First I agree, that NCE is a very goods system. I use mostly NCE decoders. However, I have Digitrax Chief Simplex control system. It too is very easy to use and very easy to program. the manuals are not so good and I have been told by NCE friends, neither are theirs.
One thing I disagree, no external booster is needed to read CVs back with Digitrax either. I have no problme reading them on my programming track.
I got the digitrax because at the time, NCE wireless very unreliable - to the point of not working on large operating layouts. And I got a very good deal on the digitrax system. I had also used it on a number of layouts. NCE had improved their wireless to a decent level now.
As for tech support, I find both NCE and DIgitrax respond promptly with correct technical information. If anything, the Digitrax support seems to be too technical at times (is that possible with tech support?).
Finally I do find one major advantage for Digitrax if you use the small utility throttles. These are about the same size as the small original NCE throttle. You cannot program with them, and I am not sure about accessing functions beyond 10 or so. But they don't use much power. They use 9 volt batteries and I have had some in service for 3-4 years on the same battery figuring 10-12 operating sessions a year at 3-4 hours apiece. The small NCE throttles use AA batteries and we seem to replace them a lot at my buddies layouts.