Anybody have Wifi but don't use it very much?

I am keeping my wifi unit, but I still prefer the remote by a long way! Once in a while I try the wifi again (I'm nit giving up!), but so far the remote is still winning.  

I'm also thinking about buying another remote as well, for future.

I got the wifi unit mainly for my grandson, he has an iphone, but so far he (now 13) seems to still prefer the remote also.

Yes Dave, I am the same way!  The wifi works great, and the arthritis in my thumbs hurts like the dickens using the remote's thumbwheel, but I still pick up the remote.  I think it is because I like pushing real buttons, even though I have had a smart phone since 2012.  I have even thought of selling the wifi, but I do occasionally use it.  I would probably regret getting rid of it especially if I don't get a backup remote.

I guess you could say I am on the other side.  I have been using the APP since it first came out and my Remote sits in the closet, (grandkids won't touch it either), and it will probably never to see the light of day again.

I am always grabbing the remote first. I have learned to like the app better for running engines with the playable whistle. The other day my remote said that my g scale big boy wasn't on the track. The app said it was and ran it with no issues. 

I may start grabbing the app first from now on. Inside the house that is. 

Tip: someone posted that if you tap the whistle cord and the engine has playable whistle, it gets activated. I didn't know that and I tried it on my Big boy and it worked. The remote can't do that and is almost a pain to use with the playing, smoking whistles. You can't control the engine with the remote while the whistle is active.

 I wish MTH had more money to make their own controller for the app with controls for use out in the sunny back yard.

Me, I find myself using the remote more than the wifi. 

Joe,

You can't control the engine with the remote while the whistle is active.

Actually, you can.

The only thing you cannot do is use the thumbwheel to adjust speed. However, you can use Quickset Speed to control the engine's speed.

Everything that you need to know about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Sold my wifi  

How do you adjust the quick set speed when the thumbwheel is used for the whistle? 

Don't use mine much.  Right now I am only running trains in circles, and I often switch bak to conventional trains requiring voltage regulation.  I haven't upgraded to the more expensive version to be able to vary track voltage, so I really don't use it often.  I am thinking about picking up the starter set version to use with the display at my office.  Then I could occasionally sound of the whistle or show off a train without having a lot of equipment to keep in the desk.

I have both WiFi devices from both Lionel and MTH.  I still grab the remote.  It's a personal preference.  I need to know the systems because of the Legacy Users Group and some demo I do at the LHS but for running trains my preference is the hardware remote.  I'm sure it's because it's what I am used to.  If a kid was raised on the WiFi app they'd easily prefer the app over the hardware is my guess.

Joe,

Everything that you need to know about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

MartyE posted:

I have both WiFi devices from both Lionel and MTH.  I still grab the remote.  It's a personal preference.  I need to know the systems because of the Legacy Users Group and some demo I do at the LHS but for running trains my preference is the hardware remote.  I'm sure it's because it's what I am used to.  If a kid was raised on the WiFi app they'd easily prefer the app over the hardware is my guess.

Yes, that is the key for a lot of us 'older' guys.  If my MTH remote goes south, I will certainly use the phone, and then probably get used to it better.  Eventually, that will happen regardless.  I do like having the Wifi to easily setup another remote, especially for a child or younger adult to use.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Joe,

How do you adjust the quick set speed when the thumbwheel is used for the whistle? 

Instead of rolling the thumbwheel for the whistle, you press it to get onto Quickset Speed, then you enter the speed using the keypad and press ENG to go back to the whistle.

---

Everything that you need to know about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Holly cow.....

you ever going to stop schooling me!

Thanks!

I am not an "older guy" and for what its worth none of us are, I mean we play with trains for cripes sake LMAO!!

I have the WIU and I am not a fan, other than the quillable/playable whistle, I personally don't use it as all, the few times my wife decides she want to run them with the kids, I have taught her how to use it (THE WIU) instead of the remote as the kids do seem to like the app more than the remote. I think the colors/big buttons really attracts them.

It serves its purpose on my layout I guess but a purpose that does not serve me lol.

Thanks!

P.s. @Barry Broskowitz has demystified the quick speed feature for me  I would have never thought to type the number LMAO like a genius I would keep clicking the wheel which would only back me out of the feature!! I am officially an idiot.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Joe,

How do you adjust the quick set speed when the thumbwheel is used for the whistle? 

Instead of rolling the thumbwheel for the whistle, you press it to get onto Quickset Speed, then you enter the speed using the keypad and press ENG to go back to the whistle.

I can toggle back and forth between thumbwheel speed control and quilling whistle by pressing the thumbwheel in.  (works on my Susquehanna Decapod...) - not Quickset, the wheel does it all.  

Found that out by accident. 

-Jim

I like and use both methods of control. I guess depends on the kind of mood I'm in that day. 

Yup, I have it and don't like it.  It's a buggy system imo.  And I am a person who is glued to his phone, use it constantly for everything including work, shopping, navigation, photo and video editing, etc.  I bought another remote and some spare parts.   Will likely buy more remotes while I can too.  I remain hopeful that the app will continue to improve in terms of reliability and user interface. 

