ELink with software other than RailMaster

[TonyO]

I use RailMaster and elink to drive my layout. I have a very simple question; has anyone used any other software such as JMRI or iTrain to link to the eLink? 

[RB51]

JMRI lists the Elite and Select as being supported (the Elite more so). iTrain does not support any Hornby controller. R-

[Fishmanoz]

For the purposes of this sort of thing, the controller can be considered the software program, eLink/Elite is just the interface between the controller and the track. So the chances are if Elite works as JMRI says, eLink will work too. Maybe JMRI just hasn't caught up with the later product in eLink. I thinks it's at least worth a try. 

[choralc]

Especially as JMRI download is free. Been wanting to see if a JMRI download for Mac I did a fortnight ago will does work with elite then I'll try eLink and report back. Might even try today!

[RDS]

If you have eLink why would you not want to use RailMaster?

[TonyO]

A very good question, RDS! RM/eLink wasn't our original choice but it's so reasonably priced that we purchased it and started using and enjoying it. RM is a tad quirky, however, and as the grass is always greener on the other side I am tempted to try one of the "industry standard" pieces of software, particularly JMRI as it is free. As Fishy says, it's worth giving it a try with eLink so I will and report back.

[MetmanUK]

I'll be looking out for the results of your trials too.  The RM/eLink concept is a good one especially at a simple level.  However, the continued problems with recent software releases suggests to me that Hornby, in deciding to create their own command system, interface, 'language' and editor, may have reached the tipping point where the effort required to overcome the complexities of what they are trying to achieve is preventing them from stabilising the product sufficiently to move forward.  Just a hunch, but it certainly feels like that.

[choralc]

Finally ran JMRI on my Mac with the eLite attached. After specifying one of the USB options in the settings panel Decoder Pro connected and I added King James II to the roster.

 

I had also added the free WiThrottle  to my iPad. Selected Start WiThrottle Server under the Actions menu and started WiThrottle. It found my roster containing my solitary entry. Seleected King James and pressed the Throttle button on the iPad screen and then controlled the loco wirelessly.

 

For Android users the Wireless Throttle is free but for iOS users I think the full version which gives I believe layout control is $AU14??? so in that respect the additional $5??? licenses for iOS is reasonable after the initial WiFi purchase.

 

So if my local group come to play they can run their locos on my layout on their Android devices for free if I connect it to JMRI. IN theory as I haven't done a panel yet.

 

As for eLink I will try that later and report back.

[choralc]

eLink did not work. Reconnected elite and loco was driven with Decoder Pro throttle and then with WiThrottle.

[cliveg]

choralc, Just supporting your findings. I tried to run Decoder Pro with an eLInk last year some time and experienced the same as you, couldn't get Decoder Pro to see the eLInk. After purchasing an elite, again last year, I managed to get Decoder Pro to recognise the elite. I played around and changed a few CV settings on a loco but didn't go any further except to adding a few locos to the roster. RM seemed so simple to use at the time and I didn't go any further in using JMRI to setup a layout. After reading your post, just now I connected Deocder Pro/PC to my elte and was able to use the throttle to run a loco on my rolling road. I tried the same with my eLink and coudn't get it to work.

[choralc]

Good then, cliveg I may not have broken the eLink :)

 

At the BRMA convention in Brisbane last month they had a fella from the local AMRA give a demo of DecoderPro and then I got to running the good lady's Gadwell at the Brisbane AMRA layout using a small PDA and thought that when I eventually host the 'local' group to my real layout in the near future they can use their smart devices with the no cost software.

 

Heck I might even run the accessories with eLink/RM on a separate bus and connect the trackbus to elite/JMRI to run trains with WiThrottles just because I could.

[Gregd99]

I have used the elite extesnsively with JRMI.

The elite has a few quirks that have been worked around and a habit of forgetting commands from time to time. When the elink first came out I remember reading about people needing to send commands twice for reliable operation. It sounded like the same sort of issue.

The elink on the other hand did not work with JRMI. When I tried the elink with jrmi I saw that the standard set of commands was not accepted by the elink. whether this is a minor bug or hornby have decided not to follow the standard for the interface I am not sure.

note that I have been away from my layout for a couple of years :-( and things might have changed.

