I received this notice from my local train shop this morning. It replaces the current TIU and WIU. Here's a link to the announcement. It states that it will run Lionel TMCC and Legacy.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
There have been a few threads on this. IT was in the HO catalog something a lot of us overlooked. It won't work with a handheld (this seems to be in question now due to the web information, catalog said no) and it's yet to be determined since no one has actually laid hands on one whether it has all the standard connectivity so it can hook to a SER2 for Legacy control (also in question as the specs have changed since it was cataloged). One would assume so but...
Edited to reflect possible changes in specifications from catalog text.
Well this should be incredibly good news for the future of DCS. MTH said that their technology division would live on, and this would seem to be pretty good evidence that they mean it, with them releasing a brand new product like this right before closing the rest of the company.
@Catonsville Central Railway posted:Well this should be incredibly good news for the future of DCS. MTH said that their technology division would live on, and this would seem to be pretty good evidence that they mean it, with them releasing a brand new product like this right before closing the rest of the company.
It's been in the pipeline for a few years from what I understand. I recall some mention of this about 3 years back or so. I'm not sure we can read it's delivery into anything.
"I recall some mention of this about 3 years back or so"
Whether the glass is half full or empty probably depends on lots of things 
.
@MartyE posted:"It won't work with a handheld"
Won't work with a hand held ends any interest in it for us.
@BobbyD posted:Won't work with a hand held ends any interest in it for us.
Not true. Read the announcement.
Kinda neat that it'll still work with the remote if you want. I have 2 remotes and 2 TIUs so I'm set for the foreseeable future.
Looks like they've "upgraded" the description, the fact that they claim that it will run TMCC and Legacy means it has to pass AC. They also now claim it does use the remote, the HO catalog description said it didn't.
MTH 50-1039 ProtoSound DCS WiFi Digital Command System 2
This is different than what was described in the HO catalog. From the 2020-2021 HO Catalog...
Attachments
@Lou1985 posted:Kinda neat that it'll still work with the remote if you want. I have 2 remotes and 2 TIUs so I'm set for the foreseeable future.
Well that contradicts what's written in the catalog. I hope we get some clarification. I'd be mad as heck if I purchased this and it didn't work with a remote when it says it does.
Attachments
@MartyE posted:"Did you save $12 on the advice in this thread? If so then think about becoming a Supporting Member!”
No, I didn't save anything, but I became a Supporting Member anyway. 
Pretty cool. I just bought a WIU and TIU with the intent of running with my phone. I'm glad to see more products being planned. I like the DCS system so far. I've had it for about a month now.
Maybe @Andy Edleman could comment as to the specifications?
@gunrunnerjohn posted:No, I didn't save anything, but I became a Supporting Member anyway.
Actually you learned that it might or might not support a DCS handheld.
True Marty, but since I have TIUs and Remotes, it didn't save me any money, I'm not buying one anyway! 
Since the TIU is now discontinued (according to the email above) would this be something needed for potential software upgrades or would the TIU still work? I'm half tempted to buy the Wifi unit to replace my remote but I'm wondering now if I should wait till this is released and sell my TIU when the time comes.
@Trainlover9943 posted:Since the TIU is now discontinued (according to the email above) would this be something needed for potential software upgrades or would the TIU still work? I'm half tempted to buy the Wifi unit to replace my remote but I'm wondering now if I should wait till this is released and sell my TIU when the time comes.
No. This is just a TIU with a WIU built in. If you already have a TIU save yourself some money and just buy the external WIU.
I'm weighing my options for my next layout. It will be my first one that is not just conventional. So if I wanted to run DCS, Legacy, and TMCC, or turn that off and run conventionally, this would do it? Would I just buy this and a DCS remote?
@CarGuyZM10 posted:I'm weighing my options for my next layout. It will be my first one that is not just conventional. So if I wanted to run DCS, Legacy, and TMCC, or turn that off and run conventionally, this would do it? Would I just buy this and a DCS remote?
If the text of the web description is correct then yes to all of the above but you will also need to buy a Lionel Legacy base and Lionel SER2 to make Legacy happen.
I was on the fence about pre-ordering a DCS remote and didn't. Since the new remote has arrived, I've been unable to find any in stock. I'm happy with operating my trains with my phone. With this announcement, I think I'll stop looking for a remote.
My question is which DCS remote will it work with?
They have changed the SKU for the old DCS remote (from 50-1002 to 50-1038) and have or soon will be coming out with a new remote (50-1002).