I like having the wifi as a backup, but the remote (Legacy) is my controller of choice. I don't have to look at the remote, and I can instead look at the trains I'm running.

I run the trains so infrequently that I hardly ever use Wifi.  When I do I am overly cautious because I would hate to smash up the layout. One time I didn't have the max speed set and it was quite an adventure until I was able to decrease the speed.  Only took a second or two but it seemed a lot longer.

It took me a while, as I was soooo used to the DCS Handheld (17 years worth of using it), but I recently got all of the electronics to run Legacy as well as TMCC in addition to DCS, and can now run all of it (including Legacy under Legacy command) with my smart phone via the DCS Wifi application.

For the last few weeks, I have been using the Wifi application pretty much exclusively.  

I have not tried to run conventional through Wifi, but am looking forward to doing that as well.

You know RAK, for someone like me who has gotten it to work, but still goes to the remote.  I just need to take out the phone, put the remote on the shelf, and just do it.

I tried wi-fi control for almost 2 months, but feel more comfortable with the remote. For last 2 weeks, my running, switching, etc. have been only been with the remote. Enjoying it more again and running my layout longer time wise.

I enjoy pushing buttons, and turning wheels with the remote. Guess that's why I enjoy driving my stick shift 20 year old Ranger more so then my Gizmo fully equipped automatic new car.

Wi-fi all the way on my railroad. So much better to have the color screen and the ability to quickly jump between screens. The quillable whistle feature is very cool with the chain!

Mark Boyce posted:

You know RAK, for someone like me who has gotten it to work, but still goes to the remote.  I just need to take out the phone, put the remote on the shelf, and just do it.

Mark, you have inspired me, tonight is going to be a WIU only night for me 😬😥

Daniel J. Gonzalez posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

You know RAK, for someone like me who has gotten it to work, but still goes to the remote.  I just need to take out the phone, put the remote on the shelf, and just do it.

Mark, you have inspired me, tonight is going to be a WIU only night for me 😬😥

I have 2 WIUs, since I have 2 TIUs.  I was one of the very first dual WIU users, which I needed for certain testing.  Now I rarely use them.  The grandkids prefer the remotes also.

Mine works, and it works well for the most part, but I go for the remote every time. I just don’t associate phone with my trains. Besides, I spend enough time looking at that thing

I have it but don't use it much, anyone that wants can just stand close to my house and use mine. Address in profile.

Chris Sheldon

Every time I use it some glitch happens and I give up and go back to the remote.  So do I use it? Not much.

Jim Harrington posted:

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Joe,

How do you adjust the quick set speed when the thumbwheel is used for the whistle? 

Instead of rolling the thumbwheel for the whistle, you press it to get onto Quickset Speed, then you enter the speed using the keypad and press ENG to go back to the whistle.

I can toggle back and forth between thumbwheel speed control and quilling whistle by pressing the thumbwheel in.  (works on my Susquehanna Decapod...) - not Quickset, the wheel does it all.  

Found that out by accident. 

-Jim

Well I'll be …….darned!

Yeap, it just worked with a playable whistle on a Q2 tender. Press the thumbwheel and it goes to speed control and it's active! Press it again and it says whistle!

Did I just forget this stuff, never learn it, or what? I think it's locked in this time. Thank you!

Another good thing from this.... you may ignore, I'm rambling from another post.

I just solved my issue with my main inside remote not finding my G scale Big Boy. Another house keeping issue. I have several TIUs and don't have them labeled in view (I have 3 remotes). So in the fall when I brought my outside TIU in, I grabbed the one from the #2 mainline. That's the #3 TIU. That's not the usual #2 TIU that is for G scale only outside (and in) mainline #1.

 I had deleted TIUs in a previous attempt to add engines faster. I had the G scale powered up for this thumbwheel test and saw that the #1 remote did not find TIU#2? It finally occurred to me that it's because TIU #2 is still outside. So there's no way for this remote #1 to talk to the Big Boy using the main #1 remote that now doesn't know TIU #3 exists. The remote found TIUs #s 1 and 4 and I missed the fact of what TIU #4 is connected to.

 The phone ran the engine and it threw me why.

So Barry taught me to clean up my remotes. He didn't teach me to follow thru all my changes methodically.  OK he did, I'm bad.

We've been using our remotes for a very long time. We know them very well. We feel very confident when using them. We know them so well, in an instant, we can send a command we want the engine to respond to. That confidence took time to develop and during that time it was the only way we had to run our trains in command mode. The adrenaline rush it gave us as we learned made it exciting even when we were tired after a long day of dealing with life. Now comes the WiFi and it's a whole new ball game. We go to the layout to enjoy our trains after that long day and there sits the remote and the tablet. It's laziness that we will want to lean toward using the remote and just run trains. Were up and running in no time and have a relaxing fun time with our trains.

The only fair way to judge the WiFi is to loose the remote for few years. Yes, a few years, like it never existed. Only the WiFi to run our trains. Give it the same chance the remote had to prove itself. Be forced to learn it and learn it well. Have a family member hide your remote for a LONG period of time, and make them promise not to give it back to you, no matter how much you roll around kicking and screaming on the floor.

