Doese anybody know if its any good?
i know it has a limit of only 9 trains but here in australia we don’t have much in the way of DDC controls
you won’t find many supporters of E-Z command here , it’s considered a bare bones starter system with very limited expansion capabilities . there are a few people here who own them and like them .
i’m pretty sure any of the internet dealers will ship to australia
http://www.internettrains.com/index.html
http://loystoys.com/
http://www.tonystrainexchange.com/index.html
plus many more
also i’d be surprised to find that there aren’t dealers in australia who stock at least some of the major DCC brands .
discusmad,
I have the Bachmann EZ Command system and it’s is a good, basic, no-frills, DCC controller. However, it is limited in what it can do. For simplicity, let me list out what it can/has and can NOT do:
EZC can/has:
- 1-amp maximum output
- Program (albeit limited) and store up to 9 separate (2-digit) addresses, plus 1 DC
- Run 2-3 modern manufactured locomotives at a given time. (Older locos: 1-2)
- Consist or MU locomotives together
- 10 “F” (functon) buttons to utilize some function capabilities in decoders (e.g. sound, lights)
- I/O port (for later expansion*)
EZE can’t:
- Change or alter CVs (configuraton variables) to utilize th decoder to its fullest extent
- Alter momentum/braking presets
- Expand nor be tethered to other EZC units
*Note: Bachmann announced it has plans to bring out a 5-amp booster for their EZC system at the end of the year. That would increase the amount of locomotives you would run. Bachmann also will be releasing auto-reversing and DCC turnout control modules that can be run from the EZC.
discusmad, the Bachmann EZC is what it is…and no more. I have one on my 4 x 8 layout and, for now, it works very nicely for what I need. Eventually, I’d like to move on to a more sophisticated DCC system. I picked up the EZC for about 50% of list so it was a nice introduction into DCC for me. No regrets.
Hope that’s a help…
Tom
P.S. discusmad, I picked up my Bachmann EZC from Wholesaletrains.com for $53 back in February or March. (I think they are closer to $60 now.) WST deals in a whole variety of things so they WON’T give you ANY technical support or be able to answer any questions you might have about the system. Price is the only thing going for them.
I’m using a Lenz system down here. The Bachmann system is made by Lenz and I think is expandable using some of the Lenz stuff, I read somewhere the Xpressnet system is the same and it has an expansion socket on the back ( Tom? )
Here’s an email for the Australian distributor. teswholesalers@ozemail.com.au
Ken.
thanks for the tips guys
sorry to butt in but wanted to ask you guys this.
the ez command would still be a good controller for someone due to physical limitations
would only run say 2 to 3 trains max in N scale?
most likely still worlds better than old controls from the early eighties? and easier on the sight challenged guy to wire up for sure right?
once more i apoligize for interupting the thread but im thinking this might be the controller im needing on limited funds and abilities.
kindest regards, john
I haven’t actually used it, John. However, from what I’ve read, yes this would seem like a pretty good controller for you.
If you’d like to change the CV’s (one of the big limitations), I’ve heard that a lot of LHS have offered to help change them. All you should need to do it take it to your LHS, have them change the CV values and then bring it back to your layout and everything would be updated.
I’m hoping to get one of these soon. Supposedly, they’re a good cheap/easy way to get into the DCC market. Bachmann is going to release new addons and the like, but since this is so cheap (compared to other systems), you could easily resell it and then buy a better expandable system at a later time.
Kevin
thank you Kevin
please let me know when you get yours and how it goes.
much thanks, John
John Hall,
Limited funds and abilities? This will work!
It has a large, easy to operate rotory knob for speed control and several smaller (but not too small) pushbuttons for locomotive selection and direction. Each of these smaller buttons has a LED next to it that lights up when the button is activated so it should be pretty easy to see. It’s very easy to wire up also.
It’s a good, basic, bare bones system that will bring you out of the dark ages of DC and let you run trains, not switches. Just don’t expect it to do tons of stuff. It’s a basic, no frills deal that does what it advertises and not much more.
I don’t know what your physical limitations are, or if you have a sight limitation or not, but if so you might need help installing the decoders needed into the locomotives. That can be pretty fine work. Plug and play loco’s and decoders will make things easier, but check it out carefully first. You can buy the EZ Command with a loco in HO scale that is ready to go. Just run two wires to the track, plug in the controller, put the train on the tracks and away you go. Thats pretty easy, huh?
I have one,It is bare bones,but works fine for me,some day I’ll up-date,but first have to get more decoders.I have a DPDT switch on my lay out so can switch of DC and on DCC,this works great.[:)]
JIM
i ound a hobby shop thanks to this forums guidance to a link. the owner is pro RC and RR
tech. he can install the decoders for me im pretty sure.
with the horde of old engines i have im also pretty sure some might not accept the decoder. but at least ive found a DCC system i can afford and also operate. i went to their site and it sure looks like i can anyway.
much thanks for your advice and help. john
John,
Not a problem - especially for a home town colleague of mine. (I grew up in Jax myself. Lived on St. Johns Blvd. about 1/2 E of Avondale. )
John, since you are sight challenged, I would think the Bachmann EZ Command would work out just fine for you. I only have 2 wires feeding my 4 x 8 layout. (Not the ideal but it does work.) Here’s a pic to help you see what it looks like:
From L to R:
- Emergency Stop button
- Large Speed dial (2" OD)
- Direction buttons (2, separate)
- Function access button (1)
- Function buttons (10)
There are no LCD displays to read so everything will be tactile. There are LEDs to tell you what buttons are depressed and/or are currently functioning. Again, the Bachmann EZC is a very basic unit. It should handle your 2-3 N-scale locos witth no problems at all. DON’T pay full price for it, if you can all help it. (Bought mine for $53.)
