I have been in the market for a DCC controller, but had heard that Bachmann was not the recommended unit. The local retailer recommended NCE, MRC, and Lenz over Bachmann for DCC control. I believe his major gripe was that Bachmann did not have the abilty to handle or power as many cabs? Any suggestions?
I've used EZ command for 4 years. I bought it to try it and learn how DCC functions. I thought if I liked it I would move on to one of the more expensive DCC units. EZ Command is cheap by comparison, but very basic and simple. The regular basic unit that has the controller and DCC Loco is where I started. I can run only 2 DCC loco's plus one analog, so 3 trains total. I bought the 5 amp booster and for about half the price it is today about 3 years ago when they hit the market. I got it on Ebay. With the booster I can run 9 DCC loco's and 1 analog. Very simple to use and easy to follow instructions both written and on a cd. You have to assign each loco to one of the 1-9 numbers on your hand held controller. #10 is for analog. #3 is the default #. In other words if you take the Bachmann loco out of the box and run it with factory settings, it's setting is defaulted to #3. You can change that by following the instructions that come with it. I run Atlas, Bachmann both blue box and spectrum, Stewert and Athern all DCC with no problem except one blue box decoder went bad out of the 26 DCC loco's I own. Keep in mind the other popular brands you can run up to or log 99 locos. I run 6 trains at one time and it can get quite confusing at times. I normally run no more than 3 trains, that's enough for me to take care of. With Bachmann you still get all the chuffs, brake squeal, bells, whistle and lights. You cannot however change the tone's with EZ command, with the other models you can. The only real adjustment on EZ Command is the running lights on your loco's and of course the speed control for each loco and direction while on the same track or line.
I'm sure there are many others who have the "better" more expensive models. I haven't had any trouble with mine and run trains at least 3 times a week. I'm retired and on a fixed income now and at this time can't see any reason to buy a more expensive unit. I haven't had any serious problems with my EZ Command unit or the booster and haven't read on any forums that suggest that they are troublesome to those that own and use them, it's just you can't do with these as you could do with the more expensive units.
The sounds of the bells, whistles, brake squeal, etc. are if you have loco's that have the sound decoder card. Not all DCC loco's have sound cards!
I used the EZ-Command for two years and just packed it away in storage after getting a Digitrax DCS50. The EZ-Command is very good for what it does but I wanted the ability to read and write CV's, which the EZ-Command can't do. I never had a problem with it in all the time I used it and I highly recommend it to the modeler who wants to get his/her feet wet in DCC before making the decision to get a more expensive system.
ATRTERP4LIFE: If you would like to have an EZ-Command system (controller, power supply, connectors, DVD/literature) I have a brand new one here still in it's plastic wrap. If you want it email me your mailing address. My email is jeffreywimberly@yahoo.com . You don't have to pay me anything. I'll even pay the postage.
Thanks KCS. I emailed you from my work email. I appreciate that very much!
And thank you Rangerover also. I appreciate the detail you used in explaining. I dont expect to have 99 locos running at once, and thought that was a stretch when I saw the specs of the higher dollar units. If I could run 3 or 4, I would be happy as can be. I have about 6 locos now, but only one is DCC ready, and even it needs a decoder installed to work. The others older, and only one is probably worth the price of the decoder card. The others may have to stay on DC for now.
Thank you both again for your assistance.
Quote from: AGRTERP4LIFE on October 07, 2008, 04:14:52 PM
Thanks KCS. I emailed you from my work email. I appreciate that very much!
I'll ship it out as soon as I can.
I have an NCE power cab which can run 2 or 3 engines or decoders, It is hand held and full featured with the ability to program and change CV's. It's more than I'll ever need for my 64 sq foot layout.
I have heard people mention decoders in switches and other layout accesories. Are these decoders then controlled by the DCC controller?
I have a few switches and two of them have decoders installed. I thought it would be neat to control them with the dcc controller. I am using EZ track.
Thanks
You would program those just as you would a loco decoder. The instructions that come with the turnout should explain it.
I use atlas code 83 switches, and switch machines. They are being controlled by a digitrax ds-64 that can handle up to 4 pairs of switch machines. Its a capacitive discharge type controller built and designed for switch machines. As it comes from the factory, it controls solenoid type machines but it can be reprogrammed to operate switchmaster or tortoise machines as well. For the atlas type switch machines, it is more than powerful to operate 2 solenoids at a time. It can be set up for routing several switch machines to a particular track and as the capacitor gets recharged it will throw each switch in succession.
