February 11, 2002

New Products from Lenz.

Lenz now has announced a new twist on a wireless interface for DCC using cordless phones.

XPA XpressNet Phone Adapter

Lenz Digital plus radio strategy

We are pleased to announce our newest wireless control product and our radio control strategy.  We will demonstrate the unit at the Springfield show in the US at the same time it is demonstrated in Nuremburg International Toy Fair. We wanted to wait till the product was finished and had undergone all approvals before announcing it.

But there is a lot more to our strategy than reported to date and it will take a little while to release it all.

The first device to be released in the Digital plus line is the XPA, XpressNet tone adaptor. This allows any device that can generate standard DMTF tones to interface to XpressNet. Note that while the initial product is focused on operating the train, the communication channel IS bi-directional. Any device that generates standard DMTF tones can be used.  We have a defined the function for each tone so macros using tone sequences is also possible.  This is a fully functional handheld and supports 4 digit addresses, F0-F9 function control, plus turnout control.

Why have we gone this route?

We had two design goals which have been difficult to achieve.

1) World wide acceptance.  Our DCC products are used world wide and we wanted a device that could be used anywhere in the world.

2) We wanted a cost model that would allow all uses to enjoy the benefits of wireless operations.

Our initial concept was that the LH250 would meet both goals, but unfortunately it now appears that it would not meet either.

1) The cost for testing and approval world wide is excessive.  The frequencies are different and the testing requirements differ. Each market requires unique testing and because of frequency differences would also require a different product.

2) The projected cost of a LH250 with receiver was projected to exceed $500.  While many of our users would gladly pay this price, such a high cost would price a unit out of reach for most of our users.

3) Many have noted that most other radio solutions have limited range or have interference problems. For example, a large outdoor layout needs one with a range of over 300 ft, while other modelers may only need a 50 foot range.  Developing a product for one of these markets would either price it out of the range of the other market or not provide the capabilities.

Because of these concerns we have evolved a different strategy.  It is based on a realization that there are many other good approaches out there and we need to provide a general solution and help others with specific solutions.

The strategy has many parts and includes support for a wide variety of markets.

The strategy includes working with other manufacturers in specific markets to offer other alternatives (such as the CVP radio product in North America or the LH100 radio attachment for Europe). The strategy also includes support for home grown solutions such as the one that Rod Miller developed. (all V3 LH100s have solder pads specifically for this purpose).

And the strategy includes a set of products to support devices readably available in the mass market such as cordless phones.

Why base our product on cordless phone technology?

The answer is simple. The economics of the mass market are staggering!  Some stores in the US have more than 50 different cordless phones to choose from and one store (Best Buy) had a 900mH phone on sale recently for $4.95, a price we could never match.  Cordless phones come in all type of sizes and shapes with a wide variety of features. I had a lot of fun choosing a few that worked best for me.  One is the most comfortable handheld for my hands I have ever found.  Another I especially like one that is about 4" by 3" with 2 batteries (one is always charging in the base unit).  Photos of some of the alternates will be posted on our WWW site.

The frequency for transmission and the range of the device are now a user choice based on products approved for their location and the range desired.  For example in the North American market one can choose between 900mH, extended 900, and 2.4 Ghz. The gigahertz phones cost more but have much greater range. Again the choice for which is best for you is your model railroad needs.

We now have an approach that allows the user to select a cordless handheld device that is most comfortable and cost effective for their use and a product that is available in all markets world wide.

Such a cost model allows us to offer a wireless solution that will allow virtually all XpressNet users to experience wireless operation.

They are also upgrading their popular LE077XF and LE010XF, Z/N Scale decoders with more goodies and Silent Running at the same price. New Product Codes of these decoders are also listed.

LE0511XF  NMRA DCC Micro Decoder

The industry's first  universal fleet decoder for N and Z scales with SELECT DRIVE!  A whole new concept of selecting the drive that is best for your locomotive's performance. SELECT DRIVE  gives you the option of Silent Drive for the complete silent running or Precision Glide Control for smooth slow speed control. 

We have been listening to our customers comments pro and con about about silent decoders. While many  of you love silent running, often there are complaints about slow speed control. SELECT DRIVE gives you the option for the drive that pleases you individually.

Like its older brother , the LE77XF, the LE0511 is built to fit in tiny places and comes along at a time when price counts for equipping your "FLEET". We think you will be pleased with the new features that have been developed.

