Atlas Commander

[Anonymous]

 

I'm builting a small (inexpensive) layout for my son.  Fits on a 4X8, only has 5 turnouts, will only be running a max of 2 trains at a time.

 Is the Atlas Commander adequate?  I've been able to locate one fairly inexpensive.  Does the commander support sound?

 If the commander is not the way to go, can you recommend a good entry level, inexpensive system?

Thanks!

[cacole]

As near as I recall, the Atlas Commander was a very limited DCC system that was actually made for Atlas by Lenz of Germany.  It might be a good starter set for a small layout such as yours to run one train at a time, but if you have any sound-equipped locomotives I don't think it has the capability (function outputs) to control the sounds.

 

[tstage]

MagicM,

I'm sure I'll receive some backlash for suggestiing this but it won't be the first time.  If you know where to poke around, you can pick up the Bachmann E-Z Command for $50-60.

The E-Z Command is a decent, no-frills, easy to learn, basic entry level DCC system that will easily accommodate 2-3 locomotives simultaneously.  (1-2 with sound.)  Even though it has a limited output of 1-amp, you can store up to 9 DCC address and run one (1) DC locomotive with it.  You can also support and control up to 8 sound functions with the E-Z Command.  I originally bought mine for only $53.

[Edit: eBay currently has a Buy It Now E-Z Command for $55  There's also one up for bid that is currently at $10.83 as of 7:10 EST] 

For a $100 more, you can move up to the more sophisticated entry level DCC systems like the Digitrax Zephyr and the NCE Power Cab.  These two systems will give you more capacity, flexibility, and upgradeability than the E-Z Command.  Even so, the E-Z Command can still be enjoyed - even within it's limitations.

I have no qualms about purchasing and using the E-Z Command on my 4 x 8 HO layout for the year that I had it.  I now use the NCE Power Cab and enjoy it very much.

MagicM, how old is your son?

Tom

[NZRMac]

I started with a Lenz Compact, same as Atlas commander. it will support 3 functions, lights bell and horn/whistle on most sound decoders. It is programmeable too. and it's easily expandable with atlas or lenz.

Ken.

[Gandy Dancer]

Is the Atlas Commander adequate?

basically, yes.

I've been able to locate one fairly inexpensive.

define inexpensive?  I believe the Commanders were clearanced out of our local hobby store when they were discontinued for $50 or $60.

Does the commander support sound?

DCC doesn't support or not support sound.  DCC supports a certain number of functions.  The Commander can only do a few.  So whatever sounds are programmed onto those few functions will work.  The others will not.   I've found that is usually all I need anyway - whistle, bell, headlight on/off.  Let things like the brakes and motor sound work on automatic.

If the commander is not the way to go, can you recommend a good entry level, inexpensive system?

The Atlas "Hand Commander" comes to mind. I think Bachmann's starter system does 10 functions.  MRC has a Prodigy Advanced.  NCE has a power cab.  Digitrax has the Zephyr.  The only one of these that I own is the Zephyr.  I can recommend it.

[jwils1]

If you can get the Commander for a very good price it would be a great starter set for a small layout and easily expandable to a very fine Lenz system later if you so desire.

Here are some of the features:

1.  2.5 amp.  I've run 5 or 6 non-sound locos at the same time.

2.  Supports functions F0 - F4.  For sound that gives you lights, bell, horn and 2 more.  One probem is many decoders use F8 or F12 to mute the sound so you may not be able to turn the sound off.

3.  Can set loco addresses from 0 - 99 and has an 8 loco recall stack.

4.  Can setup and breakup consists.

5.  Will control turnouts or other accessory decoders.

6.  Supports 14, 28 and 128 speed steps.

7.  Supports Register and Direct Mode programming on a progamming track.  Does not support programming on the main.

8.  You can add a hand held throttle if you want to walk around your layout while operating.  Plugs in to plug-in stations wherever you want to locate them.

9.  Supports the unique Lenz cordless phone throttle for wireless loco operation with the purchase of an XPA phone adapter and a cheap cordless phone.

A pretty neat little system if the price is right.  Otherwise you might be better served with the Digitrax Zephyr or NCE Power Cab which will give you more sound functions and easier decoder progamming, consisting, etc.

[bearman]

My vote is with tstage.

[bearman]

I looked at the Commander and the Bachmann EZ Command but bought a Digitrax Zephyr.  While either of the first two would have met my initial needs, I know that I will eventually be expanding the number of throttles, and the Zephyr does have more capabilities, so I decided to take the plunge and sped the additional 100$ earlier rather than later.  As others have noted, the other systems will also work.

[jwils1]

take the plunge and sped the additional 100$ earlier rather than later

This is a very good point.  If you or your son plan to be in this hobby for awhile, sooner or later your going to want to improve your DCC system.  Starting now with a system thas has a good upgrade path available, like the Zephyr (or some of the other entry level systems), could be the best way to go in the long run.

