What DCC system do you recommend?

[tstage]

While the EZ system may give a person a taste of DCC, why give them a Yugo test drive?

jktrains, 

I wouldn't even put the E-Z Command in the same comparison catagory as the Yugo.  I remember when Consumer Report did a review on the Yugo a number of years ago.  The only good thing that they could say about it was that it came to a stop.  Despite how you may view it, the Bachmann is actually better than that.

jktrains, have you actually tried an E-Z Command first hand to see how it works?  Yea, maybe the colors on the outside make it look a little toyish.  Even so, it still can do a fair amount for a very basic DCC system.  For someone who has a smallish layout, only wants to operate a couple of trains at a time, and doesn't have any real interest or desire in tweaking CVs, the E-Z Command would fit the bill just fine.

I guess the important thing that we can both agree upon is making sure that you know what DCC system you are buying up front BEFORE you buy it.  If you purchase a DCC system then find out that it doesn't adjust CVs - and you wanted it to do that - you didn't do your homework.  To bring up the car analogy again: Why buy a Toyota Camry or Lexus when a Echo will meet your needs just fine?

Tom

[tstage]

Crandell & jktrains,

I understand your arguments and agree with them for the most part.  Expectations, needs (present and future), and affordability will all dictate our purchase buying.  That's why doing your homework ahead of time is crucial to finding a system that is going to best meet your needs now and down the road.

I'll freely admit that I do have a special place in my heart for the E-Z Command.  It met my expectations and I was happy with the product - even with it's limitations.

Personally, I would rather run my layout with a Bachmann E-Z Command DCC system - limitations and all - than continue using DC.  Operating two different locomotives on the same track, doing two different operations, is why I enjoy the hobby even more today than I did when I first started out.

Tom

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff- yours is a nice offer, but I left wondering why you would have so many extra systems that you loan them out?  One DCC system should be all that's needed on a layout, maybe some boosters, but more than one EZ command station?  What's up with that?

While the EZ system may give a person a taste of DCC, why give them a Yugo test drive?  It sounds like to OP haas already decided to go foward with DCC, so the question is more aloong the lines of which system, not DC or DCC.

Maybe you can tell me why he should go out and pay up to several hundred dollars for a system without first trying a small one first. He knows the Bachmann system has limitations, I told him that up front. There's no price on this, it's FREE! Why should he pass it up. If nothing else, he can sell it to someone else. And why does it matter to you that I have several of the systems. I pick them up here and there. I use one on my layout and keep another as a backup. I have a few others in a box, still in their original packaging to give to people who want them. Is that a crime? And why am I giving this system away? Because I want to do a good thing for someone. If I had a Digitrax system that I could spare, I would, and I wouldn't charge anything for it either, but then that's the kind of person I am. If I have something that somebody can use and I don't need it, I'll usually just give it to them.

[Anonymous]

I cut my teeth on a Super Empire Builder and liked the DT400. The DT400 was rather expensive and the Zephyr does not have it. To get the Zephyr and a DT400 puts me into Super Chief country for a few more dollars.

Now where I am, I can always get a Zephyr for yard work or such.

[Anonymous]

Can the Zephyr power the reverse loop boards?

Can the Zephyr do DC over DCC (run my DC engines also), like on address zero or ten or something like that?

Can the Zephyr be configured with a wireless throttle?

I have N scale Bachman EZ DCC and I am running a 160' of track, 20 switch, 6 locomotive (2 DC small steam) and am fairly happy. Only thing it WONT do that I want is wireless throttle (I have an aux throttle but it is wired). Could consist better also. I don't have any sound locomotives though, I am sure there is a lack there also. It does DC over DCC and handles the reversing boards just fine. For the money, a good system.

If the Zephyr does all this the 2.5 amps is plenty for me. HO users MIGHT need more amps. I run max three trains at once. Of course N scale doesnt take as many amps.

[cheese4432]

Can the Zephyr power the reverse loop boards?

I think you need a seperate thing for reverse loops.

Can the Zephyr do DC over DCC (run my DC engines also), like on address zero or ten or something like that?

The zypher can run locomotives on address 00.

Can the Zephyr be configured with a wireless throttle?

Yes digitrax offers wireless throttles in radio and IR lightversions.

I have N scale Bachman EZ DCC and I am running a 160' of track, 20 switch, 6 locomotive (2 DC small steam) and am fairly happy. Only thing it WONT do that I want is wireless throttle (I have an aux throttle but it is wired). Could consist better also. I don't have any sound locomotives though, I am sure there is a lack there also. It does DC over DCC and handles the reversing boards just fine. For the money, a good system.

If the Zephyr does all this the 2.5 amps is plenty for me. HO users MIGHT need more amps. I run max three trains at once. Of course N scale doesnt take as many amps.

[tstage]

I have N scale Bachman EZ DCC...I don't have any sound locomotives though, I am sure there is a lack there also.

It will do 8 sound functions (F1-F8).  These are the basic ones that everyone uses the most.

Tom

[jeffrey-wimberly]

On my MRC sound system it handles these sounds on the indicated buttons.

F1 - Bell

F2 - Horn

F3 - Air brake

F4 - Couplers coming together

F5 - Sand

F6 - Dynamic brake sound

F7 - Reverse gear

F8 - Compressor

Sounds of the prime mover go up and down according to throttle position.

[Anonymous]

Can the Zephyr power the reverse loop boards?

I think you need a seperate thing for reverse loops.

Can the Zephyr do DC over DCC (run my DC engines also), like on address zero or ten or something like that?

The zypher can run locomotives on address 00.

Can the Zephyr be configured with a wireless throttle?

