I am looking at upgrading my DCC and saw a Dynamis online for really cheap. My DCC layout is only 2X8 and HO scale. My main interest is in functions and sound mainly. I have been looking at the MRC's and Digitrax Zepher. I know MRR has reviewed all of them I just need to find those reviews and get a little real life reviews.
RMax
What is your current DCC system? The biggest issue with Dynamis is it isn;t all that upgradable either, and unless you are absolutely certain you will never need more, you'll end up doing the same thing you're doing now - getting rid of what you have and buying a different system.
The NCE PowerCab and especially the Digitrax Zephyr are infinitely more upgradable than anyone else's, allowing you to start with a basic system for a small layout and then add on withotu ever having leftover surplus equipment. I give the nod to the Zephyr because the base box has a much larger capacity than even the first expansion step of the PowerCab, with support for 20 throttles and 20 running locos. I've grown from a simple test track to get decoders installed to an 8x12 layout to a 10x15 room size layout, and my main power continues ot be my old Zephyr, the old one supports 10 locos and 10 throttles but I'll never need that much on this layout, so what was fine to begin with a simple test loop is still more than adequate for a room-size layout. I've added some extra throttles and a computer interface so I can use JMRI to run things and to program decoders easier than trying to remember a lot of CVs, which is the number 1 reason to not consider MRC, it only works with their proprietary software which is not nearly as capable as JMRI (which is also free) or a commercial program like RR&Co.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I personally wouldn't bother with the Dynamis. As Randy has already stated, the Power Cab and Zephyr are a better choice as far as expandability. You may only have a 2 x 8 today...but you could easily have a larger layout next year. Why paint yourself into a corner.
Like the E-Z Command, if you can get a Dynamis for $50 then I say go for it. Otherwise, look for better and more expandable DCC system.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The Dynamis is heavily discounted all the time. But take note of the expansion costs. The cost to add a second throttle is incredibly high
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
How come you guys keep saying the Dynamis is not upgradable. The Dynamis also allows for 40 loco address's. What's in the Dynamis that is not upgradable ? Please explain?
Hey here's the price list from My Favorite Spot for the complete Bachmann Dynamis and expanding it so 1 other can participate and run his own throttle all in one shot.
Dynamis wireless stand alone 3 amp- $117.00
Dynamis Pro Box- $215.00
Extra Dyamis Throttle (handset) -$72.00
1 extra wireless infrared receiver if needed- $22.00
TOTAL: $424.00
Thanks Rangerover for the numbers, it rather illustrates the point. Base system $117 additional throttle $287!!!! You can add utility throttles to the Digitrax or NCE system for under $70.00 Having said that, $117 for a single user system, where there is little need or desire to upgrade, is a great deal. ESU designs good quality stuff and so while the Dynamis is not a main-stream system it would I am sure prove to be reliable.
However, I agree that it is incorrect to say that the system is not upgradeable, as clearly it is. I think the point is that it is not nearly as upgradeable and that the upgrades are very pricey compared to others. The low ball price lures you in, then you get hit with high add-ons.
Adding boosters, radio wireless, PC interface, signalling systems and block detection, all areas where other systems have an edge when compared to upgrading the Dynamis.
I know and I do agree on most of what's being said, I use a lot of Digitrax decoders, and Digitrax PR3/JMRI but I did start out with Bachmann EZ Command 6 years ago. I've studied, searched, researched, compared all the pro's and con's of "what is the best, trouble free, cost effective DCC system. I've come to realize it's like Ford or Chevy, but then why not a Cadilac. I think it's what your needs are and of course during these economic times money, especially like myself on a fixed income, been retired for 6 years. I think if I were doing this over again, Digitrax would be my choice. LOL, but then with technology speeding faster than a locomotive (no pun intended), all these now popular, what's the best DCC system will go the way of cassette audio tapes and other dinosaurs! This stuff will then be considered like junk brass rail and put out to the curb.
I've been reading on some other sites, Atlas comes to mind, about the technology of battery operated loco's, I know that this is not NEW technology in this industry but I think it won't be long before these systems are the upcoming technology and will shadow DCC as we know it today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w0niIUqA6I&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Thanks for the replies. My layout is small but when I get another house it will grow again. I am using an EZ Command and I like it a lot but have out grown it. I would like a little more control. The wireless looks like a nice feature. I have several MRC power packs and have had to replace all of them and MRC's customer service is great. The Digitraxx Zepher design looks cumbersome. I liked the handhelds a lot better so if I went with that upgrading would be coming really soon. What I may do is get the Dynamis if I can find one under $100 and start saving for the larger Digitrax. I am a little curious about the NCE's and will scope them out too. I used the search feature on this site to find the Dynamis article and that is really handy. I'll look up the others too!
RMax1 I am a little curious about the NCE's and will scope them out too.
I am a little curious about the NCE's and will scope them out too.
I don't know if it'll be helpful or not, RMax, but if you click on the web site link at the bottom of this post and go to the Reviews link on the left side of the home page, there's an initial review of the Power Cab (with pics). There's also a reviews of the CAB-04p throttle and the Smart Booster.
I use the MRC Prodigy Advance DCC system and it works great for me. I currently own two tethered handhelds and plan to add two wireless handhelds in the near future. This system is easy to use and does everything I want it to do. It is quite easy to program CV's either on a program track or on the main so I haven't seen a need for a computer interface. I recently handed one throttle to an 8 year old who, after about a minute of instruction, ran his train for hours, starting, stopping, reversing, picking up and dropping off cars, plus sounding the whistle to start and stop as well as approaching grade crossings. My layout is a 10' by 19' double decked configuration. I have run three or four trains at a time, some with two-unit loco consists, and the basic MRC system runs it all. If I need more power MRC offers extra booster units and the system can handle far more cabs than I'll ever own. I used inexpensive Cat 5 cables and RJ45 jacks with matching cover plates to run a throttle bus around the layout with eight different jacks to plug into (surprisingly easy to do with all the color coding). The Prodigy Advance Squared offers even more features including a wireless version. Not the cheapest nor most expensive but the system seems just as robust as every other MRC product I've ever owned. Nothing in the system has ever failed since I purchased it several years ago. Although many have had bad experiences with MRC decoders, the three early MRC sound decoders I own still power three MDC steam locos with all sounds and functions operating fine. Tech support? I've never needed any!
Hornblower
Rangerover1944 How come you guys keep saying the Dynamis is not upgradable. The Dynamis also allows for 40 loco address's. What's in the Dynamis that is not upgradable ? Please explain? ...
...
In addition to the huge price jump to go from one user to two, there are two other what I consider major shortcomings of the system: No computer interface and upgrading to the "Pro" box only expands the possible number of throttles to four. Now I understand four throttles is more than many people would ever need; however, I would hardly consider that a "Pro" system.
Someone, either with Bachmann or with ESU, who makes the Dynamis, either goofed or deliberately limited the expansion of the Dynamis. The corresponding ESU system, the Navigator, can be fully expanded to the top of the line ESU system. A very capable but also extremely expensive DCC system, with computer interface and multiple control bus support. The Dynamis, not so much. The huge cost just to add a second throttle is what kills me. hey suck you in with a low initial cost and the minute you want to allow a second person to run trains you pay through the nose. For just the cost of adding the second cab to the Dynamis, you could buy a Zephyr Xtra AND a UT4 throttle, and also connect your old DC power pack to the jump ports and have THREE cabs. Include the initial purchase price of the Dynamis and that would get you a Zephyr Xtra, a DT402, and a UT4. Or maybe the Zephyr Xtra and 3 UT4's.
This is not an "I hate Bachmann" or "I hate MRC" response, this is looking at the features and options sold by each manufacturer plus real-life experience using DCC.
I suppose the video controller cab appeals to some people - but those picture screens to seelect locos are a purely European invention - notice no US systems currently have that. Why? Because European locos, when they even have numbers, tend to be larger than 9999, so a correlation betwene the decoder address and the cab number isn't possible like it is with North American practice. If I want to run GP-7 $602 I can just assign it address 602 and call up 602, I don;t need a picture of a Geep (and a high enough resolution to see the number in the picture since I have 4 different Geeps). However if I want to run the Dutchess of York, well, what number is that? The actual decoder address is really irrelavant since you can pull up a picture, I guess catagorized somewhat, say I had more than oen Dutchess class loco? I'd hate to have to scroll through pictures of hundreds of locos, hopefully with those systems you can go to a class, then see the three under that class and pick one. At any rate, I can definitely see the need and appeal to modelers outside the NA prototype.
