An initial review by DCC Supplies.

Overview:
So far, the packaging wording, and highlights are all in German, though on closer examination one can see that the silk screening on the ECos itself is in English.
Even so, the functional highlights are shown in photographic format as well, and with the large expanse of touch sensitive screen staring blankly back at you through the viewing window the message comes across load & clear, this is one seriously smart piece of kit!

The package contains as standard a European power cord, multi-voltage power supply (with standard 2-pin mains cord, so a replacement UK/US/Australian version can be provided very easily), a selection of standard plugs for connection to the layout (interestingly they are the same as used by ZTC) the console itself, and a German manual. Though at the time of writing, an English manual is now available for download from the German ESU site!(All systems from DCC supplies contain a UK power cord, English manual, and network crossover cable [for direct connection to the Ethernet port on a PC], have been set to English, and loaded with Version 1.0.1 firmware)

The command station it’s self is finished in a matt graphite coloured injection moulded case, with 8 gloss black softkeys along each side of the large (7”) mono LCD screen. There are also two large silver knobs, with index marks on each side the case, with a small mushroom shaped joystick below. A pair of translucent grey buttons marked stop and go are prominently displayed beneath the softkeys. These light up red and green respectively when activated.
The quality of the case is very high, and has a rigid heavy feel to it, the action of the softkeys is good, though a little spongy feeling at the end of their travel. The control knobs have a feel not unlike a high quality analogue controller (the type which operated a wirewound potentiometer) this is due to the fact that each knob is connected to a motor via a slip clutch. The joysticks move in 360° and also have a press function. ESU would do well to provide a rubber boot for the joystick, as without the mechanism is exposed, and it also detracts from the sleek look of the console.

In a holster at the top right of the console is a silver tab, this is the stylus which is used on the touch screen to avoid scratching and fingerprints, familiar issues to anyone who uses a PDA, the Stylus maybe a source of disappointment to those same users, as it’s quality is nowhere near that of a PDA stylus, its injection moulded, and flimsy, I feel that it possibly will not be very screen friendly either, so mine has already become consigned to the spares draw, I use a spare stylus from my IPAQ, (available from any Dixons/PC world/computer reseller) A nice touch though is the storage groove on the right hand throttle, this saves your expensive new stylus from going missing!

Powering up:
On plugging the unit in the [lengthy] boot process begins, the screen remains dark for a second or so, then the ECoS logo appears, and finally the backlight comes on. Immediately apparent was the high contrast and wide viewing angle, both features to be appreciated in a desk based console, as it can easily be read without being directly in front of the screen. After about 9 seconds the screen blanks, and returns with a small black square rushing up and down along the bottom of the screen, this continues for around 20 seconds when the Stop button lights red. After just over a minute in total. the main display appears, with the HELP/Welcome screen open. If this is your first boot of a non prepared system the display will be in German. (To change this select the 5th icon from the left along the top and tap the down arrow in the ‘SPRACHE’ box). Here you will have the choice of German, English, French, Flemish, Spanish, Danish, Swedish and Italian. The English is American-English, presumably as the translation was provided by ESU-America?

Once you have selected the language there is the choice of a tick or cross to accept or reject your changes. This interface method is standard throughout the system. Anyone familiar with a windows or Mac GUI will immediately feel at home, and intuitively be able to control locos. The only thing missing is the ability to slide the scroll bar using the stylus, one must tap the up/down arrows to do this.

The welcome screen can be disabled for future start-ups by unticking the box at the bottom of the window.

Significant features:
The second generation design of this unit is most pronounced in it’s backward compatibility with existing DCC systems. The ability to use other boosters, and multiprotocol decoder control facilities all are features that other manufactures have had in one form or another, but ESU are the first to incorporate them into one unit. Significantly easier operation is another feature, which is achieved in many ways: The LCD screen, Softkeys, on-line help and not least, the comprehensive locomotive database, (not only maintaining loco addresses and names, but also full decoder profiles! )
The one item that we at DCC Supplies find the most significant though, is under the bonnet(hood) and that is, that it’s the first command station to run a real computer operating system. – Linux, this opens up a wealth of opportunity for the creative amongst us! Linux is open source code, and anyone with the skills can write new software for it, With its integral 10/100 Ethernet port (forget slow, error prone serial links!) and integral web server we can expect to see many 3rd party software additions appearing for this system over time.

ECOSniffer:
Simply put, this feature allows you to use an existing control system alongside the ECos. Simply connect the track output of your ‘old’ unit to the ECos ECOSniffer input, and you are able to use the existing controller. You are only able to do this with one system, however if you have a large investment in say Lenz 100’s, then you can use the ECos as the central unit, and the Lenz controllers as walk-abouts. The limitations are that communication is one way only, i.e. if the speed is set at 65 on the Lenz, and the ECos Stops the train (Speed=0) then 65 will still be set on the Lenz.