Hope that’s a help…
Tom
I have one and I like it! It is good for a small layout (I have a 4x8). They are also coming out with accesories now such as the 10 amp booster and walk-around controllers. It is a good starter system at an affordable price. If you have a huge layout with many locomotives this is probably not the way to go. However, if you have a small layout with a few locos, this may be a good option.
Yes it does help me Tom . nice to meet you man. i was on collins rd. for over 30 years then out west near Live Oak Fl.
i have lots of locos but mostly old dinosaurs but its doubtful ill run more than few at a time.so the bachman will be fine for my situation.
much thanks to all and again i apoligize for butting in and carrying on about my stuff. John
I feel strongly, without at all wanting to offend anyone’s choices, that the EZ-Command is going to be too limited in its capabilities over the long run.
IF funding is strictly limited, and since it does have good ergonomics, it fits the bill nicely. For example, John, I would not recommend the Digitrax DT400 throttle to you. It has small buttons and small icons on the face, anc the knobs are rather small.
My biggest beef with the EZ-Command is its inability to modify CV settings. Once you get established, you will quickly reach a point where you want to customize your locos’ performance on several dimensions. It is at that point where you will look grimly at your first purchase of DCC and realize that it was a short ride after all.
I can’t put it much plainer than that.
what would be the next step up from the ez command in a dcc system?
In no particular order, MRC Prodigy (not sure about difference between that and the Prodigy Advanced; the latter is quite popular). The only other one that I know of is the Digitrax Zephyr, and it, too, is highly acclaimed. If Digitraxx offers a more ergonomic throttle than the DT400, and I believe it does, then you will do well by that.
Please, other responders, chime in and let this gentleman know what else he should research if he decides that he will bypass the EZ-Command.
Once again, I really hope others will forgive my position and statement above, but I did try the EZ-Command, and could not modify the CVs that I wanted to change when I realized that I wanted to change them. Having used the loco extensively on DC by then, I was quickly determined to try something else once I realized that I had not made the best choice…for ME.
John,
Crandell’s points are valid ones. If you deem that you do want something more sophisticated than the bare-bones EZ Command, then there are a number of other choices and manufacturers to pick from.
I concur with Crandell’s suggestion of the Digitrax Zephyr. It’s a terrific starter system that has 2.5 amps of max. output. You could run a whole slew of N-scale locomotives with that much power. The Zephyr also has a few other real pluses going for it:
-
It’s easily upgradable - If you find that you need more power (amps) to run more trains, then all you need to do is just purchase another power booster and add it in.
-
It allows you the liberty of switching out your “tethered” throttle and running your layout with a wireless throttle.
-
It has two (2) DC ports so that you can run up to two (2) non-DCC locomotives with a basic DC power pack as an extra throttle.
-
It has an RG-232 port for plugging in a computer for programming decoders and running signals.
The CVP EasyDCC system is also a very nice system that is, as the name implies, simple to use. They are known for having a terrific technical support. The RG-232 port is also standard on the EasyDCC system. Other DCC system makers include NCE, MRC Prodigy Advance, and Lenz.
John, as someone already pointed out, the more sophisticated DCC systems are going to have either an LCD display and/or smaller buttons than the Bachman EZ Command. With your sight limitations, you’re going to have to determine what kind of trade offs you are willing to make going with either a simple or more sophisicated DCC system: Simplicity vs. more features; easy of use vs. more complexity. John, it really depends on what you want to accomplish with your layout.
John, here’s an idea for both you and Crandell to contemplate. Maybe Crandell would be willing to sell you his old Bachmann EZC for a good deal? That way you cou
i think getting to your LHS and having a look in person at the DCC systems they sell is required if ergonomics and visibility are important . ads in magazines and on the 'net just aren’t a good enough substitute for holding the unit in your hands and determining if you can read the display
having said that , the digitrax zephyr is very popular http://digitrax.com/prd_zep_basic_set.php
especially with the UT4 throttle
http://digitrax.com/prd_ut4.php
however this setup will cost you over $200
then there is the new MRC prodigy express
http://www.modelrectifier.com/products/trainSound/product.asp?ID=1990&Subcategory=Prodigy%20DCC
Tom, I’d gladly GIVE it to John in a heartbeat, but I returned it within five days…that was back in April. [:(] I was ready for DCC in a big way, and didn’t want the investment to go to waste. I drove back to Nanaimo and told the LHS owner he had recommended an incapable system to manage my QSI-equipped loco. He acknowledged the error (he could hardly argue; he had sold me the loco, too!), and I only had to wait three weeks [|(] for my SEB.
It was a great suggestion, and thanks for thinking of it. Regrettably, …