SoundTraxx is announcing a new DCC product on a facebook livestream on Tuesday morning (Aug 6) 10AM MST.
https://www.facebook.com/events/429559812548640/
There is a fullpage ad about it in the Sept MRR.
Here is a video about the Blunami decoder:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwKzTVrm_6E
Think About this -
CV manipulation with a user friendly interface - no need for a manual or calculating values
no need for s DCC system
it is basically a full function DCC decoder with a very user friendly interface.
no hardware - the app can be changed via software update.
this board is revolutionary
Dunno. I can't get my head around this product. The comments that follow the video are more interesting than the video itself. Why would I buy this?
Rich
Alton Junction
Hmmm. I don't know if this moves the needle for me.
Its not like I'm constantly changing the CVs on my locos. Once they are set to the way I want them, I don't touch the CVs. Once I have learned what settings I like (admittedly was a pain), I can punch them into the next decoder I buy. Its not hard to look up a prime mover Value or a horn or a bell. Locos have been operating for years with the same settings.
I can see where an easier interface is useful if you are constantly playing with the settings, but once you settle on what you want, the interface doesn't really matter anymore.
And I hate using my phone as something other than a phone. I only do that because I'm being pushed that direction.
- Douglas
Doughless Hmmm. I don't know if this moves the needle for me. Its not like I'm constantly changing the CVs on my locos. Once they are set to the way I want them, I don't touch the CVs. Once I have learned what settings I like (admittedly was a pain), I can punch them into the next decoder I buy. Its not hard to look up a prime mover Value or a horn or a bell. Locos have been operating for years with the same settings. I can see where an easier interface is useful if you are constantly playing with the settings, but once you settle on what you want, the interface doesn't really matter anymore. And I hate using my phone as things other than a phone. I only do that because I'm being pushed that direction.
And I hate using my phone as things other than a phone. I only do that because I'm being pushed that direction.
Don't knock it until you've tried it.
Bucksco Don't knock it until you've tried it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwKzTVrm_6E
It's just that some of us see no reason or need to try it.
And that is absolutely your choice. Others out there myself included have been waiting for years for an intuitive software based system that takes the drudgery out of decoder programming, Lashup configuration, etc.
All I'm saying is for those who are interested it is definitely worth trying.
Just on a very quick look, it seems to just be an improvement of the bluetooth control systems already available from Bachmann and Lionel (and Marklin I believe?). This system allows more ability to change CVs but otherwise is not all that different.
It is very different - it is complete control of DCC. Every DCC function and ability is there and much easier to control and configure. The Bachmann version was extremely limited in function.
I certanily wasn't knocking it. I was explaining that I don't need a way to change CV setting frequently. I have already set my Athearn Genesis OEM Tsunami2 locomotives to the way I want them, some nearly two years ago.
It just doesn't seem practical for me to be concerned about entering CVs in my wireless phone when I do that from my wireless command station for any new Athearn Genesis Tsunami 2 loco I may buy.
And this is from personal memory, quicker recall for me than fiddling with a device to find it. Any new ATHG GP gets these settings right out of the box:
CV 153 to 0 to get rid of the annoying clickity clack.
CV 215 to 65 to slow the entire speed curve down including starting speed.
CV 2 to adjust smoothness at start..usually to value 2 or 3 (a bit of iteration here)
CV 5 to 190 and CV 6 to 90 so all Athearn Genesis GP locos have the same speed curve and consist well.
CV 3 to 90 and CV 4 to 40 to adjust acceleration/deceleration momentums and consist well.
CV 32 to 2 for indexing CV 511 to 0, to turn off the Dynamic Exhaust feature.
CV 198 to 12 to engage automatic brake squeal upon slowing down.
CV 139 to 40 to adjust the volume of the squeal.
CV 140 to 0 to turn off the stupid automatic brake hiss when reducing speed only 1 notch at a time that seems to be activated when turning the automatic brake squeal on
CV29 to 3, for reversing the second or third loco in the consist and to flip the lights to follow the change in direction.
