I’ve just restarted major work on my layout in progress, and I’m getting there. Right now I only have one locomotive, a Spectrum 2-8-0 (HO Scale) because I’ve been buying mostly buildings/scenery etc.
I plan on adding to my loco roster soon, but first I need a couple of questions answered. I plan on using DCC, but on my layout I only will use it to control locomotives and sound. Turnouts and other things won’t be controlled by DCC. So, I only really need a basic DCC system. I would like to be able to just use the Bachmann EZ Command, because an amp will power all of the locos I’ll be running (no more than 3 at a time), and it has enough functions to have the basic fun sound allows.
BUT… If I get that, then I won’t be able to change CVs. Well, I’m going to need to put my own sound decoder in my 2-8-0, and probably more than half of the engines I’m interested in. Is there any other reasonable way to change a decoders CVs? My local hobby shop doesn’t have any way to program either since they don’t even have a layout, so am I pretty much stuck buying something a little better so I can program my own decoder installs?
I’ve probably made my question sound harder than it really is, but if anyone has any ideas, thanks in advance…
Easy, get an MRC Pridigy Advance or NCE and forget the Bachmann [censored] !! The main reason most of us get DCC is the sound & power of locos - controlling turnouts etc is secondary - at least to me. If you intend to add decoders to non DCC locos, the Bachmann will be about useless - the MRC & NCE units don’t cost that much more, and for thay matter, a basic Digitrax will probably be in that range also. Any of these units will support upgrades and additional features for when (not if) you want to add them!![:)]
The EZ Command is pretty limited in its ability to control the different “function” outputs of decoders, which are what the manufacturers use to drive the sounds. If you aren’t able to activate F7, for example, you’ll miss out on the brake squeel, and once you’ve got multiple engines you’ll appreciate F9 (shutdown sequence on QSI, either steam or diesel) and F8 (mute on many sound decoders.)
Lou is right. The EZ Command was an OK starter system in its day, and will still do the job for limited applications, but sound really requires a more capable system.
Well, it has 10 functions, which will control horn, bell, engine or chuff, brake squeal, headlight, and also turn the sound off. So basically 10 functions would be more than enough for me, I don’t know what I would possibly miss out on above the 10 function range.
I’ve looked into the other systems, and I like the Prodigy or NCE, but I can get a Bachmann for around $50, maybe even better. So, that puts it at under half the price of other systems. I just wondered if there was a cheap or simple way to program up things like chuff on a Soundtraxx or similar decoder, then place it on the layout and go. Maybe on a computer[?]
Another thing to consider is the limitation of only numbers 1-9 for decoder addresses that the Bqchmann system will address. I have run the Bachmann system at the LHS, and it is OK for test running englnes as they are usually delivered with the default address of 3. I really having the address be the same as the actual engine number.
You’ve said your local hobby shop doesn’t have a DCC system set up to help you program your locos. Is there anyone else you know or a local club where you could get help? I think you will defineatly want to have some CV’s changed. My Proto 0-8-0 for instance was incredibly loud when I got it and needed to be toned down significantly. I also typically fiddle with start voltage CVs when I set up a new loco. I guess the other question is what is your technical level for programming stuff. If you can’t set the clock on your VCR you just need to find someone with a layout who will do the initial setup for you. If your already a rocket scientist, you should spring for the extra $100 (not much more than a good deal on a loco) and go for a small but not so basic system. I have an NCE PowerCab ($140) which let’s me do the programming I want. There are various issues with programming sound engines, but they haven’t stopped me yet. For reference, I AM a rocket scientist
Do you know what Hexadecimal numbers are? How about what a Byte is? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you too could be a rocket scientist!
There IS a way to program your decoders without buying a upscale system; the Digitrax PR2. It will program CVs independantly from your DCC system, but by the time you buy the PR2, you might as well purchase a Zephyr and be done with it.
I work at my LTS and I must let you know that we only stock Bachmann EZ command if it is a trade in. Other than that, we avoid having them in the store like the plague (too many customers upset by it’s limitations).
You need to pick the system that works best for you, but not being able to program CV’s is very limiting. Someone suggested the MRC Prodigy Advance, but you could also go with the Prodigy Express. It can program CVs and I run 3 locos at once on mine and it works great. Many people also say the comparable NCE system is better, but I can’t tell you otherwise (no experience with NCE). To me the prodigy system is very user friendly and has up to 15 functions. Also you can upgrade to the advance throttle when and if you need it. I got my Prodigy Express for $120. Yes that is much more than 50 dollars, but in the long run I think you would get much more enjoyment with a system better than the EZ-command.
Right now I think the Prodigy Express or Digitrax Zephyr are good buys for someone starting out. Each has their good and bad points, really comes down to which you feel comfortable with.
Remember you need to not just use those Function buttons but also control what they do when you push them - many decoders give you a choice of several horns or whistles, bell sounds and ringing rate etc. that you select via CV’s. Plus you’re going to want to adjust the running characteristics of the engine, provide momentum for smooth starts and stops, and adjust the speed CV’s so the engine doesn’t run too fast, and you may want to adjust the CV’s so two of your engines can run perfectly together in a consist…not to mention setting lighting so allow for directional or non-directional (or “semi-directional” like I like - headlight on full in direction of travel, opposite headlight lit but dimmed), Rule 17 (lights dim when engine stops) or for Mars lights, Gyralights etc.
I would spend some time and consider your options carefully after doing more research on sound decoders and DCC systems. As others have pointed out, there are some systems that definately offer a very good value to features ratio and they are not necessarily the cheapest ones out there. I think your current plan will be too limited.
There are a couple of things that you might want to consider concerning sound locos based on my experience with sound:
You will want to be able to easily programm the CVs in the decoders on your layout. Even if you don’t think you want to do this now, just wait until you get the loco and start running it. Soon you will be saying things like “Can I adjust the volume”, “I wonder if I can make the whistle louder” “Is there a way to turn down the pop off?” “Do I have to listen to Fireman Fred?” It will be a hassle to take the loco elsewhere to make these adjustments. Especially because as you run the loco, you will change your mind about what is “too loud” etc
Using the Tsunami steam as an example: There are a huge number (at least 100) of user adjustable CVs in the decoder. Most of these CVs have adjustment ranges (values) of 0-255. That is a lot of possibilities. True, that you won’t want to mess with most of these, but even if you only adjust a handfull, still a lot to keep track of in terms of settings and adjustments. I have entered all of this stuff into my locos one cv at a time and spent a lot of time getting the settings to my liking. One day I went out and found that there was a glitch in one of the decoders and it had to be reset. This mean’t I had to go adjustin each CV again!!
Recommendation: get a DCC unit that will allow imput from Decoder Pro. You can save a program for each decoder on your com
Well, I wasn’t really saying I didn’t want to change CVs at all, I just wondered if I could get the EZ Command for the layout, and then have an off the layout way to change the CVs, like plugging them into my computer or something. It looks like that is an option, but it wouldn’t be a feasible option price-wise over just buying a DCC system that does all that anyway.
