MTH DCS Commander 50-1028

It states it will run conventional engines. It is not

Yes, it will. However, it will only operate conventional engines that work on DC voltage.

A little disappointed in this product'...  

You got what you paid for, and you did save money over a full DCS set. However, the DCS Commander has several limitations:

• It is designed to operate HO engines, with their lower power requirements. It will only handle a maximum of 6 watts. That's about 3 amps at 18 volts. That's enough to operate about 1 DCS engine, with smoke, and a set of passenger cars
• It is a DC-only device. Regardless of whether you input AC or DC voltage, the output is always going to be DC. This will cause many engines that require AC voltage to misbehave (for example, continuously sound their horn or whistle) when used with the DCS Commander
• The DCS Commander has only a subset of DCS capability, rather than the full complement of DCS commands that may be used with a DCS Remote and TIU. It lacks ALL Engines operation, Record/Playback and other DCS functions
• The unit can hold a maximum of 10 DCS engines as opposed to the 99 engines that a full DCS Remote and TIU can handle
• AIUs cannot be used with the DCS Commander. It cannot control switch tracks or accessories
• The DCS Commander is a stationary device. One cannot use it while walking about ones layout
• The device has only a single channel, unlike the DCS TIU which has 4 channels. Therefore, the unit can only support 1/4 of the trackage that a TIU can support
• The DCS signal strength is inferior to the latest Rev. L TIU since the Rev. L uses a newer, more powerful FPGA chip for its digital signal processor (DSP) while the DCS Commander uses an, older, slower ASIC.

No matter what power you input to this(AC/DC), it will always be DC out. This was designed for HO. I almost bought one of these but went full DCS route.

 

Barry knows more about this.

 

Edit to add, I knew Barry would beat my post.

QG48,

    I recommend you save your money and purchase a full DCS as soon as you can.

Along with both the OGR Video Guide to DCS and Barry's book.  IMO the DCS Commander is almost as waste of money even on a budget.

PCRR/Dave

The motors in my O gauge engines are DC

That's not the same as being able to operate on DC, particularly in conventional mode. Many AC-only conventional engines use a DC offset voltage to sound the horn or whistle. If used with DC, the horn or whistle sounds continuously.

 

There's even an issue with 5 volt PS2 engines operated convenetonally with DC.

 

MTH's HO engines are all PS3.

But that is not how it is marketed.

Really?

 

Following is an excerpt from the product announcement from MTH's web site, with a few things bolded:

July 10, 2012 - HO retailers looking for a powerful, full-featured power supply might want to take another look at the DCS Commander, M.T.H. Electric Trains 3-in-1 device perfect for analog DC and command control users alike.

 

Unlike most command control controllers, the DCS Commander is first and foremost an excellent DC power supply. Sold with and without a 100 watt power brick, the DCS Commander outputs up to 16 volts of pure DC power making it one of the most robust HO DC power supplies available on the market today. Featuring LCD digital amp and volt meters, polarity switch, Momentum, fast-tripping circuit breaker, multiple power inputs, and a smooth rolling throttle ensure that the DCS Commander will make a great choice for analog users who desire a power supply powerful enough for a moderate sized layout.

 

HO enthusiasts who have begun to add M.T.H. Electric Trains HO locomotives equipped with Proto-Sound 3.0 to their roster but haven't yet had an opportunity to run those engines in command mode will find the DCS Commander to be an affordable way to experience DCS command control. The simple-to-use DCS Commander provides access for up to 32 Proto-Sound 3.0 functions that aren't accessible in conventional analog operation. As users begin to experience these features, they'll find making future M.T.H. locomotive purchases with Proto-Sound 3.0 a priority.

