Years ago I had an HO layout run by the old Command 2000 by MRC. I know that system is outdated by todays standards, but is it still usable?
My situation is this. I have a 4’x24’ island layout in N-scale. It is presently block wired DC for 2 cabs. Both cabs at the moment are fixed power packs. I want walk around control for this layout. The MRC control master 20 or the Crest train engineers are perfect but the cost is high. I found the Command 2000 with walk around for less than 20.00 new. As I only have about 6 locos at the time that I would even put a decoder in, re-doing my locos isn’t a big deal. I am not looking for all the advanced stuff like sound and turnout control and all that. First question is would todays locos already with decoders work on the Command system or do they have to have the decoders that were produced when that system was put out? Second question would be, would I be better shelling out 40.00 more and getting the early version of the Prodigy system. This one has handheld as well. Lastly, was the Command system a stand alone 1 operator system or did it alow multiple handhelds? If 2 people can’t operate seperate from each other, than it is useless. Same question for the prodigy. I just can’t see shelling out hundreds for a DCC system that offers way more than I want.
You don’t have to “shell out hundreds” to get a very good DCC starter system that has walk around capability - albeit tethered. The NCE Power Cab ($160, discounted) or the MRC Prodigy should do the trick.
I’m not as familiar with the Prodigy systems but you can add an additional throttle (e.g. a CAB-06p) to the Power Cab for ~$75. And, should you ever decide that you like sound, the capability is already there.
I still find DCC way more fun to operate than DC. [Y][8D]
I use to have the 2000 with the hand held two throttle remote. Two operators could use the system. One on the main box that had three throttles and the other on the remote.
I would sometimes call up a DC only loco as a pusher using the ch 1, zero bit option. I would keep the DC only loco on a siding and switch off the track power because of the loco motor buzz.
The 2000 should be ok if if all you want to do is run trans and not worry about changing CV’s.
I have run locos with sound decoders, No control over sounds but the basic chuff was there. Even a diesel would have the prime mover sound.
I switched over to the NCE Power Cab as I wanted sound and I wanted to fine tune the chuff’s and control the sounds.
To add to my original post, my only requirements would be 2-3 operators all having handhelds either tethered or wireless. If tethered, it must have memory so that the walk around can move around the layout. There is a scenic divider running the entire 24’ length so you can’t even see the other side. Trains would consist of 2 unit trains of about 25 cars with 2 locos and 1 switching loco moving no more than 10 cars at a time. So 5 locos max at any one time.
I think I have talk to you before Tom. What area do you consider NE Ohio? Is there any groups or layouts that you know of that run DCC systems that I can look at? I will be buying something in the next few weeks and need to make sure its right.
The Command 2000 and the early versions of the Prodigy are woefulyl outdated. And completely dead end. This was a huge mistake that took MRC several variations to finally correct, each system was not compatible witht he previous one. It’s one thing to toss the $30 power pack when upgrading to the more advanced $80 one, but to throw out hundresds invested in DCC to switch to a system with more features - forget it. The current Prodigy line is upgradable so you cna start witht he basic system and add features as needed, like most other DCC makers were fromt he beginning. You would be better off buying a current modern system, and it won’t cost ‘hundreds’ .
The Power Cab can handle 2 tethered throttles (the main cab plus one other) but if you want more you will have to add the Smartbooster option, so take that into consideration when pricing things out. All DCC tethered systems have memory so plugging in and moving is fine. Again, you are going to need the Smartbooster option for the Power Cab if you want to be able to walk around and move from panel to panel as the entire layout will shut down if you unplug the main Power Cab throttle, unless you have the Smartbooster running things.
Given the added criterion, the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra might be a better choice for you. The base unit is stationary but you can add up to 10 walk-around throttles to it.
The Power Cab is a walk-around throttle but must stay connected to the PCP panel. Since the Power Cab is a command station, booster, and throttle all rolled-up-into-one, if you unplug it you shut down the entire layout - i.e. unless you add the Smart Booster (SB3a)
The SB3a ($128, discounted) is a command station/booster so the Power Cab can then be plugged and unplugged from the UTP panels. The Power Cab also has a limitation of one additional cab address - i.e. two max (including Power Cab). The SB3a increases that to a total of 4.
You should have put this in the original post. Basic is not what you want with the above requirements, especially wireless.
I would at least get the NCE Power Cab with the 5 amp Smart booster. I say that only because I have the Power Cab and our club has the Power Pro 5 amp system.
We did not want to pay extra for the wireless which does NOT come under Basic DCC.
I doubt you can have your cake and eat it to.
Run Cat 5 wire around the layout and hook up connection points. We did that.
The Zephyr Extra can handle 20** locos at a time, 1 with the built-in stationary throttle, and another 19 via additional throttles.
**The original Zephyr was advertised as being able to handle 10 locos, but it could handle 12 because the two jump throttles “didn’t count”. Not sure about the current Zephyr Extra, if the same is true it may actually be able to control 22 locos.
