Part 1: Roco Z21 Introduction

[@doddc]

I’m a fellow z21 owner and I can echo your comments. It’s a fantastic system. Like you I’ve had no issue with it at all. I use a mix of iPad/IPhone and wired multimaus controllers with mine.

[@peterridgway67]

Great to see you are going to go through the Z21 functioning. Bought my Z21 (black one) a few weeks ago after running on Railmaster for the last few years. I’m finding it really good and easy to use. Looking forward to seeing the future videos to make sure I’m going in the right directions.

[@tomalog1]

Perfect timing, I have just purchased the Z21 Black. Thanks Steve

[@collinsngauge5493]

Hi Simon very interesting and information looking forward to the next one. Colin

[@waynemeakin]

Hooray!! At last!! A tutorial on the z21....in ENGLISH!! Nice one. :-)

[@waynemeakin]

And the new app. It seems like all the support so far is for use with the old app which is no good to me. Keep them coming. Thanks.

[@SimonsShed]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@crompton33022]

Thanks Simon, just brilliant. I have the same one as you and still rate it a lot. I think this series will be very popular. Good luck under the coming lockdown. I leave the Nrtherland soon but am likely to be delayed. Keep up the good work best regards Ian

[@davidcrouch5272]

Great timing I am just about to upgrade my old Digitrax Zephry controller and was leaning towards the Z21. Being in the US the Balck Z21 seems easier to pick up and it has the Loconet bus to work with my Digitrax equipment Waiting for the next videos Dave

[@uksteam7008]

Great Video Simon, Really informative!

[@alfiewells5848]

Great vid good luck with your layout thanks Alfie

[@bramfokke1460]

I'd just like to add that if you want to use the Z21 Detector with Railcom, you will need the Z21 Black. Railcom allows decoders to send back information to the controller. Specifically, they will broadcast their address so if you put a new loco on a track that is connected to a detector, the controller will know which address was added without you having to add it yourself.

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Nice explanation Simon. Cheers Euan

[@GreatWouternRailways]

Great Video! I use a DCC++ system myself. It is build with an Arduino and Motor shield. I use it with JMRI on my pc and can work with an app on your phone. Or by making a DCC++ throttle yourself from an Arduino, you don't even need a pc! Maybe an interesting idea for a video for the people on a lower budget. I'd love to see how it compares to a z21. ~Wouter

[@TheHeritageLine]

Hi Simon, My last 2 videos were on the z21 start, I got mine with a router and already unlocked for the same price as the white z21. I have managed to download an android emulator onto my laptop, so I can use that to control the z21. A lot of people use ITrains to control the z21 from a pc. I have also I just discovered that the Digikeijs DR5000 will operate using the z21 app so that is also another option. Like you I also built a diode ladder being a fellow N-gauger. All the best Tony

[@lucbelaid]

Great stuff. Hope you will cover your system exhaustively. I am curious about the difference of functionalities between the app and the PC.

[@roystrains]

I'm a Z21 owner. I would like to know if you can add to the objects list ? For instance a 3 head signal with a feather left or right. Or means of adding your own icons to the list and and programming them.

[@hythekent]

Simon. That was a useful video thanks. I have just started using a Z21 and the first thing I did was to put my complex layout onto the Control Station of the Z21 App. What a nightmare, unless I am missing something (such as the non-existent comprehensive user manual) I found that it is not possible to copy and paste elements, the two-figure element re-orienting is a disaster, with errant pieces of railhead track suddenly appearing from nowhere and joined to the point being manipulated. The other problem with the App is with the joining of the layout items. There is a ‘magnetic’ option which should allow track pieces to join, but that just does not operate accurately. Rocco Fleischman need to get to grips with the app because although it is not a new app it is woefully flaky. Rant over and I must say your layout is beautiful

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Simon, I ummmed and ahhed about white or black and ended up buying the black one because a shop in Ipswich called Scograil who specialise in European models had them up for sale for £280 when I bought mine and thought it was a bargain and was just within my budget. I think they have it for around £290 now. I would like to know as much as possible Simon, although no slouch in these sort of matters it always helps me from a starting point of view when someone shows you. Cheers for now John

[@Poliss95]

I bought the black one because the adjustable voltage function for running my N Gauge locos. One problem I have found is that it seems to be impossible to import layouts. My layout was on another tablet which I no longer have. I had the layout file sent to me. Put it on an SD card. Z21 says no layouts found on SD card. The file came zipped. Thought that might be the problem. Unzipped it. Still no joy.

[@krishsoundar3857]

nice video Simon. can you connect NCE Pro Cab (RJ9 cable) ? How is firmware upgraded and does the app work in Raspberry PI OS?

