Marklin CS3 versus ESU Ecos for running Marklin, what is the consensus these days.

The topic may have done before, however I think it was more in the days of the Marklin CS2 controller. The newer CS3 is now greatly used and I would be interested to know how it compares with the current Ecos for Marklin running. The CS3 has brilliant graphics now over the last CS2 and loads very quickly. I think the Ecos is the best for DCC and Marklin is MFX. Marklin has come a long way since its days with ESU combined development (ending 2004), have the two systems actually diverged.

Basically is there any preference to using an Ecos on a Marklin MFX system now, many use to use the Ecos.

David

PS I contacted a friend who sells both machines. His view is the CS3 is better technically now, however a nightmare for beginners. Also it was pointed out, Marklin are constantly updating the software for both the CS2/CS3 and MFX decoders, in sync with all, there has to be a difference.

Hi David
No, the CS3 is NOT a nightmare for beginners AND besides there are many tutorials on Youtube on how to use it.
Yes Märklin provides update (last one more than a YEAR ago). So you are not submerged with them. On the other hand, it is nice to get additional features.

You must see it as a Märklin family product. It serves,not only to drive trains but to edit and program:
- synoptic workspace
- locos (Address, Outputs mapping, inertia and much much more)
- sounds that you can edit and program your sound decoders
- automation: Events editing allow you to have track routes, block-systems, and much more
- drive remote units (boosters, other CS2, CS3, MS1 and MS2
- manage and measure the absorbed power
- let a computer, tablet, smart phone take control of your CS3 either using VNC Viewer or a train control software such as Rocrail

Notes:
- many recent Märklin locos are now MFX and editing MFX decoders is MUCH easier on a CS3 or CS2 than using the bloody CVs
- sound programming of mSD2 or mSD3 decoders is possible directly on the programming track.
Just my opinion
Cheers
Jean

You will find that those who have aCS3 like it and those who have a ESU like that. I have a CS3 Plus and find it good and easy to operate.
Only way for you to find which you want is to try both at a dealer although that might not be possible. For me I buy Marklin and both my CS2 and now CS3 have never let me down.

For me, I got the ECOS because it came with a power supply included in the purchase price. At the time I purchased it I did consider the newly released CS3 and CS3+ but the added cost of getting an extra power pack to operate it put it out of my then budget. I operate locos and accessaries with no problems using delta, MM, MFX and DCC with ESU and D&H decoders. Each to his/her own as this topic has over the years generated many a long discussion and there will always be pro's and con's for each system. As there is no one within several hundred km's from me to my knowledge with a Marklin system to even try a CS3 to compare ( I have used a CS2 350 km away), I am happy with my lot.

ECoS doesn't recognise Märklin decoders automatically but I would think you can alter the basic CV's

The Märklin "World of Operation"

https://www.maerklin.de/.../model-train-control/mfx

I would say it depends a bit on your preferences, your needs, your other components and what you like.

If you install and program Märklin decoders etc in older locomotives, then you should seriously consider a CS3. JohnjeanB has listed many valid points

With a CS3 and a pc, you can also fully modify and customize sound/decoder projects etc on recent Märklin factory-fitted decodes. (provided that Märklin had released the decoder project and that the decoder has a recent firmware)

But if you use non marklin decoders etc, eg esu decoders/components etc, and don't have the need to reprogram original factory-fitted Marklin decoders. Then the ESU ecos are absolutely worth considering.

as for the statement, CS3 is a beginner's nightmare, that might be true for those who don't bother to read the manual......

My recommendation is to study both controllers closely and make up your own mind, based on your needs and what you like.
Personally, I like to keep mostly to one system in order to have only one customer service to consult and to avoid that different company's customers service blaming each other.

Does anyone know the size of the RAM in any of the machines.

I have seen somewhere on this bulletin board that the difference between the CS3 and CS2 RAM is four times greater than in the later. As most would know it it the Physical RAM capacity of a computer that is important to clock speed in any computer architecture. The Ecos2 has had plenty of software Updates, however when was its hardware last updated. CS3 was the last for Marklin. It is fundamentals like these that point out the differences in the machines, not necessarily which is better. They are all Linux operating systems and also Motorola format, however the supporting added software and firmware must have changed greatly since the DELTA days. So does anyone know the RAM of any of the controllers in question, Ecos, CS2 CS3 etc.

David

Pluus the CS3 ram is expandable via a card slot. Is the ECOS?

Does the NAND flash store just the system data and or the user data. The system data as I remember was ROM storage, and of course the the old 'hard drive', was for the user. The ROM had firmware for initial boot up data to get the machine to start. Is any of this correct.

David