It is now on the Digitrax web site www.digitrax.com
A new version of the Digitrax Zephyr is coming out. Subtle mentions are popping up on the web along with some tell-tale close out sales on the current model. Looks like features have been added to catch up with some of the competitors, as well as increased power, and support for more locos and throttles. Here is a list taken from the web. It is not on the Digitrax web site yet.
Xtra Features
Simple to use
Large speed control knob
Lever for forward, reverse and brake
Full numeric keypad
Controls stationary decoder addresses
Control 29 functions for use with sound
Recall feature lets you scroll through locos
Mute Key
Quick Start Guide
2 & 4 digit addressing
Read/write programmer included
Xtra Power
3 amps to run more locos
Universal power supply included
Run up to 20 addresses at once
Run up to 20 throttles at a time
Operate both analog and digital locos
Blast Programming mode for sound decoders
Expandable system lets your customers grow and expand their layouts
It will be interesting to see if older units can be upgraded as I would be most interested in the 20 loco support, the current 10 is the most limiting thing for me on my DCS50
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
This makes me wonder if they will finally do away with or alter the Super Empire Builder set as there is almost zero reason to get that over this updated Zephyr. No one is talking prices yet on the new Zephyr Xtra but it is listed on two sites I found, for only $20 more than the usual selling price of the existing Zephyr. That plus a DT402 would be less than the Super Empire Builder set and give you TWO throttles, one walkaround and one stationary. 20 locos, close enough to 22 (and if the old Zephyr is any indiction - it will be 22 anyway), dedicated program track - REALLY no reason for the SEB other than for those wanting to add a booster and throttle - the set still costs less than a DT402 + DB150 purchased seperately.
If they offer an upgrade I might send one back (I actually have 2 Zephyrs now, although one is just the console, no power supply). Otherwise, I doubt I will upgrade, the 10(12) loco limit doesn;t affect me and the 2.5 amps is enough for my accessory decoders which is all the Zephyr actually powers. And I have yet to have a need for functions over F12 - I have a DT402 but my only sound locos don't use above F12 anyway.
However, this update makes the Zephyr a far more compelling choice to the number counters - 29 functions, 3 amps, 20 locos/20 throttles puts it well above the other starter sets on the market. Combined with incomparable Loconet and the 'never throw anythign away' complete upgradability - going to be hard to recommend anything else to a beginner.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
It doesn't say whether they are moving to a handheld throttle but it sounds like they are not. That would still be a difference with teh Zephyr.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
The photo of it looks like it is essentially the same form factor with an extra row of buttons for the extra features. So walk around capability would come by adding a throttle like the UT or DT.
The Zephyr has full power programming too. That's what "Blast Mode" is.
I've never had anything I couldn't program, and I actually haven't used the "blast mode". Nor do I own a booster - and I won't ever. If a decoder needs a booster, there's a design issue with the decoder.
And with 20 loco capacity, the ONLY difference is 5 amps vs 3 amps.
I have the current Zephyr, with two walkaround throttles. I can run four or five locos, which is all I can keep track of anyway. That's with a half a dozen sound equiped locos sitting around the layout rumbling away. If I muted or removed the excess locos, I could probably run another train. The only advantage I can see with the upgraded Zephyr is the additional functions, which I can live without.
I suspect that many existing Zephyr users will look at this and shrug, because we already know what a capable system the current DCS50 is, but I don't think for one minute that this updated version is anything other than an attempt to counter some of the spec comparisons that a new prospective user might make when comparing systems that are on the market.
The ambivalent shrug will be particularly true of anyone that has added a DT402 throttle to the system since you get 29 functions and a recall stack along with the walk around capability.
However, I think it is a welcome update to a system that has been around for quite a while now. Both NCE and Digitrax have a delicate juggling match on their hands. The need to be competitive with the entry level system has to be balanced by the need to not totally destroy your higher end product by making the entry too capable. I think both are doing a decent job of it.
I needed to check something today so instead of running upstairs for my Zephyr manual I downloaded the one on the Digitrax web site - it was recently (8/10) updated, and I noticed that in the list of OpSw settings in the back they now document Blast Mode. I also don't remember OpSw 43 and 45 being documented before.
Anyone can post a picture of the new Zephyr, I can't find it. Very excited about 3Amp and 28functions - was thinking about buying DT402 throttle just for that. Very cool. Wish they get rid of the pencil eraser buttons though. Locomotive recall is very welcome feature.
So what would be the advantage of the Empire Builder set at this point?
Here is a link to the only photo I can find
http://www.traintekllc.com/product/DTX-ZEPX.html
looks the same except for the extra row of button on the let of the numeric pad.
My guess, the 4 new buttons scroll through 3 levels of functions to get all 29, like hitting Function-1 and Function-2 on the DT402. And the 4th is Mute, probably programmed to F8 which is Mute on Digitrax sound decoders, maybe reprogrammable to another function for those that use other than F8 as mute, although it seems to be becoming a defacto standard.
