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This review appeared in the June, 2002  issue of Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine. Reproduced with permission of Carstens Publications.

MASTER DCC HANDCOMMAND:  ALL SCALES

Review by: --  JOHN EDWARDS

When Atlas released the Atlas Master DCC Commander, they promised a future HandCommand release for walk-around, along with an upgrade to the basic software running the system. Atlas has indeed honored their promise, and to my estimation the upgrade holds as much importance as the HandCommand. We’ll look at the upgrade first.

There were some important DCC items that were not included with the first release of the Commander. The most glaring was that consisting was not available. The operator had to assign all the locomotives in the consist the same loco number. With version 3.2 consisting is not just available, but rather easy to do.

Another change was to go from Register Mode programming to the more versatile Direct Mode. Previously, only five user programmable CV’s were available. With Direct Mode all CV’s on a decoder are available for programming. The software upgrade can be done by you or by Atlas. Check with Atlas either directly or through their web site for details.

The HandCommand unit fits very comfortably into the average palm, with the bottom half of the case being beveled. Along with the HandCommand, Atlas includes a Universal Panel Connector that is ready to be mounted to a fascia. There is a seven-foot Xpress-Net cable that connects the Universal Panel Connector or UPC to the Atlas Commander. The HandCommand is connected to the UPC by an expandable phone type cable with a five pin Din connector.

The UPC has two DIN receptacles, along with one RJ12 phone receptacle. Information is entered into the HandCommand via eight buttons and with the circular throttle. There is also a small LED display that conveys information back to the user. The format is the same as displayed by the Commander. On the back of the Hand Command there are shortcuts printed for reference. These come in handy if you are just getting started in DCC.

In addition to the Commander itself, five more HandCommands can be connected to before more Commanders or additional boosters become necessary. The address of the HandCommand may need to be changed, and all items connected to XpressNet must have a unique address (1-31). This is explained in Atlas’s instructions. I found it handy to write this address number on a small piece of masking type. I then put it on the back of all XpressNet devices.

In the interest of compatibility testing, I tried the HandCommand with Lenz’s 01 system and both of Lenz’s throttles with the Atlas systems. They all worked fine together.

The HandCommand is a very good addition to the growing Atlas line of DCC products. The ability to walk around adds more enjoyment to running trains. Even if you like sitting while running, the hand control makes it more enjoyable.

The Atlas HandCommand (No. 331) retails for $129.95.