E-Z Command?

[zgardner18]

Hi Guys, I have a quick question. I'm looking to build my first starter 8X4 layout and I want to try DCC on it. I have no experience with DCC but I figure with my budget the E-Z Command from Bachmann might be good to do an 8X4. Does anyone have an opinion and does anyone know if I can run some engines/decorders that are not made form Bachmann?

[oleirish]

Yes you can use other decoders,and EZ command works for me,easy to use but has some restrictions,small power supply.I like mine just fine for now,will update it someday!!
JIM

[PaulWhitt20]

I have no problem with my E-Z Command and Atlas locos with built in decoders. It will even give some control over sound - Turn on/off horn or bell etc. As a start in DCC I think it is great for the money.
Paul

[pcarrell]

It's good for getting your feet wet, and Bachmann is supposed to be coming out with some add-ons. But, as I'm sure that you have already guessed, based on the price, it is a base level starter system and it has, and will continue to have, some limitations, such as a small power pack, inability to program CV's, a limited number of functions it can perform, and so on.

With that being said, it is a good starter system and it is compatable with DCC equipment from almost every manufactuer (I don't know of any that It's not compatable with, but I'm leaving myself a loophole). It's good enough that I bought one. It works good and does what it advertises. But it is a basic system, and unless you are just looking for bare bones or the budget doesn't allow it, you will be stepping into something more sofisticated like the Digitrax Zepher or something before you really start seeing most of the benefits of DCC. If you have the budget now I'd suggest to go with one of the other more sofisticated systems right off the bat. You don't need the top of line necessarily, just something that has more capabilities and is upgradable. I know Digitrax, Lenz, and NCE make systems like that, and so do several others. The trick is to find a system that's expandable and upgradable. As mentioned earlier, the Bachmann system is expandable, but it will never have full capabilities. It has built in limitations. The MRC Prodogy Advance is also a fine system, but doesn't have the ability to be upgraded. The Atlas system is in that same boat. Digitrax, Lenz, NCE, and several others make systems that can be added on to and upgraded as you need.

Now that I've given you a ton of info you probably didn't really want, I'll say this to your question, it will do what you want, barely.

[tstage]

Zak,

Have to agree with Jim and Paul I picked up my E-Z Command last February for about 50% off list ($53) for the very same reason you are wanting to try it. The Bachmann is a good, basic - albeit limited - inexpensive, no-frills DCC system. Even though it is a limited system, I can still run 3 locomotives on my 4 x 8 layout simultaneously.

Here's what you can expect to get from your E-Z with a sound decoder

F0?FL - NA (See F10)
F1 - Bell
F2 - Whistle
F3 - Coupler noise
F4 - Blower Hiss toggle (on and off)
F5 - Dynamic braking (quiets chuff)
F6 - Doppler effect
F7 - Flange squeal
F8 - Mute on/off
F9 - NA
F10 - Lights on/off

F0/FL, which usually run the lights, is taken care of by F10. F4* (Blower hiss) and F9 (Shut down) do NOT work on the E-Z Command:

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*CorrectionF4 does work after all. When in Idle or neutral, the hiss can be toggled on and off. However, I can't tell or hear any diference though between the hiss being on or off once the locomotive is in motion.
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Zak, hunt around for deals. I saw an E-Z Command at my LHS for $50 a couple of months ago. The one real limitation is that you can NOT adjust the momentum/braking speed steps because it is factory set @ 28. In order to change that, you must use another DCC system that can adjust CVs, or constraint variables. (CVs allow you to tweak you locomotive's decoder in order to make it run more prototypically. The Bachmann E-Z Command isn't set up to do that.

However, I believe once you can adjust a decoder to run @ 128 speed steps for more realistic startups and slow downs, the E-Z Command will and can run it at that. And - yes - if it's a NMRA recommended decoder, the Bachmann will run it You just won't be able to utilize it to it's fullest potential.


Hope that helps...

Tom

[zgardner18]

Thanks for the info. This 4X8 layout is just to get me to the next step of a room layout with of course better technoligy of DCC. I plan to keep the 4X8 for my son to play with so the E-Z will not be upgraded to the big layout. I just need something to understand DCC and run a switcher or two.

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zgardner18

Thanks for the info. This 4X8 layout is just to get me to the next step of a room layout with of course better technoligy of DCC. I plan to keep the 4X8 for my son to play with so the E-Z will not be upgraded to the big layout. I just need something to understand DCC and run a switcher or two.

