The Future of Model Railways is Here! Soundtraxx Blunami BLU-2200 Bluetooth Control DCC system
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- The Soundtraxx Blunami BLU-2200 bluetooth digital sound decoder is an amazing step forward for model railway control. Today Jenny is going to take a look at how it works, how to fit it to your locomotives, and also check how well it runs on both DC (yes, really!) and DCC systems. If you like the look of this system and fancy some for yourself, check out www.soundtraxx.com/
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My website: www.jennifer-kirk.com/ - Навчання та стиль
I have two blunami 2200 and am experimenting with the functions. It will change the DCC world.
Woo hoo, this is great, I am a DC modeller and a iphone user. I love the DC option which means I can change my locos to DCC one by one. This really is a giant leap for Trainkind. And one I will be trying, (Probably Hornby).
It’s definitely a game changer for model railway great video very informative and educational and entertaining
Many thanks!
Glad that you are well enough to make videos again! This is an interesting and innovative range.
Blue tooth is definitely the the future it’s a game changer
It absolutely is.
Thanks Jen, dragging yourself out for us. A great new product
Great video Jenny. I think for anyone who likes the look of the control features but doesn't want to change over their DCC chips, then definitely give the Z21 and an iPad a go.
Glad you are feeling better Jenny very interesting video .I am eagerly waiting for the Hornby HM 7000 TXS decoders to come out.
I see the 'Back to clockwork' campaign is gaining momentum. (Sorry; I couldn't resist it)
Totally blown away here!
It's certainly got my interest up in dcc, it would be interested for my kings and castle locos , very interesting videos
Great Info 👌
I think Hornby HM7000 has the edge, not only in that they will make it available for both Android and iOS from day 1, but that you don't necessarily need a DCC controller. Plus you can use HM7000 together with HM6000 to control points etc.
You don’t need a DCC controller for Soundtraxx and Android support is on its way. Hornby’s option isn’t here yet, either.
@ HM7000 also works with HM6010 to control points etc. Guess it depends what you want. I've seen the Hornby system working with decoders installed in 2 TT120 locos (one with sound) and 2 HO locos. As Im already using the HM6000 I will buy 1 decoder and see how it performs.
The HM6010 can only control a maximum 12 accessories which is very limiting. I was concerned this might be the case with the HM7000 too, so emailed Simon Kohler at Hornby.
He kindly replied and said there would be no practical limit on the number of acessories the HM7000 could handle, which is re-assuring.
Looks great
It really is a paradigm shift.
Thank you for this introduction to Bluetooth control, it looks very interesting, I will give it a try when Hornby have something for my layout.
very instructive video - thank you
What a gorgeous interface, someone has really thought about it. I think that Bluetooth is a very useful addition to the ‘toolbox’.
very cool, been looking at these for my lego trains. Waiting on Hornby due to price.
Fantastic tutorial. I haves number of Class 67s without sound, so I am looking forward to HM7000 by Hornby..
Hi Jenny. One of the excellent points you make is the ability to program and alter CV's on the fly. Do you think the arrival of these bluetooth decoders is going to put a rocket up other chip manufacturers (like the big ones EMU etc) to *finally* bring us a better DCC programming interface to make it easier to change CV programming?
Wonderful video
Great review and definitely a game changer. So much versatility in an easy to use interface. It will probably help with engaging more of us Millennials to continue the hobby in the future!
Would the sound track be for model railroaders with an A4 Dwight D Eisenhower maybe?
Hope you're feeling better soon!
Eagerly awaiting the new HM - Hornby 7000 for 1/3 of the price of this Blunami and with the advantage to also use on most Android smartphones and a free downloads from a sound library. THAT IS the FUTURE !
This is a brilliant development - the app looks so much more user-friendly than the rather clunky DCC controllers currently available. It would be interesting to see how these Blunami decoders and app compare with the forthcoming Hornby Bluetooth decoders which appear to be a lot cheaper
I was thinking the same. I was a bit worried that there might be a limit on the number of accessories it could run, like the HM6010.
I emailed Simon Kohler and he replied that there would be no limit for accessories which is reassuring.
I have to say I was intrigued with how the end user would go about advanced CV programming and at least the manufacturer has giving a good selection of pre-programmed options taking away that frustration.
It will be interesting to see if Hornby offers the same thing and compatibility with the various versions of IOS and Android devices still being used.
It does say on the packaging what version IOS is required and I should imagine thats also relevant to what version Bluetooth transceiver is in the device.
