I have been researching the possiblity of putting DCC on my small layout I am planning. I dont need computer tie in or much in the way of expandablity. I like the alpha numeriac read out on the Dynamis controler as well as the wireless set up. I wont have any issues with the IR due to the small room and layout. For the money, it seems like the best system for my personal needs. I do have access to a couple large home layouts with Digitrax programing tracks and CV readback for initial decoder set up if I need it. I like the controler over the MRC Prodigy and Digitrax, both also being more expensive, espicaly for radio throttles. Thanks in advance. Mikie
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
Mikie:
I am not familiar with the Dynamis, though I briefly owned it's little brother, the EZCommand. I, therefore went looking for details when I read your post. Curiously, I noticed that most of the on line vendors have it listed about 50% off list. I can't help but wonder why. Big discounts are common on line, but 50% sounds like a fire sale.
I personally prefer Digitrax. If IR is good enough for your layout size, every hand held throttle that Digitrax makes has that feature built in. There are several other brands that also have a loyal following among the members here. Perhaps someone who actually owns a Dynamis will see your post and answer your questions.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I like the alpha numerac screen that tells you more than what you get on the basic Digitrax or other brand systems. Its also more bang for the money, If they firesale it then I will get the pro box much cheaper as well. It seems to be a well recieved system in the UK. Now if Digitrax offered a basic system with an IR handheld, I might be interested. But I have absolutly no intersted in a base controler like the Zephyr or spending what the larger systems go for to get IR or radio throttles. By the time I upgrade the zephyr to wireless walkarounds, I can have the complete Dynamis set up, which I like better. Now if I had a deeper budget, I would spring for the ESU Navigator system. ESU designed the Dynamis for B-man, but you have to get the probox to get CV readback. But with several choices localy with much nicer Digitrax systems than I would ever need, negates the need to get the probox for that one feature. My little layout would only be operated by me, nobody else at the same time.
climaxpwr...Its also more bang for the money...My little layout would only be operated by me, nobody else at the same time.
Nope, I will be the only operator on my my layout. With its basic size around 4x8, its only designed for a lone operator. Our group meets at a couple other larger layouts that can accomidate many more engineers than mine. I dont plan to put much $$ into it as I am not a huge DCC convert, but want it so I can play with the sound decoders I am planning to install, they are much more enjoyable on DCC over DC with a cheater box. If this system ends up being a dead end for Bachmann, then the street price for the pro box should go down. I have see the pro box under 200 once and awhile. I know both Digitrax and MRC Prodigy are more expandable, but I wont have a need for that ablity. They are also much more costly to get wireless walk around. Cheers Mike
Mike,
If your friends use Digitrax then I recommend you do that too. It would be an advantage having your own wired/wireless cab to take with you when operating with friends rather than borrowing someone else's every time.
If you want to experiment with sound decoders, I recommend getting a system that can connect to a computer and use DecoderPro software. The advantage of using DecoderPro to change CV's for sound decoders is too great to summarize here.
Don
There seems to be a lot of interest in these new systems that put pictures of your loco on the screen. I suppose this has appeal to the younger video game crowd, but I select my locos via the road number - there's no need for picture outlines and such to make it easy and simple to select a loco. I want to run 5403, I key in 5403 - what's so complex or tough about this?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Not so much the picture, but you can put in a discription of the engine, like Southern 4610, or NKP 759. This is much like what I can do with my Marklin system. Dont get me wrong, Digitrax is nice, but I think like many things thats popular, its pushed on to many folks that may like other brands. Different strokes for Differnt folks I guess. Now if someone shows me a Zephyr system with the add on IR remote for under $150. Let me know. I can source a complete new Dynamis for $150. No I dont need the computer interface, I am at a buddies house that does my decoder installs each week, I can deal with decoder issues there. With the street price dropping on the Bachmann system, I think the probox add on will come down with time. Like I said, this system is quite popular in the UK. Maybe because Bachmann Branchlines is a major player over there for the OO scale trains and has been for many years. Digi is nice, NCE is nice, MRC Prodigy advanced 2 squared is really nice. But all way more than I need. This is a 4x8 layout guys, 1 or 2 trains running max, maybe my NKP Berk circling the main line while I switch the yard, but most times its just gonna be me running 1 train and the extra engines sitting in the yard making nice sounds. Nothing is in stone yet, still rearranging the room to allow room for the new layout. Maybe I will find a killer deal on a zephyr that someone is selling to upgrade to a larger system.
Hey go for the Dynamis if the UI appeals to you. The look and feel of the throttle is a very personal thing and if that is what you like then why not? My only real concern would be if either Bachmann gives up on it, and or ESU backs out of the licencing arrnagement. Then you would be stuck if it needed repair work. But you seem to have rationalized that by noting that the price of the add ons would drop.