CV58 to 60 to shut off the back headlight.
And I always have to refer to these setting that are written down on the fascia of the layout:
53 to 201, 54 to 233, 55 to 201, and 56 to 233 to get the front and rear ditchlights to flash when the horn is blown.
Edit: Missed one. CV 114 to somewhere between 30 and 50 to spread the revs/notching out along the speed steps, otherwise the damm thing revs too many times given the slower speed changes that happen when setting CV 215 to 65.
Then the loco gets played with indefinitely.
Maybe others frequently change their CV settings. I can't speak to that.
I don't see why some are focusing on the ability to change CVs.
What seems to be innovative is the ability to control trains without the need for a DCC system, as well as operate the train with DC or battery power.
The need for a smart phone is a downside for those who would rather not have/need one.
maxman I don't see why some are focusing on the ability to change CVs. What seems to be innovative is the ability to control trains without the need for a DCC system, as well as operate the train with DC or battery power. The need for a smart phone is a downside for those who would rather not have/need one.
So its like the DC system that AristoCraft/CREST came out with right when DCC started, where you install a board in the loco that accepted various commands given by its wireless throttle...albeit much fewer? In this case, your phone is the throttle...small difference really.
CREST installed a little onboard receiver into the locos that you could execute throttle commands over a chosen frequency unique to the board/loco. Different technology here but the same outcome.
I thought that was innovative and a real difference maker at the time. But everybody went with the new "digital technology" called DCC with a fixed command station, and that onboard wireless CREST system faded away.
I think I'll stick with standard sound decoders and DCC. What happens if someone calls you right in the middle of running your train? Nobody ever calls my Power Cab.
Pete.
wrench567 I think I'll stick with standard sound decoders and DCC. What happens if someone calls you right in the middle of running your train? Nobody ever calls my Power Cab. Pete.
You put the train on Hold and press the Call Waiting Button.
Looks like the Blunami app is (for now) iOS only -- you need either an iPad or iPhone to run it.
The app is already available at Apple's App Store, if you have an iOS device and would like to try it.
I'm a Mac user but I don't have any iOS devices. However, I was able to download it to my 2021 MacBook Pro, which has an m-series (ARM style) CPU and is supposed to be able to run -some- iOS apps as well as Mac apps. Couldn't get it to load, however -- it's the first time I've tried an iOS app, I could be doing something wrong...
wrench567 I think I'll stick with standard sound decoders and DCC. What happens if someone calls you right in the middle of running your train? Nobody ever calls my Power Cab. I don't know about this app but Engine Driver takes the call and stops the engines running. Hopefully this app will behave similarly. Joe Pete.
I don't know about this app but Engine Driver takes the call and stops the engines running. Hopefully this app will behave similarly.
Joe
OK, last night I watched the video that Passenger1955 included in their post, and it does look pretty interesting. I think the ability to do the CV settings is an advantage, a bit like Decoder Pro but faster and with the ability to do immediate testing. It seems as sound decoders get more options, needing more CVs, companies seem to have gotten kinda vague on just exactly what each CV does and what changing the amount does.
The main difference I see is Blunami has 300 more controllable settings than the other products you mentioned. The Bachmann product does not have sound in the loco. I imagine that is important to some people. I am also told the Lionel product has range issues - choice and implementation of Bluetooth modules is a key aspect of the success in a BT product.
Yes, it's supposed to work on the new Macs. looking forward to trying that out sometime.
Put your phone in "Do Not Disturb" mode
passenger1955 The main difference I see is Blunami has 300 more controllable settings than the other products you mentioned. The Bachmann product does not have sound in the loco. I imagine that is important to some people. I am also told the Lionel product has range issues - choice and implementation of Bluetooth modules is a key aspect of the success in a BT product.