I have the old (current?) 50-1002 remote and wonder if the NEW TIU with wifi (50-1039) will work with my current DCS Remote or will I have to purchase the NEW DCS remote? Maybe that's what they are saying in the HO catalog?
@paulp575 posted:My question is which DCS remote will it work with?
They have changed the SKU for the old DCS remote (from 50-1002 to 50-1038) and have or soon will be coming out with a new remote (50-1002).
I have the old (current?) 50-1002 remote and wonder if the NEW TIU with wifi (50-1039) will work with my current DCS Remote or will I have to purchase the NEW DCS remote? Maybe that's what they are saying in the HO catalog?
If that's the case there will be a lot of unhappy campers. I can't imagine that they would leave so many stranded users out there with remotes that won't communicate with the new TIU.
@paulp575 posted:My question is which DCS remote will it work with?
They have changed the SKU for the old DCS remote (from 50-1002 to 50-1038) and have or soon will be coming out with a new remote (50-1002).
I have the old (current?) 50-1002 remote and wonder if the NEW TIU with wifi (50-1039) will work with my current DCS Remote or will I have to purchase the NEW DCS remote? Maybe that's what they are saying in the HO catalog?
The "old" and "new" DCS remotes are exactly the same functionality, they are interchangeable.
@MartyE posted:If that's the case there will be a lot of unhappy campers. I can't imagine that they would leave so many stranded users out there with remotes that won't communicate with the new TIU.
Just reread the description and wonder about this "Current and past DCS Remote Handheld units (50-1002 and 50-1038) cannot control the WTIU because there is no 900mhz radio transimtter/receiver in the WTIU". Maybe it will ONLY work with the app and no remotes? Looks like it. If that's the case - not for me as I don't have a tablet or app. I do have a laptop with Bluestreak installed. Bluestreak is an app emulator.
@Oman posted:Not true. Read the announcement.
Seems they have changed what was printed in the catalog then.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Looks like they've "upgraded" the description, the fact that they claim that it will run TMCC and Legacy means it has to pass AC. They also now claim it does use the remote, the HO catalog description said it didn't.
MTH 50-1039 ProtoSound DCS WiFi Digital Command System 2
This is different than what was described in the HO catalog. From the 2020-2021 HO Catalog...
Anyway, what we REALLY NEED are the Proto2/3 upgrade and new Proto3 boards.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Looks like they've "upgraded" the description, the fact that they claim that it will run TMCC and Legacy means it has to pass AC. They also now claim it does use the remote, the HO catalog description said it didn't.
MTH 50-1039 ProtoSound DCS WiFi Digital Command System 2
Well the features have changed since John posted this about 90 minutes ago. I used the link he provide and got a different feature page. Originally I got the same one he did but it has changed. Here is the "new" feature page. So now we're back to the remotes not working although they did specify that Legacy will be able to be connected. At least someone is watching this thread it seems.
Attachments
Just looked up the listing and it has the disclaimer that it won't work with the original and new DCS remotes. Best bet would be to contact MTH for a clarification. Keep in mind that the website said there were no remote thumbwheel cradles in stock though I was able to order them from Midge. That said, it does dovetail into the rumor that the remotes were eventually going to be discontinued.
Attachments
Images (1)
@AGHRMatt posted:Just looked up the listing and it has the disclaimer that it won't work with the original and new DCS remotes. Best bet would be to contact MTH for a clarification. Keep in mind that the website said there were no remote thumbwheel cradles in stock though I was able to order them from Midge.
Matt
This morning it had a different description that indicated it would work with the remotes. It changed sometime between then and now as evident of my previous post. I agree a call to MTH or them confirming here would be prudent.
I honestly like using my phone or a tablet better, I only have a remote for the custom sounds feature. I hope this means they'll incorporate that into the app.
The new DCS Digital Command System features an all-in-one WTIU WiFi Track Interface Unit that essentially combines the older TIU and WIU into one device. The incorporation of wifi coupled with the elimination of the 900mhz radio transmitter/receiver found in the original TIU means that the WTIU cannot be controlled by the 50-1002 or 50-1038 DCS Remote Handheld devices. The only way to control the WTIU is with iOS or Android smart devices (phones and tablets) equipped with the DCS App.
For 18 years, M.T.H. Electric Trains has been able to support and produce the original DCS Digital Command System. Such longevity is a testimony to the original design with but only a few hardware changes occurring over the products near two-decade existence. Owners of the original TIU from 2002 can update it with the system's current software today and enjoy the same complete functionality as the hardware produced just this past summer! Unfortunately, the processors, radios, etc. used in the current hardware are no longer being produced by electronics manufacturers. These end-of-life component issues are fairly common in the technology world, one most of us have experienced in the products we own whether they be phones, computers, or even televisions. In that respect, the lifespan of DCS has been amazing!