 

DCC command control users can combine their favorite DCC controller with the DCS Commander by plugging in the DCC controller's output to the DCS Commander's input connections. When in analog mode, the DCC signal broadcast from the DCC controller is silenced, allowing only the controller's power to pass from the DCS Commander's input. The Commander then outputs that power in analog mode as pure DC current. A quick press of the DCS Commander's Pass-Thru button permits the DCC signal to now pass through to the track allowing for DCC command control broadcasting to all locomotives equipped with a DCC decoder, including M.T.H. Proto-Sound 3.0 equipped locomotives.

 

Never before has one single device provided the model train market with as much control and compatibility as the DCS Commander. No matter whether you choose conventional analog DC operation, DCC command control operation or state-of-the-art DCS command control operation, the DCS Commander is the only device you'll ever need.

I think that say's it all. 

Not at all. You just aren't "getting it".

 

5 volt PS2 engines were designed to operate on AC voltage only. Later, 3 volt PS2 engines, however, were designed to operate on both AC or DC voltage.

 

The DCS Commander was designed primarily for DC voltage, PS3, engines, as well as other DCC and conventional HO engines. You're attempting to use it for a purpose for which it wasn't really intended.

I use a Commander to operate 2 DCS O Gauge trains on the same track.  Granted, it is a loop of about 30 feet of track, but I have always had good luck with it.  Just engines.  No lighted cars (2 freight trains).  Never have any issues that are DCS related.  Operator screws up once in a while.  Had to call in FRA one time too!!

 

I never knew about these limitations on the Commander, so thank you for the explanation.

 

Good news is I also have MTH HO, so I have a use for the Commander if I upgrade to full DCS.  But I doubt I will - too many conventional engines that I like to run doing on/off, vs. hitting lots of button on the hand held.  Just me.

 

 

While I agree with Barry's description of the capabilities of the DCS Commander, I think if you just pick up the manual and read the introduction, you could easily be mislead.

 

Introduction
The DCS Commander is the easiest way to access the dozens of command
® control functions already programmed into your M.T.H. Proto-Sound 2.0 or
later locomotive. The Commander features clearly-labeled, one-button control
of nearly two dozen engine functions; no function keys or special codes to
remember.
Use the engine menu to select and control up to 10 different DCS engines from
a single Commander - or switch back to DCC or analog DC operation with the
push of a button.

 

Reading that, I wouldn't know that it was not compatible with 5V DCS locomotives.

 

If you read later, you find this description of DCS mode operation.

 

DCS This button, when pressed, puts the DCS Commander into the DCS operating mode. The DCS icon will illuminate on the LCD to indicate this mode is active. The last actively run DCS engine will be displayed on the LCD. Also, pressing this button after the DCS Commander has powered up in Pass-Thru mode will rectify the DCC signal and allow you operation of Proto-Sound 2.0 and later equipped engines in Command Mode.

 

Again, no caveat about running 5V DCS locomotives.

 

The bottom line sadly, you have a system that is incompatible with 5V DCS locomotives and also provides very limited track power to run even DC compatible locomotives.  I sing with the chorus here, the full DCS system is what you really want.

Thank you John.  I appreciate Barry's expertise and explanations.  However, John, you have captured the essence of my point.

 

 However, John, you have captured the essence of my point.

It's time to stop trying to justify a poor decision on your part. If you can return the device, I suggest that you do so. You will not really be happy with it.

 

To be clear - all PS2 engines, 5 volt and 3 volt, are completely compatible with the DCS Commander in DCS mode.

 

The fact that the 5 volt PS2 engines won't operate correctly in conventional mode is somewhat moot. That's not something for which one would typically use the DCS Commander.

 

A little more due diligence before the purchase would have made the above abundantly clear.

 

Regardless, if one reads the press release, one would understand that the device is really intended for the HO market. Any O gauge operation is, at best, an afterthought.

You're entitled to your opinion of me, as I am to my opinion of you.

You're entitled to your opinion of me, as I am to my opinion of you. The only difference is that I took issue with your complaints, while you now see fit to attack me personally.

 

It's probably best that you not purchase my book, which is another MTH product. I wouldn't want you to be further disappointed.