Hi Dave,all,
They are referring to the layout.

Dr D

Hi Dave,all,

>So, I can connect my 6021 to the SnlnB and SnlnB ports on the 50200, but don't connect the 6021 to the tracks. Makes sense.<

Should and that should be the point is using existing equipment with newer components.Many digital experts on this forum will(hopefully) chime in!

>Sometimes the meaning gets lost in the translation, like this quote from page 12:
"During programming the insulating gaps may not be bridged (boogies, coaches with interior lighting, etc)."<

I *think* this means programming a lok or even another decoder(lighting) ,I tink,...

Dr D

That seems to be the common thread, lots of interesting discussions on this site, just search on the text 60215 and 50200. The slightly lower price of the 50200 was the deciding factor for me.

Chris,
From what I've read of the features, I think you're right. My only concern was that it's been on the market for a couple of years, and I didn't want to make the investment and then have a new model replace it a few months later.

Oh well, I guess you have to jump in and buy at some point...maybe my procrastination explains why I still have an iPhone 3G, I keep waiting for the iPhone 5 to come out

I understand what you are saying about wanting the latest and greatest but I would look at it the other way, the product has been out for a couple years so if it had any major bugs or flaws you would have known about it know. So when you buy the Ecos 2 you know you are getting a reliable, market tested product. With electronics these days I think I would prefer that reassurance over possible new technology when it comes to my controller.

Also, ESU has been really good with updates and from what I have seen of my Ecos 2 it seems very expandable with both older and new technology and components. So you know I am running the Ecos 2, no additional transformer is being used (plenty of power for a bedroom size layout with 18 engines on it), I have my Ms1 connected and I have several ESU SwitchPilots that I use to control my turnouts.

Again, I have nothing bad to say at all about the Markin CS 2, my past controller was a 6021 and I loved that. My big motivation for going with the Ecos 2 was reputation, price, availability, known bugs or lack thereof, and the fact that a transformer was part of the package.

If you want I would be happy to share with you where I purchased it, it is a US vendor and the service is great and price was the cheapest on the internet. PM if you would like that info.

And if you have any other questions about it let me know.

Chris

Boogies bridging sounds like an even bigger problem. I can only imagine how many typos I have made on here while posting.

Got the package from ajckids.com yesterday. I spent about 4 hours getting the basic functionality setup, and I have to say I am very impressed. Way more features than I expected, very easy to configure and run.

The only problem I had was with setting the protocol. The manual said that it used the Motorola protocol by default, but mine actually sets it to DCC28 by default. Once I figured that out it was very easy to add new locomotives.

My glass train has an MFX decoder, so it automatically added it a few seconds after putting it on the track.

I downloaded TouchCab and had that running trains in about 10 minutes. Very easy to use and good performance considering I just have an iPhone 3G.

I ordered some turnout mechanisms, so those are the next items to install. I also got a Viessmann 5233 feedback decoder, so hopefully that will work to setup some routes.

Needless to say I'm very pleased so far!

Hi,

My deciding factor (and it took many years) was the plug in features of my old Märklin system and I already had ESU decoders/sound.

I wouldn't go as far the ECoS had no bugs, there are constant updates and sometimes I think with these updates other abnormalities appear.

here are some information on the latest update version of the ECoS

Release Notes for Software 3.5.0 for ECoS 50200 / ECoS 50000 / Central Station Reloaded
=======================================================================================

routes and feedback system:
- BUGFIX: feedbacksystem sometimes did trigger other routes. Leading to performance problems and lockings
- BUGFIX: When XML-export of routes in the webserver, resulting file did not open in openoffice
- BUGFIX: Display error of routes without feedback module in webserver
- BUGFIX: Removed bugs when editing routes leading to crash of ECoS
- BUGFIX: Wrong display of route status, if dummy-item was switched
- ADD: Routes can be grouped and disabled by group. This is persistent
- ADD: You can now select the trigger (rising or falling edge) when a route will be switched
- ADD: "Debouncing" of routes: Routes that are already set will not be re-set
- ADD: You can now define up to eight conditions that must be true before routes are triggered
- ADD: You can now define a delay before the first item of a route is switched.
- ADD: Editing of routes now is faster (GUI)
- ADD: To edit a route, the power on the main track MUST be on. Otherwise, editing is disabled.
- ADD: When editing routes, the automatic triggering of routes is temporarily disabled