AGRTERP4LIFE: I sent the EZ-Command unit to you this afternoon by Priority mail. You should have it soon.
In line with this, I have a MRC 2000 with two channel tethered controller. Five channels in all. The first channel can run a DC loco. About 2 amps maximum for everything
I will send it free. Just need your email address.
The set can only control speed, direction, lights and one function. This would at least give someone a little start with DCC.
I have run my sound locos and hear sounds but no control over the sounds. Only tried that as an experiment as I now use a NCE system. The below site gives a little information about the controller.
http://members.shaw.ca/sask.rail/dcc/index.html
Rich
The EZ-Command lets you control 8 sounds (F1 - F8).
AGRTERP4LIFE: I sent you an email.
Quote from: Rangerover on October 07, 2008, 10:27:00 AM
I run 6 trains at one time and it can get quite confusing at times. I normally run no more than 3 trains, that's enough for me to take care of.
Rangerover,
How many tracks do you have for running 3-6 trains? I have 2 concentric ovals connected by switches so that I can run 2 trains separately from my EZ Command Control. I have tried running 3 trains, with 2 on the same track, but they require constant attention. I may add a third oval to run 3 trains without worrying about collisions.
When I run two locomotives on the same track, I keep a finger poised over the stop button and run very slow.
Recently I slowed the wrong loco and had a magnificent rear ender. I forgot to take a picture, cars jack knifed and some on their sides.
I have the EZ Command and absolutely love it. I like to run one loco on the single main, and work the GE 70 ton in the yards.
Quote from: Yampa Bob on October 19, 2008, 04:05:48 AM
When I run two locomotives on the same track, I keep a finger poised over the stop button and run very slow.
Recently I slowed the wrong loco and had a magnificent rear ender. I forgot to take a picture, cars jack knifed and some on their sides.
I did something similar and had one heck of a cornfield meet! Needless to say it got my attention instantly.
The E-Z Command is an excellent system for doing what it is designed to do. It allows someone to operate a few trains simultaneously and be able to instantly shift from driving one to driving another. And it allows the user to do this without having to learn a whole lot about DCC. In that regard, it is little different from radio, TV or computers. We don't have to become Hams or tv techs or computer nerds to enjoy them.
However, there are situations where more sophistication is required. Already mentioned is being able to modify CVs in order to select or maximize various performance perameters. Another situation is many people running many trains, each using his/her own throttle. (Bob asked how you could run 6 trains at once - best answer is invite 5 good friends over and have a ball.)
I'd head to the local LHS and see if they have two or three different ones and give them all a try. I did that and used the Bachmann, NCE, and Digitrax.
I wound up with the NCE powercab. They all are good starter dcc sets and you cannot really go wrong with any of them!
Best of luck.
Quote from: WGL on October 19, 2008, 03:40:17 AM
Quote from: Rangerover on October 07, 2008, 10:27:00 AM
I run 6 trains at one time and it can get quite confusing at times. I normally run no more than 3 trains, that's enough for me to take care of.
Rangerover,
How many tracks do you have for running 3-6 trains? I have 2 concentric ovals connected by switches so that I can run 2 trains separately from my EZ Command Control. I have tried running 3 trains, with 2 on the same track, but they require constant attention. I may add a third oval to run 3 trains without worrying about collisions.
My pike is a total of 6 main lines, I have 4 on the top level, the longest run is 61 ft. It is U shaped with 2 subway lines under the table with access from the top/yard to the subway. Not including the mountain heights it is basically 4 ft table leg height. The subway is 9 inches below or 39 inches from the floor. I am rerouting my yard due to some very tight curves, when I finish that I will post some pics. I have a 15 stall roundhouse with turntable that I'm thinking about tearing out, nice to look at and draws attention, but a real Real Estate grabber. If I decide to remove it, I'll take pics before and after.
My longest run is 40.5' in a 7.5 x 15' layout; the inside track is 39'. If I added a third track, it would have to go inside the 39' track.
I use a broadway limited blueline ac6000 loco with the ez command, but i'm upset that I can't controll all of the great sound effects. The ez command can't controll cv's, but if you buy one of those mrc boxes that let you controll dcc effects and cvs with dc power, you can set up a cv programming track.