The Bachmann Dynamis DCC system is about the cheapest DCC control I can get in my country. The Digitrax Zephyr eXtra sells for 40 % more, and the cheapest Lenz system is more than twice as much.
I am in the planning stage for a small Z scale layout, based on MR´s 2010 project layout "The Salt Lake Route". Nothing really fancy.
Is there a major downside to the Bachmann system, which should keep me from buying it?
i have had issues after issues after issues here in Australia, 3 replacements and i have had enough, if you would like to get one cheaper i have one still in box which i can send out soon, let me know your offer :)
Thanks
That's interesting-- In much of the rest of the world, the Bachmann Dynamis is usually about 40% more expensive than a Zephyr or an NCE PowerCab. Bachmann's low-end (non-Dynamis) E-Z-Command set, however, is often available for about half of what the Zephyr and PowerCab sell for.
The key drawbacks to the Dynamis are:
On the plus side, it does have an easily-readable display that provides easily-interpreted prompts. It's also far less expensive than the full-featured ESU ECoS DCC system it resembles.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
The Dynamis is actually a stripped down version of the Navigator, not the ECOs 5200. The Navigator overcomes nearly all of the shortcomings of the Dynamis as far as expandability is concerned. Navigator can be expanded to a full ECoS system, Dynamis leaves off the one port required to do this, even with the expansion box added. Of course,t he Navigator probbaly costs more. If you truly are never ever goign to expand beyond what the Dynamis and ProBox can handle, and don;t mind the size of the handhelds, then it should be fine. I'm just not intot he video game controller look, although for European modelers it has a place since locos with numbers are often more than 4 digits and others don;t even use numbers so you need an alternative way to reference a loco besides keying in the number on the cab side.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ulrich, since you are going to run this with Z scale the limitation on functions will have little effect on you. Also, since the layout will likely not be too big, the issues with the IR and directional nature and limited range of the wireless will be less of an issue. Knowing that budget is a concern, the very high cost of adding a second throttle could be an issue, but that is only if you ever plan to do so. Otherwise it is not an issue.
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
A couple of thoughts to add.
Checking out ebay.de I wonder if the Roco Multimaus might be worth considering? Also the Hornby Select might be worth a look? Don't know a lot about either, but may get you into DCC at a lower cost?
The Bachmann Dynamis set sells for Euro 139 over here, the Digitrax Zephyr eXtra for Euro 199, the Lenz set for about Euro 299 and a used Roco Multimaus goes for anything between Euro 100 - 150 on the German bay. The Hornby Select set is not available at all, I´d have to order it from UK, but would need a different plug for it.
Edit: The Multimaus could be an alternative, I saw ne ones being sold for Euro 100, plus shipping.
Another thought, use your PC and a Sprog! http://www.sprog-dcc.co.uk/
$500.00 for the pro box? That may be Bachmann's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price and the amount if you purchase directly from Bachmann but if you do a google search it's almost half that amount such as:
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-HO-36508-Dynamis-Pro-Box-p/bac-36508.htm
I've used the Bachmann EZ Command for 7 years. I do use Decoder Pro/JMRI with a stand alone program track to program CV's and sound. I thought of upgrading to the Dynamis, I already purchased the 5 amp booster several years ago for about half again the retail price Bachmann recommends. We all know how limited Bachmann is! The reason's I didn't upgrade to Dynamis is it doesn't have computer interface capability, way too costly to upgrade extra throttles, it's still just to limited for the price it would cost and I understand that fluorescent lights may affect the infra red. I would have to change out 12 double tube 4' fluorescent fixtures which I really don't want to do. I plan on upgrading to NCE power pro soon from all the research and indecision for the past 7 years, I finally decided. Just waiting on an inheritance that's forth coming! Jim
I have been doing some research on Roco´s Multimaus as well as Bachmann Dynamis. Roco Multimaus would be about the cheapest way of entering the DCC world, but consisting seems to be a problem, as the Multimaus offers only the dirty way of trying to speed match and run two locos under the same address. I have no idea how consisting would work with the Dynamis set.
Input welcome!
Ulrich,
As you know I am building a N scale layout on a door. All the trackwork is done and tested. I am using a Dynamis for my DCC power.
I bought it as I thought it would be fine for a small layout and the price was right, $120 at Kleins.
I have only used it in a limited way after installing decoders and testing trackwork but in reading the manual it can do consists. I don't find the line of sight issue to be a problem and I mounted the box just below the table. The controller can 'see' the main unit at a fairly large angle.
The only thing that I find hard to get used to is the speed joy stick. There isn't much of a range to the travel of it and if you want to increase power slowly you have to do so very gently. I expect I will get used to it but I find that it is very sensitive. You can adjust the reaction time of the throttle but so far I haven't found a setting I really like.
Anyway it is easy to programme and I quite like the graphic display. You can even have the type of loco displayed such as 'Pacific' just by typing it in.
Hope this helps but if you have any other questions, feel free to send me a PM.
CN Charlie