Nice. What button would be used to scroll through locos? I wonder if you can program Mute button to a different F based on Loco address.... I assume mute will mute all locomotives on the line, otherwise there is no reason to use mute button over specific F button.
Oh yeah, there must be a recall button - still OK because there is an existing Function button, so to get the extra two 'sets' of functions uses 2 new buttons, plus recall and mute.
Mute seems to be added to make it 'seem' easier. Sure most people have that figured out but newcomers might not so they can be instructed to press Mute to quiet their locos. In other words, sounds market driven rather than some tech gizmo AJ though up. I mean, other systems have a 'whistle' button in addition to the regular F2 Digitrax decided to go with a Mute button since the F2 key already has a whistle pictograph next to it.
Here's one - the F2 key on DT400 and DT402 throttles has a pressure sensor for 'playable' whistles. Wonder if that's going to be in the Zephyr Xtra. Hopefully all the info will be released soon, looks like these two places simply jumped the gun on their advertising.
I was wondering about analogue whistle button too. Zephyr Xtra name is silly, must everything be butchered English? I would've like Zephyr II a lot better.
Goes with the rest of the systems, I suppose. They already did the "xxxx II" with the EMpire Builder and Chief when they switched from the DT100 to DT300 throttles. Someone felt "Super Chief II" for the systems with DT402s was too sily. Probably a marketing major
Anyone else think that Digitrax did the 99 yard dash on this one? Don't get me wrong I love my current Zephyr, but if you took the time to add more functions and double the number of throttles, wouldn't you think that you would have to double the amps too? Especially these days with the craze still being power hungry sound units. Then you could really replace the old Zephyr and the SEB in one convenient package
Just thinking out loud......
ratled
Modeling the Klamath River area in HO on a proto-lanced sub of the SP “The State of Jefferson Line”
Ratled, you may be right, but I suspect that the desire not to kill the Super Cheif would figure in the decision not to increase the amp output any more. I would imagine that they thought long and hard about each of the new features they added and specs that they improved.
Yes, it is a fine line. I would say they could have gone up to 3.5 or 4 amps, but that would mean a substantial encroachment on the vaunted 5 amp Supers. The 8 amp systems are safely out of reach, though, for the 4 amp upgrade.
D'yathink Digitrax will ever package up a nice BLI steamer with their systems as Bachmann did with their EZ Command at one point?
-Crandell
they should have swapped out the pot for an encoder for my liking to get rid of the need to try and speed match the throttle possition with the moving loco you are recalling or aquiring.
locoworks, what do you mean? Like a second throttle, a la 2 throttles on DT402?
I typically don't run more than one loco, since I only have a shelf switching layout. But i did run two locos just to compare BLI to MTH and forgot about the whole throttle issue. So when I switched from running MTH to BLI, which has much slower acceleration curve I had to dial up the throttle. When I then switched back to a still running MTH that thing took off like a chicken - I had barely enough time to realize what happened and slow down the throttle.
Never can train myself to simply push power button in these situations! Doh!
what i mean about the encoder instead of a pot is if you have a loco running at say 50% throttle and you then select another loco to switch with for a few minutes while the loco on 50% does circuits of the maniline, when you reaquire the loco on 50% throttle you have to remember to set the knob on the zephyr as close to 50% as you can so you get no sudden speed change upon aquisition. now if you have a couple of loco's running circuits you may 'forget' what their speed setting was?. using encoders like the DT throttles automatically leaves a loco travellling at its current speedupon aquisition and then you can slow down or speed up as you like.
I see your point, it's exactly the situation I was talking about. But I guess, personal appeal of the Zephyr to me over the Empire Builder besides the price and features, was the physical throttle. Since this is all in one system, it's really meant for beginner, such as myself - and most would run only one loco at the time. So this setup allowed Digitrax to put a nice speed controller on the Zephyr which adds a special feel to controlling of trains over small controllers available on hand-held controllers.
The beauty of the encoder is that it can start at any value regardless of physical position.
The beauty of the potentiometer is that it has end stops and has a physical min and max and feels like a DC type control.
The design of the Zephyr throttle control knob lends itself better to a pot and I would agree is perhaps more suited to a beginner.
Given that the Zephyr was conceived and marketed as the perfect transition system from DC to DCC in its look and operation, I think on reflection that the use of the pot is fine.
However, having used my Z for what 6 years now, I will admit to being a tad disappointed that they had not gone for an encoder for the throttle in the new one. But then again, I am not in the market for a replacement Z and probably wouldn't upgrade mine, even if it is an option as I tend to use the DT throttles all the time anyway.
Just got this months issue of Railroad Model Craftsman and there is a full page advert for the ZX and sure enough it is now on the D web site http://www.digitrax.com/prd_zep_xtra.php so I think it is fair to say that it is released.