This summer's run of the current TIU (50-1003) and DCS WiFi Digital Command System (50-1036) mark our last production runs for these products. This winter we'll be manufacturing our last run of the DCS Remote Handheld (50-1038). With the announcement of the WTIU this summer, 2021 will mark the exclusive use of wifi for controlling the DCS system.
The WTIU, like the current DCS System and TIU (50-1003) will retain the DCS features we've long touted, including control of Lionel TMCC or Legacy locomotives. Like the old system, control of those locomotives still requires the inclusion of the necessary Lionel hardware (a TMCC Command Base or a Legacy Command Base + the Lionel LCS Serial Converter 2 (SER2)) to do so. Operators wishing to access TMCC or Legacy locomotive functions will also need to upgrade the DCS App to the Premium version as they do now when controlling the current DCS system with the WIU.
Unlike the original DCS Digital Command System and 50-1003 TIU, the new WTIU provides variable channel output of AC and DC current. This means that the new DCS Digital Command System and WTIU can control conventional DC powered locomotives, including HO and G Gauge models as well as AC powered locomotives including S Gauge American Flyer or Lionel, Atlas, Bachmann, Williams, 3rd Rail or original M.T.H. O Gauge models. Users can quickly jump from variable control to command control within the DCS App to run conventional locomotives on the same track as command locomotives - at the same time!!
We've updated the M.T.H. website with the proper features and descriptions of the new WTIU (50-1039) DCS Digital Command System. We'll be announcing more details about the WTIU over the coming months. Stay tuned!!
Thanks Andy. A lot of confusion as you can imagine. Case Closed!
Can you upgrade your TIU via the internet (Wifi) with the current WIU hooked up to it? Or is that a new feature for this upcoming unit?
My question is --
I have the 50-1002 DCS Remote. I also have the Lionel Cab-2 base so I can also run Lionel's TMCC locos. I have some Lionel LEGACY locos as well.
Am I correct that the new WTIU will add the ability to control Lionel LEGACY locos?
If so, what would I need to do to add the ability to run Lionel's LEGACY locos to my current set up? Additionally, I do not have a mobile device nor a tablet. I current am running Bluestacks - a android emulator - on my PC.
Nothing like hearing it from the horse's mouth. So, kiss the remote goodby with the new TIU. Glad I have a stock of them!
@paulp575 posted:My question is --
I have the 50-1002 DCS Remote. I also have the Lionel Cab-2 base so I can also run Lionel's TMCC locos. I have some Lionel LEGACY locos as well.
Am I correct that the new WTIU will add the ability to control Lionel LEGACY locos?
If so, what would I need to do to add the ability to run Lionel's LEGACY locos to my current set up? Additionally, I do not have a mobile device nor a tablet. I current am running Bluestacks - a android emulator - on my PC.
Same thing you always needed, the Legacy command base, the SER2 box, and the cable to the TIU.
Thanks Andy. Just got the "G Gauge" newsletter announcement.
Attachments
Files (1)
@paulp575 posted:My question is --
I have the 50-1002 DCS Remote. I also have the Lionel Cab-2 base so I can also run Lionel's TMCC locos. I have some Lionel LEGACY locos as well.
Am I correct that the new WTIU will add the ability to control Lionel LEGACY locos?
If so, what would I need to do to add the ability to run Lionel's LEGACY locos to my current set up? Additionally, I do not have a mobile device nor a tablet. I current am running Bluestacks - a android emulator - on my PC.
Interesting question. Will it run them as full featured Legacy or more as TMCC units?
Yeah, but if they aren't making new DCS engines...
Well, I knew this day was coming eventually, even before the shutdown was announced. I have nothing but respect mth for bringing this product to market and I presume whatever controls company follows will support it.
But honestly I don't like the idea of no dedicated remote at all. I already spend too much time with a phone in my hand. The remote brings a tactile feeling that is just for running trains. I know I sound just like conventional operators griping about moving to the remote, but it's just how I feel. I bought a wiu, hooked it up, and decided I just don't care for it. I always went back to the actual remote. When my rev I tiu dies eventually I hope this new product will still be available, but this is one change I will put off.
This will be interesting to follow in the year to come.
MTH lost me as a customer when they announced they were discontinuing the DCS remote. Like Gunrunnerjohn, I have a good supply of spare remotes, as well as 2 spare TIUs, which hopefully will last a spell.
