New Product

[jpec]

Saw this on FB today:


http://www.wicommand.com/#!products/jqrlf

[fcwilt]

Never heard of them but it might be an option for those on a budget who just want to run a few engines.

It seems like it might be a small startup.

I love the "The future of digital model railroad control today" which is way over the top. 

Frederick

[railnerd]

I got the same Facebook add the other day…  could be more interesting if they actually publish the protocols used.

-Dave

[fcwilt]

I got the same Facebook add the other day…  could be more interesting if they actually publish the protocols used.

-Dave

What do you mean by "protocols"?

It's a DCC command station so that covers the protocols used to control the mobile/stationary decoders.

I'm guessing it uses WiFi for communication with the Android app.

Frederick

[jagged ben]

Only three wifi throttles per system?  That seems like a severe and unnecessary limitation, if it's Wifi based.  If not for that (and their webpage needing spellcheck) I'd be quite interested.

[railnerd]

What do you mean by "protocols"?

The Wifi protocols for talking to the thing from another computer— like JMRI/DecoderPro.

e.g., if I wanted to throw an accessory turnout from a computer program or web application, can I do that?

-Dave

[fcwilt]

The Wifi protocols for talking to the thing from another computer— like JMRI/DecoderPro.

e.g., if I wanted to throw an accessory turnout from a computer program or web application, can I do that?

-Dave

I'm just guessing here but currently I would say no.

They list an app for Android with some limited capabilities such as controlling accessory decoders using a 2 digit address. So is that limit (2 digit address) a limit of the app or the device itself?

They say an IOS app is coming so I would think a Windows app would be feasible.

But with all the name brand products out there that do what this unit does and more why go with a company that has no track record?

The only thing I see the unit has going for it is price - feature wise it is really limited.

Frederick

[C855B]

It may be a "getting their feet wet" sort of thing. What is being offered is not an operator's system nor something intended for anything beyond a small layout. There's no evidence of expandability, either. It's just a plug'n'play system for WiFi phone-based throttles.

But "plug'n'play" is the key. Now why these folks could do it and Digitrax could not is what boggles my mind.

A couple of other things... there's no mention of consisting that I can find. Then there's the current Android-only status, and not only that, but the app is only available through Google Play. There are a good number of Android devices out there - usually super-cheap mini-pads - where the manufacturer has parted ways with Google beyond the OS, and their devices are blocked from Google Play. I have a couple of these and am able to download Engine Driver because it bypasses Google Play, but I can't tinker with WiCommand.

They'd also better be careful about which iOS level they're going to support. There was a big jump in the API between iOS 7 and iOS 8 (or was it 8 and 9?). If they're insisting on the latest environment, they've locked themselves out of compatibility with off-contract "too old" iPhones that, for instance, I have a pile of for handing out to use with WiThrottle and JMRI.

IOW, very, very interesting offering in that a DCC noob can upgrade his layout with an existing smartphone for $120. A cheap and simple option. But beyond the lone operator, there's nowhere to expand. Even if they took their premise and morphed it into an expandable system, you're still going to have to replace the original "black box".

[fcwilt]

But "plug'n'play" is the key. Now why these folks could do it and Digitrax could not is what boggles my mind.

Could you elaborate on how you feel this simple system is more "plug'n'play" than Digitrax?

[C855B]

Gosh...

• Download the app.
• Connect the wire to the track. Two wires - one to one rail and the other to the other - no need to read instructions there.
• Plug in the the power supply.
• Start the app.
• Enter loco #.
• Run train.

Of course I'm conjecturing re. the simplicity of the app, extrapolating the moderately straightforward scheme of WiThrottle. However, as a (former) app developer and long-time Digitrax user and enthusiast, I can't see how they could possibly screw it up so bad as to be worse than Digitrax. Even with the "entry-level" Zephyr, LOCO, ####, LOCO is not obvious. LOCO, ####, ...where's the damn "ENTER" key? I mean, really?

The multiple wires coming out of the Zephyr and other Digitrax controllers means reading instructions. I'm a big advocate of clarity and obviousness. Digitrax for all its power is short on clarity and long on arcane.

I am curious how they're handling programming decoders, but I'll bet it's going to be a clear page in the app.

[jagged ben]

I'll have to reserve judgement on this new entrant, but if they don't step up to offering a more comprehensive product then perhaps they will at least push the existing manufacturers to up their game.  I mean seriously, the major DCC product manufacturers have not meaningfully updated their technology in two decades.  With today's hardware and technology enviroment, the standard command station product ought to have the following features...

- wifi network
- manufacturer supplied apps to access all features of the command station
- essentially unlimited numbers of trains and control, within the limits of the DCC standard (e.g. run 10,000 locomotives if you somehow had that, maybe at a convention)
- USB connection for a computer to interface with whatever you want, e.g. JMRI

Digitrax just announced a command station with the last feature only, which is like the most meaningful update to their command station product line ever.  And it's basically a very incremental improvement that they should have been available last decade.  I mean, I know that development costs money, and they probably want to hang on to selling throttles as long as possible, but c'mon.  If they don't eventually adapt then someone else will come along and blow them out of the water.  If not WiCC, then someone else.  At least I hope so.   

With that said, if a Digitrax designed app were anything like their manuals, I'd probably use anyone else's product.  And not to rag on Digitrax alone, none of the other US manufacturers have made any progress here either. 

[fcwilt]

the major DCC product manufacturers have not meaningfully updated their technology in two decades.

Aside from the "major" qualification check out these offerings:

http://www.z21.eu/en

http://www.digikeijs.com/dr5000-dcc-multi-bus-centrale.html

The Z21 comes with a wireless router for those that don't already have WiFi in their homes or simply want a dedicated WiFi for their layout.

The Z21 can be controlled via a "touch screen" app or (coming soon) a WiFi Roco multiMAUS.

The DR5000 includes a WiFi access point that you can use (or not) as you see fit.

Both have a Ethernet network port as well.

Given the multiple buses that each product supports you can also use LocoNet compatible devices, XpressNet compatible devices and others.

The DR5000 is the newer of the two and additional features and supporting hardware are under development.

Both of these products are pretty much "state of the art" relative to many US offerings.

Frederick

[jdcolombo]

Aside from the "major" qualification check out these offerings:

http://www.z21.eu/en

http://www.digikeijs.com/dr5000-dcc-multi-bus-centrale.html

The Z21 comes with a wireless router for those that don't already have WiFi in their homes or simply want a dedicated WiFi for their layout.

The Z21 can be controlled via a "touch screen" app or (coming soon) a WiFi Roco multiMAUS.

The DR5000 includes a WiFi access point that you can use (or not) as you see fit.

Both have a Ethernet network port as well.

Given the multiple buses that each product supports you can also use LocoNet compatible devices, XpressNet compatible devices and others.

The DR5000 is the newer of the two and additional features and supporting hardware are under development.

Both of these products are pretty much "state of the art" relative to many US offerings.

Frederick

I'd add the ESU ECoS 50200.  http://www.esu.eu/en/products/digital-control/ecos-50200-dcc-system/what-ecos-can-do/

John C.

[fcwilt]

I'd add the ESU ECoS 50200.  http://www.esu.eu/en/products/digital-control/ecos-50200-dcc-system/what-ecos-can-do/

John C.

While I am not familiar with that unit, at a glance is does indeed seem to be very slick compared to US products.

I will have to research it more.

Thank you.

[jagged ben]

Yup, the Europeans have been putting us to shame.  I've been somewhat aware of that, although not following all the details.