Re the overblown reactions to the 'xtra':
1) The list of goodies was apparently compiled either by someone not familiar with the existing Z, or by a pure marketing weenie. Some items are clearly already present on the current model, not 'xtra' features at all.
2) The primary drawback to the current Z is the low power capacity. Jacking it up another 20 % is not enough to really make a difference. My multi-unit sound locos will still cause frequent shutdowns.
This new unit is hardly comparable to an SEB, or especially a Chief. It's still an abbreviated, beginner system.
jrc
How many locos are you running? I've run 8 HO locos, 4 with sound with my Zephyr. If you can't run TWO, something else is wrong here. I think Simon has maxed his out with 10, but I already felt like Lucy in the pie factory trying to manage 8 on my layout. For N scale, it's even less of an issue - there is at least one person with a large room-size multi deck N scale layout all powered with just a single 2.5 amp Zephyr. Clearly he runs fewer than 10 locos, but it's a HUGE layout.
This idea that you need 5 or 8 or 10 amps to run a couple of HO locos with DCC is one of the most frustrating myths to get rid of. Those old MRC power packs that ran double and triple headed Blue Box locos? You're lucky if they put out an amp, 2 for the larger ones (not counting the heavy duty Controlmaster 20 with the walkaround). 3 amps is a LOT of trains - probably why they kicked the slots up to 20, because with 10 you could easily run out of slots before you run out of 3 amps of power. Check the stalled current results in the MR and other magazine tests of modern locos with soudn and DCC - most of them are under 1 amp, STALLED. Some are as low as half an amp, with the motor completely stalled.
There are plenty of Xtras besides an extra half amp of power. 20 loco slots instead of 10 - meaning it's enough of a command station for a relatively large layout even if you do end up adding an extra booster or two. 29 functions instead of 9 - not important to me because even on sound locos the functions in those upper reaches are silly things, but for a market that always sees 29 as better than 9 even if they never use the extra 20, it's important. Recall stack - for switchign between 2 locos it's potentially useful. At 4, marginal. FOr 8 - pointless, just liek it is on any other DCC system that has it, there are FEWER ketstroke to just key in the loco number than to press the recall button 8 times. But since everyone else has one and Digitrax was getting slammed for not having it, well, now it's there. COmbined witht he standard features that have always been there, like the dedicated program track with CV readback that NONE of the other starter sets has, and Loconet which is by far the superior control bus compared to the others - and also the one with more third party accessories, it's clearly a winner.
JRC,
What kind of engines and how many are you running at the same time? I have a mix of BLI/Athearn/P2K sound engines(7 or 8) on the layout at any one time. I normally have a DCS100 Chief system, but I have a 2.5 amp Zephyr that is the 'backup'. I used the Zephyr when I shipped the old Chief in for an upgrade. With 8 DCC/Sound engines and 13 other DCC engines on the railroad, I had NO problems with initial power up or running several 2-3 unit consists. I was a little skeptical that I might have to reduce the number of engines at power up - But the Zephyr handled them just fine. My layout fills a 25' by 20' area - larger than the 'typical' home layout. Our club did a problem with a 8 amp DCS200 setup - Too many sound engines parked in the large engine terminal! The PM42's kept tripping off...
I agree that the 'list' of features included existing ones, but the larger 'wall wart', additional function keys and being able to run 20 engines are new. The Zephyr has got to be one of the most full function starter sets on the market. I bought the Chief about a year after it was announced. I had a 'Big Boy' system and I had Digitrax convert the DT200 into a DT100 throttle. That base unit is now a booster, so I have a total of 10 amps of power for the railroad - real overkill. If I was getting into DCC right now, I would buy one of the new Zephyr units. About the only 'feature' I would lose wound be the 'fast clock' function in the Chief. The newer engines draw far less power.
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
jrcBoze Re the overblown reactions to the 'xtra': 1) The list of goodies was apparently compiled either by someone not familiar with the existing Z, or by a pure marketing weenie. Some items are clearly already present on the current model, not 'xtra' features at all. ...
...
Of course the list of features includes items present on the current model. The list of features is exactly that, a list of features, not a list of new features only.
From a marketing perspective it makes total sense to list all the features of the new system, whether present on the older model or not. You can;t assume that anyone reading the list for the first time has the slightest clue what was in the older model of Z, or for that matter that the older model of the Z even existed. Much more likely, someone reading this list will be comparing it to the features list of an NCE Powercab or an MRC PE, so it is important to point out all the features.
Just my luck, I JUST bought the zephyr system just a few days ago. I've been trying to decide if I want to go DCC for awhile now, but knew if I did it would be the Digitrax system. On a whim while I was in the train store, I grabbed it- along with a soundbug and Dh-165 AO decoder. The good thing is that I've not had any time to even pull it out of the box yet, so, I guess I'll try taking it back and pay the extra $25 for the new model, although I hate being in the guinney pig group. This is ALL new stuff to me, and I've already got some questions on the soundbug, namely- with the sounds that are on the chip, what type engines are most suited for it without loading new sounds?