Viessmann Commander 2

[Ron Ron Ron]

Viessman are replacing their Commander DCC system with a radically different new model, the Commander 2.

 

Almost unheard of in the UK, the German and mainland European high-end Commander system is a competitor to the ESU ECoS and Marlin CS2.

Like the ECoS it is multi-protocol and can also work with the Marklin systems (both Motorola and MFX)

This new mk2 model appears also appears to be pitched against the Roco Z21/z21 as well.

 

 

 

 

Details are sketchy, but it appears that this system will rely heavily on a Smartphone or Tablet for setting up.

I'm not entirely sure, but the display shown in the photo may actually be a Tablet, rather than a built-in screen supplied with the system.

 

Novel features include for large layouts, automatic position detection and selection of the part of the layout you are operating, on the main screen track plan; derived from the camera in your Smartphone or Tablet, when using these as wireless handsets. The idea appears to save having to scroll through different track plan screens manually.

There is an HDMI output for direct connection to an external display screen/monitor or video projector.

 

Another feature, is the ability to select locos from touching a section of the track on the layout display. Touch a section of the layout on the screen and the loco in that section will be activated and presented for control.  Useful if you can't identify the loco you want to operate by sight (view obscured, in a hidden area, or just too far away from where you are at the time).

 

 

The walk around handset option is interesting and at first glance a little odd in appearance.

The "SmartMaus" handset consists of a unit that you clip your Smartphone, or a Tablet into.

There is a speed control knob on the handset, but the display and access to other controls and functions are via the Smartphone or Tablet touch screen.

The only images available online at the moment, don't show the type or position of the speed controller, but it can be adjusted for left or right handed use..

 

 

 

 SmartMaus

Locomotive controller and smartphone holder combined.

Optional holder for tablet item-No. 5322.

Allows the mobile controlling of locomotives with a speed control knob, and the rest of the model layout via the smartphone or tablet.

Wireless connection via the smartphone/tablet to the Commander 2.

By a ball joint the smartphone/tablet can be adjusted to be usable for right and left hander.

 

 

 

 

[Ron Ron Ron]

....It'll be a matter of time before we'll see similar offerings from Digitrax and perhaps NCE, Atlas and Bachmann, as well as cheap Chinese clones.

 

 

The American systems are so far behind, I'd be surprised to see any radical updates in the near future.

 

Digitrax have just completely revised their main range, replacing the Super Chief and Super Empire Builder ranges, with the brand new EVO Evolution Advanced range.

Unfortunately it's just an updated and slightly improved version of the nearly 20 year old same old, same old.

It works and no doubt their very large North American customer base are happy.

 

Bachmann (in the USA) appear to be backing their EZ App version of the Bluetooth based BlueRail Trains system. With DCC compatibility on the way too, ....watch this space....!!!

 

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[Nigelcliffe]

I agree the domestic suppliers in the States are lagging behind, but with LocoNet support from various European manufacturers, Digitrax should be worried. Where 20 years ago they could count on their "Buy USA" consumer base, nowadays these modellers see what's available elsewhere via the web (that hardly existed back then) and purchase something they like, rather then buy "patriotic".   Key will be the NMRA. Once some technology is drafted into their standards and/or RP's, US suppliers will follow suit, especially if it take flight (like Roco had with their Z21, as mentioned before).

 

Digitrax isn't stupid. Conservative, as most Americans, but most certainly not stupid. There's a fair chance they're quietly working on a WiFi-connected system with mobile phone app, to be launched within the next 2 years.

 

Digitrax announced a WiFi connected smartphone App in 2011/2012 (using a third party developer for the smartphone App).  They demonstrated it at a big US show, possibly the NMRA convention.   Then went quiet on it all and it never appeared - blog posts said the WiFi hardware module was complete, but the software App provider wasn't able to continue (but if so, why not release the hardware and get others to write the App(s) ?).    The US customer base wanting smartphone interfaces continues to use JMRI as the connection point. 

 

 

The most innovative things at the moment are mostly in Europe (including UK), or companies experimenting with battery/wireless control systems.   

 

- Nigel

[Ron Ron Ron]

The Commander 2 is shown in the first 2 minutes of this video.

Unfortunately, it's in German.

 

 

[GoingUnderground]

Omitting the integrated screen, but incorporating a stand for a tablet is neat, and reduces the cost, providing you already have a compatible tablet. But I can't say that I like the overall design, shades of the top half of a "Page 3" model perhaps, with the rounded base, and the positioning and shape of the control knobs?