Hi Folks,
I have really enjoyed all the ideas and observations shared here!
I feel that the Bluetooth control from Bachmann by BlueRail would most likely appeal to non-model railroaders who set up a train at Christmas, or any temporary layout situation for the non-hobbyist. I don't have any experience with DCC, but I don't think there is any risk of Bluetooth replacing it in the short term. If you have something that works and you have all the control features you'd like, why would you change it? I think that it will give the O gauge 3 rail 'command control' systems from Lionel and MTH a run for their money. I am looking for the BlueRail boards to be priced at about the same as DCC boards (wishful thinking). I intend to use the first stand-alone HO boards for my O gauge 3 rail handcars and a small O gauge locomotive. Since these smaller motorized items don't pull more than 0.5 amp, these first boards would work for me, but I'd need the Android version of the app. BlueRail has suggested that the boards might cost $75, and that was disappointing for me. Time will tell.
Take care, Joe.