Thomas,

thanks for the link.

What concerns me or has done over the years, is the change of decoders or other digital components.
Although we appreciate and welcome new releases and improvements either in advanced technology or better features.

With most components you get a bold statement saying this article can be updated.
What they don't say is, this article can be updated until such time a new version comes out and your old version is no longer updateable.
ESU will announce or have announced the new version of Lokprogrammer 4 at the moment only accesable for Lokpilots and sound decoder V 4 will be compatible with previous versions of the said decoders.

It doesn't just apply to ESU, as well to Zimo, Märklin and I can't speak for Uhlenbrook oder other digital gadgets.

I'm not knocking the idea for improvements but these companies telling you,you can update them whereas the fact is the updates mostly apply to bugs in the system and to some extend improvements customers would like to see.
for instance the lokpilot 1 is a basic decoder (hence the price but the following versions e.g. V2, V3 neither can be updated to the next version.

Than you get the nasty manufacturers who, in due course change the decoder protocol so you can't use them with other digital control units, with other words the decoders blow up (not actually).

Than there are updates for lokprogrammers and suddenly you'll find yourself in a position when updating your loksound decoder, (for what ever reason, you really don't know but you do it anyway) and than find out the loksound decoder doesn't work anymore and of course any updates you perform is not covered by any guarantee.

Its like updating your computer and after that you've got a blank screen (well it was outdated anyway and it was about time you'll get a new version all together).

Part from the updating scenario is another concern I have.
Take for instance the loksound decoder V3.5 and the new Version 4, will they be compatible regarding driving characterists. e.g. Lokpilot 4 has even more improvements in the lower speed region as its predecessor, so how would they perform or run in a consist, when both decoders are set with the same CV's.

I will update my post with a new version as soon as it becomes available.

the irony of the whole issue is, if it is an issue in the first place, regardless how dissatisfied or critical you may be, why is it your mind seem to curb and bend and you go ahead with updates anyhow.
for instance when the price of beer goes up, there is almost a mini revolution in the drinking hole with fierce disgussions and strong coments and as an licence, I would be very surprised if her or she will have any customers the next day. After a weeks time, the same revolutionary's are as calm and pleased as ever, nothing more is mentioned about the 100% water intake.

John