This is great news and this is what the channel is all about. When I got back on board 15 years back, it’s hard to believe you had to rely on the guy behind the counter. Great if they were helpful. Really the opposite when aloof. Really happy for you and welcome aboard 👍
Delighted to return to the hobby now I have a grandson to impress. Decided to go down the DCC route and managed to "blow up" a few HM7000 decoders when converting old LIMA locos. They work great on modern Hornby locos but don't seem to handle the current on other stuff. So now I have my first Loksound on my Heljan loco; it's great. Arriving shortly is the dongle, I always thought that the Bluetooth control is very interesting but you can't beat having a knob to turn. How to get the best of both worlds? Well, I had no idea until watching this absolutely superb video. Thankyou so much. I really appreciate the effort you have gone to to pass on this knowledge, Subscribed!
If you ever get an iPad Pro as it does have a bigger screen then you may begin using it more than hands on. This is from one who said the same thing as you a few months ago. The dongle is great if you’ve an xpressnet controller 👍
Great second video on this 👍 glad I know that you can’t use any accessories decoders yet hopefully in the future Hornby will get a update on this, just purchased a second hand Select controller before they all go up in value 😁 dongle been ordered too 😊 looking forward to setting mine up 👍 Just subscribed to your channel too.
The software version 1.6 or 2.0 in the Selects also let's you adjust all CV's as well. You can write to CV's but not read them. Works well! Got to say the 7000app is great for operating sounds!!!
Another excellent video Andy. Interesting to see your shortcuts for setting up the non Bluetooth decoders. Q. Once you have most/all of your locos in the iPad do you think you will use the Elite much less ? I get the tactile aspect of the Elite just wish it had a better display. I also find it interesting why Hornby didn’t design the app to store the locos with the user account so that when you log on to a second iPad/iPhone etc. you get all the previously linked locos/decoders. (I accept this would have been a bigger undertaking on their part with centralised storage and syncing across device issues, so that’s probably why.) Looking forward to seeing how your usage of the system develops. Must congratulate Hornby on what they have done so far.
The Hornby Cloud ☁️. Introducing hCloud, that would have the Bashiers going into blind meltdown. Now Horny wants all your trains too lol. See your train of thought though, pardon the pun. How about a Hornby Hub, which now the dongle is here, your xpressnet controller has once more, become in a way but, missing the all important Bluetooth link to add the new Bluetooth decoders through it to do so, a Hub that can accept Dongles, has the Bluetooth built in, that obviously The Elite is lacking and the right software like the app in it to share. The Hornby Hub then becomes the main Engine Shed where all your Locos live and where one chosen Gadget then controls that by the inbuilt Bluetooth connection as master. Then, all other gadgets joining this, simply piggyback into that by attaching their gadget connected dongles. I’d like to see Layout specific Engine Sheds/Rosters in the app so, you can just load these in by one quick action. I’ve 3 layouts but, especially as I go between say OO Lofthouse & TT Shiredale. Also great for joining a club layout or say my son, even daughter joining mine. You/they just need their/your gadget and Dongle to plug in to that Named Hornby Hub and boom. Your gadget could remember it and the Layouts/Rosters allowed to access within it and simply select this/these, the next time you/they join. Thank you for inspiring that. What do you think? Your Q. Yes, hands on control I feel will get less now but, with an actual controller plugged in, you know where it always is, it’s always connected and always charged.
@@modeloco I guess the idea of a cloud solution recording details of non-Hornby decoders/locos is a non starter, so at least the current solution allows them to be included. Nice idea though. In the video you refer to the Elite as the master engine shed, whereas I think the app would be mine, but also agree that there needs to be a way of dividing up the long list of locos in the app into separate engine sheds or groupings. (Probably a need for more than one way, such as by scale, steam/diesel and by engine shed A/B/C etc.) Regarding rosters and automated running, the Rail Master solution could do that to a point. I just hope the development momentum continues and it doesn’t go the way of Zero One, or eLink/Rail Master. There’s certainly plenty of ideas!
Thank you. Yes, as highlighted @ 3:49 👍. Did go into this a bit more on video - Modeloco ml26 about 11 mins 13 in but this, and the previous, being primarily about the dongle and as yet, it can’t control our old school non Bluetooth type DCC accessory decoders. Fingers crossed it’s very soon which will make me very happy. Thanks for getting in touch.
Hornby's instructions are useless. I have mine working brilliantly with my iPhone, and have ordered another dongle to go with my larger Android tablet. Am I correct in assuming I will have to load all the decoders again, 96 in all? I already have total Bluetooth control with my Locomotive dcc Arduino app, using my Android tablet,which already has accessories control and cv programming. This set up from Hornby is rather behind this existing system, which also costs a fraction of Hornby's gear. It puzzles me why more people don't use it.
@@TheWGLOVER Every gadget you add needs the Engine Shed filling with whatever you cherry 🍒 pick off your addressed controller yes, not your other gadget so, that’s what I’ve done. 👍 I’m an Apple guy so, sounding good 🙏
Hi Andy. Love the update. Do you know if these Hornby TXS sound decoders will work on an normal DCC layout using a normal DCC controller that isn't made by Hornby?
Yes, they do but, as long as you’ve registered and set them up first within the app then once done, just switch over to DCC control but, this is done again, from within the app and you’re ready to go 👍
Really useful, great video Andy. You said that the Select was underpowered for larger layouts. Does "larger" mean lots of track/wiring or lots of locos? Shouldn't it be able to handle 3 concurrent locos running, with another 10 on-track and connected (like in a engine shed)?
Thank You 🙏. Yes, said decent sized and using that as a broad brush because you could have a small layout underpowered or a larger one okay, depending on the set up and current draw. Do your locos draw current when idle. They usually do. Again depending on how you run, that could be yes or no if track isolated. Then accessories, if you have and if so, are they’re plugged in to a separate supply or not. Stationary DCC sound on or off locos usually draw about 0.1A Running at Full Speed about 0.35A in good running order of course with no lights on or fitted. But, adding more locos may not always add up just by multiplying that figure by locos running. My friend had six running , pulling stock and four just sat. Total pull was only 0.7A. Sped up that went up to 0.8A so, it really is up to how you feel and what you’re running on top. Personally I prefer a decent 4.0A supply but, this also is why an Elite is more???
Great videos! Helps a lot to understand HM7000 and all the possibilities. Just installed the dongle on Monday, and it works perfect. I have one TTS equipped loco, a P2, but I can’t import the profile. Any tips?
Great news! There is a workaround with this current update so, yes you can apply your own template ie the TTS one using export/import & it’s all in the video how I do that. My head is deep in something else at present but, it’s there in either part 1 or this part 2 👍
