Exciting new bluetooth control for model railways.

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board' started by Mr Badger, Apr 1, 2023.

  1. Mr Badger

    Mr Badger Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2011
    Messages:
    10,211
    Likes Received:
    8,726
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Fillingham
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #1 Mr Badger, Apr 1, 2023
    For them that's interested.
    Up to now we've needed loads of controllers, cables, expensive stuff for digital control, but now Hornby have brought out a new digital bluetooth chip with a sugarcube loudspeaker for instant control from your smart phone.
    You fit the chip into the loco, install the app into your phone, apply a power source to the track and away you go, direct control from your phone via bluetooth.
    You can programme loco sounds into the chip to match what you've installed it into.
    Look at Hornby HM7000 on youtube, it's fascinating how things have progressed.
    Only available on Apple app at the moment, Android to follow soon apparently.
     
    Stephen Dawson likes this.
  2. Stephen Dawson

    Stephen Dawson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2018
    Messages:
    37,111
    Likes Received:
    31,607
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #2 Stephen Dawson, Apr 1, 2023
    It's a shame all my stuff is analogue and I haven't got the money or the time to change up my collection. My Dad will be interested. He's become a DCC snob. Paying over odds for locos just because they have sound.
     
  3. Cow

    Cowboy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2019
    Messages:
    1,594
    Likes Received:
    2,512
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Manager
    Location:
    Ackworth
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #3 Cowboy, Apr 1, 2023
    You need to get him back on track SD before he goes off the rails
     
    Stephen Dawson likes this.
  4. Stephen Dawson

    Stephen Dawson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2018
    Messages:
    37,111
    Likes Received:
    31,607
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #4 Stephen Dawson, Apr 1, 2023
    Joking aside. To me it's just a fad.
     
  5. Redhelen

    Redhelen Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2018
    Messages:
    38,225
    Likes Received:
    44,707
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Female
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #5 Redhelen, Apr 1, 2023
    Doesn't it take the fun away from it, doing it digitally?
     
    Stephen Dawson likes this.
  6. Mr Badger

    Mr Badger Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2011
    Messages:
    10,211
    Likes Received:
    8,726
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Fillingham
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #6 Mr Badger, Apr 1, 2023
    Yes it's become a very expensive hobby.
    Even these new chips I've been describing are the best part of 60 - 70 quid each BUT if you don't have digital controllers then you avoid the cost of buying those.
    I don't know if there are these new basic chips available for bog standard dc locos where you might just want a forwards/reverse function but if they have a built in sound function then it might be worth experimenting with one just to see if it works on an old analogue loco.
     
    Stephen Dawson likes this.
  7. Stephen Dawson

    Stephen Dawson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2018
    Messages:
    37,111
    Likes Received:
    31,607
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #7 Stephen Dawson, Apr 1, 2023
    I just feel like they've ditched analogue. There's no reason for me that they can't put smoke, firebox and sound function in analogue locos. Triang did it back in the day.
     
  8. Mr Badger

    Mr Badger Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2011
    Messages:
    10,211
    Likes Received:
    8,726
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Fillingham
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #8 Mr Badger, Apr 1, 2023
    Don't know .... and I won't offer an opinion. Each to their own etc but digital can be made exciting but complicated but analogue is also great fun.
     
    Redhelen and Stephen Dawson like this.
  9. Stephen Dawson

    Stephen Dawson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2018
    Messages:
    37,111
    Likes Received:
    31,607
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #9 Stephen Dawson, Apr 1, 2023
    I'd say so. My Dad's gone all Lloyd Grossman too about it.
     
    Redhelen likes this.
  10. Mr Badger

    Mr Badger Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2011
    Messages:
    10,211
    Likes Received:
    8,726
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Fillingham
    Style:
    Barnsley (full width)
    #10 Mr Badger, Apr 1, 2023
    I watched a James May video t'other day and he built up an old Flying Scotsman with synchronised chuffing noise which was a bit of metal scratching on a little box in the tender.
     
    Stephen Dawson and Redhelen like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page