The products in this hobby are driven by various individual tastes and wants of its members. I never plunged into DCC because I never needed the power to run 99 trains at the same time or whatever the shpeel was at the time. When onboard sound came around, then that was an innovation worthy of making the switch.
The ability to have 300 controllable settings makes my head spin, because I've had trouble caring enough already to come up with the 15 or so I listed above. Some of those are simply undoing what as already been set to default active, like turning off clickity clack and the Dynamic Exhaust function. Most others are pretty basic stuff, so its really only about activating or adjusting about a dozen controllable functions.
Breaking it down that way makes me think more about why I would want to do all of the stuff that a product offers.
I don't care but if it cuts into dcc maybe it will reduce the cost of decoders as sales decline.
Doughless The products in this hobby are driven by various individual tastes and wants of its members. I never plunged into DCC because I never needed the power to run 99 trains at the same time or whatever the shpeel was at the time. When onboard sound came around, then that was an innovation worthy of making the switch. The ability to have 300 controllable settings makes my head spin, because I've had trouble caring enough already to come up with the 15 or so I listed above.
The ability to have 300 controllable settings makes my head spin, because I've had trouble caring enough already to come up with the 15 or so I listed above.
I have no doubt that a segment of MR hobbyists cannot get enough CVs to control movement, lights and sound. I am happy for them. I am just not one of them. For me, the fewer the CVs, the better.
richhotrain Doughless The products in this hobby are driven by various individual tastes and wants of its members. I never plunged into DCC because I never needed the power to run 99 trains at the same time or whatever the shpeel was at the time. When onboard sound came around, then that was an innovation worthy of making the switch. The ability to have 300 controllable settings makes my head spin, because I've had trouble caring enough already to come up with the 15 or so I listed above. Yeah, I pretty much agree. The advent of DCC was a true innovation in the model railroading hobby - - independent locomotive control and sound. I have no doubt that a segment of MR hobbyists cannot get enough CVs to control movement, lights and sound. I am happy for them. I am just not one of them. For me, the fewer the CVs, the better. Rich
Yeah, I pretty much agree. The advent of DCC was a true innovation in the model railroading hobby - - independent locomotive control and sound.
There was an article in MR years ago that talked about how different features allow us to "super detail" operations. Like superdetailing a model's appearance, we can now superdetail a model's operation.
Makes sense. But I don't have the cost-benefit personality for much superdetailing. Maybe call what I've done as "detailing" operations but not super detailing them.
Its obvious that there is a large segment of the hobby population that is into superdetailing, and this product may be of tremendous interest to them.
Bucksco Think About this - CV manipulation with a user friendly interface - no need for a manual or calculating values no need for s DCC system it is basically a full function DCC decoder with a very user friendly interface. no hardware - the app can be changed via software update. this board is revolutionary
But I don't have an IOS device. I also don't want to use a touch screen to control my trains. So at present, not as good as it could be. The $170 price tag is pretty high. But inovation is good.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Never jumped on the Apple cart. I like the ease of the Android myself. So I guess Soundtraxx is writing off half the population. OK with me.
Plus it's way too expensive. Unless the cost comes down considerably, there will be few takers. Hobby dollars are getting harder to collect these days.
This looks interesting. Sounds like it is a bluotooth replacement of Decoder pro. But since I have Decoder Pro that I am familiar with, I am not quite sure if I would jump into this...
Jerry
I am a DC guy and would be one of their targeted potential customers.
The soundtraxx 2200 decoder is recommended for just 2 of my 7 DCC Ready locomotives. I would still need a DCC system if I wanted to operate all of my locomotives.
It would be a major effort to add sound to these locomotives but easy to find mobile decoders at 1/4th the price of a BLU 2200. I could be in a DCC system (DR5000) and equip all my locomotives with a mobile decoder for under $500. Sound is great but not at that difference in cost.
I like their marketing idea but it doesn't fit my situation very well.