Now lets say two years went by. You know the app like the back of your hand. Over that two years MTH continued to make changes to better it, like we known their already working on. You go to your layout after a long day of dealing with life and there sits the old remote that can never change and there sits the tablet that you know how to use just as well. It offers more features and responds faster to your commands then the remote. On top of that MTH has finished adding more functions to the main screen (soon were going to see front and rear coupler on the main screen). What will you choose in then?

I too must confess, I grab the remote. Especially if my run time is limited. But I know if I keep doing that the app will never have a fair chance to prove itself to me or increase the fun I could be having. This habit is going to eventually bite us all in the butt. Just like were having more fun then with the old conventional method guy, the future newbies coming into the hobby, will be having more fun then us. They will be buying a new TIU/WiFi set up, which will no longer be including a remote. They will get that rush out of the app like we got out of the remote. That will drive them to learn the app better then us guys that push the tablet aside. Because of our "feeling comfortable" habit, we won't even realize how much more fun we could be having. The app will continue to advance just like our computers did (could you imagine pushing a desk top around the layout on a cart with an extension cord dragging behind). Let's not allow ourselves to fall behind and be left in the dust. Maybe its time to start a "Remotes Anonymous" organization.  

Well put, Dave!!

Remotes Anonymous!!  That’s great!

For those that have abandoned the remotes and are taking up space, feel free to send them to me and I'll pay your postage.

I'll start a "Remote Orphanage" and sure many if not all will be adopted.

MartyE posted:

I have both WiFi devices from both Lionel and MTH.  I still grab the remote.  It's a personal preference.  I need to know the systems because of the Legacy Users Group and some demo I do at the LHS but for running trains my preference is the hardware remote.  I'm sure it's because it's what I am used to.  If a kid was raised on the WiFi app they'd easily prefer the app over the hardware is my guess.

If buying only one wifi device, which would you choose Marty for a club layout please?

c.sam posted:

MartyE posted:

I have both WiFi devices from both Lionel and MTH.  I still grab the remote.  It's a personal preference.  I need to know the systems because of the Legacy Users Group and some demo I do at the LHS but for running trains my preference is the hardware remote.  I'm sure it's because it's what I am used to.  If a kid was raised on the WiFi app they'd easily prefer the app over the hardware is my guess.

If buying only one wifi device, which would you choose Marty for a club layout please?

Hi Sam,

I know you asked Marty but if I can add some insight. The MTH WIU can run legacy engines with a legacy ser2 module and serial cable with power if I am not mistaken. So without buying lionel's wifi module you can still run legacy engines with legacy features using the MTH WIU and premium app and the two lionel items I mentioned before. The same can't be said for the Lionel unit, you will still need to have the WIU to run MTH engines.

IMO the MTH is a better buy for a club as it eliminates, to some degree, the items needed to merge the two systems under one platform.

Hope this helps!

Daniel J. Gonzalez posted:

c.sam posted:

MartyE posted:

I have both WiFi devices from both Lionel and MTH.  I still grab the remote.  It's a personal preference.  I need to know the systems because of the Legacy Users Group and some demo I do at the LHS but for running trains my preference is the hardware remote.  I'm sure it's because it's what I am used to.  If a kid was raised on the WiFi app they'd easily prefer the app over the hardware is my guess.

If buying only one wifi device, which would you choose Marty for a club layout please?

Hi Sam,

I know you asked Marty but if I can add some insight. The MTH WIU can run legacy engines with a legacy ser2 module and serial cable with power if I am not mistaken. So without buying lionel's wifi module you can still run legacy engines with legacy features using the MTH WIU and premium app and the two lionel items I mentioned before. The same can't be said for the Lionel unit, you will still need to have the WIU to run MTH engines.

IMO the MTH is a better buy for a club as it eliminates, to some degree, the items needed to merge the two systems under one platform.

Hope this helps!

I agree that the MTH WiFi is a better solution currently.  While you still need to have 2 complete systems, both a MTH DCS system and Lionel Legacy System + SER2, the MTH app can and does control Legacy engines pretty good under a common interface.

Thanks guys - Q:  What is the SER2?

Sam

http://www.lionel.com/lcs/LCSproducts/SER2/index.html

Here is the link. It explains a bit as to what it does but in short, legacy commands can't go through serial connections as did TMCC, this module converts serial signals into what I believe is a Lionel proprietary protocal.

I'm no legacy expert so I am sure others will chime in to fill in the technical gaps in my explanation.

Hope this helps my friend!

I do use the remote once in a while, but I use my Wi-Fi more often. The remote is ok, but I prefer an iPad or my phone. And I’m one of the “older” guys. 

Andy

Sam,

The SER2 is required because Lionel does not allow the Legacy command base to accept Legacy commands via it’s serial port.

The SER2 corrects this and allows the legacy command base to accept Legacy commands from the TIU.

This is explained in detail in The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition.

Does the MTH app support the trainlink function in Legacy?