The processor inside the control units are one time programable types and each model will most likelt have a slight difference in firmware and functionality.

Looks like your best bet would be either to look for another 6070 used or possibly settle on the [Uhlenbrock 64820] Uhlenbrock IRIS Set for Marklin 6021 (Includes LocoNet Adapter for 6021).

I was looking into getting a 6070 & 6071 but ended up getting the Uhlenbrock solution dure to final price. Unit works rather well, I have not used the 6070 & 6071 system so I can not compare the two.

Matthew

Hi Guys,
Many thanks for your advise, much appreciated.
I have been looking out for a used 6070 unit on ebay, and found that they have quite high asking prices around Euro 200 odd; which I guess reflect the fact that they are in high demand.
I looked up the Uhlenbrock 64820, which I presume is this unit in this link?

http://www1.conrad.de/sc...;~cookies=1&cookie_n[1]=b2c_insert&cookie_v[1]=EG&cookie_d[1]=&cookie_p[1]=%2f&cookie_e[1]=Mon%2c+02-Feb-2009+16%3a59%3a41+GMT&cookie_n[2]=b2c_hk_cookie&cookie_v[2]=WW4&cookie_d[2]=&cookie_p[2]=%2f&cookie_e[2]=Mon%2c+02-Feb-2009+16%3a59%3a41+GMT&scrwidth=1024

These seem to fetch around Euro 90 to Euro 119 which is more reasonable.
One thing, it looks like the Uhlenbrock 64820 unit which plugs into the side of the 6021 does not have a display showing the locomotive address it is controlling. Does this mean that it is merely a remote control device for your 6021 and cannot be used as another 80f type controller that the 6070 is? By this, I mean that with the 6070, it has its own display which will show the locomotive display you are controlling on the 6071 remote. In this way, with the 6070/6071, it effectively adds another 80f controller to your system as they can control one locomotive while your 6021 is controlling another (the other locomotive address being shown on the 6021 display). I take it the Uhlenbrock 64820 cannot do this? i.e. the locomotive you control on it is shown on the 6021 display at which time, the 6021 control dial is also controlling this same locomotive as the Uhlenbrock remote control?
Thanks again for your help & advise.

I just tried mine and there are deffinetly 4 channels to choose from just like the 6070/6071 design, so it is really like having 4 controllers in one. If one of the locomotive addresses were entered into a 6021 or another 80f and the same address is then entered into the 64820 then the address on the 6021 of 80f which has the same address entered will start to flash until another channel is entered or address on the 64820.

Works rather nice, you just don't get the display of what channel is currently being used on the remote.

Hi everyone,
Thanks again for your replies; and really appreciate the welcoming message from steventrain. I have been a fan of Marklin and model railways since I was a kid. My collection includes some very old Marklin models bought in the 60s/70s, all of which has been updated to Digital operation. This is one of many things that makes MArklin so special, the fact that even models that are over 30 years old can be updated. In fact, I have a steam loco that I bought as a teenager in the 70s and which a few years ago, had one of its internal gear cogs wear out. I was really disappointed, thinking that it cannot be repaired. But the then distributor kindly sourced a spare from MArklin for me free of charge, which really was outstanding service after so many years. So it was a little bit disappointing that my 6070 cannot be repaired, though understandable in this age of electronics components, ICs & processors etc. Thinking about it, its probably the first Marklin product of mine over all these years that have stopped working and cannot be repaired.
Maxi, thanks for your advise. From your description, it looks like the Uhlenbrock 64820 functions exactly like a 6070; its just that it does not have a display and I guess you just need to remember what address you entered via the 64820.
Can I just clarify that by your comment that 64820 has 4 channels to choose from just like the 6070/6071 design is that one 64820 unit can work with 4 64820 remote control units? If so, this is indeed like the 6070 as one 6070 can work with 4 6071 Infra-red hand held units. I suppose this means you can buy more 64820 hand held units to work with one base unit?
Thanks again and its great to join this forum.

Yes 4 remotes can be used with this unit. I would assume though that two or more remotes can not be used at the same time since the IR information will get mixed, just like the 6070/6071 design. Transmitting of signals is quick though.

With the 6070/6071 design the only display is directly on the 6070 unit and if you were not in direct sight then you can't see what the valu is either. But a display is always nice.