Does anybody know of a cab throttle that is compatible with Bachmann EZ command? I know they sell the "walkaround companion" but that one seems unnecessarily expensive. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Matt
Bachmann is not presently selling the E-Z Command Walk-Around Companion (perhaps discontinued - check with Bachmann). Questions about it on Bachmann's ASK THE BACH MAN board/forum were ignored by Bachmann.
I am not aware of another cab/throttle that is usable with the Bachmann E-Z Command Control Center.
RR Baron
Does anybody know if NCE cabs work with Bachmann EZ? Specifically the cab06
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
No, cabs are not compatible across systems except in some very special cases - Uhlenbrock DCC systems have both Loconet and XpressNet so it is possible to use Digitrax and Lenz throttles with them. CVP has a wireless throttle with an XpressNET base so it can be used with Lenz.
EZ DCC is a very stripped down system made for them by Lenz, but does not fully implement XpressNET so you can;t just plug in throttles. The Dynamis is another stripped down version made by someone else, in this case ESU. But even witht he Dynamic ProBox expansion, it lacks features that the actual ESU entry system has. It is not compatible with EZ DCC.
Unfortunately, the EZ DCC is a bit of an orphan. If you've outgrown it, best you can hope is to sell it off to another beginner and get a full featured DCC system from someone else. You cna continue to use the same loco decoders, only now you will be able to give them a cab number address instead of making this one button 1, that one button 2, etc.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The NCE tech people know if their cab 06 will work with the Bachmann E-Z Command Control Center.
When you contact NCE, they will inform you - None of their cabs will operate with a Bachmann E-Z Command Control Center.
RR Baron Bachmann is not presently selling the E-Z Command Walk-Around Companion (perhaps discontinued - check with Bachmann). Questions about it on Bachmann's ASK THE BACH MAN board/forum were ignored by Bachmann. I am not aware of another cab/throttle that is usable with the Bachmann E-Z Command Control Center. RR Baron
Strange. I found info from the Bach-Man about it being phased out. Searched the forums. Sluggish sales and technology has moved on.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
At $150 MSRP, no wonder sles were sluggish. Very awkward to use as a walkaround, and priced like the full featured cabs from NCE and Digitrax. Klein's closed them out at $70, still steep compared to other systems - that's the main problem with these low end systems, the add ons all are so expensive.
The Bach-Man said the EZ Command is still sold because it is a Starter System which should tell anyone that you will have to move on eventuality.
Sales must still be ok because Bachmann has not discontinued the EZ Command and it can still run one DC loco.
Those who are good shoppers look to ebay.
richg1998 RR Baron Bachmann is not presently selling the E-Z Command Walk-Around Companion (perhaps discontinued - check with Bachmann). Questions about it on Bachmann's ASK THE BACH MAN board/forum were ignored by Bachmann. I am not aware of another cab/throttle that is usable with the Bachmann E-Z Command Control Center. RR Baron Strange. I found info from the Bach-Man about it being phased out. Searched the forums. Sluggish sales and technology has moved on. Rich
This question may be too advanced for this fourm but does anybody have any tips for hacking a cab throttle to serve as a walkaround with Bac. EZ? I am pretty ambitious when it comes to electronics.
The problem isn't the electronics, it's in what the communication protocol is between the cab and the base unit, and that isn't public information.
If you are electronically inclined, there are several DIY DCC systems, any of which is more capable than the EZ system, complete with command stations, boosters, and throttles that are true walkaround throttles.
What is a good starting place for getting into DIY DCC systems?
conrail2 What is a good starting place for getting into DIY DCC systems?
Google.
I did that some years ago and built my own booster.
One link I found some years ago.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html#DCC
There are some links here:
http://www.dccwiki.com/DIY
Also look up OpenDCC (linked at the above site), and MERG.
Hello All,
With the latest announcement by Bachmann about their EZ Command Smart Interface I suspect this is why they discontinued the Walkaround Companion.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
jjdamnit Hello All, With the latest announcement by Bachmann about their EZ Command Smart Interface I suspect this is why they discontinued the Walkaround Companion. Hope this helps.
No idea on the price so far but check on line when it comes available.
Bachmann is continuing with the EZ command so it is still selling well enough. Still promoted as a starter set. Starter set should tell users you have to move on at some time.
The old walk around companion did not sell well.
I have been watching the Bachmann forums for a few years.
"Moving on" in the Bachmann DCC world means Dynamis. A system that I use and fits my needs. IR DCC control on a "beginner" pike.
With the addition of a ProBox (at less than MSRP) I can now use JMRI.
As a Lone Wolf modeler I don't need (or want) compatibility with the more popular DCC systems.
What Bachmann has done is equivalent to what Tyco did in the 1970's- -Brought DCC to the casual user and hopefully a lifelong enthusiast- -like you!
With the Bachmann system you can buy a relatively inexpensive DCC system (comparable in cost to an entry level video gaming system) and expose the next generation of modelers to this wonderful hobby (along with their parents!).
Many lines of type and articles have predicted the demise of scale model railroading. I can't think of a better way to embrace the "smart phone" generation to the model railroading community than, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" model.
So, hold tightly to your "real train enthusiasts" DCC systems while I enjoy this hobby well into the future...what ever that may hold...LCC, dead rail, smart phone control et all!
Hope this make you think about the future of our hobby!