DCC upgrade decision time.....anyone using a Z21 system please?

[D1511]

Happy 2024 railway modellers! I hope Santa, or, much more likely, a close relative got you something you wanted over the festive season.
I know advice on controllers is like advice on what car to buy.......it depends what it's for, how much you can afford etc......but I have outgrown my little Bachmann EZ plus and it's time for a major DCC system upgrade.
Research is something I can do, and the title of the thread should suggest what my strong favourite currently is, having reviewed the suitable candidates, but I was wondering if there are any experienced Z21 users on here that could offer any confirmation of my intended choice from their own experience of using it?
Any nuggets of information will be gratefully received! Thanks!

 

[foggy69]

I have no experience of any other DCC system, so I can't compare to anything else, but I have been using a Z21 for a couple of years. I find it a versatile DCC system and reasonably simple to use.
Programming the decoders can be done via the phone app or via a Windows program.
You have many options for controllers, you can use phones, tablets, wireless or wired handsets.
You can use JMRI.
If you have Zimo decoders, you can update the firmware of them.

 

[Ted633]

If you are already using a Bachmann system, note that they are releasing a new one (Kinesis) shortly. May be worth looking into.

 

[D1511]

I have no experience of any other DCC system, so I can't compare to anything else, but I have been using a Z21 for a couple of years. I find it a versatile DCC system and reasonably simple to use.
Programming the decoders can be done via the phone app or via a Windows program.
You have many options for controllers, you can use phones, tablets, wireless or wired handsets.
You can use JMRI.
If you have Zimo decoders, you can update the firmware of them.

Thank you @foggy69 - your remarks align well with what I've read about it being versatile and easy to get used to. And I like the look of the phone/tablet operating screen...... we've got a number of tablets around the house, so I rather like the idea of having multiple controllers already
And it seems almost endlessly modular, which may be relevant for my rest of lifetime project!
Nearly all my decoders are Zimo's, either their own MX622s or the 6 and 18 pin models they manufacture for Bachmann. The others are Lenz silver mini's which I think I can also update the firmware on using the Z21, so that's another good reason to go with the Roco/Fleischmann option - although I'm sure at least the Zimo's would be supported by the Bachmann Kinesis system, given their tie-up with them.
They're not exactly giving them away, but for a 10+ year operating life, it's only 50 squid a year I suppose, and actually not a lot more than a decent Gaugemaster.
Anyway, thank you for your endorsement of it and I'll see if there are any more testimonials forthcoming. Cheers!

If you are already using a Bachmann system, note that they are releasing a new one (Kinesis) shortly. May be worth looking into.

Thanks @Ted633 - I actually sat through the glossy video presentation for the Kinesis system at Warley in Nov, and it does seem pretty smart. But I do like the UI of the Z21 compared to the look of Kinesis, and I don't think having a Bachmann controller at present will present any issues switching over to the Z21 - especially from the relatively simple one with limited functionality that I have. At my stage of layout development, it will still be a simple lift and shift, thankfully.
I'm sure Bachmann will have beta tested Kinesis to within an inch of it's life, but there's something a bit more reassuring about an established system with a bunch of established user forums etc. over something brand new, which is another reason why I'm leaning towards the sleek black box.....!
Cheers!

 

[Ted633]

Thanks @Ted633 - I actually sat through the glossy video presentation for the Kinesis system at Warley in Nov, and it does seem pretty smart. But I do like the UI of the Z21 compared to the look of Kinesis, and I don't think having a Bachmann controller at present will present any issues switching over to the Z21 - especially from the relatively simple one with limited functionality that I have. At my stage of layout development, it will still be a simple lift and shift, thankfully.
I'm sure Bachmann will have beta tested Kinesis to within an inch of it's life, but there's something a bit more reassuring about an established system with a bunch of established user forums etc. over something brand new, which is another reason why I'm leaning towards the sleek black box.....!
Cheers!

That sounds fair enough. I've just ordered a Kinesis system to replace my old Dynamis. Getting a bit fed up with the infra red signal cutting out as I wander around the layout.

 

[D1511]

That sounds fair enough. I've just ordered a Kinesis system to replace my old Dynamis. Getting a bit fed up with the infra red signal cutting out as I wander around the layout.

Have you been given a date for it yet?
I can only dream of a layout large enough to require me to 'wander around' - although I am N gauge I suppose, but I note that the range of Kinesis is a staggering 50m! That should allow you to wander about quite a lot!

 

[Ted633]

Have you been given a date for it yet?
I can only dream of a layout large enough to require me to 'wander around' - although I am N gauge I suppose, but I note that the range of Kinesis is a staggering 50m! That should allow you to wander about quite a lot!

Just '2024' for a release date. My layout is in an outbuilding so is hibernating at the moment, so no great rush for it.

 

[foggy69]

Nearly all my decoders are Zimo's, either their own MX622s or the 6 and 18 pin models they manufacture for Bachmann. The others are Lenz silver mini's which I think I can also update the firmware on using the Z21, so that's another good reason to go with the Roco/Fleischmann option - although I'm sure at least the Zimo's would be supported by the Bachmann Kinesis system, given their tie-up with them.

I don't remember seeing anything in the specifications for the Kinesis system to say that it could update the firmware of DCC decoders, although this is quite specialist information.
The ability to update decoder firmwares is something that I believe most controllers can't do, and it is also specific to decoder manufactures. The Z21 can't do ESU decoders for example.
Whether the Lenz or Bachmann decoders can be updated, that is something that you would need to look into as the only Bachmann decoder I have, a 36-577 21 pin, can't be done.

 

[okirkby]

Happy 2024 railway modellers! I hope Santa, or, much more likely, a close relative got you something you wanted over the festive season.
I know advice on controllers is like advice on what car to buy.......it depends what it's for, how much you can afford etc......but I have outgrown my little Bachmann EZ plus and it's time for a major DCC system upgrade.
Research is something I can do, and the title of the thread should suggest what my strong favourite currently is, having reviewed the suitable candidates, but I was wondering if there are any experienced Z21 users on here that could offer any confirmation of my intended choice from their own experience of using it?
Any nuggets of information will be gratefully received! Thanks!

I've been using the Black Z21 edition for a good while and have never had any issues with it. - Just be aware the White z21 has limited functionality and is more of a starter base unit unlike the full black Z21.
The firmware gets updates now and again from Roco and the app is fairly reliable.