QUOTE (wiggy25 @ 21 Sep 2008, 14:28)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks CW.
It does look like an excellent controller, with much to learn!!
That has surprised me that Gaugemaster have sold out of them all, are alot of these to other dealers though?
I can't see many people buying them from Gaugemaster at £750
I've seen DCC supplies has them for £550 ish, which is still not cheap, but not too much more than the ECoS when it first came out.
It will be interesting to see exactly what it can do when the English manual comes out!
I thought it would do more than basic shuttles, but could be wrong.
I've heard a rumor that ESU will be launching an update that lets you draw the track diagram on screen, so very much like the ECoS but in monochrome!
That also sounds very interesting, how true it is, is another matter though!
Cheers
Her are a few more things it can do:
* Control of locomotives and accessories in all digital protocols
* Double heading
* Two speed-control knobs with two direction-buttons
* "navigator"- like a joystick
* Feedback with s88 and the new fast
Viessmann-"Speedbus" (Hbus)
* Colour track diagram in three zoom steps
* Coloured representation of switch positions and signal aspects
* Coloured indication of programmed switched routes
(yellow) and occupied track sections (red) (with optional accessories)
* Train identification number shown on the track diagram(with compatible decoders)
* Time table operation, control of blocks and shuttle trains,
internal clock can be set to real or model time
* Connection to a PC by USB 2.0
* Terminals for a programming-track
* Integrated booster
The COMMANDER offers the simplest and easiest operation
with a large colour display compatible with all control systems
(DCC, Märklin Motorola)
With the COMMANDER, a completely new control philosophy
is created for digital control. However it is however nearly
invisible for the user, as the technology is controlled by means
of a completely graphic user surface. It gets along without bits
and bytes, and clearly represents the functions of the system -
including the track layout which is shown on the coloured
display as pictures or symbols. The user operates the railway
and controls it with the touch sensitive surface the display with
by 'pressing' the railway-prototypical symbols. Therefore you
do not need to worry about the technology in the background.
An Integrated system, All the components of the Viessmann
Digital-System work together and synchronously. From the on
screen track plan, hardware track plan desk (Optional) and
even the computer software always reflects the current layout
conditions. Computer software and COMMANDER work with
identical data structures and logic.
Data records can be created on one, and afterwards adjusted
with the other system. Thus you create (e.g.) your trackplan
comfortably in the living room at the PC and can it then
download to the COMMANDER.
Auto-configuration is naturally included with the track plan
position desk also particularly simple to configure. for instance:
New switching decoders (with integrated Viessmann
Switchbus) register automatically at the centre and configure
themselves as far as possible. But not only the switching
decoders. Also Viessmann feedback controllers, - control
quadrant and - track picture position fields announce
themselves automatically - during operation! - with the
Viessmann „COMMANDER".
The Viessmann COMMANDER other and track plan desk are
conservative in a positive sense, because Viessmann has
also here maximised use for the railway Modeller: An
interface to older systems makes it possible, to use
pre-existing controllers and decoders . The screen shows only
the things, which one needs, in clear and clear form. The
colour representation permits it to highlight different operating
conditions. COMMANDER retains absolutely identical
representations on the screen also on the Viessmann track
plan position fields and on the PC software.
Update Conservatively, with quality at favourable prices and a
long-lived concept mean with Viessmann for a future-oriented
design will mean your COMMANDER will be in use for many
years and still up-to-date.
Therefore the COMMANDER and all other controllers are
software up-datable. From the computer you can up-load new
software.
CW...
p.s. Don't you think they should be paying me for all this ???