OK, this things been out for a while and just looking for any opinions from it's users. (NOT folks that don't own it and just want to bash it.)The more I look at it, the more I think it be right for me. It's simple, you can change CV's, 2.5 amps, 40 locos, runs stationary decoders, 21 functions. I'm thinking this might be a better bet than a PA2. I don't care about computer interface and CV read back.MB Klein has them on sale for $149 WITH a Bach Dash 8 loco!!
Just looking for any input from current users. The one thing I see that I don't like is the joystick throttle.
David-What do you mean by the copy and the original? What is the original?I've been thinking about what I actually need in a system. I DO like my simple little EZ command. A few things I wish it had were more amps, more addresses and to be able to change CV's. (all of which the Dynamis says it has.) I really don't do any consisting. I'm really not into tweaking my locos for maximum performance. Just really don't have a need for computer interface. I'd rather spend the time and money on buildings, detail and scenery. I want to play with my trains, not computers. From what I understand, if I DID decide to get into tweaking things, I could buy a (PR3?) programmer later. (right?)I thought about the entry level NCE system, but there's a few things I don't like about it. The way I have my layout set up, I don't think the line of sight infrared would be much of a problem.
Loathar, a bit apart from your question, but I believe I saw them advertised for $140 at Klein's on the Friday evening.
-Crandell
loathar David-What do you mean by the copy and the original? What is the original?...
David-What do you mean by the copy and the original? What is the original?...
The only thing I can think of that he might have meant is the ECoSControl Radio: http://www.esu.eu/en/products/ecoscontrol-radio/
To use it though, you have to buy the $500+ ECoS command station.
Selector-Yeah, I think it's $149 + a Bach Dash 8 unit. Killer deal!
I know ESU makes these,(or at least designed it) so it's not like it's rolling off Bachs assembly line.
loatharI think it's $149 + a Bach Dash 8 unit. Killer deal!
Loathar, I use a MRC Power Station 8 with my E-Z, have all the power I need.
Do you have a link for the Dynamis? For that kind of money I maybe able to swing it.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Ken, click on the banner announcing the Bachmann deals in HO and N near the top of the opening page at modeltrainstuff.com.
loatharOK, this things been out for a while and just looking for any opinions from it's users. (
I as well was hoping for more answers to this question.
Loathar or Crandell, could either of you post a link? More than likely it is my firewall, but I dont see any banners at the top.
Here Ken.http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=dynamis&Search.x=8&Search.y=12
$150+they throw in a Bach Dash 8 or SD 45! (undecorated.) Those would appear to be Spectrums with decoders. $50-$60 value. Folks on a couple other forums say it's not a bad system as long as you don't want to add other controllers or a computer interface.Ken-Aren't you using (or did use) a Bachmann 5 amp booster? Bach says you can wire that booster right in line with the Dynamis system and not have to have 2 seperate power districts. Is that how you wired yours up?
Fist thanks for the Link. I am using a MRC Power Station 8, it is a 8 Amp booster. The two wires that go to the track go to the booster and then booster wires go to the rails.
Before I order, I going to check with my LHS and see if he can get the same deal. Far as the free engine, well free is good but it is not the deal breaker. If I can get it from K-10 Model Trains with out the engine for $150.00 I get it there.
Any idea as to what the Dynamis Pro Box that was listed? It under the Dynamis and to the right. Has a higher list but out of stock and no details.
cudaken...Any idea as to what the Dynamis Pro Box that was listed?..
Here is a FAQ page on the Dynamis: Dynamis FAQ
According to FAQ #9: "With Dynamis, you can use a single handset. Add the Dynamis Pro Box and the system is opened up to 4 additional wireless handsets plus additional tethered handsets on the ECoSlink high speed bus if required."
There must not be a lot of users out there who have access to this site. I came across a review by Cody of Model Railroader at this site. It had a few reviews from users. Has anyone seen it?
http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=2497
Another site with some information, but both of these reviews are almost a year old:
http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=2362
Makes me wonder if it is not a big seller. Cody mentions getting interference when he tries to use another controller. "The set is designed for control with one wireless controller. I did run trains with an additional handheld from another set. The controllers can interfere with each other when used simultaneously." From that comment I infer that only one person can control a train(s) etc. unless you purchase the Pro add on unit.
I have read the reviews and have like what I read. It said it was easy to set CV's, that is a plus. I have watched to many people at K-10 Model Trains fiddle with the Super Chief trying to figure out why there engine would not run. In fact that is why I never made the jump to different DCC system. I like simple and the Bachmann E-Z is that!
Well, I made the jump today, I ordered a Dynamis from K-10. He could not match the prices with the free engine. He is selling me the system for $160.00 so I am OK with it. You have to support your LHS. Besides, he had a box of the same engines being gave a way painted for a fair prices. Pretty sure I can get a discount if I ask for one.
Main thing I hope to gain is running the layout like a real rail road. I sit about 20 feet from the far end and 6 foot from the closes section, all my turnouts are thrown by hand. So I sit and watch the trains, no dropping off cars, picking them up etc.
Only things that bothers is the line of sight, but after I move that will not be a problem. I am guessing you can not read CV's, there was nothing in the reviews about being able to. But I cannot now anyway so what the heck. I will all so retire the MRC 8 amp booster and we will see if it is the root of all of my DCC woes. I am guessing it is not.
Up date and review in a week or so.
Dynamis Ken, melting stuff again.
Ken-A few of the reviews I read said you can aim the controller about 60 degrees off direct line off site before you have signal problems. Lookin forward to your review!