The cost differential is not that great by-the-way.....
$299 on sale for the Dynamis
$335 street price for a Zephyr with IR panel and a DT402 throttle
$362 for a Super Empire Builder with an IR panel and power supply.
Yes the full radio versions of the Digitrax line would be quite a bit higher.
Heck just read your post with the $150 price for the Dynamis, we were posting at the same time. At that price, why not get it. That is less than the street price of the Zephyr on its own. If you use it for a couple years and it blows up on you, who cares? Get it, and then fill the rest of us in on what you think of it!
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
climaxpwr I have been researching the possiblity of putting DCC on my small layout I am planning. I dont need computer tie in or much in the way of expandablity. I like the alpha numeriac read out on the Dynamis controler as well as the wireless set up. I wont have any issues with the IR due to the small room and layout. For the money, it seems like the best system for my personal needs. I do have access to a couple large home layouts with Digitrax programing tracks and CV readback for initial decoder set up if I need it. I like the controler over the MRC Prodigy and Digitrax, both also being more expensive, espicaly for radio throttles. Thanks in advance. Mikie
Reading the body of your post, there does not appear to be any question asked. It seems that you have pretty much made up your mind as to what your requirements are.
The question seems to be contained in the title of your post. If I understand the question, you are only looking for input from those who have the Dynamis system. Is that correct?
If one does thier research, you can get a complete new Dynamis for 149 plus shipping from a couple different mail order hobby shops, MB Klein being one of them. And the one post is right, its whats comfortable to the operator. I was looking for feedback from folks that might be using it, not for why not to buy it. I have researched all different brands, compared prices, thats street prices not msrp or full blown retail prices. I have played on a couple different Digitrax, so I am familar with what that system can do. But you also dont normaly see Digitrax stuff with huge discounts. It does seem that Bachmann isnt pushing the Dynamis system in this country, but more so in Europe and espicaly the UK. ESU is bringing out what is called the navigator that looks like a duplicate of the Dynamis but with more features and in a white case instead of dark grey. And I can still change what I buy as Its not a priority item at the moment, but I will be making a decision soon. I managed to sell one of my older duplicate brass engines, so that will finance the DCC system. Mike
I bought the Dynamis system this past spring from MB Klein (aka modeltrainstuff.com). I went to the store, and I didnt think they were going to let me buy it at first. They pushed hard for me to get a Zypher for all of the same reasons already mentioned here. Expandability (im in the same boat, small layout, very limited potential that I can expand it), multiple users (dont have the room or the desire to have others run on it), "its what everyone else is using" (I dont care). I actually left and came back a few days later and bought it from a different salesperson. Got a Dynamis system with a DCC equipped Dash 8 for $149. With the Specturm locomotive thrown in, I think that price is hard to beat. The price for the undecorated Spectrum dash 8 at the time was $70-80. Not only did it give me the DCC system to play with, but I got to play with my new airbrush and do a really nice CSX paint scheme on the locomotive.
Ive had to return the handset once because it just died for no reason. Bachmann replaced it pretty fast at no charge. Other than that it fits what I need it to do.. Consisting is easy, and I like the ability to scroll through all of the locomotives in my inventory instead of punching in the number. just a little preference. The IR can be finiky if you dont locate the base correctly. once i moved the base off the floor I can walk all the way sround my layout and keep the signal. I like the system becasue it does exactley what i need it to do. The salesperson at Kleins asked why I was so interested in it, and i said that i just had a feeling that it was a perfect fit. and so far it has been.
just saw it a modeltrainstuff.com with the dash 8 for $149. just throw a better decoder in the locomotive and its a nice system
http://www.dcctrain.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=2643
I know you've made up your mind and are really only interested in posts that confirm your premade decision, but I have to put in my two cents one last time.
DCC Train has the $180 Zephyr for $135 so your statement that no one discounts Digitrax is in error.
The only reason that a retailer will sell a $300 item for $150 (and I believe one poster said they threw in and engine to boot) is if no one is buying them. Have you ever wondered why?
Phoebe Vet...DCC Train has the $180 Zephyr for $135 so your statement that no one discounts Digitrax is in error...
Call me naive, but I think 25% is a pretty significant discount.
Johns Hobbies has it for $144
Tony's has it for $160
So discounts seem to be pretty common.