Misc:
- BUGFIX: No more crash when editing an accessory that is accessed via PC interface at the same time
- BUGFIX: Sometimes, ECoS crashed when editing an ECoSDetector
- BUGFIX: Fixed a bug in the ECoSDetector Edit menu
- BUGFIX: When editing consists (multiple units), sometimes the wrong locomotive icon was shown
- BUGFIX: When Powermonitor was on and you entered the ECoSDetector Edit menu, the Powermonitor did not close
- BUGFIX: Turntable control using a LokPilot DCC did not support long addresses
- BUGFIX: Turntable control now limits the addresses correctly
- BUGFIX: Turntable control sometimes crashed when turning the turntable
- BUGFIX: Sometimes, ECoS crashed when deleting a turntable
- ADD: Remembers the Multi cab display even on restart
- ADD: If possible, select last item in scroll boxes
- ADD: Selected item in dropdown-menus is centered in the screen
- ADD: Added option in the setup menu to decide if track power in "on" after startup
- ADD: Using the locomotive select button, you can also exit the locomotive menu now
- ADD: When selecting locomotives using the numeric keypad, the response time is much faster now
- ADD: ESU Navigator Basestation Firmware update 1.4. (Enabling computer interface)


Release Notes for Software 3.4.3 for ECoS 50200 / ECoS 50000 / Central Station Reloaded
=======================================================================================

Shuttle train:
- ADD: Stopover for shuttle trains. Up to 4 stopovers per each shuttle train.
Each stopover has their own delay and can also be used directional.
If no terminal stops are defined, you can also create a round trip.


Track diagram:
- ADD: When creating new elements, you can automatically select the last selected item
by using a "double tap"
- ADD: New symbol for "X"-crossings.
- BUGFIX: Sometimes, symbols dissapeared and it was not possible to put new elements on
the same place.

Locomotive control:
- ADD: Extended pickable area on the speed bar on the multi cab display
- ADD: Support for "mph" instead of "km/h".
- ADD: Changed layout for sub-divisions of speed indicator
- BUGFIX: Some problems with the motorized controllers when changing locomotives
- BUGFIX: M4 and RailComPlus symbols overlapped on monochrome displays

Switching accessories:
- ADD: New "Variant 2" for 4 aspect light signals. This symbol is to be used for
signals with double coil solenoid motor.
- BUGFIX: DCC uncouplers will work again now
- BUGFIX: advance signals work correctly now
- BUGFIX: problems when switching 3 / 4 aspect signals through ECoSniffer

Programming:
- ADD: Support for DCC Paged-Mode in the DCC-programming setup menu
- ADD: "XL" programming mode in the setup programming menus. Selecting this checkbox will
result in higher programming current and less sensitive overcurrent protection to allow
the programming of power-consuming large scale locomotives.
- ADD: Much faster reading of ESU V4.0 decoders
- ADD: New error mistake if somebody by mistake connects the programming track with the
main track
- ADD: POM-Verify also for accessories.
- ADD: When manupulating M4/mfx-Decoders, you now can disable the analogue modes
- BUGFIX: Some programming issues with Märklin mfx-Decoders (like Märklin Köf Telex)
- BUGFIX: When reading a DCC value, the read value was displayed but not used when writing again.
- BUGFIX: If you enforce the new identification of locomotives, this is done using "XL" settings now.
- BUGFIX: Edit locomotive menu sometimes did not switch back programming track to main track.
- BUGFIX: When using POM write, RailCom commands were sended even if RailCOM was disabled.
- BUGFIX: More stable detection of LokSound V4.0 decoders when reading in decoder profiles.
- BUGFIX: Correct values for Accl/Decl shown for LokPilot Basic
- BUGFIX: LokPilot micro V4.0 DCC was shown as LokSound classic

Apparently a new feature is ( I can't find the announcement), you can now access 3 addresses on your 6021 and this gives you access to 12 sound functions.

Although I haven't followed the Central stations improvements lately, I haven't heard of any major breakthrough(s) by using the 6021 or the MS1 except when I last looked at the spaghetti junctions and boxes you need to connect all your old Märklin system.

John

My tip: wait two or three weeks before you download an install a new update - if there are serious problem, the update will be replaced on their site within a fortnight.

They do beta tests before a new release, but some bugs may slip through the tests.

3.5.0 is online for two months now. You should install it if your ECoS has an older version.

Nev,


thanks for the information, have to read more of the instructions

I didn't know this, I know ther are two arrow directions you can use and also the joystick but haven't had any luck with joystick as yet.

John

John, under settings 3 Icon down then towards bottom of the list
N

I agree..

I have had an eCOS for many years now and I can't recall an update that prevented me from using the layout. Having said that - I always use the HSI-88 to read the s88s, which seems to be main source of pain on CSx and eCOSx (It was a source of pain, when I had the Intellibox and resulted in the introduction of the HSI-88 into the layout)..

Of course, HSI-88 can only be used on a computer controlled layout..

Dave,
It IS possible to stop train , say at a station which is in the route for a specified number of seconds.
However I am not sure that you can do that in the ECOS as I have not gone looking for that feature.

I am running ITRAIN and with that I can stop a train at a station/stations as part of the route. Also you can get loco sound functions to run, like whistle, shutting of doors, station announcements etc

Nev

Nev,

I found it moreless after you've mentioned it.

Now im still trying to reverse it with the sopeed knob (habbit), with the toystick I went tup and down instead of sideways.

thanks again

John

yes