It should be in this Friday, but with the change of work hours I will not be able to pick it up till next Thursday. In the mean time, I need to figuer out a yard plan, bought some more track and still have a few extra turouts. All so bought some more decoders, got to have something to melt!
cudakenWell, I made the jump today, I ordered a Dynamis from K-10. He could not match the prices with the free engine. He is selling me the system for $160.00 so I am OK with it. You have to support your LHS. Besides, he had a box of the same engines being gave a way painted for a fair prices. Pretty sure I can get a discount if I ask for one.
If I ordered the Dynamis with a free engine from M.B. Klein it would be $161.57 with shipping added. If your LHS can't, or should I say won't, match a competitor price, then to hell with the LHS that's being greedy and go with where you get the better deal. Maybe you have money to throw around but I'm a consumer first, and my hobby money needs to be stretched as much as possible. It doesn't hurt for me to ask for a discount or for a competitor price to be matched, but if an LHS won't budge, then I say "thank you" and move on. Anyway, before I replaced my EZ command with NCE's powercab, I had considered the dynamis. Let us all know what you think of it when you get it.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
This is sort of another thread, and I wouldn;t have put it so bluntly, but it's basically correct. And MB Klein isn't just one of those box pushing internet dealers - they ahev a store, and they also sell at train shows. They don't always have the absolute lowest prices - the pure internet guys can sometimes beat them.
But then it all depends on where the seller gets their stuff. For example, I won't buy Digitrax stuff from my LHS - heck they as much told me not to bother. They aren;t a Digitrax dealer so they buy it through Walthers and can't offer much of a discount. They are an NCE dealer so I can get accessory bits like Switch-It stationary decoders for the same as any online store - so I just buy them there. Since Ken's Dynamis is 'on order' I suspect it's being purchased via Walthers and not direct from Bachmann, meaning there's no way the shop can match the deals offered by those who buy direct. It always costs more when there's a middleman - the cost of convenience.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ken, good on you for supporting K-10. K-10 model trains is basically a Digitrax store and it is where I purchased my Zephyr. I also could have shopped the Internet and got it cheaper I am sure, but the price was discounted from list and I felt competitive considering the "added value" that K-10 provides. Anyone that has ever set foot into the K-10 store knows that Ken the owner (a different Ken to Cudaken the purchaser) provides really good support to his customers. Of course price is important to most buyers, but it is not the only criteria upon which purchase decisions are made. If it were, marketing, advertising and salesmanship would become rather simple.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
jasperofzealthen to hell with the LHS that's being greedy
Jasper, if you had K-10 Model Trains as your LHS you would understand. Simon and I are very lucky to have K-10, it is more than a LHS to most of his customers, he is a friend. Besides, I did not want the engine anyway.
Support your LHS while you still have one!
cudakenSupport your LHS while you still have one!
I like to think of it in other terms: Support your CUSTOMERS while you still have them! No customers, no business.
So I don't have the K-10 hobby shop to visit, but even if I did, what would make it such a great place that I would promote? Judging by the website, they are pretty much like any other hobby shop I've seen. If he is a friend to you, why didn't he give you a discount especially if you didn't want the engine? Things like this make me wonder. I don't want to turn your thread into a fight so I'll just end my comments with this post and await your review of the dynamis when you get it.
Tony, I have been in sales long enough to know that not everyone buys simply based on price. If you are really honest with yourself I doubt you make purchase decisions based exclusively on price either? There are many factors that influence purchase decsions, customer loyalty is an intangible but powerful factor. K-10 model trains has a lot of loyal customers. I travel a lot and go to hobby shops all over the US. I can say from personal experience that K-10 is very different to many of the shops I have visited.
Anyone her bought from Model Train stuff? Seem Horizon is back ordered and K-10 Model Trains have no idea when he can get me one.
Thanks, Cuda Ken
Yes, Model Train Stuff is MB Klein, I've purcheased form them both through the web site and at their large booth they have at the Timonium train show all the time. Only thing I haven't done is visit their actual store, Baltimore is a bit far for me to drive just to go to the hobby shop.
If it's listed in stock on their site they are very likely to actually have it. If it says no stock, well, then they don;t have it either.
I currently own a NCE powercab, I have the extra remote as well so my son and i can run our trains independently. its a decent system, I was looking for low price along with good abilities. I have since torn down the layout, and I am just building the benchwork for its replacement. this time around I really want wireless and this system seems to be a decent price point.
One thing I DISLIKE about the powercab was that if I was running engine A and got it on it's way, and changed to engine B, and then got that one on it's way, if I changed back to engine A, it would come to a stop and then I would have to get it going again. I really thought that was unacceptable but I am not 100% sure if its my issue or the NCE's issue.
For the new layout, I would have to get the pro box for the Dynamis, which raises the price quite a bit, but now we would both be wireless which I like.
My question for those who one one, what happens when you have two engines running and you change control from A to B, is there any interuption in engine B's motion? or is it fluid?
thanks
Kevin
ondrek...One thing I DISLIKE about the powercab was that if I was running engine A and got it on it's way, and changed to engine B, and then got that one on it's way, if I changed back to engine A, it would come to a stop and then I would have to get it going again. I really thought that was unacceptable but I am not 100% sure if its my issue or the NCE's issue...
ondrek My question for those who one one, what happens when you have two engines running and you change control from A to B, is there any interuption in engine B's motion? or is it fluid?
Wow, had to do a double take when I saw a couple of post after January 9th, then realized the thread started this time last year.
Springfield PA