The LE0511 packs a whollop with SELECT DRIVE and special lighting effects.

Availability is March 2002! We know this decoder will quickly win the hearts of N-Scalers around the world. And, as always, our "goof proof" warranty applies.

Many characteristics of the LE0511 decoder can be programmed to customize the decoder to its locomotive.  The LE0511 supports all forms of programming described in NMRA Recommended Practice 9.2.3 including the user friendly direct CV programming mode and the operations mode programming so that you can adjust values while the locomotive is in use. For example, you can operate the decoder with the factory pre-set speed table or generate your own. You can set which end of the locomotive is the forward end. You can even decide whether or not you want to be able to operate on conventional DC layouts.

The characteristics of the decoder are:

• Selectable for operation with 14/27, 28/55, 128 direct drive or 128 speed table mode with precision glide motor control.
• Select Drive- choose Silent Drive for the ultimate quiet drive or Precision Glide Control for smooth low speed operation
• Two on/off function outputs with a current rating of 100 mA each.
• Special lighting effects including directional, independent, dimming, Mars light, Gyro light, single Strobe, and double Strobe.
• Headlights can also be dimmed using an extra function.
• Support for Advanced Consist Control and Extended Addressing
• Operation on conventional DC layouts is possible. This feature may be disabled.
• Full Support for operations mode programming (long and short) and full support for all forms of programming including the ultra fast Direct Mode as described in NMRA RP-9.2.3
• Rich set of properties which the user can set to customize the decoder to a particular locomotive.
• Provides .5A continuous motor current.

Size: L 0.53" x W 0.39" x H 0.14"
L 13.4mm x W 9.9mm x H 3.3mm

LE0521 (LE010) NMRA DCC Micro Decoder with Back EMF

The industry's smallest NMRA DCC decoder with fifth generation Back EMF motor control. The LE0521represents the next generation in the evolution of DCC. The Back EMF motor control on these decoders provides the smoothest operation of any decoder ever built. The LE0521D (shown below) decoder is the same as the LE0521W but comes equipped with an NMRA small plug.

The LE052's will be shipping to dealers in North America in Mid February.

The LE0521(LE010 and LE011) micro decoder passed the tests for NMRA Conformance and has earned an NMRA C&I Warrant!

To accomplish this we first built a decoder that was in full conformance to the NMRA Standards and RPs and then augmented the decoder to work well with all other major systems on the market.  LE0521, it is packed with all the features you expect in a high end decoder including directional lighting (that can be dimmed using a function), advanced consist control, extended addressing, operations mode programming and full support for all the various speed step modes including 128 step motor control, are but a few examples of the advanced features found in the LE0521.

Many characteristics of the LE0521 decoder can be programmed to customize the decoder to its locomotive. The LE0521 supports all forms of programming described in NMRA Recommended Practice 9.2.3 including the user friendly and ultra fast direct CV programming mode and also supports operations mode programming so that you can adjust values while the locomotive is in use. For example, you can operate the decoder with the factory pre-set speed table or generate your own. You can set which end of the locomotive is the forward end. You can even decide whether or not you want to be able to operate on conventional DC layouts.

The characteristics of the decoder are:

• Selectable for operation with 14/27, 28/55, 128 direct drive or 128 speed table mode with Back EMF precision motor control.
• Two on/off function outputs with a current rating of 100 mA for either directional lighting
• Headlights can also be dimmed using an extra function.
• Support for Advanced Consist Control and Extended Addressing
• Operation on conventional DC layouts is possible. This feature may be disabled.
• Full Support for operations mode programming and full support for all forms of programming including the ultra fast Direct Mode as described in NMRA RP-9.2.3
• Rich set of properties which the user can set to customize the decoder to a particular locomotive.
• Provides .5A continuous motor current.

Version 5.4 has had the following additional features added:

•   Super smooth 12 bit resolution back-emf motor control. The LE0521W automatically adjusts the motor voltage to keep the motor’s rotation speed nearly constant, which provides extremely smooth slow movement. This creates the illusion that there is actually 100 tons moving.

•   Special lighting effects including directional, independent, dimming, Mars light, Gyro light, single Strobe, and double Strobe.

Size: L 0.51" x W 0.36" x H 0.14"
L 13.0mm x W 9.1mm x H 3.6mm

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