NotofthiscenturyTim

The Lenz LZV100 has no Bluetooth or WiFi so no built-in app support of any sort. It is fully compliant with XpressNet. The Z21 app can be used via the 3rd party "XP-MULTI" dongle made by the German electronics firm MXion. The dongle is connected to the LZV100's XpressNet port and connects to the phone by WiFi, either directly or via WiFi router. Loco addresses and functions work properly unlike the Hornby dongle. Programming isn't supported, like the Hornby dongle. It can also be used with Loconet command stations to add Z21 app control to them. But it's more expensive than Hornby at €67. While I enjoy tinkering with the dongles and trying out the Hornby and Roco apps, I've found the open source Arduino-based DCC-EX system and Engine Driver app much more reliable and easier to use. The support is also great unlike the Hornby "walled garden" attitude; you message the dev team on Discord and get rapid answers. And it's much cheaper - parts cost £20 and it takes around an hour to assemble a full DCC system.

Just tested. No, unfortunately not, no long addresses. I can probably live with that but it's still annoying.

Thanks for the tip. It didn't work initially but... Good news - all 29 functions now working with the Lenz LZV100 with v3.6! Had to reset and completely reinstall the dongle firmware and the app. Set to "Elite". Still a bit temperental on power on - sometimes Bluetooth doesn't connect, sometimes it connects but doesn't send any commands to the track. But still great progress compared to half the functions not working.

Disappointing but classic Hornby. "Let's develop a product which is 99% compatible with an existing standard, but cripple the remaining 1% and limit it to the Hornby faithful." I've also been using the dongle with a Lenz LZV100 with v3.6 of the software. In terms of loco control the only thing that doesn't work for me is Functions 13-26. Functions 0-12 and, bizarrely, 27 and 28 work fine. Support for functions 13-28 was added to the XpressNet specification 3.6. Maybe the Select and Elite implement those functions in a way that's non-compliant with the XpressNet spec? Probably a pretty straightforward problem to fix in the dongle firmware, but as we've seen, highly unlikely that Hornby will bother. As the ease of triggering functions from the app is one of the main attractions of the dongle, this is a deal breaker. Haven't tried points or accessories yet.

Well then how come those products are still on sale in the US and the UK?

The issue is individuals saying "don't buy that cheap decoder, it's pirated and from a disreputable company. Buy this expensive one instead." And then providing zero evidence to support it.

The genesis of this was a post looking at how to build the cheapest possible DCC system. That included a mention of LaisDCC decoders as they're the cheapest new ones on the market. Various individuals said not to buy LaisDCC because they were pirated. That's quite a serious accusation so needs to be substantiated.

And that's exactly the point. People are very happy to throw around accusations of "x pirated y" and when asked for any facts to support that... crickets

The "Google it" replies have oddly enough now been superseded by "the info has disappeared".

I have no interest in any company. I'd just like any facts please. Not more speculation.

Absolutely you're welcome to reach your own conclusion. It has nothing to do with "grunt work". As we've seen from subsequent replies, the alleged information has now vanished, oddly enough. Personally I don't reach any conclusion based on forum hearsay. I'd be delighted to change my mind if any evidence were provided.

Because all sorts of statements are being made that those decoders were pirated. And that alleged piracy is being used as a reason why other people shouldn't buy them even though they're the cheapest product on the market. Given the cost of living crisis, where every penny counts, I'd like to get to the bottom of it.

Great! Please share your knowledge with your acquaintances who purchased faulty products.

So just to wrap this one up, I can carry on buying LaisDCC with a clear conscience as the facts are: There's allegedly plenty of hearsay that x pirated y, if you search this forum/Google for it. But if you ask for specifics, the info has disappeared. Some other people cannot possibly talk about it for legal reasons because of ongoing litigation in China (a very odd jurisdiction to bring an IP suit given the weakness of the rule of law there rather than the G7 countries where the allegedly pirated decoders are being sold). My own most charitable interpretation of the info provided is that either legal action happened and was settled or there was no legal action at all. Hence why zero evidence of any legal action in the public domain. The products continue to be sold in jurisdictions where TCS or any other injured party could actually seek rapid and effective legal redress if they decided to (US and UK). Assuming they have protected their UP adequately. It's astonishing that seeking facts about an IP dispute to inform a purchasing decision elicits such reactions.

Sorry to hear that. I've used 20+ LaisDCC decoders with no problems. Here's some info about what to do if a product you've bought fails: https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/what-do-i-do-if-i-have-a-faulty-product-aTTEK2g0YuEy#who-is-responsible-for-the-fault And a gentle reminder that this thread isn't about subjective views and experience of these decoders. It's a request for facts and evidence.