I think that M* will develop the CS2 software for a few years to come.
I hope CS2 won't need a hardware update.

CS1 with version 3.0.0 should be supported by ESU for a few years to come, too.

Therefore both look like a good choice now.
Time will tell. In a few years we'll know which of those two was a good investment.

Larry-I have an ECoS, but it looks like the CS2 is pretty nice. The intro price of ~$660 is going to be hard to beat! Unless you have a need for DCC, go for it!

Adrian The new CS2 is designed with Nev in mind. Nothing will ever go wrong cos its not made by ESU.
Brand new and in full colour it even makes the coffee and pours a beer.

David

Honestly based on the little german I have, the announcment of V3.0.0 for the CS1 looks like it will make it better featured than the CS2 and with people upgrading to the CS2, probably a lot cheaper.[B)][:p]

Some people have more money than sense remeber Bigdaddy. Also some people might not be aware of the update or may have already pre-ordered a CS2 becuase the CS1 didnt do what they needed it to.

I have yet to progress from my 6021, but given all that has happened between Marklin and ESU, I would rather go with the "totally Marklin" CS2 than with an ugraded CS1 relying on ESU for support. After all, they have demonstrated in the past they can't deliver what they promise, at least the way I see it.

Either way, I'm not rushing into ordering anything, unless my 6021 suddenly packs up!

Ray

Hi Larry,

I think the CS2 has all the functionality in one controller I need. Contrary to the former controller I believe there will be no need to upgrade the hardware of the CS2 any time soon. Provided I can easily update the controller when needed,then I see no reason apart from the cost involved to withhold on the purchase of the new controller.

Kind regards
Guus

Mike I agree completely. At the ned of the day the Marklin folk will go for the CS2 or keep the CS1. Others who enjoy the control aspect of model rail prefer other brands from smaller firms and they can swap for cheaper decoders and add bits and pieces and feel proud to be different. I think this is fine as being a three rail M fan I feel proud to be different from all my two rail DCC pals.
Its all down to defending the item you purchased as being the best. Lets face it who will buy an IB and say its not for me ? or an ECOS but with the CS we can tell the world if we like it or not.

David

David

Us neds must stick together ... oh why cant i remember i dont have my spell check going.

David

Pretty well said, I think.

I'm got a CS1 but am not overly fussed whether I get DCC or not. I do repairs & digital conversions for other people, but can use my old intellibox for testng DCC decoders when necessary. The only real DCC advantage for me personally is it allows a better addressing range than Motorola e.g. I've got a Hornby Flying Scotsman I converted to 3 rail and put a lokpilot decoder in it. Using DCC I could set it up as addres 472 which is the last 3 numbers on the lok tender, but it's not a real major. (yes I know, I could've used an MFX decoder, but I didn't because I had a surplus lokpilot at the time)

Anyway, ESU taking over the CS1 support does ensure development will continue, so it's probably a good thing, and the extra output power is a real bonus.

With regard to CS2, certainly the colour screen has practical attractions for me - i.e. my eyesight ain't what it used to be, and the glasses I need for looking at the screen aren't the same as the ones I need for looking at the layout. :-( A suitably bright good definition colour screen might make things easier in that regard.

It looks to me like the CS2 is dsigned by Märklin for the Märklin enthusiast who wants to buy M trains and run them on his(her) layout without the slightest consideration of what other brands/possibilities exist out there. This category probably makes up the majority of Marklin users, who knows? and more power to Märklin's arm. If it wasn't for this category of user, M might no longer exist!

The ECOS-ised CS1 OTOH, is now likely to be more a technocrat's controller for the people who like messing around with different control systems, installing their own decoders, and playing with a lot of kit from other manufacturers.

I rate myself in the latter group but for the moment I'll probably sit on the fence, watch and wait for a little while then make a decision when some of the dust has settled.

cheers
Dennis

I am sure somebody has Matt but probably made a right mess of it so is keeping quiet. I know I would !!

David

If somebody is thinking about purchasing a CS1 right now having this new update in mind, I wonder: Why not an ECOS, then?

I assume that "updated" CS1 will be an "ECOS" clon. Having in mind that this update has a cost (and is not cheap)...Why not going directly to the already-updated ECOS?

I have only MS, but if I had to purchase a digital central...I think I would not consider Märklin products as they are too restrictive, and there are similar products in the market (or almost-identical), with much more performances, and I would not accept a product that can not deal with DCC.

Best regards.

CS1 goes for 250 thru 300 Euro. Street price for the update should be 120 Euro.
ECoS goes for 480 Euro.

So you don't save much buying a CS1 now. And you need patience.