Base 3 To order now or wait?

That was the whole idea for “Beta Testing”!  I was one of those individuals requested by Lionel to do the “Legacy V1.3 Testing “ before it was released !! We had all the “BUGS” worked out before it was released! I don’t know if they are doing that with the CAB3 or not! I worked very close with John Z on that release!

Fredstrains

i should mention to Dave (Lionel) that I would be available to do that ( Beta Testing),  as well for the CAB3 before the release !!

I have no sure knowledge but knowing what is going on with supply chain issues particularly with certain electronic components, I suspect getting certain components in the quantities required to begin production is more likely the cause of delays.  Having said that, I am not sure that at this point there is any advantage in ordering now as the early buy discounts expired long ago.  On the other hand, there is always the possibility that prices could increase in the future with the approach or arrival of the production run.

@Keith Frank posted:

Base 3 keeps be delayed so I'm wondering if Lionel is having problems making it work properly. I wonder if it would be better to wait a while before ordering one till some of these hit the market and are being used to see how they work in the real world. Give Lionel time to work out the bugs. It's like a new model car. Never buy the first year of production, there could be too many problems.  I would be interested in your thoughts.

There have been several Base 3 threads so lots of information out there. The short summary:

-- A couple of the larger online train dealers are showing 9/30/23 as the latest.

-- Lionel has posted here several times that they want to "get it right" and are working hard to have a quality product when it's released.

--As far as supply, you have to decide for yourself. I suspect that there are many pre-orders for these (Train World, for example, has said this) and that could mean the initial run of these sells out quickly. Could mean waiting longer after the first release. Who knows? Again, you'll have to make the call for yourself.

I would wait.

Waiting to order a Base 3 may mean not being "the first kid on the block" to install it on your layout. Not all that big a deal, except for one who desperately wants to own serial number 1. With all due respect to Beta testers and Lionel product developers, it seems there's always some glitch hiding in the circuits somewhere; then subsequently discovered and reported by real-world users.

Meanwhile, there are PLENTY of Lionel loyalists (like me) who are content with using TMCC, Legacy, and LionChief renderings of technology rendered obsolete. Then switch to Base 3 because of necessity.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

I'm in line for TWO.

I BELIEVE THIS TIME IT WILL BE PERFECT!

I also believe the government will work...

I'm sure I'll eventually buy one, but for now, I've got TMCC, Legacy, and an extra Legacy remote, a cab-1L, the Universal Remote and a bunch of loco specific LionChief remotes.  And nothing substantial in the way of a layout .  Not to mention the MTH Explorer as well.  Not to mention more trains than any sensible individual would own.

I've ordered the BASE 3.  It will complement my layout and the way I run my trains.  In my view, that's the most important thing.

I did order early - very early - and at times there are benefits ... $399 v. $499 (list).

"Not to mention more trains than any sensible individual would own."

Well, there's sensible and then there's SENSIBLE.  I prefer to think that any number of trains I own is SENSIBLE.

(My wife may disagree.)

I see Charles Ro still has it at $454.99. While not the best pre-order price, at least you would be able to lock in a good price, without paying anything upfront.  I pre-ordered mine from Eastside Trains, so very happy to have it on order.  I am sure I will be the first one on my block to get one, probably the first one in my zip code, too.  In the broader 253-area code, I hope I will have some company.

I ordered 2 - 1 for the Layout, 1 for the repair bench.

I fully expect there to be a few revisions of the firmware to fix some issues as more scenarios are exercised.  Legacy wasn't usable at my house till version 1.4 was released - I had to resort back to the original Base1/Cab1.  I even visited Dr. ZW at his Santa Clara workshop and discussed the issues I was seeing.  Eventually Legacy turned out to be a fantastic product.

Patience Grasshopper.

Jim

@Keith Frank posted:

Base 3 keeps be delayed so I'm wondering if Lionel is having problems making it work properly. I wonder if it would be better to wait a while before ordering one till some of these hit the market and are being used to see how they work in the real world. Give Lionel time to work out the bugs. It's like a new model car. Never buy the first year of production, there could be too many problems.  I would be interested in your thoughts.

If you are one who definitely wants the Base 3, I would not wait.  if Lionel sticks to the way they used to release the 990 sets, they do them in batches.   So, when the first batch comes in, could be a wait until the next one.  Why not just pre-order it for the lowest price it will probably ever be (nothing ever goes down lol).  I think they are thoroughly testing it and delays don't necessary mean issues.  Harry Henning said they will have a pre-release version at their run for fun we will be able to see it in action.   If by some chance any big issue arises, Lionel will take care of it, I am sure.  Just my opinion.  I can't wait to see it.

