Oddessy speed control curious question.

It's not the speed steps.  The CAB1 only runs them in relative step mode, the CAB2 in TMCC mode uses absolute steps.  The Odyssey runs much better with absolute speed steps.  Even standard TMCC stuff runs much better with the CAB2.

Original Odyssey only has 32 steps, same as TMCC.

Odyssey-1 has 128 speed steps.  If you are using the CAB-2 you set the Odyssey feature during set up.  

CAB-1 can only generate relative steps and the loco's had "speed curves" built in to translate/map the relative step.  The curves were weighted for smaller differences in speed on the low end and larger jumps as you increased.  Depending on the engine and operator you could get smooth or extremely jerky behavior on the low end.  You also needed to carefully set "stall" or the curve wouldn't be applied properly.  

I could never get my S-2 electric to run well in Command mode with Odyssey enabled until I got the CAB-2.  The difference in behavior at low speeds is like night and day. Now the only engine that can outperform it is the actual Legacy RS-11.

How do you setup the Odyssey feature?  This is the first I've ever heard that Odyssey 1 had more speed steps than standard TMCC.  AFAIK, stall settings don't work at all with cruise control of any vintage.

Is there any documentation about all this for Odyssey 1?

The speed steps in Odyssey 1 were discussed in interviews in one or both of the main mags back when people were complaining about "Oddy Lurch" (2004-2008?).  The Lionel chief engineer at the time went over the development of the original motor and how they then tried to adapt the speed control technology that was part of the original Odyssey motor for use with flywheel topped can motored units.  The main issue was the CAB-1 could not generate the commands necessary for proper control.  There were two other products under development at the time that were supposed to have addressed this issue.  One was the ZW Yard Boss (made it to prototype) and the other was a "button box" which I think was only alpha tested.  Neither made it into production.  

Most of my train stuff was packed away because of a family issue so I can't even look at the CAB-2 right now.  I could swear that when I was setting up the engine there was a "field" in the "info" area that said "Odyssey".  The S-2 seems to exhibit a lot more than 32 speed steps when I ran it.

Is the relative step vs absolute step a function of which controller you use or which base is connected to the track. I run my Command base connected to my Legacy base via the serial cable. Most of the time I pick up my Cab1 because its simpler and most of my engines are not Legacy. Lurch has not been a problem even with my early 1999-2001 Odyssey engines though as I have learned to watch for the first blink on the Command Base and then wait for the engine to move rather than continuing to turn the knob until the engine moves.

Pete

There's no Odyssey setting on my 1.52 Legacy system, I can tell you that.  I just looked again to make sure I didn't overlook anything.

I have a number of Odyssey locomotives, and they seem to run best in TMCC mode, which only gives them 32 steps.  I just tried an Odyssey equipped UP Harriman 2-8-0 I have in for repair in both TMCC and relative mode, when I get to around 20 clicks of the dial in CAB1 mode, it's flying down the tracks, I can't imagine there's more than 32 steps.  At speed step 20 in TMCC mode, I'm getting similar speed.  On a lark, I tried R100 mode for the same locomotive, but when I get to the same area, I have the same speed.

I really don't think there are additional speed steps for Odyssey-1, I sure don't see it here.

My lionel AC9  has odssey  and the difference between speed steos 15 and 16 is very noticeable and too slow in speed step 15 and too fast in speed step 16.  Speed step 20 is very fast.

Sounds normal to me.

what happens in the 100 speed step mode?

Can you set the cab 2 so the change from standing still to speed step 1 is smooth?  Speed step on the older odssey system is not all that slow and there is a slight jerk to get started, not like the super smooth start of the odssey 2 system.  Would this be changed with a cruise commander m.  Will it give a much slower speed step one?

Odyssey I was simply not that refined when compared to Legacy or DCS speed control.  My experience with the ERR Cruise Commander M in 100 step mode is it's much smoother than the old Odyssey in slow speed operation.