Blunomi?

[Bill H]

Group;
Has anyone tried the new Soundtrax Blunomi DCC/Bluetooth controller yet? AFAIK, it only works with DCC and Apple devices. Interesting concept to say the least...

Kind regards,
Bill

[C855B]

To directly answer your question, no, I haven't yet. However, I've heard it's pretty good on rye with mustard.

Do you have a link? Can't seem to find anything with "bluetooth" on their site.

[Mike C]

   It's a Soundtraxx decoder mot Digitrax .      Mike

[Bill H]

Mike, you are correct. Edited the OP accordingly.

[Cajonpassfan]

It's called Blunami, see MR ad below. A play on Bluetooth and Tsunami I guess.
I know some folks like to use their smart phones as cabs; I'm not one of them. I tried and hated it...to each his own I guess.
These are too big for N scale anyway...
Otto K.

[peteski]

That seems like sort of a new take on the old MRC sound decoders in the original run of the Athearn Big Boys.  They came with a wireless remote FOB to operate their DCC decoders on DC, while being able to control the sounds.

Technology has advanced: now we have a smart phone wirelessly controlling a decoder via Bluetooth.  What is the point unless, one "upgrades" their entire fleet of motive power to Blunamis?

And yes, I seem to recall seeing it mentioned here in the past (although search is not getting any hits).  Maybe it was elsewhere. 

[EspeeGoldenState]

It really isn't something new, other now incorporating sound  by Soundtraxx. I can't remember exactly when BlueRail was first introduced, but its been a few years at least. First video on their YouTube channel is from almost 9 years ago.

/>
http://bluerailtrains.com/

Soundtraxx has just taken the product and merged it with Tsunami2 and became Bluenami.

[k27463]

What is the point unless, one "upgrades" their entire fleet of motive power to Blunamis?

I doubt N scale is the target market -- I'm really looking forward to using these in some large scale battery powered projects; with most of the larger companies who supplied R/C gear going under, this will cut the price tag for battery/RC/sound in half.

In HO it could be very useful for a limited space dead rail setup.

[peteski]

I doubt N scale is the target market -- I'm really looking forward to using these in some large scale battery powered projects; with most of the larger companies who supplied R/C gear going under, this will cut the price tag for battery/RC/sound in half.

In HO it could be very useful for a limited space dead rail setup.

My point was that regardless of scale, you really need to upgrade the entire fleet. Or you will end up with mish-mash of controls.  You also need an iPhone (no Android support).  But I can see how this would be a welcome news for battery operated large scale models.

[fire5506]

They do have an app for Android phones, but since I don't have a decoder yet I can't test the operability of the app.

I plan on getting a couple of the decoders. I will be able to run the locomotives on almost any model railroad I go too.

I like the idea that I can go to another railroad and use my own controller to run.

The decoder can be controlled blue tooth, or DCC. I could also put a battery in a car and hook it to the engine and run without power on the track, or DC, and DCC.

Richard

[peteski]

Since I'm not really in the market for one of those, I just took a quick peek at https://soundtraxx.com/blunami, and that web page states "Wireless mode is not currently available for android devices.".  Must be stale info.

I am aware of large scale battery operated model trains, using wireless radio signals like CVP AirWire or other control systems (like the earlier mentioned BlueRail).

What is the range of a typical Bluetooth signal?  I was under the impression it was rather short (like 30-40').  Um,  I just read that Class 1 Bluetooth can have range of 150-250'. I guess that (if both devices have enough transmitting power, and support Class 1 operation) it should be sufficient for most garden railroads.  Otherwise, you would have to walk along your model to control  it.

[glenng6]

I realize that someone already mentioned the name is Blunami, but I had to change it in my reply. It was driving me crazy.

peteski,
The BlueRail boards <http://bluerailtrains.com> have been tested up to, I believe, 150' outdoors. That makes them very suitable for garden railroads. Indoors, there are some gotchas, such as walls, tunnels with metal inside or other obstructions that normally interfere with a Bluetooth signal. I have not read of anyone, on the BlueRail website, complain they have had issues with signal interference. I use the BlueRail boards that come in some of the Bachmann locos and they work great. My layout isn't large and is in a single area, with no obstructions and I have no issues indoors. I can't wait until I can get my hands on some Blunami boards. The original developers of BlueRail, who developed the BlueRail app and boards, have renamed the app to Blunami. Soundtraxx and BlueRail have incorporated the ability of Tsumani2 decoders and the "new" Blunami app to communicate with each other. Anything, a Tsumani2 DCC decoder can do can be done by a Blunami decoder, only simpler and in some cases much faster. Glenn

[peteski]

That is very interesting info. I did not know that Blunami uses BlueRail's technology.  Thanks Glenn!

Good to know that the Bluetooth range does not seem to be a problem.  While I would expect the decoder's transmitter to be Class1, but I would have thought that the average smart phone's Bluetooth transmitter would not be as powerful, while a full duplex operation is needed.

[glenng6]

pete ski,

I have no technical knowledge about how Blunami works, or the antenna thingy. All I know is what I read on the BlueRail and Soundtraxx websites. I hope I have relayed proper information and correct understanding of how this technology is actually working. Glenn

[Chris333]

This all sounds like a medication for ED.