Low cost system- Piko SmartControl Light

[Ron Ron Ron]

PIKO have announced a new low cost DCC system, called SmartControl Light.

 

Appearance wise, it looks nothing like their more expensive ESU sourced PIKO SmartControl.

The handset looks very much like some older German DCC handsets from other manufacturers.

They say the handset will be compatible for use with the SmartControl system.

 

Manufacturers r.r.p. is €149 (approx. £131 ) for the system and €99 (approx. £87 ) for additional handsets.

 

This system is designed for DCC starters and children and is being included in not less than 8 new start sets (train sets), all but one of which have a r.r.p. of around £199, before discount.

If dealers and shops split these train sets, as they do with other DCC train sets, then the DCC system may be offered at a similar price to the Roco MultiMaus, when similarly split from train sets (around the £75 to £85 mark).

 

 

PIKO Basic Set "SmartControllight:

The ideal, low-priced entry into the digital world of the model railway!

 

Driving several locs at the same time is fun. ....

.....PIKO SmartControllight has a max. Output current of 2 A.

If the layout grows, it is possible to supplement it with suitable booster.

PIKO SmartControllight has full DCC compatibility and can of course also be combined with the PIKO SmartControl system via locomotive networks.

The PIKO SmartControllerlight has just the right shape and the ideal weight for optimal fun!

With a user-friendly arrangement of the controls and a sensitive, robust control dial, up to 24 special locomotive functions can be conveniently switched.

 

PIKO basic set "SmartControllight" with

PIKO SmartControllerlight,

PIKO SmartBoxlight,

mains adapter 16 V / 32 W,

spiral connection cable and quick-start guide.

 

http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=301&vw_id=346&vw_name=detail

 

http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=301&vw_id=345&vw_name=detail

 

http://www.piko-shop.de/media/oart_0/oart_p/oart_25612/thumbs/23027_126713.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

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[GoingUnderground]

Hi Ron,

 

Many thanks for the info. The SmartControl Light looks like a very different product to the Piko SmartControl/ESU CabControl.

 

The Light handset would appear to be a corded one, as the extra handset comes with a connection cable that seems to be terminated with RJ11 style connectors. Also the connection to the original SmartControl, now called SmartControl Elemente on the Piko website seems to be via LocoNet (LokNetz in the original german on the Piko website). I think your translation engine turned this into "locomotive networks" which subtly alters the meaning. So, based on the very brief information and the pictures on the Piko website, Light appears to me to be a corded throttle LocoNet device, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Light handset turned out to be a repackaged Uhlenbrock Daisy handset, it certainly looks very similar. It would save Piko a lot of development cash to buy in a cheaper DCC controller for its starter sets.

 

Piko are already selling a rebranded version of the ESU L.Net adapter which allows the connection of LocoNet throttles and occupancy detection modules to the ECoS and its very close cousins, the Piko SmartControl Elemente and ESU's own version, the CabControl via their ECoSLink ports.

 

As SmartControl does now have a cheaper, and very different, Light version, I think that now makes the release of ESU's CabControl in Europe much more likely, but I'd still think it would be in a multiprotocol version to keep all its Maerklinist customers happy. But its very big drawback, and I think Piko realised this with their introduction of the EUR99 Light handset, is that the SmartControl/CabControl/Mobile Control II handset makes it very expensive to add extra throttles to SmartControl. A SmartControl/CabControl plus one extra MobileControl II handset is comparable in price to an ECoS.

Edited February 3, 2018 by GoingUnderground

[Nigelcliffe]

Keith's view that its a re-packaged Uhlenbrock Daisy II looks convincing to me.   The base unit is a dead-ringer for the Uhlenbrock Daisy system base unit, with a Piko covering case, and the Uhlenbrock is a 2A system (just need to see the connectors on the other side for confirmation).  
The handset has the same button key markers, in the same positions, as those in the Daisy II.   So, that would make it just a new outer case plastic around the Uhlenbrock circuit board, plus a new control knob.  

"24 loco functions" also aligns with the Uhlenbrock firmware, which makes the lower 24 (actually 25) easier to access than other loco functions. 

 

Big questions - is it the same internal firmware (and thus Uhlenbrock firmware and customising tools work on it), and does it have all the features of the Daisy II ?   Stuff like the customisable roster icons, individual function icons for each loco, etc..   Plus graphical representation of 32 accessory decoders (again customisable).      If it does, then its an absolute bargain at the prices Ron suggests will be available through box-shifters.   

 

Even with the limitations of not working the programming features on a Digitrax command station, it would be a cost-effective handset for Digitrax systems.  

 

 

- Nigel

[Ron Ron Ron]

[Ron Ron Ron]

.....Also the connection to the original SmartControl, now called SmartControl Elemente on the Piko website seems to be via LocoNet (LokNetz in the original german on the Piko website). I think your translation engine turned this into "locomotive networks" which subtly alters the meaning.....

Thanks Keith.

I edited some of the translation, but having spotted that bit as well, went and missed it during editing.

 

 

.....it wouldn't surprise me if the Light handset turned out to be a repackaged Uhlenbrock Daisy handset,

 

Keith's view that its a re-packaged Uhlenbrock Daisy II looks convincing to me.   The base unit is a dead-ringer for the Uhlenbrock Daisy system base unit, with a Piko covering case, and the Uhlenbrock is a 2A system (just need to see the connectors on the other side for confirmation).

That's what it initially looked like to me. It has Uhlenbrock written all over it, metaphorically speaking.

The handset case and plasticky looking red control knob is also reminiscent of other manufacturers DCC products too.

 

 

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