[@robinfrost6240]

Hi Simon how many train's can you run at any one time I have N gauge layout I am using a basic gauge master controller for the moment but will be looking to upgrade to something else at some point so your timing of you doing these videos has come at the right time. Rob

[@Eccles_Hall]

Thanks for these videos on the z21…I’ve just binged watched your older videos and these newer ones as I’m considering changing my DCC system to this, I guess purely for the ease of use with the iPad. However, what’s deterring me (and so I’m hoping you can help!), is that I’ve got two sets of signals/lights and a point motor programmed to my current controller/system…if I was to swap this out (Bachmann Dynamis) for the z21, how would this work? Would I have to re-programme these again (effectively starting from scratch), or would the z21 recognise them? Thanks in advance 👍🏻🚂

[@SimonsShed]

Hi Brian, still getting along really well with my z21 here, good to see they still update the app and refine / add things. For the point motor as long as you know the DCC address your old controller uses, you should just be able to put that in to the z21 app. Similar thing with the signals however I must confess I’ve not set up any signals on the z21 myself. It’s worth downloading the app before you get the z21 if you already have an iPad and just have a play with setting up a layout. Good luck 👍🏼

[@Eccles_Hall]

@@SimonsShed thanks for your swift reply Simon.

[@onnomulder9775]

Thanks Simon for sharing this video. Can you make one of the Z21 connected to a laptop or PC please. Cheers Onno

[@Eccles_Hall]

Hi Simon….back with another question or two that I’m hoping you can answer please… 1/ can the white z21 read CV values? 2/ I’m assuming that all loco info etc. is held in the app, therefore when the iPad becomes too old and obsolete and gets replaced, I’d have to download the app on the new iPad and re input all addresses etc (or is all data held in the box?). Thank you in advance 👍🏻🚂

[@SimonsShed]

Hi Brian, 1) yes there are various ways but I go into "CV Programming" -> "Manual" -> "Program track" and then you can select a CV value and read / write it. 2) the best thing to do is go into "Layouts" -> select your layout and then tap "Export" -> "Share" and you can email yourself a backup file which can then be imported on the new device so you don't need to re-enter everything.

[@Eccles_Hall]

@@SimonsShed thank you for getting back 👍🏻

[@cesarsalazar5955]

I have z21 start and I added a router with the roco code so I can use wireless with my phone so far works great. But when I plug the wire control (multiMaus) to the x-bus is not responding does not work? Help?

[@ausskiguy]

Have you used a Z21 Switch Decoder? I received my Roco Starter Set with the White z21, router and multimouse and after some playing have the Loco running on both the Mouse and the App on my iPhone. I'm considering a Switch Decoder as I have 4 turnouts and would like to add some scenery with lighting and signals, After reading the Switch Decoder manual I'm struggling to understand how to both power it and connect it to the White z21 as it only has the single Rail Power output? Would I connect the Switch Decoder to that outlet and then plug the power plug for the track in one of the 8 outputs on the Decoder? Sorry but as the Model Rail Beginner the manual is completely over my head and there doesn't seem to be an "How To" videos from z21 on KZbin?

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good update

[@tonycooper1969]

do you connect the z21 and its router to your house router and how Wifi or Gable

[@andersgullberg]

I plan to buy Z21 black to test it. Right now i have Märklins CS3 and can also use Märklins app, but why even to use it when there is already drive controls in the CS3? With Rocos Z21 i can use Ipad with faster process and the new Apples processor M1. Should i try a Z21?

[@rogerthornhill2435]

Hi Simon, I dont know if you can help, I would like to purchase a z21 but with kato turnouts. I am getting some conflicting advice. Some say you need to alter the points some say you just need to connect it to a ds64 decoder. Are you able to point me in the right direction where I can get reliable advice. I don’t want to lift the track to alter all the points. Thank you

[@cristianmatache7729]

Hi, can you please give me a simple control diagram, for example: two trains come from opposite directions and pass each other (on the abbey and direct) with the Z21 Station and the other necessary devices? Thank you in advance.

[@Hal-Zuzzu_Model_Railway]

Thanks for sharing this :) Question: Do you mean the z21 Start does not support WIFI because the WIFI router does not come with it? To be honest I find the WIFI router a total waste of money when you can find a WIFI router in almost every home nowadays! If the z21 Start comes with no WIFI router but one would be able to plur it into his own home WIFI router, then that would make perfect sense to get that as opposed to the z21 non Start, don't you think?

[@SimonsShed]

I know what you mean but I've been told its really complex to set up the router yourself, there's a lot of config to do so its worth getting the router with it all set up ready to go.

[@Hal-Zuzzu_Model_Railway]

@@SimonsShed I've learnt since then that the z21 Start does not connect to any router until a code (provided by the supplier) is punched in .. any router can work with it .. if you are into networking, then it's easy. Decided to get the Z21 black c/w router and wireless controller :)

[@davidhylands4555]

Z21 at the club z21 at home- can’t fault either 👍

[@cliff24budgie]

Can u tell size off your shed and it it all n Gauge thank you Simon

[@SimonsShed]

Its all N Gauge - the shed is 2 x 4 meters 👍

[@akrabat]

The white z21 (not start) is no longer available.

[@johnsrailwaylines7087]

You can buy the Z21 black from Hattons for £322.50.

[@Poliss95]

Expensive. They're £294.95 at Scograil.

[@lgrfbs]

Z21 is good, DR5000 is really okey.