PIKO55040 & ESU50310 - same thing ?

[Norski]

Hello all

 

Returning to hobby after 'short' break of nearly 40 years so forgive any lack of knowledge re DCC (it was zero1 when i left)....Im building my layout this year and currently working out what I like and what I don't like - I am a relentless planner. When it comes to control it will be DCC but I don't want a fixed DCC controller position - i do want a traditional style knob / dial. I was quite taken with the PIKO 55040 when I found it on line but being new to the hobby I could also see it wasnt the usual DCC controller people were opting for. I could also see that the PIKO and ESU product were identical. I have checked ESU (as best I can) product releases and can see no mention of their version (50310) being released outside of USA / Aus. The PIKO is available in the UK now.

 

So after all that...please can someone with far more experience tell me if they are the same thing ? does anyone have any experience of the PIKO ? Am I missing other products that tick would my box on mobility and having a dial? The room is nearly 18ft long so i want to operate from different locations and I still want to 'drive' the locos.

 

Many thanks 

Steve.

[Ron Ron Ron]

Hi Steve

 

The PIKO SmartControl (PIKO 55040)  and the ESU CabControl (ESU 50310) are indeed the same DCC system, but differ in their track power output capacity.

PIKO = 5 amp

ESU. = 7 amp

 

Both use the standard ESU MobileControl 2 wireless handsets.

(note: MobileControl 2 is a wireless handset add-on system, for use with ESU's ECoS console based DCC system.)

 

The SmartControl was announced 2 years ago and has been on sale for about 18 months or so.

The CabControl was announced (in the USA) only about 4 or 5 months ago and went on sale just a few weeks before Christmas 2017.

 

At the moment, as you say, ESU are only marketing and selling the CabControl in the US & Aus markets.

Why that is the case is anyone's guess.

It could be part of the licence deal for PIKO to sell a version branded as their own, possibly for a limited timescale; or it could be for other reasons?

 

ESU previously sold an entry level system, the Navigator, which they dropped from their product range about 2 years or so ago.

The CabControl may eventually be released in European markets to fill the market space left by dropping the Navigator. 

However, at full list price, it has turned out to be much more expensive than its predecessor.

 

I have recently acquired a PIKO SmartControl, but as yet haven't had much time to get to grips with it.

There are a couple of other members who have them, so hopefully they might be able to give their own opinion on the system.

 

Regards the size of the layout, no problem as the handset is wireless.

It can operate without connecting to a router, other than for setting up and acquiring data.

The control wheel is motorised and easy to use with a finger or thumb.

In addition to the control wheel, there are some physical buttons along the sides which can be user configured to operate whatever functions.

Programming and access to other controls is via the touch screen and well thought out Android app.

Locos fitted with RailCom plus equipped decoders, automatically register on the system.

etc, etc.

 

 

.

[Norski]

Hi Steve

 

The PIKO SmartControl (PIKO 55040)  and the ESU CabControl (ESU 50310) are indeed the same DCC system, but differ in their track power output capacity.

PIKO = 5 amp

ESU. = 7 amp

 

Both use the standard ESU MobileControl 2 wireless handsets.

(note: MobileControl 2 is a wireless handset add-on system, for use with ESU's ECoS console based DCC system.)

 

The SmartControl was announced 2 years ago and has been on sale for about 18 months or so.

The CabControl was announced (in the USA) only about 4 or 5 months ago and went on sale just a few weeks before Christmas 2017.

 

At the moment, as you say, ESU are only marketing and selling the CabControl in the US & Aus markets.

Why that is the case is anyone's guess.

It could be part of the licence deal for PIKO to sell a version branded as their own, possibly for a limited timescale; or it could be for other reasons?

 

ESU previously sold an entry level system, the Navigator, which they dropped from their product range about 2 years or so ago.

The CabControl may eventually be released in European markets to fill the market space left by dropping the Navigator. 

However, at full list price, it has turned out to be much more expensive than its predecessor.

 

I have recently acquired a PIKO SmartControl, but as yet haven't had much time to get to grips with it.

There are a couple of other members who have them, so hopefully they might be able to give their own opinion on the system.

 

Regards the size of the layout, no problem as the handset is wireless.

It can operate without connecting to a router, other than for setting up and acquiring data.

The control wheel is motorised and easy to use with a finger or thumb.

In addition to the control wheel, there are some physical buttons along the sides which can be user configured to operate whatever functions.

Programming and access to other controls is via the touch screen and well thought out Android app.

Locos fitted with RailCom plus equipped decoders, automatically register on the system.

etc, etc.

 

 

.

 

Ron - brilliant - thank you for taking the time to write a detailed and very clear reply. I think I will take the plunge on the PIKO rather than bank on an ESU launch - it just depends on what that power output means to me. 

 

If anyone wants to chip in on PIKO performance then that would be great.

 

Thanks again Ron

Steve

[njee20]

Impressed with my Piko unit. The only minor annoyance is that you can't choose the 'icon' for each loco outside of their defined library, which is almost entirely European prototypes. Not a huge issue. I'd not expect the ESU one to be any different, that's an ECoS feature. 

 

Battery life seems relatively poor too, but it's basically a smart phone, and I'd not expect my smart phone to have much charge after being left for a week. I keep a long micro USB cable in the garage and it's very easy to charge.

