I am a dyed in the wool luddite model railroader, IOWs a straight DC track powered operation, however my next layout will be On30 on a 4x6 layout, almost all Bachmann rolling stock, and I am considering being seduced by by the Dark Side, namely DCC. My layout will feature 2 loops, an passing siding on the mainline connecting the 2 loops where two trains will wait and pass each other, and a small yard area so maybe 3 train total operation. I am interested in Bachmann’s EZ Command system, mostly because its extremely affordable to me, and I can get stuff from Bachmann already chipped and ready to run, which would be alot easier for someone who thinks soldering irons are the devils tools. So I want to know from those who have used it…
How reliable is it?
How easy is it to program?
How easy is it to operate?
Is there a walkaround tether or wireless capability?
Also can switches be operated by it? (can go traditional powered or manual at this point)
Sound control? (not planning for any sound at this time but future?) or is it too basic for that.
Considering I can get the controller package on Evilbay for as low as $85, thats very VERY tempting and the lack of all that block control wiring is also very VERY tempting. I am mostly interested at avoiding all the complex wiring associated with traditional control.
So you wizards of digital model railroading, for $85-$100, is this a worthwhile dipping of my feet into the “future” of model railroading? You tell me…[;)]
To be as succinct as possible…yes! The E-Z Command is:
Reliable
Easy to program
Easy to operate
Tethered and “sorta” a walk around controller - In order to get wireless, you’ll need to move up to Bachmann’s Dynamis DCC system, which is a IR system
Turnout control - I believe the E-Z Command can control turnouts and that it’s done through the I/O connector on the backside. However, since it only has 1-amp of maximum output, I would encourage you to think about perhaps powering your turnouts via an old power pack so as not to draw on the already limited power of your E-Z Command.
Sound control - Victor, I assume you are asking can the E-Z Command control or play sounds? Yes, you can play sounds F1-F8 with the E-Z Command. The 10 address buttons serve double-duty in this respect when used in conjunction with the function button. The design works well. While the sounds are playable on the E-Z Command, they are NOT “alterable” - i.e. the CVs that control F1 thru F8 can NOT be changed. You would need a more sophisticated DCC system for that.
Motor control - I ran as many as three HO-scale locomotives with my E-Z Command; one with sound, two non-sound.
Victor, I started out with the E-Z Command as my very first DCC system for the same reasons you are contemplating it - i.e. price and wiring ease. I originally bought mine for $53. After buying and installing decoders into the two locomotives that I had at the time, I had a working DCC system and layout for just under $100. Not too shabby! Albeit limited, the E-Z Command served my quite well for a ye
Why do you consider it the dark side? Until one takes the emotional nonsense out of the equation and considers it rationally it is not worth considering.
For each loop of the two trains controlled by DC (assuming a single cab block on each side of the passing track - loop and all; assuming the east bound train always takes the siding and the westbound always the main; assuming the trains always go through the loops in the same direction) then one would have to flip a minimum of 4 toggles (probably 6). If the trains are to enter the loops in their proper direction (east & west bound) then one has to flip two more toggles. If the trains enter the passing siding in their proper direction then one must flip two more. If there is more than one block outside of the passing siding the number of flips goes up accordingly. None of this counts flips for turnout control. None of this counts the yard or third train. Just writing it I am already tired of flipping toggle switches instead of running my train.
It isn’t that complicated just a lot of it.
Since I experienced the zero toggle operation way back in 1979, I have a hard time imagining going back to it. That was when a command system and converting a measly a 16 locomotives cost well over $1500 (Don’t know what that would be in today’s dollars. Back then a highly desireable car was $8000 sooo… ).
The EZ command is very basic and what it does it does well.
It has 2 major limitiations, and if you can live with them, you will enjoy it.
It only supports 1 amp of running. Depending on the loco, it might use up all of this juice at once. This limits the number of locos you can run at the same time.
You CANNOT program anything on your decoder beyond it’s 1 digit address. You cant change volume, lighting features, momentum, speed tables and the like. So, when you open up your loco and place it on the track you are unable to change it’s characteristics in any way. However, you could purchase a Digitrax PR3 to do this work for you. But if you want to go that route, then you would have spent enough money to get a quality entry-level system like the Zephyr or the PowerCab.
To sum up, if you want to tweek your locos in any way, then you need to look beyond te EZ cab.
I bought an EZCommand because it was cheap and I knew almost nothing about DCC.
It took me just a couple of months to realize it was a mistake. It now resides in a box of assorted railroad junk under the layout somewhere. I have a Digitrax Super Chief now.
I recommend a starter system from one of the better manufacturers. There are several good ones, obviously my personal preference is Digitrax. The better systems can grow with you as you discover all the things of which DCC is capable that you never knew you needed before. EZCommand can not.
I had no problem with Tom’s old E-Z command for 3 years, still works fine on the work bench. I ran 3 BLI sound engines with it’s 1 amp power supply but it was at its limits. 2 sound engines was no problem.
