Digitrax new Block Detector

[John]

http://www.digitrax.com/news/2017/05/24/digitrax-inc-proud-announce-new-bxp88-occupancy-de/



Digitrax, Inc. is proud to announce the new BXP88 Occupancy Detector!
May 24, 2017

MSRP 175.00

•     DCC Occupancy Detection supports up to 8 Detection Sections letting you know when equipped rolling stock is in a detection section on your layout.
      One Transponding Zone per Detection Section lets you know the location of transponder-equipped locos or rolling stock.
      Intelligent  Automatic  short-circuit and over-current  power management for each Detection Section, improves reliability by avoiding most booster fault shutdowns.
      Connects to LocoNet to transmit Detection Section occupancy, Transponding and track power information.
      Detects any powered locomotives in a Detection Section.
      Identify where specific rolling stock is on your layout with Digitrax transponder-equipped locos and rolling stock.
      Detects rolling stock equipped with resistor wheel sets.
      Plug and Play with Digitrax DCC systems with automatic Railsync polarity detection.
      LED output headers for front panel indication of Detection Section occupancy, Transponding, and power status.
      Easy-connect pluggable track wire terminal blocks can plug-in straight or at right angles.
      3 Amp capacity per Detection Section , 8 Amp total unit capacity.
      Automatically updates status at track power on.
      Operations Mode Read Back allows you to read CV values of decoders equipped with transponders when on track.
      Firmware update capability via IPL over LocoNet.
  

[ednadolski]

More than I would ever need.  I can build a current detection circuit for $2 in parts.

Ed

[GaryHinshaw]

$175 for 8 blocks?  The Watchman from RR-CirKits monitors 8 blocks for $46.20 ($43.64 for 4+ boards).  Am I missing something?  I don't have any transponding decoders, so I can't comment on that aspect of the BXP88, but jmri's memory variables can mimic many aspects of transponding - for free.

[jagged ben]

Is the '1' in front of the '75' a typo?   

And what does it do that the BLD168 does not? 

[Santa Fe Guy]

Is the '1' in front of the '75' a typo?   

And what does it do that the BLD168 does not?

From a quick glance it looks like it eliminates an awful lot of wiring between what I had on my SFRSD between a terminal strip supplied by Digitrax and the BDL itself.
I will stand corrected if not correct.
Rod.

[sp org div]

I interpret it to include not only block detection, but also power management (taking the place of PM42s), plus the transponding... all in one package.  That woukd eliminate a bunch of wiring.
Ive been content with their occupancy detection, but tore out most of the PM42s for PSX cards... gave up on transponding (jmri / cats both do train tracking just fine).
Maybe Dgtrx has made some additional upgrades with the package deal...
Jeff

[jagged ben]

One hardly needs a separate power district for every detection section.

I see that it has a few more features than the BDL168 but the relative pricing would only make sense if it had sixteen detection sections.