And this is even more interesting:

http://www.esu.eu/index.php?id=379

New PSU and software and DCC and Selectrix???????

This basicaly means they will update CS1 to become an EcOS minus the powered throttles!

This is very clever on their part, they are now snatching all of the CS1 customers away from Märklin! Unless Märklin reacts to this, a lot of Märklin Systems will become ESU customers for good, instead of evolving to Märklin CS2. Mother Märklin, where is the upgrade path for CS2????

Hallo David,

do not forget,

ESU is the only one for instance offering mfx and DCC in one unit

This will stop someone to by CS2
Märklin has to act now

kind regards

Stephan

I bought a CS instead of the EcOS because I'm a Märklininst.

As of today, the known situation now is that CS1 development by Märklin has stopped, and replaced by CS2. Our 600+ euro investment (if you count the additional transformer) is a technological dead end, as far as Märklin is concerned, without ever fulfilling its announced promises.

That is all fine, as long as Märklin provides an upgrade path.

I really don't care whose fault was it ESU's or Märklin's. These are two profit driven companies that should serve their customers as best they can.

ESU is now providing a way for people to protect their investment and continue to have an updated product.

If, however, Märklin provides an exchange program of CS1 for CS2 + €€€, and is reasonably priced, I will have no hesitation to go for it.

There is no way however, I'm going to buy another expensive controller just for the sake of it and keep the CS1 deadweight.

From a business standpoint, if Märklin takes that way, they will not be serving their customer base.

I too don't care for DCC, really, but I do care for turntable control, which is not possible with Märklin CS1 but will be with ESU's CS1 3.0., for example. I also care for an evolved, improved interface and continued development, mfx boosters and protection of my investment in Terminals, extension cables, etc.

The way I see it as of today, and pending other news, Märklin promised it, ESU is delivering.

Wow John, quite a signature you have created during my summer relief

The main advantage the CS2 has over the upgraded CS1 and the ECoS is the color screen and the improved design of icons etc. However, ESU has not been sitting still. The most recent source code for the ECoS (GPL, freely available) contains many new functions to control color screens. I expect ESU to come with an ECoS with color screen and improved resolution in the first quarter of 2009. The CS2 will have a tough time.

René

I'm no ESU fan, but I use DCC.
Now I can't have mfx and DCC in one box - and I favour DCC.
In a few months I can have mfx and DCC in one box - for less than 150 Euro. Not sure if I'll buy that, but I'll think about it.

Maybe I won't buy that if Uhlenbrock bring out software 2.0 for my Intellibox. Neither colour nor icons, but it works. Lacks the MM28 protocol.

If M* decides to include DCC and to swap CS1 for CS2 at a competitive price ...

DCC works fine with all those locos from Roco, Fleischmann, Brawa that come with pre-installed ESU decoders.

Hi Lutz,

I posted the information in support of your original message and to emphasise that owners of the CS1 needn't worry about their investment.
May I conclude from your reply that contrary to what some believe Märklin and ESU are on speaking terms?

Kind regards
Guus

Too right John.

And here's another 'prediction' that went no where!

The crystal ball musta had a bad batch of batteries that day......