Is a time to upgrade my system ( from 6021 to mobile station to ????)
so I am thinking about Esu Command Station 50200

Read below ...and tell me about



The text below is from LokShop ( http://shop.lokshop.de/p...g7cnj60s96ttap2dv9p07fap )

ESU presents to you the second generation of our successful ECoS command station. With the release of the new ECoS, ESU continues to offer state-of-the-art digital technology combined with contemporary functional range and easy handling; all this for a fair price-performance ratio. The most important change regarding the new ECoS command station will immediately catch your eye: the large display now shows all its information in color. The clearness of the display has been improved by a transfigured operator interface and considerably higher contrast values. The number and the arrangement of the function keys has been examined very carefully and subsequently revised: the new ECoS has 9 function keys per integrated cab. The light-, and function keys 1 to 8 show the current state of the function via LEDs.

Apart from that, the new ECoS has all the positive features of its forerunner. It is understood, that both devices will be continuously developed in parallel and thus be identical in their functional range. Therefore ESU guarantees all owners of an ECoS command station a fully protected investment: all kinds of accessories will be usable for all ECoS generations. Discover the fascinating possibilities of the ECoS command station on the following pages. But take heed: ECoS performance is so good, that even we had to re-read a few passages to believe it!

ECoS Features
With an ECoS command station you acquire an open system. As is expected of ESU, from the beginning we wanted to be open to, and compatible with, present systems and norms. Just like our decoders, the ECoS is a real multi-protocol command station. As a multi-protocol command station, ECoS supports DCC, Märklin® Motorola®, Selectrix® and - which is new since 2009 - the M4 data protocol. M4 drives and controls locomotives equipped with mfx® decoders without any restrictions. M4 is completely compatible. You can even continue to use almost all of your present loco decoders.

With an ECoS you can run locos: via two integrated cabs with large, easy-grasp motor driven throttle knobs and nine precise click-function keys you control your locos. In combination with the touch screen, you can control up to 20 functions per engine.

ECoS controls turnouts and magnetic articles: a large, graphical track plan provides you access for up to 1420 turnouts (DCC or Motorola® protocol).

With ECoS you can plan and control routes: simply put turnouts and magnetic accessories graphically in groups and switch them together. Routes will be activated either by feedback contacts or by key. You can even use s88 occupancy detectors or ECoSDetector feedback modules.

With ECoS you can operate shuttle trains very easily: put a rail contact at both ends of the track and ECoS will do the rest. The ECoS built-in booster has so much power that, in most cases, you dont need additional ones. ECoS supports EcoSlink, a high-speed bus system, based on CAN, that transmits data instantaneously to the command station.

With ECoS, never before has it been so simple to program your decoders: the large, colored TFT screen offers good contrast and displays a lot of information in unabbreviated text. A programming track establishes contact with your decoders.

Of course, the ECoS has a pre-installed DCC RailCom® function: with its "global detector" it recognizes RailCom®-compatible decoders (e.g. our LokPilot V3.0 decoder) directly on the main track. You also have the possibility to feedback the turnout position via the SwitchPilot to the ECoS command station. ECoS is compatible. Besides Selectrix®, Märklin®-Motorola®, and M4, ECoS speaks all variants of the DCC-Norm. With the integrated analog controllers (joysticks) you can even control the whistle of LokSound decoders, never before more precisely. ECoS is expandable. Each ECoS command station sports a network port for connection with a computer. Thus you can update software or use a computer for operation.

Who needs ECoS?
ECoS is basically the central station for all. Beginners, who are looking for a simple-to-operate cab, will be at home right away: the large, graphic touch screen display shows all information in plain text; in case of doubt use the integrated help function. Never was it easier to switch to digital control. And ECoS runs DC or AC driven trains. Even model railroaders, who alredy own a digital command station, should step up to ECoS: next to the extreme simple inputs, and the possibilities for route-and shuttle train programming, you will learn to appreciate the manifold programming features for decoders. You can connect your present equipment to the input of EcoSniffer, and continue to use it: you dont need to discard anything that you want to keep using! Due to its enormous output-performance, the ECoS command station is recommended especially for operators of Gauge 1 or G layouts: at last you can run multiple trains without an external booster. Total interplay with our LokSound XL V3.5 decoders is matter of fact.

More information at
http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/catalogues/

Give me a break ...!

.... offer state-of-the-art digital technology ...

.... fair price-performance ratio....

.... It is understood, ....

.... that even we had to re-read a few passages to believe it!

.... and compatible with ... norms....

.... almost all ....

.... simply ....

.... instantaneously ...

.... never before has it been so simple to program your decoders ....

.... Of course, ....

.... Who needs ECoS?


