Hi,
I am thinking about going DCC. I have a pretty tight budget,(I am only 12…)
But i was wondering which system is better.
Bachmann E-Z Command or Digitrax Super Empire Builder.
I read that E-Z command and the Zephyr were alike in capabilities (SP?) 10 Locos, 10 functions, only the Zephyr cost lots more and provided more amperage.
I only need to run around 2-3 locos, but I want more for others.
I like that the empire builder can control 13 functions…
Between the three systems you mention, Bachmann E-Z Command, Digitrax Zephyr and the Super Empire Builder, your best bet would probably be the Zephyr. Your budget constraints rule out the Empire Builder and it doesn’t read CV’s anyway. The Bachmann system is ok but I don’t know if it can run three loco’s at one time.
The Zephyr is capable of operating 3 locos, reads CV’s and is expandable. Only problem is it costs about three times the amount of the Bachmann system.
If it were me, I’d save up for the Zephyr system.
Bill
Are you asking about the Empire Builder or the Zephyr? As I recall the Empire Builder is more expensive than the Zephyr.
As I recall the E-Z Command can do 12 with direct action buttons. This was the most of any system when I last saw it reviewed in the Model Railroader. No function-switch extra key strokes. What do you need 13 functions for?
The Bachmann can NOT do 12 or 13 functions. I’d be suprised if it does more than the original base 8 in the NMRA spec. There are only 10 buttons, 1-10, and 10 is used for the lights (since there is no 0 button).
Since you only need to run 2-3 trains at once, don’t bother with the super empire buiulder. Digitrax needs to get that out of their catalog. The Zephyr does more and costs less. The SEB has more power, but less features. The Zephyr will easily handle 2-3 HO trains, I’ve run as many as 8, 4 with sound, on mine.
–Randy
Mark,
Since you are 12, the Bachmann E-Z Command would be easier on your pocket book, if you don’t mind the limitations - i.e. 1 amp of maximum output and the inability to program CVs. You can, however, run 2-3 newer locomotives with the E-Z Command and have access to 8 sound functions. Not a bad little DCC system for the price. I picked mine up for $53.
If you want more horsepower, the Digitrax Zephyr would be a big step up in performance for you and a good choice, if you can afford it or save up for it. The NCE Power Cab would also be worth your consideration, as well. Here’s a link to a thread about the Power Cab I hope that you’ll find handy:
http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/1/740731/ShowPost.aspx#740731
Mark, hopefully the above thread will aide you in determining which DCC system is/will be the best fit for you.
Tom
I dont know about the Bachmann system, but I know that the zephyr can handle 3 trains easily. You can select a loco, get it going, switch to another and the first will keep going at the same speed and direction you gave it before, so if you have three running you can just select any one of the three if you want to adjust speed/direction or activate a function. The great thing about the zephyr though is expandability. If you have an old power pack you can hook that up to be used as another throttle for the zephyr and control another train that way, or you can buy a walkaround throttle for the zephyr with 1 or 2 sets of controls, If you dont want to spend a lot you could find older throttles on ebay. As far as I know the bachmann doesnt accept extra throttles but I might be wrong about that. With the zephyr, if you expand your layout you can just upgrade instead of starting over with a new system, plus you have the options for computer interface, CV programming and readback, MUing (Bmann might do that) among other things, the zephyr is pretty much a full featured system. So if you can swing $150 the zephyr is the better system.
The only reason I don’t want the Zephyr is because it doesn’t come with a walkaround throttle.
I could always wait till christmas tho… I know where I can get E-Z command for $65.
I don’t know… the Zephyr looks like it will be more expandable… But it costs more…
Oh yeah, I will be running with sound. BLI, Soundtraxx(Tsunami at highest…), and Athearn.
Mark,
If you want walk-a-round capability but want something that is more powerful and expandable, then you should look at the NCE Power Cab. (See my other post above.) It’s a “tethered” throttle but does give you 7’ of cord to move around with.
With the Power Cab, the command station, power booster, and throttle are all rolled up into one:
The down side to that is that you can’t disconnect the Power Cab from the Power panel without cutting power to the track. You can, however, purchase an additional throttle and plug and unplug that to as many power panels that you want to install around your layout.
Power panel for Power Cab (left connector) and additional throttle (right connector)
The additional power panels will run you ~$12-15 a piece and have two connector ports on them.
