[Gary]

Bachmann have indicated that they will not be revealing any more info about Dynamis until the London Toy Fair. There is little (no?) technical info revealed to date although it will be compatible with EZ-Command.

There is rumour and speculation about the new features never before seen on any DCC console so any thoughts on what these might be?

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Bachmann are sending out this information to those who have registered an interest:-

QUOTE "Thank you for registering your interest in our exciting new DCC Control system EZ Command Dynamis. Over the coming weeks, more and more information will be made available.

One of the most commonly asked questions is "how many trains will Dynamis control?" Dynamis is capable of handling up 9999 locomotive decoder addresses. Of these, up to 40 addresses may be under control at any one time to allow the operator to quickly switch between different trains on the layout. These 40 addresses under control can be either be a single loco, or up to 5 individual locomotive addresses joined together in what is called a 'consist'. An example of a consist would be the two locos pulling a double headed train. Their actual addresses are joined so that both respond as one. The design of EZ Command Dynamis makes the assembly and disassembly of consists a matter of a few simple key presses. EZ Command Dynamis allows consists to contain up to 5 locomotives moving together as a single controlled unit."

Is there information here that suggests anything never before seen on a DCC console?

What is meant by 40 trains under control at any one time?

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

It is very impressive. Clearly Bachmann are designing a system with South African modellers in mind.

I am beginning to wonder precisely how much input Bachmann UK have in the design of Dynamis?

The early evidence suggests it is way over the top for the needs of the average UK modeller.

And that Bachmann UK have zero say!

The price point when this is revealed will be very interesting.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

EZ-Command uses the X-Bus protocol .

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Ultimately surely its down to the size of your layout. The gents speaking of high cost systems have very large layouts by UK standards and possibly big spending power. Bachmann EZ-Command will operate Bachmann sound locos on small layouts and if this is all you want a digital console for then spend £35 and pick up one of these. You could argue that "Tesco" systems are exactly what the UK consumer has been hankering for and that is why DCC has up until now not taken off in the UK. The typical UK consumer is probably not a member of this forum it has to be said.

The so called "Tesco" systems are ideal for the typical UK modeller with a limited budget who does not require all the bells and whistles. The constant talk here of the need to have high spec systems even on a small layout is offputting to the DC user.

It remains to be seen at this time where Dynamis fits in to this picture until there are more details including the most important detail and that is the price.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

The same arguments are offered in this thread by long time high end users as elsewhere and that is deemed OK.

The same reply is offered by the "Tesco" new breed budget user barrow boys (known as "Gary") and that is deemed well out of order.

The times they are a changing and whatever lifts your skirt then go for it.

What we are all agreed on is that until we know the price of Dynamis and have more details of its specification we are not able to declare whether it is a sub £50 system, a sub £100 system, a sub £150 system or a system that puts it in a middle range bracket above £150. It is impossible to make comparisons until the price is known.

I am extremely confident that there will be some very attractive digital deals for UK railway modellers in 2007 and this will encourage large numbers of UK modellers to look at digital seriously.

Didn't Alan Sugar and Clive Sinclair and their supporters take similar flak from IBM users in the 1980's when they bought computers out for the masses?

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

What I would really like to see is when we start a thread on a specific product to stick to the subject matter of that product.

This is a thread about Dynamis. Simple.

I want to learn about Dynamis in this thread. Not about Digitrax or Lenz.

Why do some always have to start making comparisons and system bashing? Is this an acceptable practice?

I happen to like budget systems because they are right for me. Yet my systems are subject to intense criticism here at Model Rail Forum.

Model Rail Forum has its own comparison table for those who wish to make a comparison.

Are we ever going to have a one product thread and is every DCC forum like this?

We seem to have totally gone off the subject yet again.

I know Doug has said that the DCC section is both for newbies and experts however at the moment its a turn off for me and maybe others like me as when attempting to learn about a console all we get is you should buy this or you should buy that.

Is this a fair request to make going forward?

And is this something the moderators could look at please.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Hornby have said that the Elite has 4 digit address capability. They have also said the Elite has been benchtested with RailRoad & Co PC software. This was hinted at during my interview with Simon Kohler in September 2005. Simon has kindly given me the opportunity to interview him early in the new year after we have had a chance to digest Hornby's plans for 2007.

The cut and paste states that it describes QUOTE some of the many features and benefits not all.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

From the Hornby faq:-

QUOTE Q. Will the Hornby DCC system be available outside the UK?

A. Both the 'Select' and 'Elite' units will be available to purchase in Mainland Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand - the 'Elite' unit will support five languages - English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Thats new information. It does look as if Hornby have identified the requirements for global markets and decided to tweek the specification of the Elite. Clearly Hornby have had expressions of interest from outside the UK.

Chatting to the guys at Warley MRC who are thinking of moving to DCC there does seem a concensus that a traditional knob that you turn is prefered to any other form of control among those who are looking to move. It could be that Dynamis has a look that may not appeal to the newcomer however there may be a knob control yet to be revealed on a hand held unit so who knows.

If you are looking to sell a system to newcomers it could be a mistake to offer something that looks too futuristic. There seems to be a comfort factor for newcomers in having something that looks like a traditional controller even if it isn't. This chit chat was among a small sample group so it may not be representative.

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

QUOTE Gary - what was the "mix" in your experience ?

It was an "over 45's" group. 2 members of the group operated the Digitrax demo layout built by Warley MRC over the show weekend. I had a good look at the Digitrax equipment, tried it out, and there was a very tempting show offer pitching the starter set with power at £135. From reading the Warley Show guide it seems that Digitrax have decided not to sponsor the Warley Show in 2007.

Maybe Bachmann who are sponsoring the show will commision Warley MRC to build a Dynamis demo layout for them?

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

From the Dynamis website FAQ:-

QUOTE Can I program decoder CVs

A - Yes, 'main track' with Dynamis and Programming track with the Dynamis Pro

How is this going to work then and what programming modes will be available with Dynamis "Standard"?

Hornby offer a design with their Select for a wiring circuit for a seperate isolated programming track and you can switch between this and the main track.

Main track programming does not normally enable a mode that permits CV's to be read.

Ecos users may be able to help here.

If there are additional features available when the Pro box is added then the menus for these surely will have to be incorporated into the controller pad. Presumably the menus will only appear when a Pro box is detected. The Pro upgrade situation begs a number of questions in terms of modes and CV writing/read back.

Or am I missing something?

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Gary]

Knowing how passionate MMaD is about DCC (which I can understand) you have given us all the biggest laugh of the night Johan!

Nice one!

Happy modelling
Gary