Already discussed here:
https://www.marklin-user...-neither.aspx#post322865

Märklin Digital, but no mfx. Will they support 27 and 28 speed steps for MM? They didn't say that yet.

We'll have to wait a few years to see if they deliver what they promise - and they give very little details yet, so not much promised.

Intellibox developed over years, CS1 developed over years, CS2 developed over years.
CS2 has an output for headphones (in use since 2.0.1) and a connector marked "SX" (reserved for future extensions).

Z21 shall come this year - prepared for CAN bus, prepared for LocoNet. When will these work? They don't say on www.z21.eu
What will the CAN bus support? MS1? MS2? CS1? CS2? They don't say on www.z21.eu
They don't confirm 27 speed steps for MM protocol on www.z21.eu either.

Z21 will take years to ripen - just like the other controllers.

Yep...i was right!
Z21 will been devilery out under this summer.

Z21 supports MM1 and MM2 with all steps (14 and 27).
LAN,3-mal X-Bus,feed-back,LocoNet,Can and booster-Bus,Sniffer-Bus etc...
Z21 is just like all other digital system that allows to upgrade so what if you write about years to ripen???
I don´t take care of mfx system since it don´t been necessary by use it.
Z21 is aimed for 3 rail too since they do presentation about MM.
Program can also been download later by upgrade for Z21...just same about CS2.

For what it's worth, a CS1-R , a router and I Pod/Phone will do a nicer job for us Marklinists, and have a touch screen with track diagram, or speed tachos, plus two speed knobs, will support MFX, DCC, Railcom, MM And we can connect MS1 and all ESU thingys

Roco Z21

ESU has 28 speed steps in their MM decoders (27 speed steps use a completely different mechanism).
CS1 60212 is the only Märklin controller that supports 28 speed steps with MM protocol.

How many speed knobs does the Z21 have? Therefore it's very important to connect other controllers to the Z21.

Those who know the difference do care.
ESU decoders support 14 or 28 speed steps with MM protocol. If the controller supports 14 and 27 speed steps, only 14 speed steps can be used with ESU decoders. 100 % difference.
It's not yet known if Z21 support more than 14 speed steps with MM protocol anyway.

I'm completely relaxed. I don't have an iPhone. I do have some mfx locos. Two strong reasons against a Z21.
I'm a three-railer. Z21 does not target three-railers.

You can see Z21 on youtube.

Maybe Goofy can buy one and be the first to review it!

Does any one who knows if there is an CD program follows in the Z21...?
I want to use this system Z21 connecting to my laptop too...but found out lack of information.
It should been work with PC too...

I wait until more further information arrives about Z21.

Still needs to upgrade before complete system.
By the way...speed limit per hour can also been done with upgrade later from Roco.
Old decoders from Marklin seems trouble.
It is better with electronic decoder...not old decoder with pot.
Still decides to waiting for further Z21.

four months after the release it is still very poor ... The French version only arrived last week (with errors)
Z1 owners talk on the forums: programming decoders is problematic, not long addresses possible, it seems impossible to read the CV (at least on the decoders mentionned on those forums - but they are writable), no POM mode, no double consists nor multiple consists .. ..
3 X-bus connections only two are partially functional (both which are in front). X-Bus is the Roco bus to connect other Roco accessories...
LocoNet bus only understand the control of "throttle" (no other functions), the CAN bus is still not set ... so it is not functional, etc ...
However they have been publishing several cabins images: the image of the cabins of the Locks is one of their main sales argument.
Roco has promised an update before Nuremberg fair, I hope it will be a good step forward , there is still a lot of work...
The question is : how long it will take to reach an acceptable level (without too much bugs...)
It seems they could change their mind about window PC compatibility, recently, there was a kind of small maintenance programm (only few data like track voltage, inner temperature, electric consumption)...which gives a more serious appearance than cab images... Such a programm could have been on the main user interface (like on the CS2 or Ecos) but they decided that it will be on a PC....(probably in the future to update decoders : it's easier than iOS/Androïd apps...)

HI,

i originally bought it to run my lgb in the garden digital, which is most manual and it works fine.

Getting excited about railroading again, i started a marklin digital track, but here the Z21 is too much beta.

After lots of effort i as able to get my mfx trains running on the z21, with an extra adress for the additional functions.

I now would like to connect turnout decoders, but this wont work. I'm using the new 74461 decoders which should be compatible, but i just cant get them to work.

perhaps some knows a direction to look into?

cheers, edwin

Hi, i have had mail contact with the z21 guys. The 74460 decoders are MM only. The new 74461 are MM and DCC compliant. I'll try to figure out why it doenst work.
The z21 team would release a new version at the end of january which should be able to support the marklin motorola protocol too.

I don't have any interest in the cab function. I like the simple interface which my son of 4 years old can use.

cheers,

Hi!
Cool. I would have expected that MM protocol was implemented right from the start. Now we know it works for locos only.
The Z21 has an impressive "not yet implemented" list.

Allthough not quite "there" yet, i dont regret buying it.

I was able to buy it for 400, incl à digital LGB train and 2 cars with an oval track.

i found out later, that i can use it for my marklin too.

When compatible with marklin Motorola at the end of the month and interfacing with Traincontroller in the coming months, im happy with it.
One device, multiple controllers ( ipads, iphones) integrated 3 amp trans, interface with pc, several bus. Enough potential.

Had enough fun with it already and now looking forward to use it for more than i bought it for.

Cheers