Hello. I have recently begun saving up my money to buy the Bachmann E-Z DCC system and 3 decoders. What would I want to look for in decoders for a DC Model Power DDT and an old Atlas/Roco GP40? I also know that I would like sound in them. Does E-Z DCC support sound decoders?
Bachmann’s EZ DCC is very limited in what you can do with it. For example, I have read that is supports decoder (locomotive) addresses only up to 9. Control of sounds is probably similarly limited.
Whether you can fit sound into a DDT and the GP40 depends on whether there’s any place to put a speaker. For the DDT, I think that’s a definite no.
Another factor to consider is whether a locomotive runs well enough to justify conversion to DCC. In many cases it’s not worth the cost of a decoder. New locomotives would probably be more advisable.
Your post has probably sparked another food fight, but here goes:
Bachmann EZCommand is a very limited system. It can control engines with addresses between 1 and 9 and can control 1 DC engine on address 10, which is actually 0. It can access functions 1 through 9. It’s expandability is VERY limited.
There are a few people in here who like it, but the vast majority do not. There are several competing products that are only a little more expensive, but which can grow with you as you expand your knowledge.
My personal preference is Digitrax. Others in here prefer MRC, Lenz, ESU, NCE, Etc.
5 bucks says he will run out and buy MRC sound decoders…
10 bucks says if he does so, we will see more MRC problem threads…
Any takers?
David B
You’re on – but I’m betting the same things you are.
For me, the Bachman E-Z Command system “broke the ice”. I’m building a small HO layout and just felt intimidated by what I have read about programing, menus, etc. I almost stayed with the “tried and true” DC that I was familiar with. Then I watched the videos on YouTube by Bachman on the E-Z Command system. I bought it on sale and am very happy with it. I can blow the horn, ring the bell, and turn the headlight on and off, and enjoy the sounds of my “DCC w/ sound” engines. It’s easy to run my 3 locomotives. The only thing I wish I could do is increase or decrease the sound volume. I can’t program any CV’s, but I’m happy just running the engines the way they are. I expect that in a few years I will want to upgrade to a system that supports programing, but like I said, the E-Z Command got me started.
For programming you can get a stand alone programmer such as the PR3…but for the price of a PR3 and an EZ command, you are in the market for a Zephyr or a ProCab.
So…to the OP, notice with an EZ command, the moment you want to adjust anything in the decoder, you are out of luck. You can have the attitude of (well, I will be ok…)…but trust me and others on this forum, you will be looking beyond the capabilities of the EZ command very quickly.
David B
Let me say first off that I have nothing against the EZ Command system. It’s a good system for what it does. It allows you to easily run DCC equipped locos with a minimum of trouble. It controls motor and light functions and can access sound functions 1 through 9 on many sound decoders. The only thing that can be programmed is the locos address. Adresses 1-9 are supported, address 10 can be added if a Bachmann DC controller is connected. While I used an EZ Command for 2 years I would suggest that you save your money and get a good entry level system that can be programmed, such as the Digitrax Zephyr. Others have had good luck with systems from NCE and other makers but I no knowledge about those systems. A word on Bachmann decoders. They are simple 2 function decoders that don’t have many of the functions of a simple 2 function Digitrax decoder such as the DZ125 which is what I use in many of my locos including a very heavy pair of SDP40F’s.