A great review Jen. 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Excellent video as always Jenny. Compared to Hornby's price of £44.99 though the price of the Soundtrax decoder is very high at £142.26. I am very intersted in this technology as DCC is just way too expensive for me. I'll wait and see what Hornby's products are like
Hi Jenny, I'm looking forward to when Hornby release their bluetooth HM7000 which if it works as promised looks like it will be a game changer.
If you decide to have a look at that when it's available it would be great to have a comparison video with the Blunami system.
All that as gone right over my head
The idea of fitting a decoder and using digital control on DC powered layout using a smartphone or tablet sounds interesting. However, I think that I will wait until the decoders get compact enough to pass the Terrier test before giving it a go.
It will also be interesting to see how Hornby's offerings compare, when they are out.
Assuming that both this and Hornbys version if used in their bluetooth mode would ignore control system stop commands on trying to enter an occupied block as they don't interface with control software while in bluetoth mode.
Hi Jenny that was a really really good video I think Bluetooth is going to be the way forward it seems so simple thank you for sharing this with us and are you going to Ally Pally this year
Excellant Jenny.
As somebody just getting back into Railway modeling after many years away, I am at the stage of DCC, do I don't I.
Would be very interested to see one of your class 25's fitted up as and when it becomes available.
Kind regards,
Robert.
I'm similar having got back into the hobby during lockdown. Personally I'm waiting to see what Hornbys HM7000 bluetooth system is like. If it works as promised then it would be much cheaper as well as easier to use than DCC.
It will also allow you to run both analogue and bluetooth chipped locos on the layout so you can add chips when you can afford it, rather than having to convert your whole fleet.
Jenny another great video are you going to go through the Hornby Bluetooth range I am a NCE user I am interested in the blue tooth Legacy Dongle which suggests that this will allow you to control DCC fitted locos without a dedicated blue tooth chip fitted .?
Jennfer how are you fleeling ?
I still feel so ill, but better than I was. Thanks!
Do the settings obtained on the phone, duplicate on the conventional cab, I have an ECoS which has touch function keys
yes. Any settings adjusted using the app interface get written to CVs. Some people use the app to edit CVs and setup their loco, then run their loco with conventional DCC cabs.
Even though I'm a old fossil on DC still 😂 I can see the potential of this system because of the fact that you don't need a DCC set up to use it. Great for a typical 'one engine in steam' type of layout. (Whats the diesel version of that? 😂)
The cost is still very expensive and will put some people off just like DCC has but I've no doubt will come down eventually. If they did versions with plugs attached more people might be tempted. As others have said it will be interesting to see how Hornby's compares in quality and price.
The Blunami decoder has a 9-pin connection (if you snip away the shrink wrap at one end). You can unplug the colored wire harness that comes with it and plug in a 9-pin that adapts to whatever your loco supports.
Iv got a 21 pin Bluetooth chip with speaker but I haven’t a clue what you do with it😊
Hi Jennifer where did your chip from Blunani from.Are they available in UK .Simon
I think I'll wait for Hornby's offering. It's not only bluetooth but more plug and play.
"technoweeny" -- great word!
Am I correct in seeing no log in screen? So likely the blunami app is not reporting any usage information to unknown servers. This being unlike another brand's system that unnecessarily requires a call home login.
A good product but given the likely price, poor value considering it has no coast so dynamic setting or not, it still chuffs when you creep up to couple up. This is also a weakness of the Econami which does come with good UK sounds but no coasting. No doubt UK sounds will arrive as Soundtraxx clearly already have a good selection. Hornby seem to well ahead with their rival system on price at least.
I'm a plastic modeller rather than a model railway person, but I dropped by here exhausted by the political madness I see on the net and realized that hobbies, in a way, are an oasis of sanity in an otherwise crazy world.
The sounds are very American!
Going a bit off-topic - I never understood why American loco's have to make so much noise - every crossing - barriers, lights - or none - is accompanied by a clanging bell and FOUR horn blasts, two long, one short, as they approach each crossing, and a long blast as they actually cross (when it is too late to get out of the way anyway!) plus the crossing 'clanger' bell, even if there is another crossing 100 yards along the track!
because...................huge lawsuits
I don't see the point of this system, you can't buy it in the UK yet.
The Z21 system gives similar control with any dcc decoder.
You can purchase Blunamis from CoastalDCC in the UK
Not quite sure how this is the future when Hornbys already announced Bluetooth system doesn't require half of stuff and has a far less clunky interface. In fact isn't Hornbys really just a part re licensed upgrade of this older system by Hammont and Bryter digital.