I would order it. The getting it right has to do with the app in both the android and apple versions. The same goes for the TIUWIU it's the app and making sure version 1 works well. And yes regardless there will be updates for both. I would be more worried about people who can't follow directions and blame the app or bases.

I think you have to ask yourself, do I really need one. I most likely will purchase one eventually just to update my system but am not in a big rush. I only run Legacy and the 993 set is fine for now using the cab2 which I love.

I have the Legacy command system on my layout and on my workbench, so there's no rush to get a BASE3.  You beta testers, please notify me when you've wrung out all the bugs.

" The Second Mouse gets the Cheese"  is always a good to remember and heed.

Charlie

I to have a legacy base on my layout and work shop. I also have a spare. I did order the Base 3 so that I could initially experiment with it and the new app before I put it onto the layout . My only concern is that it mat turn into another MTH TIU version G.

Thank you all for your responses. I have another question about the base 3. Little background, I was in the hobby back in the late 1990's to early 2000's and ran TMCC and got out just as Legacy was being introduced. 20 years later I'm back in the hobby and running TMCC. I just bought my first Legacy engine and running it with my TMCC system and it runs great. I know I can't access all the features like the quilling whistle and all the crew talk but it defiantly runs smoother than my TMCC engines and has more features. I have been told with the free app I will be able to run all the new engines . If so why do I need to buy a bass 3? Can I run my TMCC engines with the App? Will the Base 3 be only needed for things like operating switches and accessories? Why buy the Base 3?

@Keith Frank posted:

Thank you all for your responses. I have another question about the base 3. Little background, I was in the hobby back in the late 1990's to early 2000's and ran TMCC and got out just as Legacy was being introduced. 20 years later I'm back in the hobby and running TMCC. I just bought my first Legacy engine and running it with my TMCC system and it runs great. I know I can't access all the features like the quilling whistle and all the crew talk but it defiantly runs smoother than my TMCC engines and has more features. I have been told with the free app I will be able to run all the new engines . If so why do I need to buy a bass 3? Can I run my TMCC engines with the App? Will the Base 3 be only needed for things like operating switches and accessories? Why buy the Base 3?

If you are talking about the CAB-3 App, then yes it will be able to run all engines Lionel has made - Conventional, TMCC, Legacy, Lionchief, Lionchief Plus, Lionchief Plus 2.0.  But it communicates with the Base-3.

If you mean the Lionchief Bluetooth App (the one currently available), then yes you could use that (with very limited features) to run any BLUETOOTH EQUIPPED ONLY engines, but not any others. 

The Base 3 is basically the All-In-One Base that will be able to control any Lionel engine using the CAB-3 App.

I believe he's talking about running them with the original TMCC system.  Yes, you can run any TMCC or Legacy locomotive with the original TMCC command system, thousands of guys do just that.

Ok so I can run all my engines through my TMCC system using Cab1 or the app. What does buying the Base 3 get me is the question? What additional features or control?

  Thanks

Why not read for yourself the features?

Lionel Base3

I have preordered the Base3. I currently use a Base2, Cab2 and several Cab 1l's to control my layout. I have several TMMC locos, but mostly MTH proto1s, Williams and Lionel conventional (a couple from my childhood!).  I use Powermasters and TPCs connected to my Base2 to control track voltage when running my conventional locos.

I have noticed many times that the Lionel Base 3 info given out by Lionel broadly states you can run all of the Lionel locos ever made with the Base 3 and Cab3 app. This is often repeated at various places on the internet. For most of us using Lionel remote control devices since the beginning we all KNOW that you need a Powermaster or TPC in addition to the Cab(whatever) to control track voltage with your handheld device. The need for this to control conventional locos was mentioned routinely in Base2/Legacy descriptions by Lionel. I don't see that in their description for the Base 3.

I was excited when the Base 3 was announced that they seemed to be saying the Base 3 would have track voltage control built in.  I don't remember Dave even addressing that issue on a facebook presentation about Base3/Cab3. I asked. It is OK that Base3 won't directly control track voltage but not noting that you need some add on device could be misleading.

BTW, I think I bought my TPC's from the basement of one of the 'inventors' of TPC when I was in grad school in Detroit around 1974-76. At least, that is what I am gonna let myself believe!

Peace to all and have fun with your trains!