Wireless DCC train control with Digikeijs DR5000

[@raymusson732]

Very interesting bit of kit ,I bought the white Z21 box last year I have yet to use it ,I have moved property my layout was in the loft so dismantled it completly ,the new layout will be in a 18ft by 10ft shed which I'm in the process of doing the insulation before starting the new layout ,I did test the z21 with a loco on the kitchen table and it worked fine and loaded the app on to my pad ,you can do so much with this system ,I to was using the Hornby elite , let's say it was ok but long winded ,I remember a few years ago my local model shop advised against buying the elite ,but I don't know I think it was just the name Hornby traditional and I got it ,but have now come to realise so many more better systems out there ,I am catching up watching my subscriptions and doing the shed while this virus goes on ,gonna watch the metcalfe 1 now ,Ray .

[@Synthematix]

You are right sir, the dr5000 is a masterpiece, i've been using mine for 2 years now with no problems, and its great you are running English stock!

[@ridgepointerail9462]

The Z21 might be a lot more fun to use if you try a couple of things. Limit the top speed of the loco by reducing CV5 ( Vmax) to a lower number, this should allow you to use all of the throttle control.. Increase CV3 and CV4 to add momentum ( speed delay ). So if you set CV5 so its top speed is like that in real life, a quick tap half way up the throttle will give you about 50 kmph. The delay will then take it up there slowly.. And you dont need to grab the throttle from the bottom, when strating a loco. put your thumb in the middle and lift up. This tip help many my customers. Thanks and goodluck..

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Totally agree, that's one thing I haven't done yet with any of my locos is fine-tune the CV settings.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

I’ll apologise if your not getting the HD 1080 option for the quality. It would seem KZbin’s servers might be maxed out for processing the video in HD.

[@Pitbull1845]

Hi, just found your channel whilst searching for DR5000 vids. I'm thinking of getting one, so this has been Really useful. Cheers, Scott.

[@ridgepointerail9462]

I have sent them to New Zealand from AU for a lot less than that. And thanks for the video! I recommend that 2 GB of ram is a minimum for android.

[@kitchenhamfarm]

Hi Julian glad you are impressed with the dr5000 and z21 app, i've converted my cousin and working on my brother to get the dr5000 ,keep up the good work great video ................tony

[@kitchenhamfarm]

i have now converted my brother and cousin from the hornby elite to the digikeijs and we all love the z24 app, must confess copied your choice of sound functions ,stay well julian and warm must be middle of winter in NZ................tony

[@steveharper5536]

Hi Julian nice to see you are safe and well hope the family are too. A great introduction to the Digikeijs DR5000 and an insight to your future plans,. I think like us in the UK your struggling to get modelling items a little bit. Keep up the good work look forward to more of Station Road. Cheers Steve

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Hi Steve, yes all is well in NZ, although having 3 teenagers, a dog and cat marooned in the house while the country is in lockdown will have its challengers😲. I hope all is well in your neighbourhood.

[@steveharper5536]

Hi Julian yes things are all good here thanks doing as Boris tells us to do. I have it easy compared to you just the wife and Harry the westie to look after. Stay safe and keep the video's coming please to keep us from going stir crazy lol

[@exehavenharbour]

I always enjoy watching your videos Sunday morning when I get up with a cup of tea. I’m about to start my own model railway very soon. I had a cabin built recently and I’m just finishing off inside then I can start on my baseboards. The only problem I can’t get my electrician round to hook me up because of the Corona Virus! I have a Z21 black waiting and your episode today was interesting with you using the app. Look forward to what you’ve got planned, kind regards John

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Hi John, thanks for your kind comments, it’s always great to hear that somewhere along the line, in another part of the world, a video I put together is worthy of a morning cup of tea, just brilliant😊. It might seem like we all have more time on our hands to tinker in the railway room, but I too have projects that can’t go any further because the hardware store is shut, the model shop is out of action or the couriers aren’t delivering. So it’s a case finding things that I can do that don’t involve leaving the house essentially. I hope your model railway adventure starts soon.

[@schroedernz]

Very interesting demo of the Digikeijs system - looks promising. I have a couple of Hornby's e-links (bought them in train sets). I think I'll try one before looking at anything else. I'm hoping to use some of my new-found spare time to resume work on my languishing model railway (I am also in Christchurch). Great vid, thanks.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Hello fellow cantabrian. At one point I did consider an e-link but didn’t explore it any further. I’m not sure if the e-link has wireless capability?

[@westwonic]

The ROCO Z21 is a brilliant stand alone system. What does adding a Digikeijs DR500 bring to the party?

