GoingUnderground Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Mobile Control 2 The Nuremberg Toy Fair opens on Thursday, and this is the week when ESU normally release details of their product lineup for 2014. They haven't yet released their 2014 catalogue, but one new product has already broken cover and is already listed on some continental retailer's web sites, and model rail forums. It is a new WiFi throttle for the ECoS, the Mobile Control II (MC2). It is based on a smartphone style device but with the ECoS motorised control knob for throttle operation. It connects using WiFi to the ECoS, ESU supply a mini wireless access point with the MC2. It looks like ESU were listening to everyone's comments about the old ECoSControl Radio, especially the problems with the joystick. It uses the Andriod operating system, so you can download apps from Google Play for it. You can't use it as a phone though. The batteries are permanently installed and are recharged via the USB socket. If you already have an ECoSControl Radio you can use them together. There are two "versions": 50113 - Mobile Control II wireless handheld controller set for ECoS, DE / EN. With wrist strap, USB cable, mini access point, mains adapter and LAN cable.50114 - Mobile Control II wireless handheld controller single regulator for ECoS, German / English. With wrist strap and USB cable. The difference is that the 50114 doesn't come with a mains adapter, mini access point or LAN cable. More details, if you can read German, here on the ESU web site. The prices are Euro 299.99 for the 50113, and 279.99 for the 50114. Availability is being quoted on continental web sites as Q2/2014, i.e late spring/early summer, but that may well slip. ECoSDetector RC - 50098 There is also an addition to the ECoSDetector range, the RC model, the 50098, I have no details on that at the moment, but the brief product descriptions on some web sites suggest that it is cut down version of the 2 rail verson with 4 ports only, all railcom enabled, hence the "RC" tag. The price is very interesting Euro 99.99, I hope my source is correct, availability Q1/2014. Additional Loudspeakers There are 3 new loudspeakers added to the range. Engineering Edition Models. They are releasing 14 new diesel locos, all with smoke, and 3 versions of an "auxiliary equipment car", I'm not familar with this equipment on continental railways, but the ESU version will be interactive and have a display showing speed and distance travelled. Information from http://www.bahnonline.ch/wp/70088/esu-neuheiten-2014.htm and http://www.drehscheibe-foren.de/foren/read.php?10,6730383 ECoS Firmware Update ESU are also working on a new version of the Firmware for the ECoS, version 4.0.0. They have not yet said what new features it will contain, but support for the MC2 will be one of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Thanks for the heads up Keith. I've been expecting someone would produce a throttle along the lines of the Mobile Control 2. However I do wonder about this particular throttle's ergonomics, with the control knob placed at the top rather than at the bottom of the handset. On the face of it, it looks like it needs two hands to operate. Until people get hold of one we don't know. The ECoS is looking more attractive now !!!! p.s. If i was an entrepreneur, I'd be designing a "docking throttle" along similar lines to this, where a smartphone or smartdevice simply clipped in to a hardware throttle housing containing a hardware control knob. Such a device could be used with all the various apps designed to operate directly with certain DCC systems (e.g. Lenz, ECoS) and DCC software control packages (e.g. JMRI, TrainController, Rocrail etc.). There are similar add-on devices for the iPhone, designed for various commercial uses. Taken from your links, this is a good view of the MC2.... http://www.esu.eu/typo3temp/pics/6e64434574.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share Posted January 28, 2014 It is 16.5cm x 5.5cm x 1.5cm making it small enough to hold it in the palm of your hand and operate the throttle knob with your thumb, making the ergonomics very similar to the Multimaus and Multimaus Pro. ESU do claim it is designed for one-handed operation. It is an open platform and ESU will be publishing the spec so that third party developers can create apps to work with other makes of DCC equipment, and also customise the ESU app when used with the ECoS. ESU have confirmed that it is the end of the line for the ECoSControl Radio, something that I have long suspected was on the cards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 The ESU 2014 catalogue, german version only, is now available to download from here on the ESU web site. The english version will probably be available late February. There are some other new products not mentioned on the continental web sites: SwitchPilot (51820) and SwitchPilot Servo (51822) There are now a V2.0 versions of the SwitchPilot and SwitchPilot Servo. These have a new version of the Firmware which can in future be upgraded using the LokPorgrammer if/when ESU ever issue upgrades to the V2 SP/SPServo Firmware. They are already on sale as the supplies of the original SP (51800) and SPS (51802) ran out towards the end of 2013. The manuals for the new Switchpilots can be downoaded from here on the ESU web site. LokPilot Standard V1.0 Their entry level decoder used to be the LokPilot V1.0 Basic. It has been replaced with a new model, the standard. Interior Lighting There are now versions of their 50700 and 50702 interior coach lighting sets that have a decoder on-board, the 50708 and 50709 respectively. A couple of other observations from the catalogue, the ECoSControl Radio has disappeared, as you would expect, but the Navigator is still there. I beleive that Freiwald's Traincontroller now supports Navigator. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Hi Keith I have bothe Switch pilots, normal and Servo V2 and the only difference is the ability to upgrade the firmware in there. They have been out for a while now. The new handheld is very nice, really nice! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 LokPilot Standard V1.0 Their entry level decoder used to be the LokPilot V1.0 Basic. It has been replaced with a new model, the standard. This is a better entry level decoder than the (now quite old) Basic V1.0. Better more advanced motor drive. 4 functions @ 250mA each - (up from 3 functions @180mA each) Max current 0.9A - (up from 0.7A) Now with RailCom & RailCom Plus Increased number of light functions (flicker, gyro etc.) Consisting Software can be updated. 3 versions - 8-pin, 21-pin & PluX12 - (previously only 8 & 21-pin) This might be a good alternative to the Lenz Standard Plus. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Modellbahnshop-Lippe are showing the ESU LokPilot Standard (8-pin) at €22, which is only €2 less than a LokPilot V4.0. It would be better value buying the V4.0. They still list the 21-pin Basic at €16. Hopefully the price of the Standard will come down once supplies are plentiful. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 Modellbahnshop-Lippe are showing the ESU LokPilot Standard (8-pin) at €22, which is only €2 less than a LokPilot V4.0. It would be better value buying the V4.0. They still list the 21-pin Basic at €16. Hopefully the price of the Standard will come down once supplies are plentiful.. Their standard price is a 10% discount from list. If you want even lower prices, try this web site http://www.besserepreise.com/modellbahnen/esu/4/esu-lokpilot.htm, They seem to discount ESU list by 15 to 28%. The LP Standard at EURO 20.24, Mobile Control 2 with WAP & charger, EURO 244.47, MC2 without the WAP and charger EURO 228.56, ECoSDetector RC EURO 79.59, very, very competitive indeed. I have not used them, yet, so I don't know that their carriage costs or customer service is like. But would be interested to hear from anyone who has. You can't ignore these prices. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted February 1, 2014 Author Share Posted February 1, 2014 The Mobile Control 2 is shown at 11:40 in this Modellbahnshop-Lippe of ESU. It isn't working, so I suspect it is a mock up, or they have still to get it fully operational, suggesting to me at least that it may not get to market until sometime after the end of the second Quarter of 2014. One handed operation looks to be no problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony566 Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 I know this is an old thread but do we have any more information on the Mobile Control II Remote Control ?? ESU's site has nothing about when this will be available. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tase Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 It's due in Q2 2015 but I guess these things are sometimes delayed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony566 Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 It's due in Q2 2015 but I guess these things are sometimes delayed. So any time now then as we are in Q2 .... Thanks for the reply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted June 7, 2015 Author Share Posted June 7, 2015 I have no information about when it will be released, but ESU have said that to use the MC2 an ECoS will need to be running firmware 4.1.0, which is still in Beta test. I am guessing that delays with the release of firmware 4.1.0 may be holding up the MC2 going on sale. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 Latest from ESU is August September time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted June 7, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 7, 2015 We have abandoned this idea and gone to a wireless server connected to ECoS and Ipads with throttle aps - works well! Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard brown Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 Latest from ESU is August September time. Which Year Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Digital Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Latest from ESU is August September time. Near the end of September now and still no sign. Anyone any update on delivery date? Thanks John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 They need to release the firmware update for the ECoS first and that is expected in October. So maybe October for the handset as well. Oh, all this is rumour as well. Nothing concrete so don't tell anyone else. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard brown Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 They need to release the firmware update for the ECoS first and that is expected in October. So maybe October for the handset as well. Oh, all this is rumour as well. Nothing concrete so don't tell anyone else. October which Year Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Tut tut Richard, have faith. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 Major items from ESU seem to take about 2 years from being announced to going on sale, e.g. the ECoS 2 itself, the ECoS Control Radio, the ECoS Detector, and the L.Net adapter, to name just 4 items that took a very long time to arrive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 ESU have tonight released ECoS firmware 4.1.0. In their announcement they have said that the delay was partly caused by the need to optimise the firmware for use with the Mobile Control II, so hopefully, the MCII will go on sale in the next month, or so (crosses fingers and prays). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted September 30, 2015 Author Share Posted September 30, 2015 ESU have this morning published the German language version of the MC2 manual. http://www.esu.eu/download/betriebsanleitungen/digitalsysteme/ It has been their policy in the past to publish the manual for a new product a few weeks before it goes on sale in Germany so that prospective purchasers have an opportunity to familiarise themselves with it through the manual in advance. So on that basis, an October release looks probable. The English language version of manuals are usually (but not always) released several weeks after the item has gone on sale. I'm expecting ESU to withdraw the Navigator from their 2016 product lineup, their web site is already showing it as "Läuft aus/Expires" suggesting stocks are running down, and replace it with their version of the Piko SmartControl. However the ESU version may not become available immediately, as it is likely that the development agreement with Piko probably gave Piko a free run with their SmartControl for some time before ESU can launch their own version, much the same as the Bachmann Dynamis was around for some time before ESU put Navigator on sale. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard brown Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 Their is an update for the ECoS on the Download section off the ESU web page Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnderground Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 Their is an update for the ECoS on the Download section off the ESU web page And at least one dealer was selling the ESU Mobile Control 2 yesterday, Friday, at the Leipzig exhibition, according to the ESU Users Forum, with thanks to ESU Forum member "Tom" for pointing that out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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