Click Here (http://=http://youtu.be/k6xoL6NY83g) to view Jack Lynch of Bachmann demos their new E-Z App Wireless Train Control System in partnership with BlueRail Trains.
If above does not work
Click Here (http://youtu.be/k6xoL6NY83g)
So, is this basically the same thing MTH just announced? Is it compatible with theirs? Is theirs compatible with yours? Is NMRA going to make a "standard" for Bluetooth device control ?
Sid
No it is not the same thing as MTH has announced. The MTH product uses WiFi to transmit to the loco. This means you need to use a WiFi router and their track interface box in order to communicate with the Loco - it sends signals through the track. The new Bachmann app utilizes Bluetooth 4 technology to send an RF signal directly to the Bluetooth chip located in the locomotive. No peripherals needed and no chance of signal degradation due to dirty track, etc....
Bachmann EZ App is a software based system that has great potential for expansion.
This seems to be a real next level advancement. Not just a few upgrades.
Comparing it to DCC it is like comparing your old land line telephone to an iPhone....
Imagine a world without CVs...
Quote from: Yardmaster on October 31, 2014, 10:27:33 PM
Comparing it to DCC it is like comparing your old land line telephone to an iPhone....
. . .
I do not see that as a valid comparison for the 2015 E-Z App Wireless Train Control System product. Perhaps in a future E-Z App product.
The 2015 E-Z App product as announced seems to be an excellent alternate choice for the person who otherwise would have to use DCC to have control of two or more locomotives independent of where they are on track or direction of travel.
How does one consist locomotives using the announced E-Z App Wireless Train Control System?
Will a E-Z App circuit board for the locomotive be sold separately by Bachmann or Blue Rail Trains?
The product is still in the software development stage and it will be capable of doing way more than just controlling multiple engines on the same loop of track. And yes you will be able to consist engines. Bachmann will decide about selling separate boards when the product is closer to actual release.
I believe Bachmann did say a separate module for older trains would be available.
I think this is probably the biggest and most sensible leap in model train tech in a lot of years. Though I'm not an HO modeler I'm excited for future application to O and especially G
Cheers
The first release of E-Z App features the sound from the speaker in the Bluetooth Smart supported device. I believe having a quality speaker on board the locomotive would increase interest in the E-Z App Wireless Train Control system.
The next step in advanced train control will come when batteries are small enough, which they are already but when they will be able to hold a charge for over an hour and both power the locomotive and sound. We are not quite at that stage yet.
Control will be wireless and the locomotive batteries will be recharged through the rails in places like engine terminals.
Imagine. No more wiring to the track, no more short circuits, no more stalling on frogs as they can carry no power, steel rails that can realistically rust, etc., etc.. The benefits will be tremendous for scale modellers.
Cheers
Roger T.
I contacted BlueRailTrains directly which anyone can do, here;
http://www.bluerailtrains.com/contact.cfm
I specifically asked about consisting and speed matching locos.
Sender Details:
Name: James xxxxxxxx
Location: Clearwater, Florida
Email: xxxxxxxxxx@aol.com
Message:
how accurately locos can be speed matched for consisting
This is the reply I received today;
"James,
Sorry for the late reply. We actually have our first version of lashup functioning today. I am running 2 locos right now as a consist, and the speed matching is great.
Thanks for your survey. This is how we decide what features to support first.
Dave Rees"
Dcc has always been out of the question for me, as I have upwards of 90 locos.
I am seriously looking at this new system. If it's what it says it will be, I see it as a very economical alternative to DCC.
Alas; I am an N scaler and it maybe another year for me.
Hence my next question;
" How long till we see this in N Scale?"
I will post the reply when received.
I have several questions
1. is this system compatible with traditional dc?
2. the promotional flyer states no special equipment is needed. how is the track powered?
3. does this system require a constant voltage on the rails ala dcc?
4. how does this system deal with possible electrical or rf interference?
5. have you considered an android version?