 

I've got it synced to JMRI, which was very hassle free, I use that to operate the points and provide an additional throttle.

 

Would definitely recommend it, having spent ages agonising over which system to buy (it replaced a ZTC 511).

[Norski]

Impressed with my Piko unit. The only minor annoyance is that you can't choose the 'icon' for each loco outside of their defined library, which is almost entirely European prototypes. Not a huge issue. I'd not expect the ESU one to be any different, that's an ECoS feature. 

 

Battery life seems relatively poor too, but it's basically a smart phone, and I'd not expect my smart phone to have much charge after being left for a week. I keep a long micro USB cable in the garage and it's very easy to charge.

 

I've got it synced to JMRI, which was very hassle free, I use that to operate the points and provide an additional throttle.

 

Would definitely recommend it, having spent ages agonising over which system to buy (it replaced a ZTC 511).

 

njee20 - Ive been 'away' for so long I'm just impressed with how advanced control has got (not to mention everything else). Id be fibbing if i said i didn't have to google JMRI ha ha. Appreciate the recommendation, gonna speak to my local shop on the weekend and see if they can source failing that there are stocks still on line.

 

PS - Like the profile pic, one MTB'er to another.

[njee20]

I bought one of the train packs from Germany for £400 and sold the bits - loco went for £145, track for £45 and I’ve actually not sold the coaches yet, but still quids in versus buying the ‘normal’ set. European plug too if that’s an issue.

 

Sadly the MTB barely gets used these days, damn life getting in the way!

[Norski]

I bought one of the train packs from Germany for £400 and sold the bits - loco went for £145, track for £45 and I’ve actually not sold the coaches yet, but still quids in versus buying the ‘normal’ set. European plug too if that’s an issue.

 

Sadly the MTB barely gets used these days, damn life getting in the way!

 

Ok i will have a look at that, will try and give business to local shop if i can as the advice is free there as well !

 

I don't ride as much as i used to either, spent more time lying in the dirt next to it even then. Im getting to old now to be rearranging my skeleton.

[Ron Ron Ron]

Shop prices for a SmartControl are very high, particularly in the UK.

There are only a certain number of model shops who will stock PIKO products or be able to obtain one for you, usually the continental specialists.

 

The cheapest prices are to either do as njee20 has done and split a SmartControl train set and sell on the unwanted bits, or buy a brand new SmartControl already split from a train set, by a retailer.

These are usually from German sellers, via eBay, but there is at least one UK based seller who does this,

Price should be around the £290 - £310 mark, but I've seen them go for a bit less.

 

I paid just over £220 for mine, which is not one split from a train set.

A certain UK retailer is selling them at £435.

Need I say, do your homework.

 

Regards

Ron

 

 

.

[Norski]

Shop prices for a SmartControl are very high, particularly in the UK.

There are only a certain number of model shops who will stock PIKO products or be able to obtain one for you, usually the continental specialists.

 

The cheapest prices are to either do as njee20 has done and split a SmartControl train set and sell on the unwanted bits, or buy a brand new SmartControl already split from a train set, by a retailer.

These are usually from German sellers, via eBay, but there is at least one UK based seller who does this,

Price should be around the £290 - £310 mark, but I've seen them go for a bit less.

 

I paid just over £220 for mine, which is not one split from a train set.

A certain UK retailer is selling them at £435.

Need I say, do your homework.

 

Regards

Ron

 

 

.

 

Ron

 

Ah thanks for that, I didn't know - all new to me at the mo. The cheapest I can find on ebay (from Germany) are approx £340 inc shipping. I can buy it from a UK shop for £347. I don't think I'm getting anywhere near £220 (well done on that). Ive had a look at the German train set packs and they are around the £450 mark but as you say i have to recoup some money by selling on or my layout will take on a very continental theme 

 

Cheers

Steve.

[njee20]

I got a Piko 59112 set from Modellbahn Union, looks like they’ve stopped doing that one, but the 59113 is available for €450, do some research on what the bits sell for. Like I say I got reasonable money for the loco, and that was in the week of Christmas, suspect interest will have picked up now.

[Norski]

I got a Piko 59112 set from Modellbahn Union, looks like they’ve stopped doing that one, but the 59113 is available for €450, do some research on what the bits sell for. Like I say I got reasonable money for the loco, and that was in the week of Christmas, suspect interest will have picked up now.

 

 

Taken the plunge - just ordered 59113 set for £398. I think i would end up going round in a circle otherwise (apt for railway modelling), i know what I like just need to make sure I'm not barking up the wrong tree. Thanks to you and Ron - help is very much appreciated 

[njee20]

Pleasure, be good to have some more feedback. I’m surprised it’s not proven more popular, ticked all the boxes for me!

[Ron Ron Ron]

Taken the plunge - just ordered 59113 set for £398. I think i would end up going round in a circle otherwise (apt for railway modelling), i know what I like just need to make sure I'm not barking up the wrong tree. Thanks to you and Ron - help is very much appreciated 

 

 

I hope you like it.

Just one more point.

Check that the supplied user manual is the latest version, the current one is....

 

Versions

SC V1.1.0

SB V4.1.3

 

Extra sections have been added.

PIKO can supply a hard copy if you ask nicely.

 

 

.