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ZIMO represents the most advanced state of DCC. Their aim is always to find and to implement the very best solution for any element of the system, beginning with the system architecture up to the software control.
While offering all high level standard features of the DCC world ZIMO has additional characteristics which make the system stand out from rival products. 

Zimo produce 2 styles of system, the full feature MX1 pictured above left and an economy version, MX1EC, on the right. The two sets are identical in terms of power and functionality. The main savings come in a different housing of the command station, the absence of the digital display and a single outlet for the main track and program track.  A digital display can be added externally. The MX31 cab and the other components of the economy sets are identical to the full featured sets!

Each output of the MX1 or MX1EC Command Stations delivers 8 amps to the track, the voltage is user definable and it is fully stabilized (kept independent from load) between 12 and 24 V.

The built-in display of the MX1 shows actual voltage and current for each of the two outlets (an identical display for the  MX1EC is available for external hook up). Features like computer interface and shuttle train operations are already included.

The MX31 Cab is not only used to control locomotives, but also to operate turnouts, signals and turntables and to program routes and blocks, etc. Even for large layouts with many trains running only a few cabs are needed and often only one. This is due to background storage of up to 10 loco addresses and 10 switch group addresses. You can jump between the addresses very quickly. In this way it is easy to control a couple of locos simultaneously, from one cab. Up to 10 locos can be combined to form a multiple traction consist.

The decoders of the start set are the most up-to-date types; therefore they offer 128 speed steps, programmable speed table, primary and extended addressing (up to 10239), “on-the-fly-programming, etc. All decoders feature fully adjustable back-EMF control.

Digitrains Ltd are proud to be able to offer these state of the art systems in UK.  We have the latest radio control version as our showroom demonstrator and try to keep an economy HO or N version in stock

There is a range of ZIMO decoders available from our showroom or in our on line shop now.

 ZIMO DECODER CHARACTERISTICS

       MX620               MX63               MX64                  MX64H                  MX69                   MX68                 MX82

• 10239 addresses, 127 consist addresses, Functions can selectively be assigned to single or consist address.
• 14, 28 or 128 (external) speed steps; internally, all speed changes (e.g. acceleration) are processed with 252 steps.
• Silent drive, selectively with 20 or 40 kHz, ideally suited for coreless motors (Faulhaber, Maxxon); low frequency of 30 ... 150 Hz is also available for special cases.
• Load regulation (BEMF) with multiple ways of fine tuning: PID-Parameter, regulation force adjustable from slightly reduced to turned off, BEMF cut-off at selected speed, modifiable sampling frequency.
• Adjustable speed table with CVs # 2, # 5 and # 6, or fully programmable 28 step speed table (CVs # 67 to # 94).
• Adjustable acceleration and deceleration characteristics: in addition to the standard CV's #3 and 4, ZIMO decoders also feature an exponential procedure for particularly prototypical starts and stops and adaptive acceleration to prevent start-up jolts.
• Shunting function - electively half speed and /or reduction or removal of momentum.
• Actual track voltage measured to automatically adjust to layout specifics and for future applications (e.g. "ABC" by Lenz). Not applicable to current MX62.
• Uninterrupted operations (no stops and restarts) with up to 1 second power interruptions; further improvements possible with external capacitor.
• Analog operation with or without momentum, just as with DCC, selective functions turned on, automatic switching between analog and DCC, display mode.
• Overload protection for motor and function outputs (in groups) as well as thermal protection.
• Automated stops in front of "red" signals (stop sections), besides ZIMO's own "signal controlled speed influence" it also supports the "brake generator" and "stop on DC signal" methods.
• Complete NMRA function mapping (each function from F0 ... F12 can be mapped to 8 outputs). Additionally special function assignments for direction specific taillight, Swiss loco lighting and more.
• CV (=configuration variables) programming and read-out at the programming track (service mode) as well as on the layout (operational mode, on-the-main). Hard reset by programming CV #8 = 8 (all systems) or by programming decoder to address "0" (with ZIMO cabs only!). 
• Special programming mode for "Lokmaus-2" and other systems with only 2-digit displays (0 - 99).
• Dimming function of outputs, flashers and function specific dimming (high beam/low beam), assignable to the various outputs.
• Activation of decouplers (system Roco, Krois), soft-start of function outputs (including headlights), US-lighting effects (mars, strobe, double strobe, gyra, ditch lights) with variable cycle time and minimum dim value.
• ZIMO loco number recognition - received commands are acknowledged by high current pulses, which can be interpreted by corresponding detectors (inside track section module MX9).
• User-activated software-update (update with latest software without opening the loco, no charge, in a matter of minutes) for all ZIMO decoders (function decoder MX68 excepted)produced since September 2004 using the MXDECUP update module.   Latest software updates are listed on the UPDATE page of ZIMO's web site.

