Anyone who has / wants old fashioned DCS and Remotes... CRITICALLY IMPORTANT PLEASE READ

I agree with Gary and others that I think it is too late for whoever markets DCS to keep producing the traditional TIU and remote technology.  It costs companies money to keep producing older technology.  However, I will answer John's initial question; I would purchase one TIU and remote if offered.  I had been thinking of purchasing a spare TIU for my 11x11 layout room, but didn't do it before they were discontinued.  I did get a spare remote in this last batch that were produced.  I tried the WIU when it first came out, but didn't like using the phone touch screen.  After a couple years, I sold the WIU to a Forum member.

All that said, I certainly wouldn't have an issue plugging the remote into a WTIU in such a small room as I have.  That may be the route I take as long as I have remotes.  Push come to shove if I outlive my remotes, then I'll go back to a touch screen on a phone or tablet. 

@Craftech posted:

Thanks,

That sounds great.  What is doing the receiving?

John

The ipega is connected to the the tablet via a Bluetooth connection as an HID (Human Interface Device), the app sends commands to the TIU via WiFi to the WIU & TIU.

One of each as a spare .

I have a lot of MTH One Gauge (no O gauge DCS ) and for me my Ipad and Iphone are very hard to see outside in the sunlight sometimes and that's why I prefer the remote. I currently have two TIU and two Remotes.  It's just a PP.

The whole thing is  still so disappointing MTH !!

Larry

I would purchase 1 spare remote.  I got a spare TIU in the last batch of Rev L.

That said, I thought there was one more run of remotes due this summer?

I have a spare TIU and 2 spare remotes so I don't think I will need any more.

I don't know that I am into buy spares, but I am very disappointed in this development.   One of the best things about dcs has been that it has always been backwards compatible.   Moving to a combined interface unit always seemed like a logical step.   I simply have a hard time understanding why the new unit wasn't made to be able to communicate with the existing remotes.  Perhaps we will say a change, or a plug in module that will allow for use of the original remotes via the dcs plug, as mentioned above.   Software updates though would stall, so the remotes would still be on borrowed time.

I am going to build a shadow box and install the two DCS remotes I have in it. I will call it 'When trains where fun"

I would buy 1 TIU

I think the way forward is the box that plugs into the remote cord connection and communicates using the 900mhz band with the remote.  That would seem like a development that is quite possible.  If the existing DCS Remote works well with the port on the "new" TIU, I can't see why this isn't the way to keep using the existing remotes.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think the way forward is the box that plugs into the remote cord connection and communicates using the 900mhz band with the remote.  That would seem like a development that is quite possible.  If the existing DCS Remote works well with the port on the "new" TIU, I can't see why this isn't the way to keep using the existing remotes.

Seems very doable.  Part of me wonders if the ability to plug in a 900 MHz transceiver somewhere in the signal path might already exist.  I thought I read somewhere there is little difference to the signal that the remote sends to that of whats on the center rail, just modulated differently.

This has come up before, but I can't imaginethat the signal that comes from the remote looks anything like what is on the rails, and I'm not talking about modulation!  However, I'm not sure we really need to know all that much about the actual data, we just need a 900mhz link.

@Susan Deats posted:

I would buy 1 TIU

Susan,

I want to personally thank you for that fantastic project on your website:

Sound Activation and Block Protection Box

I built it to replace the Lionel one and it works great.  Thank you so much.

Regards,

John

I would buy 1 remote and 1 TIU

Back in the 70's we ran a club layout with a control system one of the members designed.  One of the features of this was phone plugs located around the layout where we would plug in remote controllers.  Sounds like this is now an option for the WTIU.  I would be ok with this based on my experience with that 70's HO layout.

Rolland

This is why I purchased two new, older TIUs and 2 spare remotes.

The remote gives me nostalgia for when I was very young and my LHS tech. would let me run the trains on the store layout. That's what really got me into DCS!

Bryce

Last year I bought a new second remote and several cradle/wheel assembles.  Last week I bought a second TIU new from The Railyard in Ronaoke VA . I also have the stand alone WiFi but prefer the remotes but have used the app on both my phone and iPad. My granddaughter has the app on her iPad and loves it. So yes I would by another TIU and remote just to have them. I must say my current TIU and remote I bought shortly after MTH introduced the system and have had no issues during that 15 or so years I have been using the first 10 or so was with 2 PW ZW’s.  

I will keep my remotes and TIUs for as long as they work, and I expect that to be a long time to come yet. Only when they die and there is no alternative will I use the phone app.  

Answer this survey so we can get the facts.

I'd buy two of each.

@Oman posted:

Answer this survey so we can get the facts.

Good idea Keith!