Yes digitrax offers wireless throttles in radio and IR lightversions.

I have N scale Bachman EZ DCC and I am running a 160' of track, 20 switch, 6 locomotive (2 DC small steam) and am fairly happy. Only thing it WONT do that I want is wireless throttle (I have an aux throttle but it is wired). Could consist better also. I don't have any sound locomotives though, I am sure there is a lack there also. It does DC over DCC and handles the reversing boards just fine. For the money, a good system.

If the Zephyr does all this the 2.5 amps is plenty for me. HO users MIGHT need more amps. I run max three trains at once. Of course N scale doesnt take as many amps.

I have a total of 8 amps availible to the booster and a total of 25 amps maximum off the house electrical box. My BLI ABBA F unit set in full cry never uses more than three amps total that I can see.

Some of my hand tools pull 5-10 amps or more.

Which is why I say 5 amps is PLENTY.

The DCS 200+ I think is a special booster/command station that auto reverses for you now. However lots of good parts are availible to do that job. Me I dont do reverse loops but have a switch for that manually if I need to.

My new NW switchers have the "Notch system" now and are able to behave/transistion at appropriate speeds and loads but those functions take the first 9 keys anyhow.

I really have calmed down on the bell and whistles. Maybe a pair of toots and a few dings before moving out.

[CSX Robert]

pilot,

If you are running reversing loops off of your EZ-Command, then you already have the reversing loop controllers that others are saying that you need for the Zephyr. As has already been mentioned, the Zephyr will handle functions f0 through f8, plus if you get a UT4 or DT400 throttle it will handle f0 through f12.

jeffrey-wimberly,

I am sure you're familiar with the phrase "no good deed goes unpunished." I think what you are doing is very commendable.

[alco_fan]

NCE

[selector]

jeffrey-wimberly,

I am sure you're familiar with the phrase "no good deed goes unpunished." I think what you are doing is very commendable.

Oops....in my response, Jeff, and I agree with CSX Robert, I seem to have lost that part.  My apologies.  I sure didn't mean to belittle your gesture, any more than I would have Tom's way back when.  My feelings about the EZ-Command aside, I applaud your generosity.

-Crandell

[Dallas Model Works]

Digitrax!

And the Zephyr is a great way to start.

[jktrains]

Digitrax!

And the Zephyr is a great way to start.

Full disclosure that you're a Digitrax Dealer would be appropriate so people know it's not a completely unbiased opinion.

[Dallas Model Works]

Digitrax!

And the Zephyr is a great way to start.

Full disclosure that you're a Digitrax Dealer would be appropriate so people know it's not a completely unbiased opinion.

"JKtrains"

Before you accuse anybody of anything, may I suggest that you know exactly what it is you are talking about!

a) I use Digitrax personally, have done so for years, and started with the Zephyr.

b) This was years before the launch of Dallas Model Works.

c) Although Dallas Model Works carries some Digitrax products, we get them from another distributor and not directly from Digitrax.

If you have a problem, talk to me directly. Don't hide behind a pseudonym on a public forum.

 

[jktrains]

There's no accusation there.  I'm simply saying that when you post a reply recommending a specific product, one that you sell and your signature line includes your website, disclosure of such would be appropriate.  The fact that you used such for years doesn't change the fact you sell them, your signature line is a form of advertisement for your business.  Just because you get your inventory from a distributor and not directly for Digitrax changes nothing.  My LHS buys inventory from Walthers and not from Atlas doesn't change the fact that they sell Atlas products.  I've personally use NCE, but when I recommend it these NO possibility of me selling the product.

Perhaps you should review the rules about advertising on these forums.

[R. T. POTEET]

On my MRC sound system it handles these sounds on the indicated buttons.

F1 - Bell

F2 - Horn

F3 - Air brake

F4 - Couplers coming together

F5 - Sand

F6 - Dynamic brake sound

F7 - Reverse gear

F8 - Compressor

Sounds of the prime mover go up and down according to throttle position.

F9 -  Drawbar extraction

F10 - Insurance Department venting steam following 10MPH switching collision

F11 - Airhose bursting

F12 - Stalled automobile bumping along ties following loosing argument with SD40-2

[Anonymous]

I think somebody is being too sensitive today.

I said directly that there are people who run hobby shops for a living and enjoy trains as a hobby.

I see no hint of advertising here.

Frankly, Im disappointed that this even came up here on this thread.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

On my MRC sound system it handles these sounds on the indicated buttons.

F1 - Bell

F2 - Horn

F3 - Air brake

F4 - Couplers coming together

F5 - Sand

F6 - Dynamic brake sound

F7 - Reverse gear

F8 - Compressor

Sounds of the prime mover go up and down according to throttle position.

F9 -  Drawbar extraction

F10 - Insurance Department venting steam following 10MPH switching collision

F11 - Airhose bursting

F12 - Stalled automobile bumping along ties following loosing argument with SD40-2

Good one R. T. I got a BIG laugh out of that!

[nyc4me]

Here are some more thoughts.  I selected a nce power cab, fabulously happy with it. You can do a lot with 4X8 and I'll never be much bigger. I also really like the zephyr but my railroad is in a room limited on space with no room for a control panel that extends beyond the layout. where one should go is right where my computer chair spins around.  My shoulder hurts, so as I thought about it I didn't want to be sitting there working the throttle with my arm extended toward the corner of the layout. Arthritis..tuning a car radio hurts too, same thing. I even put my mrc pack where I thought the zephyr might go and I'm glad I tried that, it hurt.  the nce power cab sits right in my greasy little hand.  I'll bet once you buy whichever, you'll find you'll be running trains and having fun. Good stuff I'd say! Good luck on your choice WCfan.