Hi everyone. I'm debating whether or not to buy 60215 or an iPhone 4 S. I still haven't made any decisions yet.

Here's my thinking.

60215: Awesome control unit for my layout. If bought, I'd buy an Apple Extreme/ Apple Express router to plug into the CS2, making it Wi-Fi capable for the Mobile Station App. However, I'd only use the CS2 when I control my layout, which is not that often these days. Plus, it has minimal benefits over my current 60212.

Apple iPhone 4 S: A slick smart phone. Would be more versatile for me. Right now I have a Motorola Krzr (yes, I'm old school that way) and an Apple 4th generation iPod Touch 64 GB model. The iPhone would make me have just one place to store everything, which is why it'd be more versatile for me. The main con is the monthly plan: I'm talking with my friends who have iPhones and looking at official costs to see which plan is right for me. Hopefully I'd like to find the cheapest plan that would get the benefits that I want. Oh, and I forgot to mention: I'd pay for the plan myself. My parents aren't helping me out with any of it.

Also in the wish list are a Nintendo 3DS, Blu-Rays, App and iTunes Store items, Bose speakers, and of course Märklin engines.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

Tadzio.

You can use a cheap wireless router instead of the Apple stuff....

If it was me I would go for the i phone I would not waste any money on a controller that only works as it should some times. If the 60212 is doing the job you want it to do then stay with it. Go an enjoy the APPLE product. They do go wrong but you do get a first class service from them.

Charles.

Edited by user 07 November 2011 23:20:41(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

As a new owner of an iPhone 4 (bought in Paris during our holiday in August), I must say that it is a very poor quality phone.. This is not helped by the fact that I can only hear a phone on my left ear - no problem with the Nokias, but it seems that the iPhone aerial is on the left side and holding the phone there results in the loss of at least half of the available reception! Of course this is supposed to the fixed in the iPhone 4S, but Apple do not consider it a problem in iPhone 4 that needs to be fixed by them..

My recent experience with the IOS 5 upgrade demonstrated that the iTunes backups do not work (or at the very best they can't be trusted) and there is no way to recover your data in the event of (say) a corrupt IOS install.. It is true that you do not lose the apps or music that you purchased, but if you have hammered away at Angry Birds over six months to get the to second top level then you start at the bottom when the app is recovered..

When I sync the iPhone in my car, it only displays the contacts in surname order.. Nokia had no problem displaying the names in the firstname then surname order!

It is a large phone.. Great if you have a handbag, but very uncomfortable if you carry it in your pockect.. So your only alternative is to hold it in your hand..

The iPod cost $200 (8Gb) and the Iphone 4 (43 Gb) cost $1000 - there is not $800 worth of phone in that box.. I like the iPod Touch, but the iPhone 4 is junk..

I am going back to a Nokia!

Couldn't put it any better than that.

As we used to say in the old days.....right on!

1. While I agree that most Nokias have good build and overall good quality (I used to be a dedicated Nokia user myself before the smartphone era) Nokia really has nothing that can compete with Apple or Android devices today. The antennagate issue is a big failure on Apples part, I agree. A design flaw like that just should not pass quality and beta tests. However, it is not a big issue for me and many other iPhone users and having tested different handsets for over 6 years I can't say that the antenna gate issue is that big of a deal. Many other handsets have other flaws that, if you are totally honest, can match up to these. Also, during the 13 months I've had my iPhone 4 I have had 2 dropped calls. At&t (or the operator) is also part of the problem when it comes to the anntennagate problem.

2. iOS 5 does have it's flaws at the moment but Apple is working on this. Every company can make flawed software now and then and when new features are introduced things can always go wrong. No matter how much time the software has spent in testing and beta stage, it is always hard to foresee some issues that may arouse when it is released to the public. I am pretty confident that the iOS 5 and iTunes issues will be fixed in a matter of weeks. Backing up the iPhone to iCould is free and can be done and has worked for me so far. No need to involve iTunes anymore.

3. You can change how contacts are sorted and displayed. Go to Settings->Mail, Contacts, Calendar->Contacts. Select how you want the contacts sorted, and how you want them displayed. Any combination is possible.

4. Compared to other touchscreen smartphones the iPhone with it's 3.5'' display is not that big. There are touchscreen smartphones on the market with 2.8'' displays too, but try using on of them with the on screen keyboard. A small screen in this way really does cripple a phone (unless you have very small fingers). Usually the screens of the smaller smartphones have very low resolution too, adding up to an ever worse user experience.

5 iPhone is not for all, but perhaps you should compare it with other android or windows phone 7 smartphones and re evaluate your iPhone. It really is a great phone (even though iOS 5 is the worst POS Apple has released in years in it's current form).