To really enjoy DCC, being able to tweak and adjust your loco performance is a must and a lot of fun. This would rule out Bachmann for me.  If you want to get into sound then you definitely want to be able to adjust your sound volumes, tones, etc.

You just have to decide where your main interests lie, i.e., electronics, carpentry, scenery, operations, etc.  But if you're like many of us were when starting out, you may not even know what you're going to like the best.  So, the question is.....whether to buy a cheap, throw-away system (or give-away) or to buy a system with good upgrade and expansion possibilities?  For me, I've got way to many electronic and photography gadgets lying around that I never use because I didn't know want I really wanted in the long run.  But that's the nature of these sort of things, with rapidly changing technology we sometime just don't know.  I now lean towards known, respected brands which are known for their quality, warranties and longevity.

But back to your (MagicM) original question.  I definitely would not buy the Commander if planning to get into sound or if I wanted to do a lot of loco programming (you can do some programming but it's a lot easier with a better system).  I would buy the Commander if I could get it for less than $75 and if I was planning a small to medium, non-sound layout and wasn't plannning on sound for awhile.  But be careful here because you (and your son) will probably want sound.

By the way, the Commander will run one DC equipped loco along with DCC locos.  And, if you ever plan to expand to a Lenz DCC system, the Commander can be used as an extra throttle (that's what I did thanks to a suggestion from NZRMac and I'm really glad I did).

   

[Anonymous]

 

Thank you all for your advice.  I ended up winning the ebay auction tstage mentioned.  I got the E-Z command for $52 (including shipping).  It should do the trick until I know for sure my 6 yr son is going to remain interested in the hobby. 

[jwils1]

Thank you all for your advice.  I ended up winning the ebay auction tstage mentioned.  I got the E-Z command for $52 (including shipping).  It should do the trick until I know for sure my 6 yr son is going to remain interested in the hobby. 

Congratulations on your purchase and entry into DCC.  I hope your son loves it and grows up to be one of us.  As you get into it please don't hesitate to ask questions as there are many on this forum that can be of help.

[tstage]

Magic,

That's terrific!   I actually checked the auction right after it was done last night.  I was sorta hoping that you might have been the one with the winning bid.  Now I find out that you were.  And you got it for less than 1/2 MSRP.  That's a pretty decent price with shipping.

Magic, drop us another post when you and your son have a chance to play with the E-Z Command.  I'll be curious to hear how you like it.  I think you'll both pick up on it really quickly.  The DVD that comes with the manual is helpful.

For me, any DCC system is much more fun to play with than DC.

Tom

[Anonymous]

 I have a question about the electrical connections on a DCC system. Do I have to wire the track every two feet, or how do I buss the power to the track. The lay-out is 55 sq./ft., and will have approx. 80 feet of track. Most will be main line, the rest will be subs. and spurs. The system I want to get is the Zephyr, but I want the hand held option also. Is the Empire Builder a better option. I know that I will be making a larger layout in the future, so I think I should get something I can grow with. Any comments will be welcomed. Thank you.   Dan

[simon1966]

Hi Dan, it looks like your message got lost in the end of this Atlas thread.  For future reference I would post your questions in a  new thread and you will likely get more response.

In answer to the bus wiring question the answer is no, but could be yes depending on what you want to achieve.  You will see some web sites quote every 3 feet.  Others will say that is overkill, there are more opinions on this than there are layouts!

I run the power bus under the layout and drop feeders down to the bus soldered onto the outside of the rails.  My preference is to make sure that there is a hard solder connection between every piece of track and the power bus.  I have some long single track sections with no turnouts where 3 pieces of flex-track are soldered together with one pair of centrally located feeders.  9' of track is supplied has just 1 pair in this case. In other sections I have more complex track-work with feeders much closer together.  The point being that at no place on my layout is current flow dependent on a press fit track joiner.  I am sure you could get away with less and probably never have a problem, but I want to be sure I never have a problem.

I am also a Zephyr user as well.  I happen to really like the system and have had good service from it.  It can comfortably run 10 locomotives at once, many equipped with sound.  If you want a walk around throttle just get either a UT4, or a DT400 and plug then in and away you go.  The Zephyr will support 10 additional throttles without modification.  Personally, I would stay away from the SEB as it does not support CV read-back which I feel is very important.  The Zephyr can grow easily.  Over the last few years I have added a booster, wireless control, PC interface and a pair of throttles.

[bearman]

MagicM -

You and your son are now in big trouble.  Getting that system for that price is a really good deal.  You'll get hooked and will be spending more in the future.

[bearman]

CityofTruro -

The layout I am building is about the size of yours, and I consulted locally when I went to buy DCC and the Zephyr should be more than adequate to serve your needs. There is a radio controlled throttle option that can be added to the Zephyr.  I'm using 20 AWG wire feeders soldered to rail joiners which are in turn soldered to the rails with the feeders spaced 30 - 40" apart, mostly on the 30" side.  The power bus is 14 AWG.  Non fed rails are soldered to rail joiners as well.  There are those who solder a feeder to every rail, but I am not one of them.  In trial runs the system is working fine.