The Power Cab is only set up to power one (1) additional throttle. You can plug in more if you purchase NCE’s Smart Booster (due out soon) that will raise the total power output of the Power Cab to 3 amps and give you the capability to run three additional throttles. You can also use a wireless throttle with the Power Cab. (I’m assuming you’d need to add the wireless base station to accomplish this.)
The Power Cab alone is slightly less expensive than the Zephyr - $140 vs. $150, discounted. The Bachmann, Zephyr, and Power Cab will all handle sound. The Power Cab does have the advantage of the extra power need to run the Tsunami decoders on the programming track. The Zephyr will require the purchase of the PowerPax module to program the Tsunamis.
Tom
When Bachmann says “walkaround throttle” they mean you can pick up the unit and walk around with it if your wires are long enough. You could do the same with the zephyr if you wanted to I guess…
If you are going to run a lot of sound, I dont know how many functions you have accsess to with the Bachmann system so you might not be able to fully enjoy your sound decoders which will cost more than you Bachmann system if you go that way. And I would advise against buying any Athearn Genesis engines with sound installed. The MRC decoders are very unreliable and the sound quality is pretty poor.
They have the cheapest challenger and big boy. (the big boy is supposed to be out in two months)
Sure, the actual locomotives are very nice, But you should buy one with no decoder and add your own for sound. Probably a Tsunami would be the best. The engines are designed to have sound installed so it wouldnt be a hard installation. But one thing that can really turn you off of DCC is unreliable operation, which you get with MRC products. Not to mention the Tsunami sound is so much better, I always thought the challenger sounded cheap, A little distorted and the whistle sounds like its making the tender vibrate, although you cant feel it vibrating so I figure it is the decoder or speakers that are the problem.
If you watch the General Discussion forum you see that people have trouble with the Genesis F-3 SD45 and Challenger with sound. The problem? MRC decoder. My opinion is save yourself some trouble, and if you want sound in a genesis, install a good decoder.
Big red Flag!! The Challenger (I have one) is made to work BETTER on DC than DCC. It ONLY likes the MRC Prodigy system. You CAN NOT readback the cv’s. The best part is that it comes HAUNTED with real GREMLINS. They change the address, Blow the whislte and make it Talk when NO ONE IS RUNNING IT!! I do not think that was an extra. Hope the Big Boy is better.
The people are correct with your budget. Take the time to make a wish list, want list and can live with it list. The mosy important thing is to get the system that you can grow with. At your ripe old age, you jave many years ahead and a bad start with the wrong system will cost you twice as much later on. I us only Digitrax even though I was given an MRC Pordigy sytem to try. The Digitrax is more technical than some systems and with some study on your part it can do MORE than the advertisement says.
Randy R. Is the master of the Zypher system and has is doing great things. Me, I just throw money at it till it is what I want.
Keep asking questions that is what this forum is for. You may only get 10% advise that you use but it MAY save you money in the long run.
Yes, I know that MRC stuff is junk. I am planning to sell the MRC on on ebay and get Tsunamis.
…as far as their decoders are concerned. However, their DC power packs are still top-notch.
Tom
How hard would it be to swap out the MRC chip with a Tsunami chip? I haven’t had a chance to look at one the Challengers.
Hmmmm. I havent actually seen the inside of the challenger but it shouldnt be much harder than any other decoder swapout. You might be able to use the original speakers unless they are incompatible or athearn cheaped out on them too.
Mr. Hoople,
I would listen to rrinker and tstage. These two gentlemen know things we only wonder about. You really need to listen to yourself and purchase the system that will fill all your needs now and in the years to come. Your layout will change and grow through the years (just like you) even before you graduate from school! So, get the one you really think fits your needs.
Archie
Simple, all in the tender, cut the wires and match the colors and watch it BLOW UP!! The colors are different for some reason. The Wirring for DCC yahoo group has the information as to how to do it.
I ALMOST blew up mine but did the research and FORGOT to bookmark the info (old age).
When writing out a DCC budget, don’t forget to add in the price of decoders. Wouldn’t be any fun if you got a system but then had to wait several months to afford decoders. Depending on your situation you may want to look at systems that allow you to run non decoder equipped engines.
As to Bachmann and walk around - the latest Bachmann ad shows something that Bachmann calls “walk around companion.” The listed price looks a little steep, but then the ad has MSRP. I have no idea what the street price would be.
I would highly suggest that you spend some time reviewing the numerous threads on the forums discussing the pros and cons of the various DCC systems.