H&M 7000 DCC by Bluetooth

[RogerB]

I'd not thought of suggesting it direct to Hornby. SK probably wouldn't take my call if I tried.

Now on the list. R-

[Steve M]

Can I invoice them for consultation fees?

[RogerB]

Worth a shot - don’t mention my name. R-

[RAF96]

@steve
The subject of preview sound files was brought to the attention of IT today at our Hornby forum moderators video meeting and they said that the master plan was for a product page for a loco to recommend a decoder for that model and for the linked decoder page to provide sample plays, BUT there were associated tech difficulties that were being looked at.

[Steve M]

@steve
The subject of preview sound files was brought to the attention of IT today at our Hornby forum moderators video meeting and they said that the master plan was for a product page for a loco to recommend a decoder for that model and for the linked decoder page to provide sample plays, BUT there were associated tech difficulties that were being looked at.

Could be a longer running saga than loco detection.
Thanks for the update Rob.

[dtb]

good luck should you wish to pursue Hornby products, for me they look incredibly awful and there is far better available.

Not sure how you can criticise the decoders when the full spec has not been published yet. For the money it is pretty good with some advanced features like 1-amp capable, motor algorithm auto-calibrate plus manual PID tuning, shunt mode, coupling creep, auto-functions, dynamic brake, lighting SFX and brightness, support for ADCC/ABC and their smoke units. One drawback is the functions are not remap-able

Other things to note the dongle is only used to control legacy decoders through the app. The new decoders can be controlled through the app or direct from your NMRA compliant controller without a dongle.

When you download the sound profile it also populates the app function buttons, sets up motor settings, etc. There is no limit to the number of profile swaps that can be applied to a decoder. The sound decoder comes with a speaker kit. The stay alive/power bank is smart charged only when the loco is moving, which precludes regular programming problems.

No programming track is needed as the app can read and write to all CVs over the air in seconds.

Any other Q’s please ask as I have had this on my bench for over a year now so I am quite up to speed on it.

it's Hornby scratching to compete and to survive and compete on far better systems out there, Hornby are always behind when competing with other competitors who are far ahead. Hornby systems are aimed for the retail market and not for the serious modeller in my opinion.

[Fishmanoz]

good luck should you wish to pursue Hornby products, for me they look incredibly awful and there is far better available.

I think there might be some confusion here? If we are talking HM7000, it’s difficult to say it’s awful when it has yet to be in the marketplace. Further, the decoder characteristics match some of the more advanced. Then it has capability via Bluetooth and a free controller App you’ll be pushed to find anywhere else.

If you are talk the actual models, I’ll restrict my comments to their newly release TT:120 range. The only product people have yet to get their hands on is a Scotsman Pullman set. It is already gaining favorable comparison with a range of European brands from posters on the Hornby forums from users of those brands. So it’s pretty clear not everything is seen to be awful.

[Walkingthedog]

Hi Fishy, Hornby would have to produce something absolutely incredible for dtb to like it

[Stese]

I've got the previous/alternate generation of bluetooth systems, the H&M 6000. I like the system and works well for what it does, as a train controller... The sounds that it comes with are a bit pants, and only play from the controlling device, or a connected bluetooth speaker, but it's an added bonus you wouldn't normally have.

I like the fact the H&M 6000 also has some settings that usually you'd only see on DCC controllers, thanks to the fact they are PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) based.

I've seen the announcement for the new H&M 7000 and was interested. The announcement I saw seemed to suggest you would be able to run this on a DC layout, running at 12v... all you'd need to do is turn your standard controller to full, and then control the loco from the app... BUT, this didn't sit with the fact you need to use a 15v AC plug from a hornby controller with the adapter. Does anyone have anything definitive?

If there is a list going to Hornby with suggestions for improvements... could I add the following :- To open the devices software (for both 6000 and 7000 series) so that those of us who are inclined to do so, can use other devices (such as a windows/linux PC) to control the hardware?

I think the H&M 7000 is a great innovation... not sure i'd call it game changing, I think it will depend on how well the system handles power interruption, and thus how critical those additional batteries prove to be.

[Steve M]

From info provided on here and the Hornby forum, mainly from Rob who did much of the testing of the system, then yes it will work from a 12v supply - in a fashion.
But sound functions are marginal and cannot be guaranteed. That is why it is recommended that a 15v supply is used either from the one Hornby supply with an adapter cable or an existing DCC controller supply.
The real beauty of the new system is that you can use both TXS and legacy decoders on the same layout at the same time.
I can recommend reading the thread on the subject on the Hornby forum where you will get a better idea of its versatility and how little hardware you have to buy to get started.