[@grahampreston4800]

Why was the 20 running in the opposite direction to the controler

[@paulbarcham1356]

Hi I have just find your channel I run also DR5000 from Dec 19 in NZ. I have done my purchase from the manufacture and not been hit by the tax etc. The units I have Dr4018, DR4088, DR 5013 and DR5000. Still at install stage but the system also has andunio for block. I am starting to put info on facebook. Would like to get in contact if you are willing as there are limited people use this system in NZ and would love to start getting a group together where we can help each other and other people who are looking into the system. I hope to have it running from JMRI by the end of this year. My town in geraldine.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Hi Paul, this sounds like an excellent idea and I would definitely been keen to be part of a DR5000 support group, and Model Railways in general that is NZ based. If you go to my 'About' tab there are several ways to make contact including a link to the Station Road Facebook page where you can send a private message. Interesting I have very good friend who lives in Geraldine so I travel there at least several times a year, although not at the moment obviously.

[@krishsoundar3857]

is the WiFI hub good? a user in another forum said it was not stable and an external router had to be used. Also why did you choose this over Z21?

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

I do have a dedicated wifi router in the garage near the DR5000. This is because the nearest wifi hub is in the house is some distance away. The reason I choose the DR5000 over the Z21 is because the DR5000 can do everything the Z21 can do and more and at a cheaper price.

[@HumancityJunction]

That is the control system that I am using as well. I am really enjoying it so far.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

What I find surprising is the price point. It’s just as capable as the more expensive systems like digitrax and NCE but for a fraction of the price.

[@HumancityJunction]

@@StationRoadModelRailway I ultimately chose the system because of how much was integrated into the one box. And being LocoNet compatible. I added a RPi4 to run JMRI, and it is a very complete and capable system.

[@HumancityJunction]

@@StationRoadModelRailway I finally got my first DR5000 video uploaded. I do not know how you do this all the time, the video editing is very time consuming. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJmYhZlmbNmab5o

[@richardallan2331]

Digikeijs DR5000 system looks interesting. I think I will have to do a bit more research. Just wondering if you ever tried Hornby's Railmaster software with your Elite?

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Hi Richard, at one point I did consider Railmaster and did some research, it seemed like a good system. However, I went with the DR5000 because of it's far greater compatibility with 3rd party devices and software, including wireless operation with various apps, and all at a great price point.

[@kootingalcountryfair8675]

I have a Z21 system, works well. is there any advantage in replacing it with the Digikeijs DR 5000?

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

I'm not entirely sure. I know very little about the Z21 unit itself so I couldn't offer any knowledgeable advice. From all accounts, I hear the Z21 is very good unit, so maybe no need to switch?

[@ridgepointerail9462]

Depends on which Z21, Black or White with/out wifi

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thanks for that info, I didn't know there were wifi/non-wifi versions.

[@westwonic]

I have both the Z21 black plus the z21 White, and each one includes WiFi. No laptop needed.

[@clivecobbold6815]

Hi julian another great video mate I injured the video stay safe mate I n this uncertain time we live in at the moment I have finished refurbish my model of stranraer to larne BR sealink carferry Galloway princess for my model of stranraer harbour railway station on my layout I got a lot of time to do work on my layout just now stay safe mate clive

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Hi Clive, keeping safe here, look after yourselves over there during this difficult, but creative times.

[@filip78channel15]

Hi, just a question: are both devices (smartphone and tablet) connected directly to DR5000 WiFi? Thanks

[@VattenDemonen]

Awsome vid I like that Digikeijs and I found out that it is compatible with the Roco/Fleshman dcc stuff :)

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

I think one of the DR5000's best selling points is its compatibility with so many other devices, apps and software.

[@VattenDemonen]

@@StationRoadModelRailway It´s really cool and for me in Sweden its really cheap as well :)

[@southafrican00gaugeunitedk14]

Hello I have a NCE powercab ! Was looking to upgrade ! What amps is this capable of and also can I use a smartphone without the need of a PC ? Very nice layout , thank you

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Thank you for your kind feedback. The DR5000 has a 3amp output and there are also 3amp booster units (DR5033) available if you have a large layout. You can also operate the DR5000 directly via a smartphone without the need for a PC.

[@southafrican00gaugeunitedk14]

@@StationRoadModelRailway thanks for that info

[@peterbradford5987]

Great Video.

[@AmauryJacquot]

MOAR TAXES ! :-)

[@TimberSurf]

Great video, the 500 will be my next upgrade. I can't believe you got a PC for $30! lol. Wee? Do you have Scottish ancestry or is that a NZ thing?

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

Yes, it was only a wee price to pay for the laptop. It’s pretty old and slow but it runs the DR5000 software okay. You know, I’ve never really thought about the word ‘wee’ that I use quite a bit. I don’t think it’s a NZ thing but I do have Scottish ancestry, so maybe that’s the wee word comes from😀

[@filip78channel15]

DR5000 maybe is good, but has a dreadful interface, from Atari or Commodore! Z21 makes the sense of it however.

[@StationRoadModelRailway]

I would have to agree, the software interface is quite bizarre.

[@filip78channel15]

@@StationRoadModelRailway great video, btw

[@FarlandHowe]

Try the Z21

[@ridgepointerail9462]

This is like a Z21 Black, at half the price, with more features..

[@FarlandHowe]

@@ridgepointerail9462 I think you should talk to some people who are using the Z21, you would be surprised what it can do.