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BOB WALKER posted:

An earlier post asked if the smart sensor could calculate distance to an engine. The sensor outputs a DC voltage which is inversely proportional to the distance from the sensed object. I measured this and found it to be quite accurate from 2 feet down to zero. This function can be used to animate and control accessories as a train approaches, but can also indicate where the train is positioned.

I think the thread took a turn about here. Bob was not talking about the sensor track, but IR in general I think.

Anyone seen the Lionel 6-85296 LCS SensorTrack 2 (IRV2) yet?  This has been "coming" for a couple of years, if it doesn't ship soon it'll be obsolete.  Every time the delivery date gets close Lionel moves the goalposts!

John,  I found out a few days ago that they are in the Lionel Warehouse and as soon as the shutdown is over,  they will be sent out to the dealers.  Probably in the next few weeks or so.

 

Blake

@Jim Sandman posted:

Part obsolescence issues before the product even ships, now that would be funny.  Well not really.

I have one on order and the add on, curios to see how well they work vs the Fastrack one I tore apart to put under Atlas track.

Jim

Jim,  according to Dave Olson,  these IRV2’s will work just like the individual sensor tracks work.  The difference may be that the sensor may have a little issue if using more than 3 foot PDI cable.  

I have a few of the Fastrack ones, but since I'm going to Gargraves/Ross, those aren't going to be as useful as they might be.  I'll probably take them apart and hide the electronics and use them, but I'd like to get some of the ones made for alternative track brands.

I took one apart and mounted it on a spacer to allow the sensor to be read from tubular track between the rails. Works fine and the cord can be 20 feet long.

Jim,  according to Dave Olson,  these IRV2’s will work just like the individual sensor tracks work.  The difference may be that the sensor may have a little issue if using more than 3 foot PDI cable.  

The 3-foot specification refers to the cable between the sensor and the module with the electronics, and that’s the length of the cable provided.

The PDI cable, which the user provides, between the IRV2 module and other LCS components can be as long as that between any other LCS components.

The ties do match Gargraves. To get more space for the electronics while maintaining a reasonable shell thickness the rails fit between the tiles in the spaces provided.

the electronics is still too high to fit underneath which is why I will need to add in the height of the roadbed and add that as resin to match the roadbed. The only roadbed I have is the cork material.

Fasttrack has no issue because they use their track roadbed to obtain the height required for the electronics package to fit.

I think it is reasonable to assume that Lionel made the sensor track difficult to use with any other track format (including Gargraves) other than their own. That has a name. It's called tie-in Monopoly and is illegal under the Clayton and Sherman Anti-trust Acts.  Contact the Anti-Trust Division of our justice department. Good Luck with that!

Last edited by AlanRail

I'm using 1/4" foam, it's slightly thicker than the Midwest cork roadbed, so if it works for cork, it would work for mine.

@AlanRail posted:
I think it is reasonable to assume that Lionel made the sensor track difficult to use with any other track format (including Gargraves) other than their own. That has a name. It's called tie-in Monopoly and is illegal under the Clayton and Sherman Anti-trust Acts.  Contact the Anti-Trust Division of our justice department. Good Luck with that!

With their retrofit package for other track types, I think they have that angle covered.  Not sure even if they didn't that it would be considered illegal.  After all, electronic device manufacturers make products that have unique batteries and other accessories.

I ordered the IRV2 in February 2018...

I know that Lionel wanted to get it right before releasing it, but, clearly, it wasn’t a priority either. That’s understandable. It’s a small item, and, on top of that, Lionel has pivoted it’s technology and marketing thrust away from Legacy and the LCS system to the LionChief Plus 2.0 platform.

The iPad app, iCab app, third-party apps, and LCS devices, all of which Lionel previously touted so highly, have been largely left in the dust. I suppose that Lionel has only so many resources to go around. Presumably, market potential and technology production issues favor LionChief Plus and LionChief Plus 2.0. Again, I get it, but personally I regret the neglect of Legacy/LCS. I can’t get enough of all the cool capabilities that are possible.

@Keith L posted:

I ordered the IRV2 in February 2018...

I know that Lionel wanted to get it right before releasing it, but, clearly, it wasn’t a priority either. That’s understandable. It’s a small item, and, on top of that, Lionel has pivoted it’s technology and marketing thrust away from Legacy and the LCS system to the LionChief Plus 2.0 platform.

The iPad app, iCab app, third-party apps, and LCS devices, all of which Lionel previously touted so highly, have been largely left in the dust. I suppose that Lionel has only so many resources to go around. Presumably, market potential and technology production issues favor LionChief Plus and LionChief Plus 2.0. Again, I get it, but personally I regret the neglect of Legacy/LCS. I can’t get enough of all the cool capabilities that are possible.

I feel the same thing ! Legacy is not more a priority! 

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