[MetmanUK]

Knowing Hornby's liking for control over their developments, I wonder whether RM has some form of proprietary handshake with eLink when it initially loads before taking normal DCC instructions.  I would think that the eLink is designed as a fairly simple device merely passing on DCC instructions.  To test this theory I would load RM and eLink so that initialisation occurs, then run my JMRI program (if I had one!) using the same port.  May be worth a try ?

[96RAF]

I use elite with rocrail and it is stable. I have also had eLink working after a fashion so the handshake thing only with rm is a spoof.

rocrail like JMRI is free so download it and have a go. You won't break anything.

[choralc]

I briefly saw JMRI documentation and saw somewhere about setting the baud rate. I wonder if the eLink needs the baud rate changed as per RM?

[Fishmanoz]

Sounds pretty fundamental to me.

[ColinE]

I'm having a look at Big Bear DCC control software at the moment, it's Elite compatible. it seems very easy to use. A well known DCC supplier advised me to have look, his discription was 'grown up Railmaster'. 

[Chrissaf]

I see on the Big Bear website that they offer a free evaluation (max of two locos) download. Their online documentation states 'tested with Elite', might be worth a disgruntled eLink user on the forum, trying it out on eLink and reporting back.

[Yelrow]

Chrissaf,it  dont work with Elink, Select or Elite, is  acceptable. however john

[Chrissaf]

John, are you saying that because you have actually tried it, or just basing the statement on hearsay and documentation. Where did your reference to 'Select' come from. Select doesn't have a PC interface, it doesn't work with RM so what makes you think it works with Big Bear. I'm not being critical, just trying to get and collate accurate factual information.

.

This afternoon I had an e-mail conversation with the Big Bear software developer. So I am in possession of information I am reluctant to divulge in this forum public arena. In that dialogue, Select was not mentioned as being compatible with BB.

.

PS - Are you mixing up Big Bear with JRMI PC control software? They are two completely different products.

[Yelrow]

Chrissaf, no, have downloaded free  documentation. If you look in suitable controllers, they list both select and Elite. I am not in the habit of mixing things up ,  making comments i cant support, or listening to hearsay. If you are  collating factual information, why dont you do as i did, and download it. I   do  not take kindly to suggestions   of this nature.. john

[St1ngr4y]

I'm having a look at Big Bear DCC control software at the moment, it's Elite compatible. it seems very easy to use. A well known DCC supplier advised me to have look, his discription was 'grown up Railmaster'. 

My late brother-in-law bought Big Bear on a cd for me, which I installed, and got working ok with my Elite. However, I wanted to know whether, having recorded a sequence of movements, you could then access the recorded instructions to fine-tune the program, as you can with Railmaster. I posted such a question on their forum but no one answered it. I tried all sorts of ways to get an answer from their support team to no avail, so I gave up.

Ray

[Chrissaf]

John, my apologies for doubting you. I have just downloaded and installed the evaluation copy of Big Bear as you have suggested. In the pull down controller box it does indeed say "Select & Elite DCC ". But it doesn't list the Select as a separate entity, so that is just effectively incorrect use of terms used in the pull down selection box text. This does not mean that it won't work with eLink......it just hasn't been tested by the developer (the testing status came from my earlier conversation this afternoon that I mentioned in previous reply). Hence my original reply suggesting that an eLink user (I don't have access to an eLink to try myself) might like to try it. Personally, I think it will be same results as JRMI, but it would be nice to have it 100% confirmed.

.

I am sorry that my last reply upset you, it wasn't intentional. I did make a point of saying that "I wasn't being critical, just trying........."

[Yelrow]

Chrissaf, when you look at evaluation programme, in its downloaded state, it opens up all other bits of info, similar to RM, track pieces, sounds, types of acceptable controllers locos, etc etc.. It is very similar to RM, but more complicated, and i do not  think support will be as good (personal opinion) .  Under controllers, you will see select/Elite.   . john

[Chrissaf]

Ray, that does seem to be one weakness of BB. You can record a 'program' in real time, but don't seem to be able to create one by just writing lines of program text as you can with RM. Not that I use that RM feature.