@CAPPilot posted:I have both systems and enjoy them both. I do like Lionel's Cab-2 handheld better, but that is probably because I have large hands.
It took the HO community years to standardize on one system, and I believe it was more important in that scale because there were multiple competitive incompatible systems, not just two compatible systems. Command Control was first developed in 1964, with multiple systems in use by 1978. However, it wasn't until 1994 when they came up with the current DCC standard. I believe one reason Lionel went their TMCC route was DCC couldn't handle the O gauge electrical requirements.
TMCC was around years before DCS, so why didn't MTH negotiate with Lionel for that system? When DCS finally came out, TMCC was well established and for Lionel to move to DCS would have orphaned all their earlier stuff. DCS looked great on paper, and that is why I bought it. However, I find I only use maybe 25% of its capability.
You do need both systems if you want to run MTH and all the other manufacturers TMCC based trains. My layout is TMCC controlled with the TIU connected to run DCS engines. I do need both handhelds because MTH never released its code. Those of you with MTH controlled layouts are a little better off because you can control Lionel trains though the DCS handheld (thank Lionel for that).
I use to do bicycle club races and the animosity between those that used the Campagnolo components and those that used Shimano components was unreal, and it is the same here. And it is just not DCS vs TMCC, it is MTH vs Lionel. Some of you picked a side and will never change. And I haven't even added in the conventional worshipers.
We have two compatible systems (three if you count conventional), and it is not going to change. Your complaining has not changed anything in 20 years and it will not now. Pick one and stay with it, or go with both like many have. Then enjoy the hobby.
I’m excited that Lionel will be making some the former MTH locomotives. I have avoided buying them because the company is going away and I wasn’t going to invest $300-400 on a DCS (dying control system) just to run a couple of locomotives. Now those locomotives I wanted may be coming with LionChief Plus 2.0, which has 99% of what legacy can do in a smaller non-scale format.
