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ATLAS MASTER DCC HANDCOMMAND EXTENDS DCC SYSTEM


MODEL RAILROAD NEWS – January 2004


Review by John Lee and David Lotz

Atlas HandCommand (Item #331) – MSRP: $134.95

Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc.
378 Florence Avenue
Hillside, NJ 07205
908-687-0880 – Fax 908-687-8857
www.atlasrr.com


This review of AtlasMaster DCC HandCommand Accessory pack is a supplemental update to our series of reviews of various Digital Command Control (DCC) systems. In our original review of the AtlasMaster DCC system (MRN June 2001), our opinion of the Commander was that it was bulky and was definitely not a walk-around controller. We noted that the system did not provide for advanced consisting and only supported Functions 0, 1, and 2. We also announced that Atlas had plans for a hand-held throttle and other improvements. The new hand-held controller is here, and Atlas is offering to upgrade the original controller to include consisting and functions 3 and 4.

Atlas DCC HandCommand Accessory Pack – (Item #331)
The Atlas DCC HandCommand Accessory pack contains the following:

  • One Atlas HandCommand throttle (you may add up to five additional hand-held throttles to be able to operate up to six trains at a time through the XpressNET).
  • One Atlas Universal Panel Connector (UPC), Atlas Item #322, which is also sold separately. The well-built UPC has an LED track status indicator; two DIN jacks and one modular jack that will allow you to connect up to three HandCommands, slave Commanders or other XpressNET devices. The UPC should mount easily on any layout, using wood screws provided. When sold separately, the UPC comes with a 15 foot cable wire.
  • One 7 foot XpressNET cable wire (with 6 pins RJ25 modular connectors on both ends). It is used to connect the Universal Panel Connector to your Atlas Commander (or other command station).
  • One 6 foot Coiled Cord with a DIN plug, to allow movement from one location to another easily as you add Universal Panel Connectors to your layout.

The HandCommand Accessory pack is nicely packaged ad the equipment was undamaged when we opened the boxes.

Let the Tests Begin
We started by reading the one-page instruction sheet for using the UPC and how to connect it to the Atlas Commander via the UPC. This sheet was very well written and clearly communicated how to connect everything with photos and diagrams, and it even provides a template for mounting the UPC to your layout’s fascia.

After getting everything connected, we began reading and familiarizing ourselves with the 15-page instruction manual. This booklet was much improved over the original manual written for the AtlasMaster system. The information on how to obtain support or repair was easily located. When reading the section on the system menu, we discovered an interesting, important aspect of the HandCommand – when selecting a locomotive, the default setting for speed steps is 28. Decoders come with three speed steps, 14, 28, 128 and if you are running a locomotive with 14 or 128 speed steps, you will need to enter the system menu and set the throttles speed step setting to match that or your locomotive’s decoder. While the locomotive will run if the setting is not changed, the operation of the headlight is adversely affected.

The Atlasmaster HandCommand is designed to be compatible with other DCC XpressNet Command stations. It is similar to the Commander, with the ability to run either a non-DCC (analog) locomotive on address 00 or decoder-equipped locomotives on addresses 01-99. This does, however, limit you to running decoders with only two digit addresses. The HandCommand will also control accessory decoders, which comes in handy when using it to throw turnouts, and it was designed with stacking ability – being able to remember the last eight locomotives addressed. When multiple locomotives are on the tracks this feature allows you to move from one locomotive to another very quickly, by pressing two buttons instead of scrolling up and down the address list sequentially. Unfortunately, the HandCommand does not have the functionality to program decoders.

There are nine, clearly-labeled pushbuttons on the control panel. Two, on the far sides, control direction of the throttle that are marked with arrows. Two in the center, for address selection that are marked with a “+” and a “-“ (for scrolling up and down the addresses). Three function buttons marked F0, F1, and F2 for operating functions on locomotives (two of these are also marked Enter and Exit when you are in the System Menu), accessories, and an emergency stop button. These are neatly arranged below the dial rheostat throttle and grouped appropriately. By pressing one of the direction keys and then F1 or F2, you have the ability to control functions 3 and 4, respectively. Since the F2 button usually controls the whistle or horn on sound decoders, it would have been nice to have it a momentary button; now you have to press the button once to turn the horn on and then press it second time to turn it off. Maybe Atlas can add that feature in their next upgrade.


Running Locomotives
We were reasonably sure the system was set up correctly so we turned it on, placed a locomotive on the tracks, and tried to acquire it with the hand-held throttle. I followed the instructions, selecting the locomotive’s address by pressing the “+” button until my locomotive number (L65) appeared. I turned the throttle slightly to acquire the locomotive. The locomotive began to move forward, but I was unable to change its speed with the throttle – for that matter none of the buttons would work. The lighted display showed the number 6. I even tried to stop button, which was supposed to turn off the track power in case of an emergency, but even that button did not work! I quickly turned off the main power to the system and reread the instruction to see if I had done something wrong or if the 6 displayed was an error code. I couldn’t find anything in the instruction manual to help, so I called Atlas Support line. Alas, it was Saturday and the Atlas offices are open Monday through Friday from 9 to 5. I turned on the system again and repeated the steps I had taken before, and this time everything worked properly.

After successfully acquiring a locomotive, it ran smoothly as expected. The locomotive’s address appears in the LED display area while operating. We really liked the red indicators (albeit rather small) showing which functions are on or off and the direction of the locomotive. Atlas reused the same indicator lights for functions 1 and 3 and functions 2 and 4 – 3 and 4 appearing when a direction key is pressed and 1 and 2 when a direction key is not pressed. This is somewhat confusing and possibly a result of trying to oversimplify the throttle.

Something brand new with the HandCommand is the ability to do consisting, or multiple unit operations. The Consist setup procedure is found in the System Menu area and is easy to understand. However, be aware that this feature will not work if your Atlas MasterCommand Station is running version 2.31 software. Atlas has announced on its web site that an upgrade for the Command Station is now available.

Here’s How to Upgrade
1. Send your Commander to Atlas and they will do the upgrade for you. This service costs $40 plus $3.00 shipping and handling (per each Commander). The important thing about this option is that if Atlas updates the software, the original Commander warranty is still valid. Or:

2. Atlas will send you the updated microchips to replace. They cost $10.00 (per each micro) plus $2.00 shipping and handling (regardless of how many you order, the shipping charge remains the same.) Although it is very easy to install the micro with the instructions provided, the major drawback to this method is that the original warranty of the Commander will be void.

Please send all requests for upgrades in writing to: Atlas Model Railroad Company, Commander Upgrade, 378 Florence Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205. Please include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address when writing. If you have any questions, please e-mail dcc@atlasrr.com.


Summary
The addition of the HandCommand throttle and the XpressNet UPC connections are an important addition to the AtlasMaster system. It takes their system out of the beginner-only class and moves them up into the moderate size layout realm. We liked the size of the HandCommand; it was easy to hold and operate with only one hand. We also liked the fact that it does not require batteries to operate! We were pleased to discover the upgrade that is available for the Commander which adds another important feature – consisting. So, if you are considering DCC for a small or moderate sized layout, and you want a simple system to start with, the AtlasMaster system is a viable choice, especially now with the hand-held throttles.