 NEW FEATURES COMING SOON

• Continuous operation on dead track sections such as frogs and sections with heavy dirt build-up. The decoder automatically prevents the loco from stopping in such sections - the best result will be achieved using an external energy module MXSPEIK, MXSPEIG or a home-made unit. The required software is planned for future upgrades.
• Extending the existing ZIMO "signal controlled speed influence" by making it direction dependent (e.g. no stops on "red" signals in opposite direction), adding the "location dependent function control" (as already implemented in function decoders) and the transmission of other position dependent data.
• Automated stops in front of "red" signals with "asymmetrical DCC signal" (according to Umelec/LenzABC). This method will provide direction specific brakeing using just 4 diodes (practically no cost involved). The required software will be ready for all ZIMO decoders including the new MX620.
• Distance controlled stopping. The often cited "exact stop point" and "constant stopping distance" do not really exist (different factors such as poor track to wheel contact are unavoidable). A large degree of accuracy can be achieved though if the decoder continuously carries out recalculations and corrections - ideally combined with slow down sections and other measures. Software should be ready this year with gradual introduction.
• "Automated operations" (e.g. shuttle train service), controlled by the decoder. The "logic outputs" of the MX63 or MX64 decoders are converted to inputs (the MX69 has separate inputs) and can be used to trigger a pre-programmed route or function as well as the features of the "signal controlled speed influence" and the "asymmetrical DCC signal". Software should be ready soon.
• With a special procedure (initiated with CV #61 = 98), more freedom in mapping function outputs F0 - F12 to function keys F0 - F12 is possible than with the NMRA "function mapping". Each function can be direction specific, if so desired, and in addition outputs can be programmed to automatically turn themselves off after coming to a stop, with up to 255 seconds delay.
• Ready made or self defined CV-sets: having several sets of the more important CV's stored in the decoder allows for a quick loco characteristic switchover - for example, switch between a single loco and multiple heading or between a passenger or goods train. Already exists for locos with the Norwegian lighting system and full implementation is planned.
• Incremental CV programming: a method that replaces the tedious CV programming of driving characteristics by simple CV corrections during operation. Software probably ready soon.
• New effects for lights and other functions such as slow headlights turn-off, street car stop lights and more. Such features are often customer driven. Zimo are open and grateful for suggestions too. Gradual implementation.
• "Bi-directional communication" (identical to Lenz "Railcom") according to NMRA DCC RPs (= Recommended Practices 9.3.1 und 9.3.2) is already present in terms of hardware on all ZIMO decoders. Implementation through software update as soon as mutual consent is given to details still open in the standardized specifications.
• User-activated software-update (update with latest software without opening the loco, no charge, in a matter of minutes) for all ZIMO decoders (function decoder MX68 excepted). Updateable decoders delivered since September 2004; the necessary update module MXDECUP is available since January 2005. Latest software updates are listed on the UPDATE page of ZIMO's web site.
• Expansion to multi-protocol decoder (Motorola, ev. Selectrix) for MX69.

PRICE LIST- Decoders Available in the On Line Shop                          

Systems & Controllers

Start Set EC (Economy) For N or OO                                £585.00

Start Set Standard For N or OO                                         £799.00

Start Set High Power                                                         £1080.00

Start Sets with Radio add to above prices                       £189.00

MX31 Cab                                                                             £240.00

MX31 Radio Cab                                                                  £289.00

Radio Base Unit                                                                    £190.00

Transformer 24 volt 8 Amp                                                   £75.00

Loco Decoders

MX620 & 620N                                                                      £26.50

MX620F & 620R                                                                                 £27.50

MX63 OO/HO – 1A/2Amp,4 Function                              £23.00

MX63R OO/HO – 1A/2A, 4 Function, 8 Pin Plug             £24.50

MX64 OO/HO – 1A/2A, 4 Function,                                  £18.50

MX64R OO/HO – 1A/2A, 4 Function, 8 Pin Plug             £19.75

MX64H High Power Decoder                                              £29.00

MX69S Large Scale Decoder                                               £48.00

MX69Y Large Scale Decoder                                               £53.00