Notice that everyone who has actually owned an EZ-Command and has posted in this thread so far, even the ones who say how “wonderful” it is, have moved on to using something else to actually control their layout. That kinda tells you something right there…
And I still have my old Klunk, the Super Empire Builder from Digitrax, after three years. I did start with the EZ-Command, and my wake-up came as I was reading the instructions on how to use it. [B)] I had relied on my LHS owner for advice (silly me…), and it was his recommendation…he had just received a shipment of maybe four of them.
I feel a bit awkward continually posting negative thoughts about the EZ-Command, but the system was a poor idea whose only redeeming feature was an attractive price. It is technically sound and reliable, but it is weak in power output for all but a very basic new beginner who hasn’t thought about future needs, and who also hasn’t taken the time to learn of its serious limitations in terms of programming decoders…like I did…or didn’t, rather.
For the money you might be able to find a new Bachmann EZ DCC system on Ebay for $30-45 dollars delivered. Its a good way to get you feet wet and if you want run just a couple of trains, its fine. MRC (the company that has made train transformers for 50 + years) has good starter systems too, you can find a Prodigy Express for $125 and Prodigy Advanced 2 for low to mid $200 range on line. And for all the negative talk people give MRC they are easy to use and have all the functions minus the computer interface JMRI.
I have seen Digitrax and it works great but you need to have the manual at hand as its abit more complex and besides the Zephyr beginner system the buttons on the handhelds are tiny. NCE is OK in my “humble” opinion no different than MRC except its more pricey once you get beyond their begginer set. MRC decoders are problematic but besides that they are fine.
Getting back to your main question…EZ is an easy and very inexpensive way to get you feet wet. Its the proverbal Coke vs. Pepsi; Ford vs. GM debate. Its not whats best its whats best for you.
Thanks guys, thats given me a lot to consider, I have seen the NCE starter system also, its cheif attraction is the 2 amp power supply, now comes the critical question…given my grades I want tihe ability to double head trains up the grade, any chance of using the EZ Command to double head at the same speed? NCE? anyone?
If none can double head I’ll stick with straight DC for the time being, I also really need the walkaround ability as the way my layout will be set up requires that ability, I can do that using a Crest Basic Train engineer on straight DC, so what are my options here?
If by double head you mean a “consist” then yes NCE does that easily. I don’t think barfman can do that.
The NCE starter system is a “tethered” system, meaning you can’t plug and unplug the thing in different sockets around the layout. It’s still considered a “walk around” controller though unlike the Digitrax “Zephyr” starter system which has a cool looking transformer, but its not movable.
You CAN however extend the cord on the NCE system to 12’ or 16’ or whatever to accommodate the need to walk further than the 7’ cord included with the set. Thats how I use mine. Later when you upgrade the NCE system you can still keep the original controller and then plug and unplug to your hearts content around the layout.
The one nice thing about the NCE powercab is that the display on the LCD screen is very easy and simple to operate unlike some other systems. No need to look up special codes or numbers to change things.
I don’t think anybody has answered this question yet. The EZ-Command cannot control accessory(also called stationary) decoder addresses, so it cannot control most turnouts. The Bachmann DCC equipped turnouts have a special decoder in them that can respond to a locomotive decoder address, so they can be controlled by the EZ-Command.
Far as everyone that had a E-Z has moved on is true. But, I started with Athearn BB engines, then moved up to BLI, PCM and Protos. So, should a new person start with PCM?
The E-Z will have the power for two engines, but you cannot speed match them. Not being able to play with CV’s is it weak point. But you cannot not speed match DC engines either! You could change both engines to the same address, takes 2 minutes if that.
If the $79 difference between barfman and the NCE Powercab is a make or break number for you in this hobby, then maybe rubber band collecting might be more up your “affordable” alley.
The NCE Power Cab can do consisting or double-heading very easily. The menu on the LCD walks you right through it. The Power Cab (and other advanced DCC systems) also has the ability to speedmatch your locomotives so that they run together better.
The only type of consisting the E-Z Command will do is “brute force” consisting. Essentially, you just assign both locomotives to the same address. If the two locomotives are already closely matched in running ability then this would work fine. However, if one is somewhat faster or slower than the other, they’ll be fighting one another around the layout. Obviously, this is where a more advanced DCC system would be preferable.
Both the E-Z Command and NCE Power Cab are “tethered” units. As Frank pointed out, the Power Cab would allow you greater freedom because you can add longer 6-connector RG12 cables to it to give you the length you need. However, because the Power Cab is the command station, booster, and throttle rolled-up-into-one, you can not unplug it from your PCP panel without shutting down your layout.
One solution to that is NCE’s Smarrt Booster (SB3). It’s basically a 3A booster/command station that increases the Power Cab’s maximum output from 1.7A to 3A. When the Power Ca
Anyone who reads here regularly knows that I believe that EZCommand is not designed for serious model railroaders, but rather for perhaps the younger members who have lower expectations of their “toy trains”.
That said, I believe that we can have this debate in an adult manner.
Big thanks again guys, that double-heading issue clinches it, I’ll skip the B’mann and save for the NCE starter sytem, its not that much more cost wise and sounds like it has alot more abilities.
