The Mobile Control Pro is ESU's latest answer to the question of how to combine the advantages of smartphone technology with the needs of model railway control. The Mobile Control Pro is essentially a compact Android-based tablet equipped with controls for controlling your locomotives and accessories. The connection to the digital command station is established exclusively wirelessly via Wi-Fi. A specially designed app by ESU can communicate directly with a variety of digital command stations. The Mobile Control Pro is therefore not limited to use with ESU command stations.
Open Platform
Based on Android 10, the Mobile Control Pro is just as easy to use as you would expect from your smartphone or tablet. With the help of a high-resolution color touchscreen, the operating system ensures standardized, intuitive operation. The Mobile Control Pro is equipped with a powerful quad-core ARM processor with a large memory that can store a large number of apps. The built-in radio module supports common Wi-Fi standards in the 2.4 GHz range as well as the well-known Bluetooth standards. Thanks to the standardized radio interface, trouble-free operation of your model railway layout is guaranteed at all times. With the help of Wi-Fi repeaters, the radio range can be easily extended if necessary.
The built-in lithium polymer battery – which is easily replaceable if necessary – lasts for about five to six hours of operation. The Mobile Control Pro charges via its built-in USB-C port. Any USB-C cable can be used for charging such as a USB port in a wall outlet, USB charging adapter, or USB port on a computer.
Using the pre-installed Aurora app store, you can install additional Android apps at any time. A Google account is not required.
Ergonomics
When you hold the Mobile Control Pro in your hands for the first time, you will immediately notice its excellent ergonomics. All controls are within easy reach with one hand, and the most important functions can even be accessed "blindly," allowing you to keep your eyes on your layout and your trains. This is made possible by the central, motor-controlled rotary control with end stop. With it, you can precisely adjust the locomotive's speed and change the direction of travel. Programmable buttons (two on the left and two on the right sides) on the device are provided for various functionality. These can be used as an alternative to the touchscreen. A highlight is the "slider" installed on the right side for use as a “brake”: Using this analog control element, you can now precisely stop your locomotives equipped with LokSound 5 decoders, thus controlling them even more realistically.
ESU
The Mobile Control Pro is perfectly coordinated with ECoS and CabControl digital command stations. The command station synchronizes all data with the wireless handheld controller, so you don't have to enter any data locally. The names, addresses, and correct symbols for accessories and routes are also displayed. All information you enter in the ESU command station is automatically transferred and synchronized. Up to 16 Mobile Control Pro devices can be operated.
WiThrottle™
That's not all! The Mobile Control Pro app also connects to all digital command stations that have implemented a WiThrottle™ server. This means you can use the Mobile Control Pro with a Uhlenbrock Intellibox Neo, a Digitrax® command station with an LNWI module, or an NCE command station with a WifiTrax WLAN adapter. MRC / Gaugemaster command stations with a WiFi adapter or YaMoRC® are also included. Depending on the functionality of the WiThrottle™ server in the aforementioned command stations, the locomotive fleet can either be used directly or locomotives can be created manually in the Mobile Control Pro.
Z21®
The Mobile Control Pro can also connect directly to ROCO's Z21® command stations. However, all locomotives must be created and managed locally on the Mobile Control Pro. Unfortunately, the Z21® does not have a centrally managed locomotive database.
Märklin® Central Station 3®
Owners of a Märklin® Central Station 3® can also use the Mobile Control Pro. The app can directly access the entire locomotive inventory of the central station and displays the locomotive icons and images just as they appear on the central station.
Controlling Locomotives
The Mobile Control Pro can, of course, be used to control locomotives. Depending on the capabilities of the DCC command station connected, all relevant data is retrieved and used from the command station central station where possible. All essential locomotive properties such as the locomotive name, locomotive symbol, function key assignment, and function key symbols can be displayed and changed as needed. Up to 31 function keys can be activated per locomotive, which can be individually configured as latching or momentary functions.
Switching Solenoid Accessories
Switching solenoid accessories is also possible – depending on the command station. When operating with an ECoS command station, all solenoid accessories and routes located on the interlocking system can be switched. Naturally, the distinction between two, three, and four aspect solenoid accessories is fully maintained, and the correct symbol is displayed on the screen.
Smart Connection
The Mobile Control Pro uses the Wi-Fi standard to communicate with the command station. Therefore, you must connect the command station to a Wi-Fi network. If you already have a Wi-Fi router (e.g., AVM® FritzBox®), you can easily connect the ECoS command station to it. If you don't want to connect your model railway to your home network or you want to remain flexible for exhibitions, this is also no problem, upon request, we can supply a mini access point for the Mobile Control Pro, which can be easily set up in just a few steps using the ECoS. Other command stations, such as the ESU CabControl or the Intellibox Neo, already have a Wi-Fi connection built in; in this case, you can connect the handheld controller directly to the Wi-Fi network provided by these command stations.
Future-proof
ESU is constantly developing the Mobile Control Pro app. New app versions can either be transferred to the handheld controller using your Windows® computer or are installed automatically, provided the Mobile Control Pro has an internet connection.
