Does anyone know when, if not already, when the latest (and last) supply of MTH DCS remotes are available?
I woud like to get one more for safe keeping. Replies are appreciated.
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My LHS and forum sponsor Imperial Train Company has 3 new in package remotes that came in last week. Upgraded to 6.1. Give them a call.
Phone: 724-695-7552
Did I miss the memo? “The latest (and last) supply of MTH DCS remotes.” Is the DCS remote being discontinued, or am I reading the comment wrong?
Lv4trains posted:Did I miss the memo? “The latest (and last) supply of MTH DCS remotes.” Is the DCS remote being discontinued, or am I reading the comment wrong?
MTH has indicated they might discontinue the remote in favor of the App but I'm not sure they have made a firm decision yet.
I have been told that at the DCS USers Group meeting at York that an MTH executive was quoted as saying that the last batch was being shipped to the USA. Personally, as one to has many trains at a time operating over intersecting routes, I think that is a mistake.
Hopefully, this statement will not open the flood gates to a torrent of conflicting opinions. 
I can't speak for the DCS meeting last month, but the one held at the spring meet in April, conveyed the same message. They want to promote the app, and are in fact, not producing the remote any longer.
ok I just went to the google app store and could not find anything for MTH DCS, any help?
RJR posted:I have been told that at the DCS USers Group meeting at York that an MTH executive was quoted as saying that the last batch was being shipped to the USA. Personally, as one to has many trains at a time operating over intersecting routes, I think that is a mistake.
Hopefully, this statement will not open the flood gates to a torrent of conflicting opinions.
Unfortunately for those who like a remote MTH has found a viable alternative to a hardware remote in the App. They will no longer have to produce, keep a large parts inventory, or keep software development for it. With the App it's much easier to develop software to run on hardware developed by someone else.
While I personally like a dedicated remote, there is very little downside for MTH to move in this direction from both a financial and manufacturing point. I would have thought the remotes would of lasted at least a couple more years but the App has been fairly successful if this forum is any indication so I'm guessing they feel good about moving forward without it. I suspect eventually Lionel will do the same but I don't think their App has gained enough momentum to have that happen soon.
mike g. posted:ok I just went to the google app store and could not find anything for MTH DCS, any help?
Here is the link to the MTH WiFi page. It has a link at the bottom for the Google Play for the App.
Now this story is really funny. MTH really needs to talk to VIZIO about going to an APP only approach. The new VIZIO TV's were shipped with a very basic remote. They also were depending on an APP to control their TV's. Then they found out the hard way the APP did not work on all smartphones. Also many people like me do not even have a smartphone. Without running the APP you have no way to get to the settings to set up an operate the TV.
They are now in the process of shipping out remotes to so many people that there is an 8 week delay because of the numbers needed.
Newer does not mean better.... Geeks think APPS can do everything
MartyE posted:I suspect eventually Lionel will do the same but I don't think their App has gained enough momentum to have that happen soon.
Lionel’s strategy cannot gain any momentum in its current form. For beginners, and those upgrading from conventional control, one must first buy a Legacy remote with base, LCS Wi-Fi unit, DB9 cable, and last but not least, the $50 Icab app. That’s a formidable $500 entry barrier. Even worse, the confusing aspects regarding which LCS components and cables are necessary, how they are installed, and subsequently operated, generates confusion and a tremendous sales deterrence for many customers. You should see the blank looks on customers faces when anyone tries to explain this stuff.
To move forward, they need to offer a single box, that contains a Legacy base (without remote), with Wi-Fi capability, and a simple quick installation card showing how to download a FREE app for control. All in one box, with reduced cost. Simple. Done.
GregR posted:MartyE posted:I suspect eventually Lionel will do the same but I don't think their App has gained enough momentum to have that happen soon.Lionel’s strategy cannot gain any momentum in its current form. For beginners, and those upgrading from conventional control, one must first buy a Legacy remote with base, LCS Wi-Fi unit, DB9 cable, and last but not least, the $50 Icab app. That’s a formidable $500 entry barrier. Even worse, the confusing aspects regarding which LCS components and cables are necessary, how they are installed, and subsequently operated, generates confusion and a tremendous sales deterrence for many customers. You should see the blank looks on customers faces when anyone tries to explain this stuff.
To move forward, they need to offer a single box, that contains a Legacy base (without remote), with Wi-Fi capability, and a simple quick installation card showing how to download a FREE app for control. All in one box, with reduced cost. Simple. Done.
Can't say I disagree with most of what you posted. My experience though is most "customers" that are looking for LCS components already know what they need and are doing.
I like the LCS components for the reason of locally placing them near an area of control with one PDI cable but wish there was less of them with more of a generic "one box does all" or as much as it can. The ACS2 and STM2 are a perfect example. These 2 units could have been 1 device. Now granted the STM came along afterward to fill a need to status the LCS iPad app but still a new module could be produced. Time and money I guess.
The nice thing about LCS is the iPad app to control the layout rather than running trains. Much easier to throw switches, activate accessories, and even control Turn Tables.
But price wise the 2 systems are fairly equal at the base level. Obviously adding LCS or AIUs changes that dynamic.
the apps work well on PADs and tablets by Apple or Samsung. My Note 8 not so much. With tablets costing $50 that's far less expensive than remotes.
One day we may be able to have track displays on DCS app tablets that can be set up around a layout to control local switches and accessories from the tablet display.
