General Discussion (Model Railroader)

 Does it work with other manufacturers decoders, or does it have to be Bachmann's EZ-DCC decoders?

I was wondering this because I was thinking about purchaseing this system for my temporary layouts.

Thanks!

Any brand decoder will work on any brand system because NMRA has established a standard.

There are several good DCC systems out there, but Bachmann is not one of them.

You will now see an ongoing argument about that last statement.

 Ok, Thanks. But what are its shortcomeings?

 The Bachmann DCC systems will work with any manufacturers decoders. You won't be able to program any CV's with it, only control direction, speed and set addresses 1-9.

The important word in the name is   EZ.

It seems to be aimed at youngsters who are new to model railroading.  It is only one amp, it can only use addresses 1 through 9 and one DC engine on address 0.  Most DCC systems can use thousands of addresses.  It can address basic functions like lights and horns, but little else.  It is not expandable as you and your system grow.

You are better off buying an entry level version of one of the better systems. You will then be able to add things over time as you find you need or want more function instead of having to throw it away and start over.

My personal preference is Digitrax, but other members in here prefer others.

Phoebe Vet:

The important word in the name is   EZ.

It seems to be aimed at youngsters who are new to model railroading.  It is only one amp, it can only use addresses 1 through 9 and one DC engine on address 0.  Most DCC systems can use thousands of addresses.  It can address basic functions like lights and horns, but little else.  It is not expandable as you and your system grow.

You are better off buying an entry level version of one of the better systems. You will then be able to add things over time as you find you need or want more function instead of having to throw it away and start over.

My personal preference is Digitrax, but other members in here prefer others.

Well put man. I wouldn't waste money on that system. My personal choice would be NCE, because their Powercab is a walk-around throttle from the get-go, unlike Digitrax's Zephyr, is just as good, if not ebtter, than the Zephyr, and costs probably $40-$50 less. I haven't seen much wide-spread distribution of products for expanding MRC's systems, and I've looked at a couple different online hobby stores to compare prices etc.

nik .n:

I was wondering this because I was thinking about purchaseing this system for my temporary layouts.

nik,

The E-Z Command might be a good choice if you...

1. only plan on running up to 2 or 3 locomotives on your temporary layouts
2. don't plan on or care about fiddling with CVs
3. don't want to spend a lot of $$$ on a DCC system - I picked mine up for $53, 4 years ago.

True, the E-Z Command is a limited DCC system.  But, what it does do, it does well.

1. 9 DCC addresses
2. 1 DC address
3. Light button
4. Forward/reverse buttons
5. Function button: Sound functions F1-F8
6. Emergency stop button

Hope that helps...

Tom

 I bought T-Stages old EZ Command and I loved it for 2 years or so. It will control sound engines and mine ran 3 sound engines with no problem. One of the things I did like is you could not push the wrong button and reset CV by mistake. I did finally up grade to a Digitrax system and more than one time pushed the wrong button and changed 15 engines to 22.

 It is not junk in anyway, just has limit's to what you can do with it. To start DCC, great buy! You should be able to find one for around $50.00 like Tom. I still use mine for doing repairs at work.

 I am going to guess most people that put it down have never had one. Ran my $600.00 PCM engines with no problems.

 Is it the best system out there? No! Is it a good way to get your feet wet in DCC? Yes!

         Cuda Ken

cudaken:

 

 It is not junk in anyway, just has limit's to what you can do with it. To start DCC, great buy! You should be able to find one for around $50.00 like Tom. I still use mine for doing repairs at work.

 

I think that sums it up pretty good.
It's more fun than DC and throwing block switches.

I bought the EZ DCC to test run my BLI 2-6-6-4 which I owned long before I had dcc. I had a little loopy fun with it but I knew I was going to be serious about DCC and eventually bought the Digitrax super chief radio.

The EZ DCC is delegated to test running only on test track.

Since so much of the manufactring has gone DCC, a cheapo system is needed for the not so adept crowd.

EZ-DCC = Yugo

MRC, Digitrax, NCE = Caddilac 

cudaken:

 I am going to guess most people that put it down have never had one.

Don't count me in that group.  I have one.  It's in a box someplace with the EZ track that I also don't use anymore.

I have a Digitrax Super Chief now.

Bachmann E-Z is more like a VW Bug, well made but not fancy. Mine has well over 1000 hours on it and still works fine. That not counting any time T-Stage put on it.

               Cuda Ken

lvanhen:

EZ-DCC = Yugo

MRC, Digitrax, NCE = Caddilac 

Years ago, I remember reading Consumer Report's review on the Yugo when it first came out.  What stands out most to me was that the only good thing they could say about it was that the Yugo came to a stop.

For me, the E-Z Command is much more than a Yugo: It comes to a stop...but it's headlights, horn, gas pedal, and steering wheel work, too.  And, sure, it's towing power is a bit low...but the E-Z Command gets you from point A to point B (or around the block)...and the in-dash AM radio gives you 8 distinct channels to listen to while you're driving.

Now, if you're a tinkerer by nature and you like to fiddle with your car's performance?  You'll want a different model than the E-Z Command.

Tom