6. Yes, I speak highly of iOS devices and I might seem a but "fanboyish" but compared to android (yes I have had a couple of android phones for development purposes so I know what I am talking about) iOS gives a great user experience (jailbroken or not) but my opinion is that it really does work alot better than the unfinished and bloated android operating system that people like because it is "free, open and bug free", the two latter being common misconceptions.

I could literally write an essay on the pros, cons and differences of the mobile operating systems that are around today. All have pros and cons and I am neutral, even though it may not seem like it.

Finally, sorry Tadzio for going off topic. If you feel that this post really should not be here, let me know and I will edit it away. .
Adrian, I do not mean to offend you in any way in my post, I hope you see/understand that. .
All, no offence or anything intended, just my 5 cents.

/Oliver

That is exactly correct, I have an android samsung galaxy and I recently bought a simple thai made calling phone, and i am so happy with it...If you are a train man, save your money for train items, like a new loco or a new controller. I have the marklin 60214 and I am very pleased with it.I just can't be bothered with all these apps and gadgets that new phones seem to have...Nowadays it is becoming difficult to just get a simple calling phone...And besides, a loco or a controller, if kept well, doesn't get old or depreciate like a flashy phone does...In fact, mobile phones have a very fast depreciation rate....IMHO, if you feel the need for a new controller, get the 60215. The phone can wait and when you have the bugdet there would be an even better phone in the market....

Here you can find the last upgrade for CS1 by Maerklin
http://www.3rotaie.it/3r_Documenti/Tips.htm
go to the bottom of the page "File aggiornamento CS1 v. 2.0.4" and click "scarica" to save it on your PC
Then connect your CS1 to your PC through an Ethernet connections (remember the "cross" cable if you connect directly; otherwise use a normal cable if connected via a router)
If you are looking for a wider range of controls and a larger display, why not testing RocRail (http://wiki.rocrail.net/doku.php)on your PC (connected to CS1 on an Ethernet connection) ?
Eugenio

Hi Dave - my simple i-mobile thai made mobile phone can receive tv!! 5 or so channels in colour...Reception isn't that great but it depends where you are...

Buy the 60215 every time, forget the Iphone.

If you are not happy I will swap you my Iphone for a new 60215

Ian. As an M track user how can you have a phone to run the railway !!!!!!!!!!!!
Banana wagons do not have phones fitted (at least I dont think so)

dave

Hi Ian. M track users are true Marklin folk and could not consider using a phone to run their railway.
However as a banana expert you have the responsibilty to ensure all banana wagons reach their destination on time and thus a phone may be useful.

Nev. Must agree that a phone is for phone calls. Who knows next they will be using a Nintentdo Wii.

dave

and maybe they could build a phone into the loco sound cards to justify the 25% premium in cost?
Then we could drive trains, make calls and aurally shovel coal over telemarketers.
Srsly.

I got the 4S32Gb. But I only have a Mobile Station, so I don't think that works with the app.
It still makes phone calls and is an excellent MP3 player. Now I just need to get the 'shovel coal' sound as my ringtone.

_dog

Hello,

if you need the mobile phone for working, than I cannot recomend the I phone 4. This is a not so smartphone and is missing a lot of basic functions witch every mobile phone has at least since 10 years and the battery performance is the poorest I have ever experienced since years. My employer has given that toy phone to all us workers and no one is happy with it.
So the money would be better spent in a 60215.

If you just need a coloured mobile phone to play with it and have a lot of nice icons on it, than maybe you can choose to buy the I-phone 4.

I would still prefer the 60215. The I phone 4 is the worst mobile phone I experienced in the last years. It is only a trendy toy amd a big waste of money

rgds

Stephan

Hi everyone. Thanks for your comments. I just want to update you guys with some information.

I have asked my parents for an iPhone 4S, and they have said yes. We'll go to the Apple Store sometime this week and buy it, set it up and everything. Then, we'll put it under the Christmas tree and I'll open it up on Christmas Eve most likely (Since I'm half Polish we get to open up one present on Christmas Eve, and then open the rest on Christmas day (my American side)).

However, I'm asking on here in two other threads about 39020/39021/39022. That's a model that's been attracting my attention for some time now. If I find a good deal before the middle of this week then I'll ask my parents about it.

Cheers!

Tadzio.

Well done Webby. 60215 is the way to go. Keep it away from mobile phones etc and it will work without problems.

Enjoy.

dave

Hi everyone. Thanks for replying.

Please see the new topic I started regarding my decision.

Cheers!

Tadzio.