I wouldn't call a technology that makes it easier to wire your layout, easier to program locomotives and consists, make it cost less for power supplies, and cost less for throttles a gimmick.
I don’t program my locomotives at all so making it easier is irrelevant. And my power packs cost me $50 thirty years ago and are still going strong; thank you very much IRC. With them I can do everything I want with regards to operating my layout and I don’t have to buy a Smart Phone or pay a monthly fee for some service or another. Now if they put as much effort and money into making a new six axle Sd 40 pull as many cars as my old 4 axle Gp’s I’d be a happy camper. Or how about a true MUing capability between connected locomotives so they can share current pick-up?
Seriously, no one is asking you to buy anything. I was just showing a great technology that's being adapted for model RR use. BTW, you don't have to pay any monthly fees for this.
It wouldn't surprise me if eventually the antennas become nothing more than a sticker you apply to the side of the chassis. Of course, there is one interesting part about Bluetooth 4.0 that hasn't been mentioned yet: it does have enough bandwidth to stream video.
It's on-par with DCC layout wiring, which is essentially simply +/- You wouldn't need any power blocks, so it's by default easier than wiring for multiple trian operation on DC.
Exactly! I don't think he was comparing to DC, because he followed it with "easier to program", and there is no programming with DC. I don't see any difference in wiring for this or for DCC.
