The CS2 is cheaper but it runs much slower with its old hardware and the screen is marginal. The CS3 is a major upgrade in almost every way but as you know, it cost a good bit more. As an owner of a CS2 I have always found them to sell for more than what they are worth. I keep mine just to use as a slave to my CS3+.

I think the value is in the CS3, maybe not even the CS3 plus which adds things many people do not need..

Hi Mrunix

I had 2 CS2 (60215) now replaced with one CS3 (60226) and here are my thoughts:
- the CS2 (especially the late 60214 and 60215 with galvanic insulation) was an excellent unit and very innovative (may be more than the CS3)
- the CS2 cannot be repaired today. Any failure results in the replacement of the CS2 by a CS3
- the CS3 screen management is totally different (same size but higher definition, different tactile detection capacitive on the CS3 making rapidly the use of a mouse.
- the CS2 capacity was reached (no more extension capability) while on the CS3 the memory has increased by at least a factor of four.
- the new Märklin software will strangle more and more the CS2. On my CS3 I could add a 32 GB memory card.
- the handling of external devices on the CS2 was linked to previous generations (the old flat cable 6088 detector, the old 6015 / 6017 booster) while the CS3 is firmly anchored to new generation devices.

Why not the CS2?
- one of my CS2 has died because of the incapacity to finish the booting-up and many CS2 have died this way. This is due to a solid state massmemory with an increasing number of mistakes. This cannot be repaired (unavailability of some circuits.
- the other CS2 I have is fully functional EXCEPT that both its outputs (Programming / main tracks) have died (cannot drive any loco).

So, to summarize: if you have a CS2, keep it, excellent unit, but I would not advise to buy one unless at 25% of a CS3 price or below
Also avoid purchasing early CS2: 60213 and early 60214 (no 5A capability but only 3A capability, no galvanic separation causing may failures).

Cheers
Jean

Thanks alot for all input, its ofcourse tempting when price is half of CS3 but I belive you all that CS3 is the best of these 2.

CS3 is also very old 6-7 years if I understand it right, should not a CS4 arrive soon, no rumours out of that?

Hi MrUnix,

Not sure where you are based but in case BesserePreise ships to your country it’s worth you checking their site to buy a CS.
The CS3+ is 21% off from that store.
CS3 at 592€.
Otherwise I do agree with you that based on the retail price the CS3/CS3+ are very expensive and a CS2 might look like an alternative.

I’ve been looking at prices recently and theirs were substantially better than other well knows sellers and made a cs3+ more palatable.

No news nor much talk of a CS4. I think the CS3 is rather capable going forward, and with many users operating it via a web based route control or software like Rocrail they rarely need to touch it. It is contrlled by those, I think. Unless marklin decides a larger screen is in order, or they improve the "world of operation" cab driver graphics or other.
The Roco Z21's don't have screens, you use a tablet, phone app., or a p.c.'s screen. They have the best cab driver graphics.

If you are going for computer control the CS3 is a very expensive way to go. However, I have not had a reason to investigate the market so I have no suggestions. Just as a possibly outdated example I know Littfinski, LDT, had a DiCoStation.

A PSU question, why do Märklin recommend the 60VA PSU for H0 instead if the 100VA, is it a sequrity issue when short circuits happends during derail or why?
c

Yes, you are right. But if you always have a lot of consumers and a current draw close to max (5 amp) the power might be turned off before some serious dammage. According to Marklin the 60101 is for OneGauge.

Yes, yes. This topic has been covered to death already:
- yes Märklin advises to set to 60W (3A) all boosters
- yes, functioning with 5 A is very safe even for HO (Some competitors to Märklin offers 8 A modules)

BUT
- yes the answer-back signal from MFX locos is weaker because on an increased number of Märklin locos on the same circuit. No big deal, you may have to register new locos on the programming track. This is no problem.
- yes many signals cannot stand 5 A but EVEN 3 A are too much (Märklin dixit, read the Märklin documentation). I use NO insulated sections thanks to Rocrail.
- yes Märklin prefers selling more boosters (60175) and their power supply (60041)
- yes Märklin prefers not to be involved with any {legal} side effects on high currents (5A) on flimsy wirings on some layouts

I am using a 60101 power supply since 10 years and never observed anything adverse on tracks, wheels
It has to be said that the overcurrent detection is working just great never leaving the high currents destroy anything
Just my 2 cents worth

Jean

PS I am a French Engineer in Linear and digital electronics, having exported my designs to the USA, Canada, China, etc

The cs3 definitely has a better processor - it is a quad core processor where the cs2 has a single core processor. This is a major reason why the cs3 is so much faster than a cs2.

I still have my 6021… and don’t intend to part with it. When all else fails, I know it will still be there for me 😉. (Looking forward to my CS3 just the same)