Then it's perfect for you![8D]

[tangerine-jack]

I got a E-Z Command with a DCC loco for under $80. I love the system! It has everything I want, simple rugged reliability. I don't need 9999 functions that I will never use. My HO layout is small, and the E-Z Command is perfectly matched for what I need. I don't imagine on a 4x8 that you would really need anything else. I use a dedicated DC power supply for all my accesories, and the E-Z Command only runs the trains.

Works great for me!

[tstage]

Zak,

Then the Bachmann might be a good choice for you and your son. I forgot to mention that the controls on the E-Z Command are simple and fairly intuitive.

Zak, a helpful link you , if you haven't seen it already:

http://www.tonystrains.com

Click on 2. DCC for Beginners, in the middle section of the home page. It's a good dissertation on DCC that is easy to understand and digest. You can either read it online or download it as a .pdf file.

Zak, keep us informed what you decide to do. [:)]

Tom

[RMax1]

I've had my Bachmann DCC for about a year now. Picked it up with loco for around $100 back then. I had four engines running on it the other night and just started to notice problems when I cranked up some. I had the GP40 Bachmann, a Mantua 0-6-0 and a pair of Proto 2000 E's The layout is 9x13 now and I have run a bus line with feeders down the length of it. Three of the decoders are TCS and 1 is a Lenz/Bachmann. I haven't had any real problems with the unit and it's sure nicer than having 3 power packs hooked up. I've also run Atlas decoders on it and no problems. For the money it has done exactly what I wanted and that was to get my feet wet to DCC and give me a little understanding as to how things work.

RMax1

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RMax1
my Bachmann DCC...it's sure nicer than having 3 power packs hooked up.

RMax1

RMax1

You got that right! [tup]

Tom

[zgardner18]

Now would the power for the E-Z be enough for the 4X8 and two maybe three engines for will I have to find a way to generate more?

[tstage]

Zak,

As I mentioned above, I can run three "newer" (i.e. <4 years old) locomotives simultaneously on my 4 x 8 layout, without any power problems. If power ever becomes an issue, Bachmann has said that they will be issuing (if they haven't already) a 5-amp booster that will attach to the I/O port in the back of the E-Z Command. That should be more than enough oomph for you. I think the 1-amp E-Z Command will serve you just fine.

Tom

Tom

[pcarrell]

[#ditto]

You should be good.

By the way Tom,

Have you heard a date for that booster, the add-on throttle, or the turnout controls?

[tstage]

Phillip,

The last I heard was supposedly the end of 2005. I haven't kept up on it so I don't know what the projected date is now. I just posed the question on the Bachmann forum page. We'll see what they have to say.

Tom

[rrinker]

F4 doesn't work? Are you sure about that? That seems really weird that it would support F0-F8 except for F4. Lights are on 10 because there is on 0 button.

In fact, if F4 does not work, then I see no way the E-Z Command could have an NMRA Conformance Warrant, and it does.

--Randy

[tstage]

Randy,

I stand corrected: F4 does work after all.

After reading your comment, I went downstairs to check the F4 function again. The blower hiss does toggle on and off in idle but I can't tell or hear any difference when the locomoitve is in motion. Are you supposed to be able to hear it then? Do you have to be at a particular speed, like you do to operate the F6 Doppler?

Thanks for clearing this up.

Tom

P.S. I've made note of the correction in my first post.

[rrinker]

Hmm, now I'll have to try it - but I think the blower hiss is available only in neutral. Check the first page of the DCC section of the BLI manual, it should list what each function does in both neutral and in motion - because there are differences depending on what the loco is doing when you activate some of the functions.

--Randy

[tstage]

Randy,

I double-checked my "cheat sheet" (up on the wall next to the layout) and the BLI Operator's manual and they both list "Blower Hiss toggle on and off" in both the Forward/reverse and Neutral columns.

Tom

[rrinker]

Well, then it should work no matter what when you press F4. It might be too quiet to hear over the other sounds while in motion, depending on how the volume is set. I've always found that not only is the overall volume set way too loud out of the box, but the various other levels need to be tweaked to get a good balance.

--Randy

[michelrs]

I'm going back into the hobby after almost 20 yrs. Used to have HO, one loco at a time, very basic. Due to space, I'm thinking N, but would like to give DCC a whirl (sounds like fun to be able to run more than 1 loco). Question: since the Bachman DCC can handle both digital and analog, do I still need to create blocks when I want them running together? What I mean is, if I stop the analog train, will the other stop as well since there is no power going to the track anymore? If I have blocks, would I need to cut the power to the block where the analog train is, so the digital keeps running? If this is confusing, ping me off-list, and I'll try to make myself clearer.
Thanks