Bluetooth Controlled Model Trains? - Hornby's HM7000 Bluetooth & DCC Sound Decoder Overview

[@Kilnline]

Great video mate! Great to get a decent insight into the these chips, wondering if it would be worth converting an O gauge locomotive to use one?

[@thelittlewesternmodelrailway]

@Kilnline That's an idea! I'm glad you liked the video, bro!

[@Jaherick]

I’ve converted two o gauge dapol locos and they work well. Haven’t stalled one yet to see what happens, limited amount of loco sound files at the moment but they work well so far.

[@thelittlewesternmodelrailway]

I've had stall issues but through dirty trackwork, but once cleaned, they have worked really well, and the range (which I will go into in the next video) is fantastic!

[@Kilnline]

@@Jaherick That's brilliant, How was the chip to install into an O gauge loco? Was it straight forward plug and play? May consider it if I end up getting another Gronk.

[@Jaherick]

@@Kilnline yes just plug and play. The top unclips off a gronk and the chip plugs in on the socket just under the cover. Place on the track and with the app choose your 08 sound file. I leave the sounds on auto and the lights work as well. Nice and simple ( needs to be for me!). I power the track through a hornby elite controller.

[@johnbaker6208]

Thanks for that. Some interesting points. I have two HMDCC decoders which work fine with my Prodigy Express. One issue is the exhaust beats are all wrong and I don't think they're adjustable. I'm hoping that the dongle will work with the Prodigy so I could control all my dcc locos with the app.but haven't found if anyone has tried it yet

[@thelittlewesternmodelrailway]

Thanks for watching! I have managed to solve 1/2 of the issues I had and have had some feedback directly from Hornby Technical services. I did note after recording that the chuff rate is off a tad. Others have noted it, too. I am compling them into another HM7000 video as we speak :) As for the dongle, I'm afraid I have no experience and doubt I will get one, the system I use I will likely never go to Bluetooth only James - LWR

[@HighFell]

The dongle requires an XpressNet port and associated software in the controller/base station. I thoroughly recommend reading the HM7000/DCC manual, available on Hornby Website. It’s one of the best written pieces I have ever read on DCC.

[@phil36310]

Same as with the TTS decoders no sync with wheel rotation. It's the drawback of these decoders and not adjustable.

[@HighFell]

@@phil36310 I think a lot of people have had good results via complex speed curve settings that are very easy to play around with via the app.

[@phil36310]

@@HighFell Thanks for the info but I can't see how this is done - not with slow starting anyway for the sync sets in at rather high starting speed. I played with it too and only at quick starting acceleration it looks acceptable. Any link to the complex speed curve ?