Constant voltage to the track is required so you would not be able to run a variable voltage DC loco on the same track. No special equipment is needed but you will need to supply power to the track via a wall pack, etc...
Electrical interference is not really a problem since the command signals are not sent via the track. An Android version will be released at the same time as the IOS version.
The reply from bluerailtrains;
"Bachmann hasn't given me a shareable release date for the N board, but I know it is a priority with them.
If you can give me the dimensions of the space available in your favorite locos I will pass that information on to the hardware chief so he can add that to his N specs.
Dave Rees
BlueRail Trains"
On 11/3/2014 5:38 PM, xxxxxxxxxx@aol.com wrote:
How long till we see it in N scale?
-----Original Message-----
From: BlueRailTrains <info@bluerailtrains.com>
To: xxxxxxxxxx <xxxxxxxxxx@aol.com>
Sent: Mon, Nov 3, 2014 4:46 pm
Subject: Re: Message from Individual Contact Form
The first releases in the EZ App series will be Spring/Summer 2015 in HO scale. Although Bachmann would like to commit to other scales it would not be prudent to do so at this time.
what will the prices be? will it be cost competitive with dcc?
Quote from: jward on November 04, 2014, 10:23:54 PM
what will the prices be? will it be cost competitive with dcc?
Jeff-
I doubt if they have prices determined yet and I wouldn't expect to see that kind of
information before the product is released even if they have set prices.
-- D
From what I have read this system is both DC and dcc compatible. I believe a constant voltage is required I suppose a wall wart might do that.
The biggest negative that I hear with this system is that sound come from the phone.
Bachmann says an android app is coming.
If I had my druthers I would love to see this combined with a rechargeable battery system. That way logos would go in and out of service just as the prototype does. I could see setting up a service area on the layout for locomotive. Plus track cleaning would be mostly a thing of the past.
Just to clarify - the new EZ App Bluetooth system locos can be run on a DCC layout at the same time as a DCC loco. The controllers are not interoperable. In other words you can't run a Bluetooth loco with a DCC controller and you can't run a DCC loco with your smart device. What you CAN do is run them both on the same DCC layout at the same time. As far as being compatible with DC is concerned the Bluetooth locos need full power to the track (like DCC) so that would make it impossible to run a DC loco at the same time.
The problem as I see it though is if I already have a good DCC system. There may not be reason to run out and buy new technology.
There really is no need to buy anything other than a new locomotive if you want to try it out. If you have a smart phone or device that supports Bluetooth 4 you have everything you need. Bachmann will still continue to manufacture DCC and support it but the advent of a software based system that can be upgraded easily is very exciting. EZ App will give the user the ability to change sound and light settings in their loco without having to manipulate configuration variables. All the settings will be easily accessible in a windows based format that is icon driven. In other words you wont need a controller that has a myriad of buttons and a reference manual in order to change a simple function in your loco. It will also be very appealing to new customers who have accepted smart technology (kids). We plan to explore all of the possibilities in regard to model railroad "gameplay" such as downloadable apps that feature games and scenario driven experiences with model railroading. It really is quite exciting and evolutionary!
Quote from: Yardmaster on November 05, 2014, 07:42:56 PM
There really is no need to buy anything other than a new locomotive if you want to try it out. If you have a smart phone or device that supports Bluetooth 4 you have everything you need. Bachmann will still continue to manufacture DCC and support it but the advent of a software based system that can be upgraded easily is very exciting. EZ App will give the user the ability to change sound and light settings in their loco without having to manipulate configuration variables. All the settings will be easily accessible in a windows based format that is icon driven. In other words you wont need a controller that has a myriad of buttons and a reference manual in order to change a simple function in your loco. It will also be very appealing to new customers who have accepted smart technology (kids). We plan to explore all of the possibilities in regard to model railroad "gameplay" such as downloadable apps that feature games and scenario driven experiences with model railroading. It really is quite exciting and evolutionary!
Yeah i totally agree with you
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