The new E-Z Command Smart Interface looks awesome!
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/docs/E_Z_Command_Smart_Interface.pdf

But I have a question. The brochure states " just plug in to the E-Z Command 44902 ", but I own the 44901. Please tell me I won't have to upgrade.

This is a sweet option for us E-Z Command users, but I am worried about what the price will be. Having it's own WiFi I'm afraid means its not going to be cheap.

I have been thinking of buying a SPROG3 ( $120 ) and using JMRI mainly for the wireless controls with a tablet. But this new interface option, if priced right, would be easier to use.4

Thanx for all the replies.

The EZ command might work well for me. Sound is a cool novelty, and I might like it...for the first few uses. But after that, I see myself turning the sound off. So between that and the cost of the sound Loco's, I am pretty sure I'm going to go without sound. Without sound, I'm told I can run 3 DCC Loco's at one time. Thats more than enough for what I want. I might end up with 5-6 Loco's, but I know for a fact I wont be running them all at once. And I'm on the fence on if I want the expense of DDC controlled turnouts or going manual.

There are no other funtions on a DCC non-sound Loco that I need to worry about is there ( besides lighting )?

Quote
Controlling Locomotive Functions:

In DCC you can control many additional functions in a locomotive in addition to speed and direction.  Bachman Decoder Equipped Locomotives allow you to turn on and off the locomotive headlight as well as dim the headlight. Other DCC locomotives can have many more functions for the control of sound, special lighting effects and even coupler control.  E-Z Command can control up to nine independent functions.

Press the yellow Function button. This button toggles between function control mode and selecting a locomotive to operate mode.

The flashing LEDs adjacent to the button indicates the address of the train under control. When the led is flashing you are in function control mode.

F10 switches the basic lights function on and off. On most decoders this is directional and is useful guide to the direction that a train will move when the control knob is turned.

F1 to F8 control further functions on customer fitted advanced specification decoders.  (F1 dims the headlight for Bachman decoder equipped locomotives.)

When you are through controlling functions and you desire to select a new locomotive to control press the yellow button again and the address led will become solid indicating that the system is in address mode.
 

Found it, thanx.

Amp size booster recommened? Seems there is a large price difference between the 3amp and 5 amp models.

And let me ask about the functions again. If I want to run 3 Loco's with sound. Each Loco has 2 sounds ( engine and horn ). So thats 3 functions ( train power, and 2 sounds ) per Loco? Or would each Loco have 10 functions available to them?

Sorry for all the queastions. Just want to make sure I understand how this works and would be happy with the EZ command, and not one of the more expensive controllers.

So I can run 3 Loco's with sound ( and lights ), " if " I add a booster, correct?

If so, what booster is recommended?

Extra feeders...by this, do you mean the feeder wires being fed to the track? If so, I plan on a feeder wire every 3 feet or so, all connected the main wire, run under the table ( did that make sense? ).

If I run 3 Loco's, will the lighting operate with the DDC command? I read there was a lmit of 10 commands? I'm not aure how that works.

What are the limits of the EZ Commmand? For my use, I do not plan on more than 3 or 4 Engines ( not sure on sounds yet, might just go with DDC only ) and 100 ft of track. I am not planning on any DDC switching ( I'll most likely go with manual ).

Will the basic EZ Command setup run what I am planning on?

Will I need a power booster?