I saw your unboxing video of the beta version. I'm at the stage of planning where I can explore different modes of control. My envisioned layout wouldn't necessarily benefit from LCC since it'll be a small around the room type but I would like some level of automation. Price does matter to me and that's why I won't buy the -100 controller. 300 bucks is just too steep. What have been your impressions as you've tested the command station.
I hate to admit that I've done limited testing with the CS-105 so far. I got pushed into an overtime mode at work recently which really threw a wrench into my plans. Before that I was looking for a cheap NCE Pro Cab to use for testing. There is a lot of interest among modelers in how the NCE cabs would interact with this CS. Now I'm thinking that rather than making some big long review video, I want to chop it up into bite size features, and focus on one area at a time.
As I also have a UWT-100, it ties to the CS flawlessly. I know it's a steep entry point for the UWT-100, but the UWT-50s are finally shipping, too, and look good (I got couple on pre-order). The first time I connected the UWT-100 and CS-105, I got that giddy feeling of empowerment. Because it runs in LCC mode (as opposed to WiThrottle), the throttle has full access to the CS and any aspect of the configuration can be managed through it. Sure you can plug the LCC network to your computer/JMRI, but you need LCC Buffer-USB, or similar interface.
With just the Throttle/CS combo it feels complete. This was a big deal to me, and one of the main reasons why I bought into LCC back when - no need for a computer to run the layout. The best I can explain the way CS is built, is through a "software defined" features. As firmware is upgradeable, new features and fixes can be applied to both the throttle and the CS.
The first updates saw the coveted Train Database go live which allows for adding locomotives into the CS by just entering their road number. The entry is automatically created in the database (LCC node is created for each locomotive) and from there on, this locomotive is available to any LCC capable throttle on the network (and JMRI through the computer connection).
But at a press of a button you can see an entire roster on the throttle. You can name each locomotive/node e.g. "Eastbound Coal Drag" and that's what you see on the screen of the throttle. Defintely beats remembering road numbers or looking for them in some underground located staging yard.
This is being taken one step further now, with an automatic "sign on" system (via Railcom), where you won't even need to enter a loco into the Train Database. Any Railcom capable locomotive will automatically log onto the LCC network once you put it onto the track; send its details to the CS, and become available in the roster. The sign on system is similar to Marklin/Motorola, which is also supported for our European friends.
Without these software defined features, this wouldn't be possible, and it's open to expansion as far as the hardware permits. Which is a real engineering marvel onto itself. I think I posted the photo of the PCB before, but here it is again:
It's crazy how much they packed into it: Cab Bus, XpressNET, LCC, 5 Amp booster, built-in WiFi Access Point for 4 throttles (stations), PoM, Accessory control...
I believe that the LCC eco-system is going to be a big thing for automation. I also have a (somewhat educated) suspicion that we haven't seen everything yet when it comes to LCC and automation, which makes me even more excited.
My layout is room size too, and I want to be able to automate many things, for when people are not around to perform them. This Consumer/Producer stuff in LCC isn't anything groundbreaking as similar messaging has been done with MQTT. But there are commercial products available for LCC, and many people prefer that to thinkering with DIY electronics.
Sadly, LCC is still a bit of a "rocket science", despite it being ratified as a NMRA standard. Even those who are now adopting it for their layouts are somewhat struggling with certain things, imho. The learning curve is still steep. So it will be an uphill trajectory for the time being, before enough people had their hands "dirtied" with it.
It is definitely the future of the hobby and I wouldn't suggest anyone investing into current NCE or Digitrax DCC systems, no matter how small or large their layout is.
