Hi!

I hope I am not inadvertently starting a topic of discussion which has been beaten to death in the past. I have contemplating a Marklin CS2 for a while and just when I was about to take the plunge, I got excited about the ESU ECoS Command Station. It seems that the ECoS is a much more superior control station but wanted to get some opinion if I should go ahead with CS2 or instead go for ECoS. I am running 3-Rail Marklin with several HAG locos fitted with LokSound V4 M4 (mfx) decoders. I am also investing in a small BEMO layout as well....

Your thoughts / suggestions/ opinions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks a bunch in advance!

I would not call it "far superior". It can use RailCom which the CS2 cannot, but the CS2 can talk mfx+ which the ECoS cannot. Depending on your needs the one might be a better choice than the other. Besides those two factors I really think they have around the same feature set. I do not think the CS2 is slow, the latest update seems to have speeded things up a bit.

I agree with Tom: You have to try both for yourself and decide from that.

understandable thoughts but you haven't told us what you use at the moment to control your locos.

If you purchase an ECoS you don't need M4 decoders or sound decoders you can use the ordinary version4 decoders, you have the option by activating RailComPlus which in turn automatically recognizes your loco and RailComPlus has other features within the ECoS. with the ECoS you can have up to 28 functions, can add 4 Märklin mobile stations, 6021, by using the old motorola system, the 6021 has the ability to operate 12 functions by using adjoining loco numbers e.g. as 3,4 and 5.
you can program all your ESU sound decoders or decoders with a lokprogrammer (open protocol) , there are many options you can change , e.g type of lighting, pulse telex coupling, different settings for smoke generators. adding sound files and many more. you can buy adapter plates to use 4 or 8 Aux functions (at a cost).
it took me at least 10 years to decide which one I would buy and one thing is for sure you'll never know what's around the corner. you get free updates for your ECoS or your lokprogrammer.

another feature I like is with your lokprogrammer you can put in all your data for your loco, roadnumber, Steam diesel or electric, Railwaycompany, maker of model, preset you function icons and this will automatically register with the ECoS.
I believe the ECoS is more expensive than the CS 2.
another benefit I like to mention is: when your decoder is damaged or ruined take it back to your dealer or send it straight to ESU with your guarantee coupon (3 year warranty) and you don't have to send back the whole loco which will save you on postage.
if you decide to buy an ECoS, you register with ESU and than have the opportunity to join the ESU forum and this is handy for helping you with questions you would like to express.

good luck

John

It certainly has been discusses plenty of times in the forum.



I have both the CS2 and an Ecos (monchrome version), as well as a Marklin Central Station 1 Reloaded (which is an upgraded CS1, effectively making it an Ecos). I guess that means I'm in a good position to compare the two.

Both are very good controllers, and largely have similar features. My suggestion is if all your locos (or most of them) are Marklin with Marklin decoders, or if you plan to purchase Marklin decoder kit upgrades for your analog locos, and if your accessory decoders (S88, K83, K84) are all Marklin based, you should go for the CS2. The CS2 software can fully program these decoders whereas the Ecos cannot.

If you mix and match items from various manufacturers, or if you are using ESU decoders and other ESU devices, then the Ecos may be a better option for you.

The CS2 does have better remote control options, with software that can run on either an iThingy or an Android device which provides a remote control option. Marklin also has software that will run on a Windows PC that can act as a remote controller.

The Ecos has Railcom functionality (already mentioned) and has limited Loconet connectivity, neither of which the CS2 has. The Ecos can use either 4amp or 8amp boosters (8amp should only be used with 1 Gauge). The CS2 has 5amp boosters, nothing larger.



Tom is, of course, referring to his Central Station 1 Reloaded.

Matt, correct me if I'm wrong, although my knowledge of these Android and iThingy is zero, the CS 2 has capability without buying a Märklin gadget to operate these remote controllers whereas ESU you have to purchase one of these as shown in your link.

Märklin S 88's can be readily used with the ECoS.

I only can speak from an ECoS point of view as I never owned a CS, I don't think there has ever been a complete comparison between these 2 digital controllers, we've had part informations as Dave indicated (plenty of discussions and comparisons)

for instance I have the previous radio control (ESU), which is ok, the battery life isn't that crash hot and when the battery runs out of juice and your train is controlled by this radio control away from the ECoS, you have no control of your locos at all, what it should have is a safety device to shut off or stop when the battery life has come to an end. I hope the new gadget has some features which will prevent this scenario.

I would suggest if you have one of these radio controls don't have any tracks which locos can run off.

Again, as David explained, if you have a collection of Märklin mfx locos (closed protocol) you might as well use the CS 2 but if you have ESU decoders, it may be a benefit to buy an ECoS and a lokprogrammer as well.

an other feature with the ECoS is programming consists of locos. here again, just say you have 2 sound decoders in 2 BR 44's you can program the sound files for the same functions, e.g. horn, whistle, etc etc., you can change the light functions especially with Swiss locos.

another option I have programmed and this is the coal shoveling with the fire box glowing, the coal shoveling when turning on and off has a specific time to go through its shoveling period, I have coupled the coal shoveling and the fire box glow together whereas the coal shoveling function has a slight delay starting off and the glow has a slight delay when the coal shoveling finishes, even if the coal shoveling is programmed as momentary function it will go through its sound file recording but turning the function off will turn off the glow as well hence the delay for the glow function.

they are little things and most of you may not use or need these functions but where do you start and finish without pointing them out.

you can also use your old Märklin boosters with an ECoS.

John

AFAIK these are features of the decoders and not the command station. You can move functions around on the decoders and have them perform the way you like. This also makes it possible to bring a locomotive to someone else's layout and have it work as intended.

Hi John, You do not need to buy the ESU device, it just happens to be made for modelrailroading and uses a knob for the throttle instead of a touch screen that you then drag one way or the other to adjust speed. Once the ECoS is connected to a wireless router, any iThingy or Android phone will work once you download the app to that device. Apparently, there are no apps for Windows based smart phones.

Hello Moritz, Yes, that reverse problem with the knob is annoying. There are setting though that can be adjusted. On choice is you must hold the knob for one second before reverse. Anther is that there is no reverse on the knob and the reverse function is then on the lever below the throttle. I use the one second hold and have eliminated inadvertent reversals.

My recommendation is as before, if you like and use MFX, buy the CS2. If you dislike MFX, then get the ECoS and use DCC with the added features of RailCom +.