Remote controlled tank engine

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs6oVPBK_D4&t=12s

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3RYwxITmcg

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https://mabeee.mobi/en/what/
[-] The following 3 users Like chrisjo's post:
  • generic_truck_69420, Plarail Man UK, Super
I wonder if cost anything for the phone app and whether its only in Japanese because it does seem like something that would be worth a try if you can understand it.
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The app is free, e.g. from Google Play Store. Although it is only in Japanese, it looks pretty intuitive, though it does very little until a Mabeee battery is detected.

We first mentioned it here back in 2016.
https://blueplastictracks.com/showthread...3#pid21273
then again in 2020.
https://blueplastictracks.com/showthread...0#pid50600

However, MaBeee has moved on. Plarail Man UK is talking about its use in conjunction with the visual programming tool Scratch. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
https://novars-jp.translate.goog/scratch..._tr_pto=sc
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electronic-Plar...B08P1W8MVR
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https://manaita.tech/mabeee-plarail/
(This post was last modified: 07-06-2022, 08:41 AM by Super.)
[-] The following 3 users Like chrisjo's post:
  • generic_truck_69420, Plarail Man UK, Super
on the mabeee tutorails i see there is no backward movement
[-] The following 1 user Likes MarvellousSideRods's post:
  • Super
True, but given that it's pretty much impossible to drive a Plarail train of more than about two cars backwards along anything except a loop with no switches in it, without it de-railing, that's maybe not such a big deal?
(This post was last modified: 07-07-2022, 08:33 AM by Super.)
[-] The following 1 user Likes chrisjo's post:
  • Super
Well, here's an update.

I've opened my Mabeee, and so far, the results have been pretty mixed.

So the good news is, it connects to my phone, and I downloaded an APK for the Mabeee controller app, that fortunately is all in English, so no translations required Big Grin Better still, with my new Oppo phone, it works flawlessly, no trouble at all!

Right, I think I'm finally at the bottom of all this [I hope].

So, here's the deal - The MB-3003WB appears to be a newer version [odd given it's got a lower model number, but stick with me here]. The one I have been sent, and I assume this is why it was cheaper, is the older MB-3005-WB1. Compatibility wise, the 3005 ONLY works with PCs running Windows 10 Creators Update or later - It does not specify compatibility with Windows 11, which is what my PC runs.

However, NOVARS [the makers of the Mabeee] have clearly intended the 3003 to be an update that uses somewhat less proprietary connection software, and has compatibility with Scratch 3.0 as opposed to the now obsolete 1.4, as the 3003 uses ScratchLink [same as LEGO Mindstorms et al.] to connect with Scratch rather than Mabeee Desktop EX - So, while it is possible for a Win11 PC to install and run Desktop EX and detect a 3005 Mabeee, it cannot communicate with it. I can assume this is something to do with the jump from Win10 to Win11 making communication impossible, but without obtaining a 3003 and testing, I cannot be certain. 

So, the bottom line appears to be that if we want PC connectivity for Mabeee, to use the 3003 - The 3003 is also Win10 compatible, so is evidently the better model as it has a wider range of compatibility. Both versions are Mac compatible also but check out those specs before you buy - I use Windows exclusively and can't say I have enough knowledge of Mac to give advice there.

So, in conclusion, I reccomend the 3005 if you run Win10 and don't plan to upgrade to Win11, or want a cheaper Mabeee that ONLY works with Android otherwise. If you want the full Mabeee experience, buy the 3003, which is what I will be doing later this month in my next Japanese order [I will only buy one for now, again just in case there are compatibility issues].


I created a document with links to BOTH models of Mabeee, the APKs for the Android apps, and instructions for using the Mabeee based on my own experiences [The manual is NOT avaliable in English unless you use Google Translate's 'scan' function], and so as far as I know my writeup is the closest thing to a clear English manual with no translation errors, although I may have missed some details so I won't claim it's perfect Wink

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XOGR...ue&sd=true

Have fun!
Been building Plarail worlds since 2001; Building when I can in 2023 Cool
Holy Crap!!….what is all this business?
I tried the Jauce link, but it goes nowhere.
Honestly this is just way too long to take seriously, as it makes my brain spin around like it’s about to explode, and is WAY too many words to possibly even attempt to read. Lol
Is this spam disguised as a post?
Play nice & have fun!!Smile
[-] The following 2 users Like MuddyPoppins's post:
  • chrisjo, GreatGordonFan
@Muddy Poppins

Nah, this was my best attempt to actually explain the functionality and bizzare quirks of the MaBeee remote battery system completely, as there really isn't a lot of English information about it 😅

To be honest, I may reformat the post, and separate some of the information into a Word Document attachment for people to download and read at their leisure if they are interested or need to - I just figured it might be helpful info.

There isn't even an English translation of the manual, which is why I basically included a much clearer English explanation of the functions in the post, because Google Translate basically had a seizure when I tried to translate the manual, and even a friend of mine who knows more Japanese than I do couldn't totally understand it either 😛

As it happens, there is one major issue I have noticed that might kneecap the potential uses for the MaBeee - Unlike the Mr Motorman, it doesn't offer the option to run trains in reverse, presumably because the MaBeee is built for a wide variety of devices as opposed to specifically Plarail.

However, if that's not a major problem (I mean, in the main most layouts are one-way) then the MaBeee would be ideal, although it is a shame as I had pondered the possibility of using a MaBeee to create an automatic shuttle branch line on my layout, which would require reversing (no room for a loop).
Been building Plarail worlds since 2001; Building when I can in 2023 Cool
[-] The following 2 users Like Plarail Man UK's post:
  • MuddyPoppins, Super
Thanks P-Man
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Edit completed [later than I would have liked because of work taking away all my energy >_<] and it does look a lot neater Wink
Been building Plarail worlds since 2001; Building when I can in 2023 Cool
(This post was last modified: 10-15-2022, 12:48 PM by Super.)



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