Thanks for the indepth review. I have been leaning towards the CVP system if I do go the dcc route. I just haven’t decided yet whether I want to or not as all of my motive power is dc or dcc ready only. So the question is what is a good dc throttle? Seems as though there are not as many choices as there used to be. Kevin
Like you, I also returned to the hobby after several decades and liked the DCC path. I’m also hoping to bring in grandkids one day, just like I bonded with my grandpa over trains, so ease of use and robustness was important for my selection. Kids will continue to use advanced technology, so I chose a system which is fun, robust, intuitive and can be operated by responsible kids.
There are several good systems which meet your requirements, so good news is you have choices.
I run my DCC system using Z21; iPhone/Android for throttles for all operators (they can bring their own and we upload the locos); an iPad for all turnouts; and a large screen TV for cameras on board the locos. I like the iPhone Z21 app as different functions is configured behind icons, like whistle, bell, brakes, coupling, lights, etc. Also, you select locos from images, which make it easy and quick to pick a new loco to control. The same app can also handle turnouts, but I find the small screen limited for any larger layout, so I use a separate large iPad for all turnouts instead.
Z21 can also use traditional wired and wireless throttles, but I have not felt a need for any so far.
Z21 come in a starter kit (z21) and a pro kit (Z21). I went with the pro kit, since I wanted to have some of the higher end features like separate programming track and some of the bi-directional buses.
The TCS throttle via WiFi is the solution I am planning to go to. I have had a Digitrax Chief system for many years but the operatoin and consisting has never really “clicked” for me. But rather than toss it or sell it, I’m going to get the WiFi adaptor for it and use TCS throttles. The WiFi adaptor digitrax sells can only support 4 WiFi throttls but that will probably be enough for me and if I need more than 4 simultanious throttles, I can expand it.
You might want to look at this:
Cheaper or no more than the LNWI, if you already have a Locobuffer-USB or PR3/4 to use, and out of the box it will support 8 and theoretically as many as 32 wifi connections using the internal wifi.
Nice thing about M. Steve Todd’s image with JMRI is it can autodetect which interface you are using for which DCC system and sets itself up. And if you tranfer your interface device to the Pi, you can still access the JMRI from your computer to use DecoderPro.
I really need to check out a UWT and see if I like it, because this would be the way I go as well if the throttle is that good. Need in person train shows to come back.
–Randy