I guess when I said basic I was meaning the 2000. I know the 2000 came with a walk around but I wasn’t sure if you could run 2 walk arounds on that system. I would refer to Bachmans EZ command as basic. Guess the overall question should be can I buy the Command 2000 w/handheld for 20.00 and an extra handheld for 10.00? Can I get the basics that I want and then spend the money on decoders and decodered locos? My track plan and layout limits me to 2-3 operators and 2 mainline trains and a yard switcher at any one time. So being able to program 9999 locos and running 20 trains at once will be impractical.
The simple answer is yes. Go ahead and spend $30 on an obsolete unsupported DCC system. Its your money and if you are on a tight budget and willing to roll the dice on something that has been off the market for years then go for it.
I agree with Simon that if you want to significantly limit yourself then go ahead and spend (waste?) the money on a Command 2000. I had one when they first came out and soon found how limiting they were. If you are going to invest in modern decoders why wouldn’t you want to be able to access the features they have. I’m not talking about a lot of bells and whistles but the basic CVs that make DCC a pleasure. With a Command 2000 all you can do is attempt a starting voltage and a top speed. By the way, I took mine apart and it looked like it had been wired as a middle school project. Twenty buck electronics is twenty buck electronics.
I too wonder if the Zephyr extra has the extra 2 ‘secret’ slots like the original - it DOES still have the jump ports.
As for Command 2000, it also can’t really literally acces the bells and whistles. The #30 wasted on that would add decoders to 2 locos.
Just because a given system can do MORE than you want doesn’t necessarily make it more expensive. It’s the realities of the electronics that go inside. A chip that can manage 5 locos and a chip that can manage 100 are generally only a couple of cents difference in price to the manufacturer, so it no longer makes sense to build systems that max out at 3 locos. The Command 2000 is available on places like eBay for $20 because no one wants it. You could see if anyone is selling the older original Digitrax Zephyr, but most of those have long cleared out because people know that it isn’t a dead end system. The Command 2000, you use it, and as soon as you want more, it’s trash, there’s no way to add features to it. My 10x15 bedroom layout is run with the original Zephyr, because I don’t see more than 3 trains ever running on it. So a 10 loco capacity is plenty. I didn’t upgrade to the Zephyr Xtra because I really have no need to, but I HAVE added on to my system. With a DT402 throttle I can access a full 29 functions, which the Zephyr alone couldn;t do - that’s the upgradability of Digitrax, you can plug newer components with more features into the older systems and gain those new features. This is what I mentioned it too MRC a long time to figure out. All their DCC systems prior to the Prodigy Express/Prodigy Advance/Prodigy Advance2 were dead ends. WHen a new feature was added, they came out with a new system, completely incompatible with the old. They FINALLY learned, a Prodigy Express can be made a Prodigy Advanced2 system by buying the PA2 throttle and plugging it in. I’m still not a fan for several technical reasons, but at least it’s not a dead end anymore.
When some here say obsolete, compare the MRC 2000 to what could be called the obsolete DC layouts. You will be at the DC layout stage. If that is ok with the many layouts being run by DC, then it should work for you if you never think of wanting to go beyond that, That should spark some conversation.
But the main reason peopel with small layotus want to go beyond DC is they aquire a shiny new sound loco and want to actually use it. An outdated old DCC system that can’t do much for than turn the lights on and off is actually WORSE than DC. Sure there are gadets to go between the DC supply and the track to access the sounds, but they are manufacturer specific, and the Tech 6, well, for that price you might as well get a regular DCC system and get ALL the features.
I also disgree witht he notion that the smalelr the layout, the less need for DCC. On the contrary, I think a small layout is a greater candidate for DCC than a medium size one, because but for all but the simplest layouts (the first couple in the Atlas books, oval with one siding, for example), there actually is opportunity for 2 trains to be in use by 2 operators. However wiring them for DC leads to arbitrary zones of operation for each loco, whereas with DCC each one can roam anywhere, and yes, even crash if you don’t pay attention.
If you look carefully, we are saying, do some more research into what you really want to do and what is available. Right now, not really sure what you want and that might change when you get started. That happens to many when building a layout, whether DC or DCC.
There are a lot of variables when it comes to DCC.
Here is my main desire. I don’t have a fixed panel. I have them around the layout. I built this so I could follow my train around and switch and for the enjoyment of just watching one run. On occasion, my wife or son may run a train with me from time to time. I want 2 walk around controls so no one is stuck sitting. I am told the Prodigy is capable of that. But I am also told that I need this and that as well to make the 2 throttle setup. NCE, I am told, cannot be disconnected unless you have this other $150 items to keep it running. The 2000 allows the handheld to move from panel to panel just like the control master 20 does. I was given directions on how to change the 2000 walk arounds so that 2 can be run without interfering. I guess I’m just not into all the bells and whistles that everyone else is. If that makes me a bad person or an undesirable member of the model railroading world then so be it. I am just exploring a low price way to get into DCC before I spend 200.00 for 2 control master 20 dc units. Doesn’t look as though I am gonna get what I want, which appears basic, for that price in DCC. I model in N scale and am 30% deaf. I can barely hear the sound in the locos of the n-trak club so as much as many of you think its great its useless to me.