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Edited by user 20 November 2010 01:41:07(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Mobile Station II Picture:




RMW

That's what happens if you click on the link (Märklin prevents deep linking).

With Copy & Paste it worked for me.

Hi Goofy,

Do not click on the link, this wont work (>>> MÄRKLIN SIGN)
"Cut and Paste the link into your browsers adresse-line og press "Enter" and you will get the userguide for Mobilestation 2."


RMW

Edited by user 08 January 2010 20:44:58(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

In short, read before you respond.... Sighhh...

3 persons said at the same time something like "copy" and "paste" (to Goofy).


RMW

I wonder if you will be able to use a MS as a second controller with your MS2. Is the plug on the end of the MS2 different than the MS? Will it work with the 24088 ugly box? So many questions and such a long wait for answers.

Cheers...
Darren

I saw that as well. I also saw that it connects with the 60125 box so I am hoping it has similar pinout/connector as the MS1 since it also connects to the 60125. It would be nice if Marklin would make it so someone like myself could buy a MS2 connect it using my ugly box and then use my MS1 as a slave to it.

Maybe that just makes too much sense though. It would mean I don't have to buy a bunch of other cables/adapters/boxes which would cut down on profits. Hmm... but if it was simple like that I might buy a MS2 which would increase profits. Funny how that works.

Darren

Thinking out loud, I make the following observations in order to prevent people from jumping to conclusions and thus setting unrealistic expectations. Hopefully history can teach us something ;-)

<u>Terminology</u>
Ref: the link in the header of this thread.
There is no actual reference to "Mobile Station 2" per-se. Maerklin continue to use a naming system that references the "product positioning" and not the technical differences.
It took a long time for references to 60213 on the Maerklin web site to change from simple and generic "Central Station" to "Central Station 2".
I would not be surprised if this mentality continues with this new product.

Sort of like talking about a VM Beetle without specifying 1938 or 2000

Not withstanding the use of the term MS2 in user forums like this one and a (sort of) precedent being set with the use of MS1 within the CS2 menus, it is important that future communication be specific about the unit being discussed.

<u>Marketing/Product Naming</u>
It is important that we do not get blinkered and focused on believing a single product name can mean only one possible "set of bits" with equal capabilities

As an example what we call "Mobile Station" (MS1) did not have a separate (orderable) product number. It was only available with Starter Sets, but even then the same name was used to encompass a 1.2VA variant and a 1.9VA variant.
Then came the separate (orderable) 60652 Product. Sure this came with a "1.9VA variant" of the "Mobile Station" but it also came with a stand "60659" and "slave" adapter cable (originally not available separately , and then as a part only (610479) , and finally as catalog item (60124) ).

What I am saying is - if someone wanted to sell me a "Maerklin 60652" They had better be talking about the Bundle and not simply the item with the red knob from a starter set that just happens to have the number 60652 stamped on the back.

<u>Prototype, Announce, GA (General availability</u>
The Reports that this new product has been "seen", and even "demonstrated" at various shows is simply a proof of concept and a working prototype. There is no implication that the same product will ever get to market , and if it does - when, and in what form.

Here I emphasize that the original announce of a "next generation mobile station" at the beginning of this year was ....
a) Only ever in starter sets (the 60653 name was only a guess and a wished for separate item)
b) The original GA dates where canceled/postponed indefinitely
c) Originally advertised as "1.9 A power unit in the Track-box (no longer) in the Mobile Station." but there were no details on this "Track-box". In fact I would go as far as to say the marketing pictures of the starter sets without any pictures of this track-box were misleading advertising.

Like previous starter set. If you bought more than one you end up with both a transformer and a track adapter that you can only use one of (At least with the 24088 it could be used as a piece of standard track.)

<u>Nuts and Bolts</u>
I am guessing but think that the 60653 - if ever available as such - will be akin to the 60652 in that it refers to a product "bundle" that is different from that available in the starter set. The manual makes no reference to a stand - but neither did the manual that came with the 60652.

Of note:
The following is also required for operation:
• 60113 Track Box for H0/N or 60112 Track Box for 1 Gauge
• A transformer or power pack
or
• Connections to a 60213 or 60214 Central Station
• Connections to a 60125 Terminal by means of a 610 479 adapter cable


What I do not understand is why the connector plug is not reduced to 7-pin. The 10 pin option was only needed because the MS1 needed the extra wires to send power to the track. As this is now done by the "Track-Box" (or CS2) we could have had a simpler solution while at the same time stopping people with MS1s plugging them in. Which WILL happen.
It would also have removed the confusion of employing the 10&lt;&gt;7 pin adapter cable.