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
Something else worth considering is, where is each system manufactured and what support is available.
NCE -- made in the U.S.
Digitrax -- made in the U.S.
Bachmann -- made in China.
MRC -- made in China.
Service and support for U.S. made products is much better than for something made in China.
I had a Bachmann EZCommand. I bought it when I didn't even know what a CV is. It is now in a junk box somewhere under the layout. I now have a Digitrax Super Chief and would never change. It does, or can do, things that I didn't even know I would someday want back when I started.
The Dynamis uses IR wireless. Have you ever actually used IR? Digitrax and NCE use radio for wireless. Digitrax has made many upgrades over the years, but most of the parts of all those old systems still work with the new systems. They have add on modules for boosters, power management, detection, signaling, auto reversing, and even transponding. The DS-64 switch controllers can run programed routes (some systems call them macros) and can be controlled from the throttle, the computer, a button on the fascia, or even by a detection board. It cans address 28 decoder functions, and can assemble consists where you can run multiple engines together.
Trust me. Someday you will want more than the Dynamis can deliver.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Actually I doubt the Dynamis is made in China, it's made for Bachmann by ESU, so probbaly made in Germany.
As I stated months ago in my post - bachmann really blew it with this system. The ESU product on which it is based is fully and completely expandable to the best that ESU has. The Dynamis leaves off one of the expansion ports and so is stuck at adding the ProBox and up to 3 more Dynamis consoles, and always using IR. And be prepared when you look at the price for that upgraded box, you can buy complete, more advanced systems from others for the cost of just that upgrade.
Dunno what they were thinking. OR really, how ANYONE in this business could think this was a good idea - they are following right in the footsteps of MRC and making each system not compatible with the previous. The EZ Command is not compatible with Dynamis, it's one or the other. So if you have an EZ and want to expand but stick with Bachmann, you have to toss it in a drawer and use the Dynamis only. Luckily, I guess, the EZ was cheap - except for people who bought it when it first came out and paid full price. MRC eventually learned, maybe - dunno if it's possible to upgrade one of the current systems to their new 'super' system yet, since no detail have come out.
Phoebe VetThe Dynamis uses IR wireless. Have you ever actually used IR?
That's definitely something to consider. The IR used with Dynamis has a reputation for functioning poorly under ambient train room light. Check the user forum on Bachmann's own site.
Another thing to consider, that hasn't necessarily been emphasized so far, is how you get help troubleshooting. With the major systems, there are active online user forums where you can get almost instant assistance, plus you are much more likely to have someone in your area who can offer in-person help if needed. That type of support will be lacking with Dynamis since so few hobbyists use it, and those who do tend not to be experienced modelers as they avoid the system due to its limitations.
Rob Spangler
Every photo I've seen of a Dynamis seems to indicate that you need to keep both hands on the controller in order to use it, something like playing a video game.
What happens when you need to free one hand to uncouple a car or perform some other task.
I'm pretty sure that the MR guys use NCE in their layout, and that was good enough for me. I bought the PowerCab for $149 and haven't looked back.
Best
Dan
Actually, MR uses a variety of DCC systems for their reviews of product line. I've seen Digitrax, NCE, and MRC throttles pictured in the magazine for product reviews of locomotives.
Different layouts, different DCC - pretty sure the MR&T has MRC, since every time you see someone demonstrating something on the actual layout, it's an MRC throttle. They have CVP Zonemaster boosters though, as seen in the videos on wiring the layout. Mainly because MRC has nothing even remotely comparable.
The Beer Line was going to use Dynamis but it didn;t arrive in time so they used a Digitrax Zephyr.
I think the Virginian layout uses a PowerCab.
Dynamis, Very happy with it. Had it for 2 years. I like it because it does not cost a lot, does all my programming (sound motor lighting control etc). You just need to put the receiver up on the ceiling like I do & most others I've heard of do. Because it is like a TV remote, you have to point the hand held in the general direction of the receiver. So the middle of my 29" x 11" is almost perfect. To me it is worth it!