Phoebe, your making the mother of all screwups, your assuming I have made up my mind. I have a direction in which I am leaning based on my experiences and what I want from an entry level DCC with wireless walk around in my price range. You like so many other modelers have talked to seem to think its Digitrax or nothing, That all the other systems are inferior to it and place that brand on some throne to worship. While that may not be your purpose, its how it comes off. Thank to you to the person that posted thier experiences with thier Dynamis system, that is exactly what I am looking for. Others experiences good or back with the system. I never asked for why I shouldnt go buy it from folks who have never used or probably seen it in person. If you dont have first hand knowledge of this system, please keep your comments about the other brands to yourself. Cant say it any other way. P.S. I dont think its catching on over here in the USA as Bachmann doesnt really promote it. Where is its a much larger part of the Bachmann UK marketing. I stumbled onto the system while surfing youtube videos of Tsunami steam sound systems on various layouts. Thanks for the 1 report on the system. Mike
Bachmann has placed full page color ads in most of the major MRR mags and also managed to get a system used for the Model Railroader project layout, The Beer Line, a few months back, so they have been promoting it. IMO their biggest mistake was with MSRP, which made it far from competetive. If there was enough profit margin in the system to sell it for the $150 seen today, then they could have developed much more market share than trying to sell it at close to $400.
There seems to be a few web sites/forums from the UK and Australia that detail Dynamis use, where the greatest issue by far seems to be the finicky IR. One of the forums mentioned an upgrade chip from ESU that greatly improved the reliability of the IR signal.
In the $150 price range, there simply is not another wireless system on the market in the US. What are you waiting for?
As an FYI, I am a Digitrax Z user, like it very much, and would not change it, but am intrigued by the more European user interface that is seen on more than one system now. I think these innovations have real merit and would like to see them push the hobby forward.
Mike:
"your making the mother of all screwups"? I've told you a MILLION times not to exagerate...
You also have made a false assumption that I believe it's Digitrax or nothing. There are several good DCC systems out there. Lens, MRC, Zimo, NCE, etc. I also did not say anything negative about the Dynamis, in fact I told you I was unfamiliar with it. The comments about it's particular limitations were from other posters. I didn't know what it's limitations are until I read them here. What I advised you was that you should be skeptical of deals that seem too good. 50% is a HUGE discount which always makes me suspicious. Discounts that deep are usually made to reduce inventory on items that are about to be discontinued or which are remanufactured returns. I am not saying that is the case, but it is worth a few followup questions for your vendor. The only thing I disagreed with was your statement that Digitrax is not usually available at discounted prices. I did not say you should buy it.
My statement that your mind is already made up, which in hindsight I admit was rude, was based on your defensive replies to some of the other posts.
Still friends?
I agree with Simon...they goofed when they priced it. However, I think what they offered as a forerunner, the EZ-Command, turned off a lot of potential customer loyalty, maybe even for the Bachmann name. Under those circumstances, people just elected to stay away in droves. Bachmann didn't attempt to win back a market by doubling the price.
I wish I could offer something positive about this system, but I do actually expect it to be head and shoulders better than the EZ-Command, so once again, I agree with Simon. Snap it up. If it doesn't work, resort to eBay like everyone else.
-Crandell
Looks like a decent system for $150. Go for it. How's that from a rabid Digitrax user?
I used to help a friend on his sales stand for many years selling Digitrax and Lenz, and the people who tried the Dynamis in it's early days complained that it used batteries like there's no tomorrow. Add the cost of these to 12 months of operating and the other systems can be cheaper.
climaxpwr...I never asked for why I shouldn't go buy it from folks who have never used or probably seen it in person. If you dont have first hand knowledge of this system, please keep your comments about the other brands to yourself. Cant say it any other way...
No offense taken, I just find many modelers tend to shove certain brands down everybodys throat and other not as common brands arent worth considering. I am wondering whether DCC is even warrented on my small layout. Its going to either be 4x6 or 4x8 in size, wish I had more room, but I wont unless we move or put a second story on the house! The main use to me is access to sound equipted engines, but this can also be done with one of the "cheater" boxes on the market. I will have to put the ablity for normal DC power on the layout as well thru a DPDT toggle switch as I deal with repairing trains that dont have DCC and I have a few vintage brass engines that I will not be remotoring or putting DCC in. Layouts theme is the NKP in the early 50's with primarly steam power. I have a Bachmann Berkshire that is getting a Tsunami shortly, A PFM Berkshire and PFM USRA Light Mikado that will remain open frame motored and analog DC operated. I do plan to get 1 or 2 more Bachmann Berkshires in the future. Those will all get Sound/DCC in them. I will be the only operator of my layout, so the single station control of the Dynamis was never a problem to me. I can get the base system for under 140 and the Probox for under 250. I dont really ever see a need for the Probox at this point, but if I found one super cheap, I would pick it up along with a second controler. The train room is tight enough with me operating. See my layout build thread were I will address some space and dealing with my exhisting Marklin layout. Mike