Why the use of the 610479 part number rather than the more product aligned 60124. seems to be an indication that the manual was written a while ago and hasn't been refreshed

There is conflict with ...
"Locomotive list for 10 active locomotives (direct selection) + 1 locomotive from a locomotive card"
<u>and</u>
"Insert the locomotive card; the locomotive is immediately ready for use. The next free memory space is used as long as no memory space in the locomotive list has been selected."
<u>and</u> (from dealer presentations earlier in the year)
"2 x Mobile Stations "independent" connected to Track-box, i.e. Thus 2 x 10 locomotives controllable"
So is it 10,11,20 or even 21/22

Accessory protocol appears to be global, either MM or DCC but not mixed
Nor for more than 16 locomotive functions.

No reference to setup of "dual address" decoders

No reference to code or database updates

Manual does not actually explain how to change Locomotive selection, although I am encouraged by "Shift+Control knob for fast locomotive selection" (I expect to be disappointed)

Conclusion:
Manual is draft/preliminary - it is "good" for what it shows, but is missing much and still implies a product needing refinement.

I would like to know
- if buttons are tactile and/or beeper , for positive feedback.
- Full Menu tree
- Length of cable
- Booster connection capability
- How 2 MS2s connected to the same "Track-Box" interoperate
- Why they "Photo-shopped" the picture of the Hand with the Loco-Card
- If "Shift" key is lazy

Oh well, if the item ever gets officially announced and gets to market we may find the answers.
But its good to second guess and hope.

John,

I tested this unit; it is nice and works ok

You might give it a try

Cem.

I still think that TouchCab on an iPod Touch beats this tired idea... You can listen to your music while you control the loco and there is not a limit of 10 locos on the handset, which is the case with the MS (and probably the MS2)..

Hi!

10 locos from database plus 1 loco from loco card per each MS2, allowing 20+2 if using 2 MS2.

10-pin plug vs. 7-pin plug: CS2 has the 10-pin sockets for the old MS.
If MS2 had a new plug, it would require a new adapter to connect it to the old sockets.

Using 7-pin plugs sounds good - if CS2 had 7-pin sockets.
CS1 has 7-pin sockets.

A very clever answer that did not answer the question.
"The Length of the Cable" and we can insert a word there that is missing "SUPPLIED".
SO Lutz can you for once give a straight answer.
How long is the supplied cable.??

Still asking?

Cem.

Lutz and me was already testing this unit on 4. december on the Märklin info day at Schweickhardt in Waiblingen
Only dam that I forgot my info day wagon [:I]

Yes Steven, that's the one

Want a photo of a working MS-2
Here it is : http://home.online.no/~pa-pauls/nyheteretc.cfm

Yes, it is a nice thing .


RMW

Edited by user 08 January 2010 20:45:36(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi,



thats really a rumour. I've only seen devices with cables.

regards
Jörg

Hi Lutz,

I have been unable to find a manual for the 60112/60113 <Track Box>.
Does one exist ?

As this is the Booster/PowerPlant for the MS2 I am interested in its power output rating.
And if the value is different for 60112 v 60113

Referring to the 2009 (postponed) starter sets. There were options with 18VA and 60VA Transformers.
While I am hopeful that the 18VA sets can update to a more powerful transformer, what is the track-box actually able to deliver to the track.

Is there an option to use a 60173 <mFX Booster> without needing to immediately go to a CS2 ?

According to the manual it can control accessories like k83 and k84 decoders and also DCC solenoid decoders.
So everything that can be controlled via k83 or k84 should work with a MS2.

Thanks for the link.

I agree with all is said in your post ( I just try to save the useful space offered by our webmaster...)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and bringing the piece of realism & pragmatism we need on this forum.

You also said "it's good to second guess and hope", I agree as well : it's a part of the game !
Just let me remind what they have done already with the MS Trix: the booster also was in the separate connecting box. With 2 MS TRIX we could manage 2 different lists of Loks. About updates of firmware: it was possible to make it in plugging the MS with the most recent firmware together with the "old" one into the connecting box .It was interesting for beginners without PC interface ( just go to a shop or a fair , or ask some friends...)
May be it will be the same with Marklin MS 2 ? But there were not any TRIX CS . So if necessary I guess it will be done through the CS2.
Specially if they want it "a not expensive item" I'm not expecting any/many updating in the future...may be one or two ?
wait & see...
Something I didn't understand : will the MS be multistandard DCC/MM2/MFX for Loks and accessories, or am I missing something ?

I´m now dissapointed that the file is still damage!!!
What exactly did it happens like this...???
I´m using computer at work and we have copywriter.
Is there something i did wrong or did somebody placement an virus in this file...???

The link works perfectly here in Belgium as well ??

Me don´t like Marklin´s MS2 anymore time...!!!
After i did read about MS2,i did found out that you can upgrade MS2 but you must have CS2 by doing this!!!
Sayanora!!!