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.

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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.