Mike,
I just went to the google app store and could not find anything for MTH DCS, any help?
Search for "mth dcs" without the quotes. It's there.
" For beginners, and those upgrading from conventional control, one must first buy a Legacy remote with base, LCS Wi-Fi unit, DB9 cable, and last but not least, the $50 Icab app. That’s a formidable $500 entry barrier."
I disagree. The higher cost is actually the MTH approach for most scenarios. Every Lionel loco being sold from here on out requires nothing other than the controller that comes with the set or loco (LionChief and LionChief+), or a free app and a smart device (Bluetooth). No need to spend any money whatever on additional controllers such as the TIU/WIU/Legacy. MTH will have the Explorer in sets, which no one has yet seen or consumer tested yet. It can reportedly control three locos, so you're set for up to that number. You do need to have a smartphone or tablet. No controller comes with the set, unlike the Lionel sets. Lionel sets all have a physical remote, and will also operate by smartdevice with the free app that uses Bluetooth.
For moving beyond an initial set, no one will need Legacy unless they want that expense and features. Each loco, LC/LC+/Legacy will be Bluetooth controllable with a smartdevice, a $50 universal remote, or the remote that comes with the loco (LC/LC+ only). For the MTH approach, beyond the initial 3 locos the Explorer controls, you're into to a $400+ investment in a TIU/WIU, and a smart device will be absolutely required. No DCS handheld remote will be available in the future according to MTH, although I'll bet they change their mind when complaints come in. 
This replaces the remote but depends on the remotes tiu side functionality to be maintained & doesn't come from MTH.
It suggests alternate packaging is possible but no one has done it. I can verify it works, circa ~6 months ago...
http://www.silogic.com/trains/RTC_Running.html
(yeah, ok it's a kind of "day in the life" explainer that probably needs a "just get it" top of the page summary section... but it's possible to read through it, get the right stuff on order, build the interface, load the software on the PC -- and get it to work)
Landsteiner posted:For the MTH approach, beyond the initial 3 locos the Explorer controls, you're into to a $400+ investment in a TIU/WIU, and a smart device will be absolutely required.
Unfortunately, If you want to operate more than three LC or LC+ loco, there are no options available other than have more than one remote control. The current LionCheif app can only operate one Bluetooth equipment locomotive at a time.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...00#75903721987113000
Railsounds posted:Yes, that is correct. The ability to keep three locomotives in motion simultaneously is a feature of the Universal Remote that is not present in the iOS or Android LionChief Apps.
If you are willing to trade in all of your current Legacy equipped locos for New just arriving replacements with Bluetooth, you can run up to three with the Universal remote (which has limited features compared to the apps offered by Lionel)
For the Lionel approch, operating more than three locos is only possible if you purchase the (much) more expensive Legacy offerings and invest the $500 into a Legacy system with wifi.
H1000 posted:Landsteiner posted:For the MTH approach, beyond the initial 3 locos the Explorer controls, you're into to a $400+ investment in a TIU/WIU, and a smart device will be absolutely required.
Unfortunately, If you want to operate more than three LC or LC+ loco, there are no options available other than have more than one remote control. The current LionCheif app can only operate one Bluetooth equipment locomotive at a time.
How many people are really going to want to run more than three LC or LC+ locomotives with a single remote? I can run many more with the Legacy or DCS remote. I ran five once at a modular show, and I was as busy as a one-armed paper hanger! While this is an "interesting" option, it's hardly a mainstream requirement!
GRJ, if you were a 2-armed paper hangar, keep one remote in each hand and really keep things hopping. One feature the remote has that the app doesn't, that is great when running multiple trains, is the ability to select locos by number. For example, when a half dozen are running and I want to do something with the Y6B, I press ENG, then 2, then 6, and I have the loco up and controlled without sliding & scrolling through screens. Using a remote in each hand, I can use one to throw switches and another to run trains (selecting engines by #). I find it difficult to hold a tablet or smart phone in each hand and slip & slide through screens.
My 12-year-old grandson, who doesn't yet understand how to do lashups (who does?), figured out he can doublehead with a remote in each hand.
gunrunnerjohn posted:H1000 posted:Landsteiner posted:For the MTH approach, beyond the initial 3 locos the Explorer controls, you're into to a $400+ investment in a TIU/WIU, and a smart device will be absolutely required.
Unfortunately, If you want to operate more than three LC or LC+ loco, there are no options available other than have more than one remote control. The current LionCheif app can only operate one Bluetooth equipment locomotive at a time.
How many people are really going to want to run more than three LC or LC+ locomotives with a single remote? I can run many more with the Legacy or DCS remote. I ran five once at a modular show, and I was as busy as a one-armed paper hanger! While this is an "interesting" option, it's hardly a mainstream requirement!
Really, running 5 is that hard?
I run 6 on three tracks on a small layout (12 x 14). Three chase each other with 2 feet of each other and two chase each other within 3 feet of themselves. The constant repetition of the steam chuffing about puts me to sleep. I start them, set a speed, and sit and watch. About every thirty minutes, I slow one down or speed it up because the scale speeds are not perfect and they slowly catch up to each other.
The point of my comment is how robust and expandable is the system. An app that only controls one engine is a big limitation and the only way to expand your empire beyond three running at one time is to purchase the almost most expensive offerings available.
An app that only runs one engine while the others have to stand still... come on.
