Hi
As I look to slightly expand my layout requiring new and more track and contemplating upgrading my DCC system, the Bachmann Dynamis and the DCC EZ track turnouts have caught my eye.
So, Is anyone using the Bachmann EZ track DCC turnouts?
And/or the Dynamis DCC System?
{If I upgrade my Bachmann EZ Command DCC system, I was contemplating a Digitrax zephyr}.
BUT, I am becoming interested in Bachmann's new Dynamis DCC System and the EZ Track DCC controlled turnouts.
Do they work well? Are they fussy? Do locos like them? And play well together? Worth the money?
I know some are not fond of the EZ track.
Thanks for all inputs.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Go for the Zephyr. The Dynamis is a dead end. I have one Bachmann DCC turnout. It works fairly well and I don't have any problems with locos stalling or shorting on it. Just be mindful that you have to have the little button between the ties depressed when you program it for whichever position will be the default setting as it will snap to that position when you power up the track.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Go join the Bachmann forums. There is a lot of activity about what you are interested in.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
richg1998 Go join the Bachmann forums. There is a lot of activity about what you are interested in. http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/ Rich
I am aware of the Bachmann forum. I was hoping for a bit more unbiased realistic opinion here.
Hi Jeffrey!
Does the Zephyr control the turnouts as the Dynamis claims it does?
I am totally green on the idea of controlling a switch with DCC. And I may not do it. Most are close enough that I can do them manually, but at least 2 are far enough it might be nice to DCC control them. I am concerned that I can switch the close ones manually faster than a DCC can?
Remember my layout is HO 3.5 x 5, and I hope ot make it about 40-42" x 5' {just can't spare more space than that} which would give me 2 interconnected 18R ovals on which to run trains instead of a 15R and an 18R. The interconnecting switches are close, but there are 2 for engine servicing spurs on the far side.
Thanks for your help, you are a font of knoledge.
As far as I know the Bachmann DCC turnouts can be controlled with ANY DCC system.
i wrote a thread about Bachmann. i was indirectly called an idiot for thinking of using anything Bachmann, and a complete dumb...head...for buying a Bachmann train. now only if knew why the 4-4-0 is missing the power shaft
Allegheny2-6-6-6I am not sure why you want to use the Bachmann easy track turnouts, is it because they have the switch machine motor and decoder already in place and you don't want to tackle the under table switch machine and stationary decoder costs? If I am correct in my assumption and I try not to ever assume for obvious reasons. An excellent alternative is "The Flea" switch machine by Cypress Engineering. You can find their add in any issue of MR It's an all in one turnout switch machine and stationary decoder. You need not drill a hole through your roadbed and mounting surface or mount the remote switch machine under the table. They seem to be a bit pricey at first glance but when you add up the individual component costs and factor in the easy of installation in my O/P they are more cost effective http://cypress-engineering.com/
Actually you assumed correctly. I was thinking about them as an all-in-one unit as I don't really want to deal with the under-the-table mounting business.
I used open frame and foam for my layout, attaching the under-tables to the foam may be hard to do, and I'd have to put in a wood supporter for the motor.
{Of course, I am modifying the layout so may just start witha new wood table and add foam on top.}
However, I shall look into these flea machines, so thanks for your advice....
davidmbedard MILW-RODR i wrote a thread about Bachmann. i was indirectly called an idiot for thinking of using anything Bachmann, and a complete dumb...head...for buying a Bachmann train. now only if knew why the 4-4-0 is missing the power shaft Where was this thread? David B
MILW-RODR i wrote a thread about Bachmann. i was indirectly called an idiot for thinking of using anything Bachmann, and a complete dumb...head...for buying a Bachmann train. now only if knew why the 4-4-0 is missing the power shaft
Where was this thread?
David B
Lots of people here, including myself, have indirectly been called "idiots" and other things for buying Bachmann stuff.
I bought the Bachmann EZ Command DCC System for my very small HO layout because it fit my budget and was a basic entry into the world of DCC. While it serves me fine, it was seemingly frowned upon that I choose to buy it instead of the Digitrax Zephyr. And I may someday want to upgrade to the zephyr or some system, but for now the Bachmann is fine. I was also wondering how the Dymnamis might fare against the other systems.
Hello Galaxy,
I have purchased the Bachmann EZ DCC control system, due to budget constraints. BUT, I plan on upgrading to the Zephyr the first chance I get. I would not get the Dynamis for several reasons:
1) You cannot expand as readily and easily as with the Zephyr (yet)
2) The Dynamis requires batteries while the Zephyr is hard wired (I think there's enough maintenance to be done on the railroad not to have to worry about batteries!)
3) From my experience with Infrared, you have to keep within line of sight of the IR receiver (and keep the IR output pointed at the IR receiver) to maintain communication, and just with use of a wireless keyboard on my fiancees computer, it can lose the signal just moving a few inches up/down etc... I'd rather get the Zephyr and a tethered throttle!
4) the Dynamis has a joystick for speed control, where the Zephyr has traditional rotating throttle.
I did a search on Walthers (ok they aren't the cheapest or most cost effective but) the Zephyr is listed as regular price $199.99 while the Dynamis is listed as regular price $315!!! From what I have read you can only expand the Dynamis with another Dynamis controller, for $185 when they finally release it (Walthers says TBA for release date).
In my opinion (and to keep my wallet as heavy as possible) I would go with the Zephyr and another throttle for a little less than what you would spend on purchasing the Dynamis alone!
Hope this was helpful,
Sam
May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!
I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)
i do believe it's under here in layouts forum somewheres, but i was asking about using Kato Unitrack and Bachmann DC control on a coffee table layout. i bought a Bachmann 4-4-0 a while back cause it was a good deal and it was purrty, and it was bride for the wife figure so she wouldn't get mad at me for buying train stuff. it was going to be a small figure 8 design, basically a short rail tour. but that idea's ditched. found out some stuff and basically we're going to stay living where we are now, so i can go ahead and build something bigger than a [edited for content by selector] coffee table. i took no offense to though cause i'm just starting out and don't really know who makes the best of what yet. but i'm learnin
thick skin? that may help but you need something more like a chubum body suit. for anyone who doesn't know chubum is the government name for the type of armor used on Abraham M1A1 battle tanks that makes virtually anything proof. i most not have been clear enough, but no, no one actually called me an idiot, it just felt like that statement was implied. and as for Bachmann i'm shying away from it. heard more negative than positive, and not to mention the one train i have ever never came with, or i lost, the power transfer shaft. so now i will probably use it in some sort of diorama.
Just as an aside, because it is off topic, but you raised the idea of ceramic armor. It is called "Chobham armour" after the British establishment that first designed and tested it. It was first used extensively on the British "Chieftain" main battle tank in the 70's.
Back to basics and DCC.
-Crandell
Wow,
my simple original post turned somewhat ugly and got way way off topic....