with a few exceptions (e.g. WiThrottle) use proprietary technology. You are locked into the vendor for most add-ons.

Conclusion

As you can see from the points above and the DCC Wiki it is not a black-and-white comparison.

Before proceeding with any system you should weigh up the pros and cons and come to a decision you feel comfortable with.

You are always welcome to join our Discord Server and discuss our products before you proceed.