Shuttle function.
With the use of optional S88 modules, the ECos is able to control a shuttle train, actually, you can define up to 8 shuttle trains. So far there is no ability to associate a route with the shuttle train, so if any points need setting along the rout, then this will require additional components. An S88 module is connected to each end of the track, and a pair of S88 contacts used to create a breaking point. When the train reaches this point, ECos sends a speed step = 0 command to the loco decoder. This stops the train in a consistent time. A waiting period then elapses, and the loco changes direction (i.e. directional lights will switch over. Another wait period equal to the deceleration time, plus the first wait time elapses, and the loco will move off. Etc. etc.

Operating the unit
The most obvious feature is that the ECos is two full control cabs in one, the LCD screen splits into left and right during normal running mode. All functions are accessed either via the softkeys (a ‘button’ appears next to the appropriate key on the LCD) or an on screen ‘button’ Speed selection is either by the throttle knob, or by tapping in the ‘speedo; area. Direction selection is made by either tapping the direction arrows, or rotating the control knob all the way anti-clockwise until it hits a spring-loaded contact.
The graphics capabilities of the ECos are central to it’s ease of use, which once set up are intuitive. Each page also has context sensitive help, so keeping the manual to hand is not required.
As one would expect, the ECos fully supports all the usual control features, speed, direction, function control and accessories such as points and signals. Up to 16384 locos can be controlled, and 2048 points/signals. However, it doesn’t just control them, each item (loco or accessory) has a profile associated with it, this is a custom set of information: Address, Name, Graphic (Icon) and a customised set of functions, each with a graphic associated with it. Therefore, each loco can be simply located by its name, and/or picture, and each function will have a descriptive icon (if required) that Can replace the traditional F1, F2….. etc. lists. This makes life a lot easier as even a newcomer to your layout can tell immediately where the smoke on/off function is, or which the horn function is.

Routes are also created graphically, and each step is guided making this a powerful feature.

Motorised control knobs:
These appear initially to be a gimmick, but it soon becomes apparent that this an extremely useful function. When assuming control of a loco, the console automatically normalises itself to the operational state of the ‘new’ loco. Direction and functions are set, and the throttle knob moves to the correct location. You are immediately able to control the loco without any manual matching.

Power output :
The unit contains what ESU call an ‘integral power booster’ which provide an ample 4 Amps to the track, an point to note here is that the EcoS performs no voltage conversion, if you use the 18v PSU supplied, you will supply 18V to the track, ESU offer a ‘free’ exchange of the 18v PSU for a 15v unit, however this is a mail exchange to the factory at the moment. Additional boosters (either DCC, or Märklin® 6017 compatible) can be connected, and the manual contains detailed information on this.
The unit also supports RailCom, providing full bi-directional communication with compatible decoders.

• ECOS supports multiple protocols, which is to say it will communicate simultaneously with Motorola®, DCC and Selectrix® decoders, however, it should be noted that certain of these (early Motorola) can exhibit some odd behaviour when ‘foreign’ protocols are present on the track.
• Separate programming track and main track outputs.
• Computer interface (10 MBit Ethernet LAN, RJ45)
• ECoslink bus. up to 128 devices - handheld (wireless) controllers, boosters, bus distributors or feedback decoders
• s88-feedback bus. This Märklin® system is for train detection, enabling you to control routes or to operate shuttle trains
• ECoSniffer-input. A port for any DCC or Motorola®- controller, allowing you to continue to use your existing controllers.
• ECoSlot module expansion compartment
• Handles up to 16384 locomotives and stores the name, a symbol, function buttons and their corresponding symbols, address and data format.
• Accessories: Switch up to 2048 turnouts, signals and other devices with solenoid drives addressed by name and symbol via integral keyboard
• Programming decoders: Programming via the display is much easier as all parameters are shown in plain text Supports programming track Programming On the Main.

In summary, the new features are mainly, the ability to use other manufacturers controllers (great for club use!) The shuttle control easily adds automated activity to your layout but the graphical interface and loco/accessory database features, coupled with the ease of exchanging control locos is the biggest winner on this system.

Technical specification:
H4-booster with 4.0 A continuous output
H4-programming track output 0.6A
NMRA DCC BiDi Feedback with integral cut-out-device
7 inch QVGA FSTN LCD Display with touch panel and 6-LED Backlight (white)
32-Bit ARM 720T Controller, 64 Mbytes Flash ROM, 32 Mbytes
RAM, Linux® Operating system
16 Bit Real time Co-processor
2 x motor driven potentiometer-cabs with definitive end position
2 x Two-way-analogue-joysticks
2 x 8 Function buttons as well as Stop- and Go-buttons
3 Sockets for ECoSlink devices
Socket for ECoSlink bus extension
Galvanically separated booster socket for DCC-conform and 6017-compatible boosters
Galvanically separated ECoSniffer input for connecting old systems
Galvanically separated s88-bus input for feedback decoder
10/100 Mbit Ethernet-socket (RJ45)
1 ECoSlot-module to accommodate a radio receiver
Power supply 18v (15v optional) 90VA