Yes, I think one or two people have had these problems with early versions of the 60213. I know Luis had his go up in smoke, maybe one or two others as well.

Edited by user 13 January 2010 22:40:17(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

As I mentioned in another thread, mine went back last week for touch screen problems.

Roger

Dear Hemmerick, I am very happy for those who have had no problems with their CS2, and can enjoy its wonderful features, but each time mine has needed repair, the turn round time for me to get it back is three months & it costs me NZ$24.00 freight to send it to my dealer. I start to suffer with-drawl symptoms if I cant play trains & I am considering going back to a CS1. Regards Russell

One could also ask how many Martians there are on Mars. But that would not be relevant to the question put by Russell, neither does it offer him any help, as is also the case with your statement.

Russell's question was how many have had faults with their CS2?

Edited by user 11 January 2010 18:00:50(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Despite having said I love my CS2 and have had no problems it does bother me that others are having problems. These faults do Marklin no good and a three month turn round plus costs is poor service.
I agree with Lutz though that it should be the dealer that is responsible to put things right and supply a new CS2.

dave

Good idea Tom. How do we do this.

Hear hear

Same goes for me.

But perhaps I am pushing my luck with this statement (knock wood)

Touch wood I haven't had any serious problems with my CS2. I've had some minor software problems that got fixed when I performed upgrades.

I am not yet on CS 2, primarely because my operating lay-out is still quite some time away (possibly one year) and all my stuff is in boxes. Bought a CS 1 probably only months before the CS 2 came out.

I will probably get the CS 2 in conjunction with a starter set (I did it with the CS 1). Hopefully this year we will see a swiss starter set with it. I can use everything in there except the R1 curves but can sell them on e-bay.

BTW.. I see now 60214. Are there advantages vs. 60213?

Yep! My train room had a electroburnt stench for 2 days...

Hi!

Are you sure about SX? They don't mention it in the product database (CS 1 reloaded supports SX).

Ok, slightly OT but since the other tech thread on the CS2 was castrated and seems dormant I'll ask here.

What is the theory or intent to limiting the CS2 to only 2.4A? Why 4.0A for the Ecos? Since I'm at the building stage and have not yet purchased a CS I'm curious. I understand that running a smaller layout with 3 - 4 trains is not a burden for the CS2, but what about a 400cm x 250cm layout with 7-8 trains, 40 turnouts, uncoupler tracks, S88, digital turntable, digital transfer table, digital gantry crane, etc?

Then the 60173 booster is out there with 3.0A output?

I really hate the thought that the 2011 new items will have the 60215 with 4.0A.

Is the Railcom bit simply just a software update?

Please no flame war or arguing who is "better"


Regards,

Thomas

Thomas, Monster mentioned in his layout thread a few months ago that he borrowed a CS1 Reloaded (4 amp output) which he said was able to power his massive layout all on its own without the need for any additional boosters.

I would therefore say that the Ecos would be more than satisfactory for your layout. The CS1 when upgraded with the ESU update to v3.0 becomes the same as the Ecos (except for the absence of the Railcom hardware, as Tom explains).

Dave,

Thanks for the memory jog. I'm leaning towards the CS2 despite the cost with a separate power supply and the mfx capable booster 60173. However having been able to test out TouchCab with an Ecos at Euro East 2010, I'm torn.


Regards,


Thomas

Thomas, the Ecos and CS1 were engineered for a 4 amp output, but in the case of the CS1, the output was limited by software to [edit] 2.8 amps. The ESU v3.0 upgrade removes the artificial limit and allows the full 4 amp output.

If you plan on staying with Marklin controllers and locos, then the CS2 may be the best for you. If you plan on using DCC items, or need wireless remote controllers, and other gadgets, then the Ecos may be more suitable.

The CS2 does have some DCC compatibility, but if you are seriously are thinking of getting into that, then the Ecos may have more capabilities in that area.

In spite of Flash Dave's reservations I am quite sure that ESU will continue to update the Ecos for some time yet.

Edited by user 15 February 2010 05:33:04(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Dave: I totally agree with your point of view, I've had the same thoughts for quite a while...!

Dave,

Since all I have is Marklin it is easy to stay with the CS2. Fortunately I don't have a room full of older digital control, so I can jump right in. I do have a couple of older loks with ESU decoders but with MFX / M4 I don't forsee a problem. The DCC intrigues me with something like Monsters layout with the mine and the small rail he has for that. I could see running DCC for a small Bemo HOm setup that runs down to a branch line. Is that correct on my part? Not having to get a separate DCC control for a little HOm add on to the Marklin HO layout is nice.

Really the only thing in the mix is the 600 euro price of admission for the 60214. If I can buy a well priced used EcOS maybe try that initially. For now I'll read and learn.

Regards,

Thomas

I don't think we really have to worry about future compatibility for a while.

MRR digital technology only just achieved a level of market maturity in the past few years IMO...
The way I see it, it's like a world of Airbus vs Boeing - it will get more and more expensive (and riskier) to develop the next big thing to the point where smaller player would probably got squeezed out - or even the bigger player stood to fail.

In other words, MFX and DCC are both safe choice in the market - and in a shrinking market of MRR, right now manufacturers would tend to want to continue to play it safe.

The next big thing in technology, if ever, would be a digital system where the controller can automatically auto-detect shape of the layout; and then locate the exact location of a digital locomotive anywhere in the layout, without detection points. Digital decoder would probably be built with anti-collision systems that stopped the train if they are within say 20 cm of another train; allowing even more fragile models to be ran..

By that time, it was going to be time for an entirely new generation of controller anyway that the current CS or ECoS would be considered obsolete.

That would be the only breakthrough that I could think of.

In any case, Marklin opening up DCC on CS1 and CS2; or vice versa MFX on ECoS can only be a positive thing, and a sign that they are moving away from that "close loop" mentality in the earlier part of the decade.

An independent manufacturer like ESU would have much more to lose without ensuring continued compatibility and support of MFX. Without which, they have nothing to hold on to their market share within Marklin digital market.

I wouldn't say that.
Different approach, yes probably.
Depending also which period of Marklin, which range.

( painting interior details is for me a pleasure, I believe many modelers like to do it. They just need a scheme with pattern. Marklin should take advantage of " easy to open models" to create a new range with manual of instructions about how to paint interior details if you want. So they could still sell coaches at interesting prices)
Sorry to be out of topic...again !!!

Edited by user 15 February 2010 18:44:51(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified