Looking to replace my EZ Command system with one of these two systems (see my "whoa, this ain't good" thread for background), and would appreciate any thoughts/opinions on their worth.
Dig some digging and found this conversation. Still looking for more; leaning a bit toward the Zephyr.
Swayin,
I would suggest comparing the Zephyr with an NCE Power Cab instead of the Prodigy Express (PE). The Zephyr and Power Cab are both very good starter systems and can be built upon. Each has their pluses and minuses. The PE is more limited.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks Tom and David - will look more into the Power Cab. Easy to use? Powerful enough for a medium-sized layout running three-four one-loco trains at max?
That would be "yep" on both counts, Swayin. The Zephyr comes with 2.5A; the Power Cab, 1.7A. That's still enough to operate between 5 - 7 locomotives newer locomotives. If more power is needed, you can always add the newly redesigned Smart Booster (SB3a). It will increase the Power Cab's amperage from 1.7A to 5A.
Swayin, here's an initial review I wrote on the Power Cab back in 2006. Unfortunately, the pictures that used to accompany it need to be added again. However, if you click on the pic of the Power Cab at the top of the page, it will enlarge it so that you can at least view the layout of the throttle buttons better.
Hope that helps...
Personally I would not go the MRC route because it has too many limitations and can not do what I want to do with a DCC system/
The NCE Power Cab is a similar form factor to the MRC in that you operate a hand held throttle attached by a cable, so you have some walk around capability. The Zephyr is much more like a traditional throttle pack, like your EZ command, in that it is a static throttle that you sit at to control the layout.
At 2.5A compared to 1.7A the Zephyr can run a few more locos, but you would most likely be OK with the output of the Power Cab if 3-4 is all you are planning to run.
Did you ever use the feature of the EZ command that let you run a DC locomotive? If you did, and still want to do that, only the Zephyr has that capability. If not, then it won't be an issue.
You really can't go wrong with either system, they are both very good, expandable and made in the USA, unlike the Chinese made MRC.
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
Any thoughts on the Bachmann Dynamis?
tstageHope that helps... Tom
It does, Tom - many thanks.
Choke, Gag, Uhhh Yes.
It's an IR device which is line of sight. Neat looking but if you're going to upgrade, I'd go with the 2 mentioned so far. It's not a coincidence that NCE and Digitraxx keep coming up.
Springfield PA
Hamltnblue Choke, Gag, Uhhh Yes. It's an IR device which is line of sight. Neat looking but if you're going to upgrade, I'd go with the 2 mentioned so far. It's not a coincidence that NCE and Digitraxx keep coming up.
That's what I figured - just didn't want to leave a stone unturned.
SwayinAny thoughts on the Bachmann Dynamis?
CSX RobertIf you get a Zephyr or Power Cab and you want that kid in your avatar to be able to control a train with you ,
That raises a really good point and a feature that you might find of interest. The Zephyr has a feature called "Jump Port" this allows you to connect a basic DC controller (as many as 2 of them) to the Zephyr. You can then assign a DCC locomotive to the DC throttle and it can be controlled on the DCC layout. It is a really cheap way of adding a second a second controller, especially if you already have a DC pack. It has its limitations, namely that you can only control speed and direction, but I find it to be very useful when I have a young child that wants to run a train.
davidmbedard Zimo, anmyone? David B
Zimo, anmyone?
David B
I would love that system David, if only I could afford it.
Jack W.
davidmbedardZimo, anyone?
For decades MRC was considered the best value in model railroad control. No more. Search the forums for threads on MRC. Most are not positive. I have used a Digitrax system during operating sessions at a friends. Very user friendly. They have great support. Three words helped my choice. MRC's Prodigy systems are "made in China" Digitrax is made here in the states.
Went with the Zephyr ... will let you know how it turns out!
There are a whole bunch of us Zephyr users on here, so feel free to ask any questions you may have. I have been real happy with mine over the years.
Loved mine somuch that after I lost all my railroad equipment I bought another,
If you still have a DC power pack you can hook it to the Zephyr's Jump ports and control a second loco. That's another somethign the others don't do. It's not the greatest, but it does give you independent control of up to 3 trains right out of the box (there are 2 jump ports, so you can use to DC power packs, if you have them).
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Good Luck with it.
No one ever mentions Lenz for some reason. If you shop diligently, you can find a Set 90 for pretty reasonable prices, they're 5 amps, entirely intuitive, and for less than fifty bucks, you can set up wireless operation using inexpensive wireless phones! And like Vince of Shamwow fame says,"those Germans make pretty good stuff"! Gerry S.
Lenz? Well, a Set-90 is $256 at Tony's, plus you need a $45 power supply for a total of $301. A Zephyr costs $160 (power supply included). An NCE Powercab costs $150 (power supply included). So why even mention a system that costs twice the price and really doesn't give you anything more except another 2.5 or 3.3 amps of power, respectively?
And they are still using a cordless phone for their wireless throttle? It's been something like 10 years since Digitrax came out with radio throttles, NCE has had radio throttles for 6 or more, and Lenz is still using a cordless phone. It's cheap, but then so is using a TV remote with Digitrax (which can be done, BTW).
The only Lenz-compatible radio throttle is built by CVP at $159 (no discount), and their receiver is $99 (no discount). You have to pay $258, and you don't even get a throttle with a display...just a knob with some buttons. That's roughly the same as a Digitrax UT4D throttle at $110 plus their UR92 duplex receiver at $125 for a total of $235. For another $90 with Digitrax, you can get a DT402D twin-cab throttle (that does just about everything) with a multiline LCD display. With Lenz, it doesn't matter how much extra you spend...you aren't getting a full featured wireless throttle because one just doesn't exist.
When Lenz comes out with a starter set that has 4-digit addressing & decoder read-back for under $200, and a radio throttle that's not a cordless phone, then they will get a lot of mention as an alternate DCC system for those with small layouts. Until then, they are kinda only mentioned when compared to the higher-end systems from Digitrax, NCE, and Zimo.
Not that I'm slamming Lenz. They make a quality system. But they do cost more and give you less in some important areas.
Paul A. Cutler III
Hi Paul
As I said, "with some diligence in shopping" a set 90 can be had pretty reasonably (found mine on E-Bay for less than $150.00 including shipping). The key phrase in your post (IMHO) was "higher end". And it was Lenz that the NMRA worked with to set the RP's for DCC. The biggest issue I have with them is that their manuals that come with the sets are translated from German and the syntax gets a little confusing sometimes. Just as an aside, my maternal grandmother's maiden name was Cutler (they farmed in Michigan). Gerry S.
Hmm, old Lenz systems go for cheap on eBay, but old Digitrax stuff still sells for near full price. And if it weren't for US companies pushing for more we would have been stuck with 14 speed steps and 99 addresses. Luckily not all of the members of the DCC Working Group were tasting of the kool-aid, or married to the US Lenz distributor
Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
chpthrls And it was Lenz that the NMRA worked with to set the RP's for DCC.
And it was Lenz that the NMRA worked with to set the RP's for DCC.
Okay, okay, I give! I feel duly chastized now (please sir, may I have another). As to the assertion that I'm wed to a Lenz person, I'm sure Mr. Ames would be surprised to learn of that (to set the record straight, actually I'm widowed). Methinks there needs to be a little humor injected here, eh? Didn't mean to ruffle any Digitrax feathers, it's a fine system, but I happen to favor Lenz (even though it's apparently unpatriotic to own it). And so it goes
I have the MRC Prodigy exppress for a year and yes it isnt that fun but that is what i had to get because of money reasons like everyone has told u go with digitrax zephyr you with not regat it