Talk about a turn off

I guess the marketing talk inspired you as much as me

My answer would have to be, look at what your real needs are on the layout, ie what you are trying to achieve, and then select a controller that best suits those requirements.

There is no point in buying an ECOS or a CS2 if all you want is some extended functions on the loco's. A MS2 might be sufficient.

Cheers....

Mike.

You miss the important point: it's not a transformer, it's a stabilized power supply.

What are you writing about...???
Transformer or stabilized power supply,it doesn´t matter!
Marklin don´t have it,when you ARE SHOPPING an CS!
With Ecos,you do it!
It follows with in the box.

Nice to hear about it...!
I see forward to see testresults first,before to perhaps buy one Ecos 50200.

Then in case...why don´t Marklin do it in the same way???

Strange. I belive it is a "Switch mode power supply"

Link: http://www.esu.eu/index....f6b0965d49e6cf89c3ead303

Per.

Yes...but if you shall have switch mode by control power supply,transformer must been galvanized inside!
ZIMO has galvanized transformer,just because theirs digitalsystem has controlled power supply out to the track too.
ZIMO digitalsystem are galvanized,just like Ecos too!!!

I ordered my ECoS 2 from Hamburg today.

Prices in this shop tell me also what you get for your money:

Mä CS 2: 750 euro (power supply 3 A not included)

Esu ECoS 2: 600 euro (with power supply 5 A)

Actually, Ecos is not available . Not yet .
Description has been made several months ago...on paper ( flyer/catalogue/commercial) and internet only.
Since last July , the delivery has been postponed many times

Thanks for the information Tom. I look forward to hearing first hand reviews.

I think this quote hits the mark with what Goofy was trying to say earlier in the thread. Marklin CS2 is great and all but is does cost more and then you need to add a sufficient power supply (transformer ). I am sure that Esu has this planned to make their unit seem more attractive. Works for me.

Darren

Thanks Tom

I did translated the German text using Google (it is not very good though) and could not quite understand the bit about the users manual.

Will you please help with the interpretation of the German text regarding the user manual?

Regards

Has this to do about motorized control knobs...???

I believe that there is a team in Melbourne, Australia working on translating the manuals.



Nev

TO English which is different to American English which is different to all other English Dialects

NNNN

The CS2 will out sell any ECOS and I expect that Marklin will keep the CS2 up to date with all their locos etc.
If it is just cash then ECOS is cheaper but their past efforts with the MS1 and no boosters etc for the CS1 was poor but they will try their best to compete with Marklin and I expect will always be cheaper but they dont make your models and if Marklin could cut them out using their system I expect they would.
Ti save cash then I would buy ECOS but as a Marklin user I would. buy the CS2.
Basically I dont need ESU for anything but I sure do need Marklin to survive.

Dave (free advert for M now over lol)

If the CS2 had Railcom and more amps and a transformer included, it would make this an easy decision, I really like the CS2 interface. But am waiting to see the ECos 50200 in action. I was told that the first ECoS 50200 wont make it to the states till mid summer, so that give me time to hear some reviews.

excuse me, what is stabilized power supply for ? As all my digital commands and many other digital commands work without stabilized supply, is it useful ?
thank you

A stabilized power supply, sometimes known as a regulated power supply, is an embedded circuit, or stand alone unit, the function of which is to supply a stable voltage (or less often current), to a circuit or device that must be operated within certain power supply limits. The output from the stabilized power supply may be alternating or unidirectional, but is nearly always DC (Direct Current).

The type of stabilization used may be restricted to ensuring that the output remains within certain limits under various load conditions, or it may also include compensation for variations in its own supply source. The latter is much more common today.

A switched-mode power supply (SMPS) works on a different principle. AC mains input is directly rectified without the use of a transformer, to obtain a DC voltage. This voltage is then sliced into small pieces by a high-speed electronic switch. The size of these slices grows larger as power output requirements increase.

The input power slicing occurs at a very high speed (typically 10 kHz — 1 MHz). High frequency and high voltages in this first stage permit much smaller step down transformers than are in a linear power supply. After the transformer secondary, the AC is again rectified to DC. To keep output voltage constant, the power supply needs a sophisticated feedback controller to monitor current draw by the load.

It sure is useful - but some (older) devices require AC.
See also here:
https://www.marklin-user...aspx?g=posts&t=15280

Thanks Tom!!

Best Regards
DRG

In Germany it's still week 4. Week 5 starts on Monday (March 1).

Yes, so the delivery started end of week 4 ---

Torsten Kühn oder Kuehn is producing loc decoders, nice locos scale N and other electric devices.

I bought som T145 and N025 decoders a while ago. Working well and a good price.
I met mr. Kühn some times (Dortmund, Köln).

I bought a lot for modell railway colleges in Norway.

Now, some people wait for decoders N45 and T65 to come.

Link Kuehn