Bachmann DCC Decoders

[don7]

The LHS has recently stocked the Bachmann DCC decoder 3 packs.  They certainly are priced cheaper that the Digitrax units.

Are these decoders worth purchasing?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

These decoders are quite basic. They control speed, direction and lighting functions.

Here's a link to the page at the Walther's site.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/160-44914 

I prefer just motor control on my DCC units so a decoder that controls just 2 functions is fine for me. I prefer to use the Digitrax DZ125 decoder. It has a 1 amp rating with a 2 amp peak and control speed, direction and lighting functions like the Bachmann decoders and costs $24.99 from Walther's. Being made to fit in a Z scale loco it can fit virtually anywhere in a HO loco. Here's a link to the page at Walther's.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/245-DZ125 

 

[Anonymous]

        don't buy them. 

I have several Bachmann decoders running in some DCC Onboard products.  I will leave them unless they give a problem, but.......

But remember, they usually require a capacitor clipped between the rails of the programming track before they will respond to your console's programming commands.  Otherwise they are likely to just sit on the programming track giving a "no decoder present" error message.

These decoders are quite basic. They control speed, direction and lighting functions.

Here's a link to the page at the Walther's site.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/160-44914

I prefer just motor control on my DCC units so a decoder that controls just 2 functions is fine for me. I prefer to use the Digitrax DZ125 decoder. It has a 1 amp rating with a 2 amp peak and control speed, direction and lighting functions like the Bachmann decoders and costs $24.99 from Walther's. Being made to fit in a Z scale loco it can fit virtually anywhere in a HO loco. Here's a link to the page at Walther's.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/245-DZ125 

Agree with this.  Another much better decoder than the Bachmann for the price is the 524-D13SR which still can be had for $15.56 from Bruce and Linda at Litchfield Station http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php?cat=152

Product manual and specs: http://www.ncedcc.com/d13v35_d.pdf

I like to get the 10 packs which work out to $13.65 each

Litchfield Station still has a few DZ123s for $15.89 (another of my favourites) and their price is $19.89 for the DZ125s (I recall they are almost always less expensive source than Walthers).

 

 

[don7]

Thanks all for the info.

I had a hunch that the feedback would not be very good on these.

 I did ask at the LHS if these decoders were limited in their functions and was told no they were full function decoders.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

They are full function, for the few functions that they have.

[river_eagle]

the Bachmann decoder is made for them by Lenz, it's a basic no frills decoder, and can be had for around $13 each. they do what they are supposed to do, motor control, front, rear light and rule 17.

[jasperofzeal]

The LHS has recently stocked the Bachmann DCC decoder 3 packs.  They certainly are priced cheaper that the Digitrax units.

Are these decoders worth purchasing?

It all depends on what you want from a decoder.  I happen to have some of these decoders, and I plan on putting one into an engine that only needs to have front/ditch, and rear lights lit, so this decoder is good enough for that.  Now if I wanted special lighting (mars, gyralite, what-not light), sound expandability, or whatever other frills are available, then I'd look into purchasing some better equipped decoders.  Your money, your choices.

[unionpacific4]

I use them on all my DCC locos and they work very well. I havn't had any problems with them in 3 years.

[Bill54]

These decoders are quite basic. They control speed, direction and lighting functions.

Here's a link to the page at the Walther's site.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/160-44914 

I prefer just motor control on my DCC units so a decoder that controls just 2 functions is fine for me. I prefer to use the Digitrax DZ125 decoder. It has a 1 amp rating with a 2 amp peak and control speed, direction and lighting functions like the Bachmann decoders and costs $24.99 from Walther's. Being made to fit in a Z scale loco it can fit virtually anywhere in a HO loco. Here's a link to the page at Walther's.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/245-DZ125 

 

Tony's has the DZ125 for $20.95.  Litchfield Station is advertising the older DZ123 for $15.98.  These are good choices for smaller loco's with little room.  I installed the DZ123 in Bachmann's Spectrum 44 ton switcher with no room problems.

Bill

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Tony's has the DZ125 for $20.95.  Litchfield Station is advertising the older DZ123 for $15.98.  These are good choices for smaller loco's with little room.  I installed the DZ123 in Bachmann's Spectrum 44 ton switcher with no room problems.

Bill

Good info to know. I'm getting ready to install a couple of DZ125's in an Athearn BB F7 A-B set. Because of the tiny size of the decoders I'll be able to leave the super weights in place.

[izzy]

Not to butt in, but I use Bachmann E-Z Command and I was wondering the same thing about their decoders. Should I use them to keep with the same company.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Not to butt in, but I use Bachmann E-Z Command and I was wondering the same thing about their decoders. Should I use them to keep with the same company.

You can if you want to. The EZ Command will work with ANY brand of NMRA compliant decoder. I also use EZ Command. I use decoders from Bachmann, NCE and Digitrax with no problem.