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Seems some of the parts are no longer available and apparently they can't find suitable replacements.

Yes, they are talking about the full function DCS handheld remote. Yes, MTH has confirmed this. I think the current batch they have produced will be the last one after that it's the app. 

I believe the set remotes (DCS Remote Commanders) have already been replaced by the DCS explorer and free app.

I asked Mike Wolf about the remote when I saw him at York in October.  He said that this will indeed be the last run of the hand held remote.  MTH bought up all available pieces of obsolete parts and will have another part that can no longer be obtained redesigned (he told me which one, but I don’t recall).  They will make several hundred remotes, but that’s it.

To add to RTR12's comments, above, it has been stated by MTH, but they also stated the last production run should last a long time, whatever that it.

More importantly, we should all get use to the idea that at some point, we will probably be forced to move our train control to our phones. While I do like feel of a dedicated remote, there is just no way the manufactures can compete with the phone manufactures in terms of hardware. So, I do see a time when we move to the phone as our remote.

There is absolutely no reason to do it now because, there seems to be plenty of new stock, but sometime in the future we will be forced to make the move.

Charlie

rtr12 posted:

 

I believe the set remotes (DCS Remote Commanders) have already been replaced by the DCS explorer and free app.

Uh oh. If that is the case I'll have to buy several spares. The PER is a [mostly] switching pike and there is no way I could use a phone or tablet because my eyes have to be on the train so without tactile buttons I can't look at a silly screen to see where I need to poke. Then finally I will have to give up on DCS and perhaps MTH engines as well. Those business decisions are gonna' push more than a few people away from DCS and PS3 engines.

Charlie posted:

More importantly, we should all get use to the idea that at some point, we will probably be forced to move our train control to our phones. While I do like feel of a dedicated remote, there is just no way the manufactures can compete with the phone manufactures in terms of hardware. So, I do see a time when we move to the phone as our remote.

I don't buy that we have to use our phone to control the trains.  Yes, it might cost more if the manufacturer has to come up with a new version of the remote, and yes, we will likely have to pay it if we still want to stick with a physical remote.  Not everything is suited for running on a phone.  By it's nature, running with the phone is a two-handed affair, that doesn't leave a hand free for the beer!

Lew, If you are using the DCS Remote Commanders (50-1033), I believe you can still get those as a separate purchase. And as said above MTH is supposed to have a good supply of the full DCS remotes from this last production run. Not sure how many is in that good supply?

Above, I was talking about the MTH starter sets, which I now only see offered with the DCS Explorer in the last catalog. The DCS Remote Commander is still listed in the latest 2020-V1 catalog, just isn't included with the starter sets anymore that I could see anyway.

And I certainly agree and also prefer the hand held remotes. I have the DCS WIU and Deluxe App, but still prefer and always use the DCS handheld remote. I'll also be one of the unhappy campers if my DCS handheld ever quits and there is nothing but the app left to use. 

GRJ, I would sure be willing to cough up a little extra for a DCS remote if they would continue to offer them. 

Last edited by rtr12
gunrunnerjohn posted:
Charlie posted:

More importantly, we should all get use to the idea that at some point, we will probably be forced to move our train control to our phones. While I do like feel of a dedicated remote, there is just no way the manufactures can compete with the phone manufactures in terms of hardware. So, I do see a time when we move to the phone as our remote.

I don't buy that we have to use our phone to control the trains.  Yes, it might cost more if the manufacturer has to come up with a new version of the remote, and yes, we will likely have to pay it if we still want to stick with a physical remote.  Not everything is suited for running on a phone.  By it's nature, running with the phone is a two-handed affair, that doesn't leave a hand free for the beer!

You know what they say John.  Where there’s a Will, there’s an Ale!

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gunrunnerjohn posted:
Yes, it might cost more if the manufacturer has to come up with a new version of the remote, and yes, we will likely have to pay it if we still want to stick with a physical remote.  Not everything is suited for running on a phone.  By it's nature, running with the phone is a two-handed affair, that doesn't leave a hand free for the beer!

Some guys don't want to pay for a $5 bottle of smoke fluid and you think they'll pay more for a remote?  LOL!  Good one John.

Jason gartner posted:

If you have run this app on an iPad I’m not sure why you would want to go back to the remote? The functions are millions times easier to get to and you have a huge screen. I don’t get it

Screens are visual, not tactile. As such when starting/stopping one must have one's eyes on the screen rather than on the train. Slow-speed switching moves at 5smph concluding with coupling to a standing car would be awkward-to-impossible using such a control scheme. An operating session on the PER involves 40-50 such moves. IMO there is something wrong with a business model that offers excellent slow-speed walk-around control and then makes operating the walk-around the task rather than operating the train, the opposite of transparent control. When screens become the only way to implement DCS MTH will start losing those of us who do a lot of switching. Of course, PS3 engines have DCC receivers so that is a possible solution but is another whole kettle-of-fish.

Jason gartner posted:

If you have run this app on an iPad I’m not sure why you would want to go back to the remote? The functions are millions times easier to get to and you have a huge screen. I don’t get it

What Lew said.

It's the same reason iPad-like displays are a poor choice for controls in an automobile (though with less serious consequences of course).  In the case of autos, they are here to stay for good, most likely  (unless it's proved they cause a significant number of traffic deaths that could be avoided if controls were buttons/levers/knobs).

Of course there is no such life risk for our trains, so nothing will change this course if
MTH is not interested in investing in another piece of hardware.

"Alexa, back up the Norfolk Southern S2 switcher at 3 scale miles per hour.  Alexa Stop!" (you have to talk fast and it needs to catch your voice(proces and send commands) really fast since Alexa can't really cant see or "feel" the couplers close like you can see it)

Hope it doesn't come to that, but that's more likely than them investing in a new remote, it would seem.

In the mean time, I will probably keep buying another backup remote from time to time as long as they are still available.

-Dave

Has anyone ran into the problem of not being able to bring inactive engines to the active list? This querk was first noticed in 2015 by @Mrmacher. I purchased my app(premier version) January 8st 2020 and have this same problem five years later! @dave(the train store man) mentions this also in this post. Barry(at the time) said he had no clue! HELP

breezinup posted:

I think someone quoted a MTH spokesman at the Spring York during a discussion about the announcement of handhelds being discontinued, and the grumbling that ensued, saying something along the lines of "Just stop griping and get used to it."       

I wonder if Mike w. will get use to it when we stop buying his trains..

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