Looks like they are doing another run of remotes for 2021 delivery. The last run sure did get sucked up fast. With demand for the remote, keep them going. See that last bit about the remote and the new WTIU?
Attachments
Images (1)
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Same thing you always needed, the Legacy command base, the SER2 box, and the cable to the TIU.
I do not have the SER2 connected to the DCS. Is that what's needed - currently - to run Lionel Legacy locos?
Yep, to use the full Legacy command set over the serial data you need the SER2.
@BlueComet400 posted:MTH lost me as a customer when they announced they were discontinuing the DCS remote. Like Gunrunnerjohn, I have a good supply of spare remotes, as well as 2 spare TIUs, which hopefully will last a spell.
They have no choice since the components needed are not being manufactured anymore. Seems silly to hold something against them they have zero control over. What other digital electronic device do you have from 18 years ago which is still manufactured?
Also component obsolescence is most likely why the new WTIU won't work with the remotes either.
It's pretty simple: like many others here, I don't want to run trains with my phone.
I'm no electronics expert, but component obsolescence seems like a weak argument when Lionel is still making it work. The impression I have gotten all along is not "we can't do it," but rather "we won't do it" when it comes to production of a designated DCS remote, essentially forcing their customers to use a phone if they want to run using g DCS. I still like the MTH products I currently own, and have invested a good amount of money in their products since catching the command control bug nearly 3 years ago, but without a designated remote, I see no reason to continue buying their products.
They have made their business decision, and I have made mine.
in other words if tiu goes out you can throw it away and the controller and the wyfii and buy all new ,wow we been had
Not enough eye rolls for how silly these responses are and how utterly detached from reality. Lionel last I checked doesn't produce TMCC anymore and even tried to get rid of electric RR before Scott Mann swooped in. Even Lionel had issues sourcing Legacy remote parts not so many years ago.
Parts obsolescence exists and is real whether you choose to believe it or not.
You can certainly make your own choices for your own reasons but at least don't be so detached from reality and hold animosity over a company for something they have zero control over.
No more WIU's either. Just got a email from MR. Muffins saying they are being discontinued.
@MartyE posted:No. This is just a TIU with a WIU built in. If you already have a TIU save yourself some money and just buy the external WIU.
Actually Marty the release said the wiu is discontinued as well.
I have been running my trains with DCS on I-Pads for at least three years…. The app works much better – is faster to move between trains – and I don’t get any errors like "no train on track", etc. Last Saturday, I had 34 trains running at the same time on one I-Pad. I couldn’t do it on a remote….. BTW – I don’t like running trains on a phone either – too small - but love it on my I-pad…. I still have remotes - I just don't use them.
No animosity here, I just prefer the designated remote control. Maybe someone with more knowledge of electronics than I have--which wouldn't take much-- will see this as an opportunity and attempt to develop a remote control.
just for information lionel does still us tmcc in there lionchief 2.0 engines read the 2020 catalogs volume two also theres no such words as can't only won't
@Doug-Sr posted:just for information lionel does still us tmcc in there lionchief 2.0 engines read the 2020 catalogs volume two also theres no such words as can't only won't
Accepting the command protocol is not the same as using the original components.
But hey, it's easy so why don't YOU do it? Sounds like it must be a huge money making venture ripe for the picking that MTH isn't doing just to rain on your parade.
yea right
@MrMuffin'sTrains posted:I have been running my trains with DCS on I-Pads for at least three years…. The app works much better – is faster to move between trains – and I don’t get any errors like "no train on track", etc. Last Saturday, I had 34 trains running at the same time on one I-Pad. I couldn’t do it on a remote….. BTW – I don’t like running trains on a phone either – too small - but love it on my I-pad…. I still have remotes - I just don't use them.
Steve....I'd like to buy one of those remotes you don't use....
So controling conventional engines one the same track as command ones. Is this literal? Will one track with 18 volts constant run both a command and conventional engine or andy do you mean one constant channel and one variable channel is easily switch between the two via the app on our smart device. Kinda like lionel does with a tpc or powermaster. I may be missunderstanding something here. How does two engines one command and one non command work one the same track together while keeping the voltage at 18 volts?
Btw glad I ordered new remotes and parts for them. Now I may be set till I die.
I wonder what the price of this unit will be?
One thing that has always held me back from investing in DCS has been the price tag. Up here in Canada it's a whopping $550 for the TIU + WIFI combo.
Perhaps since everything is in one unit now the price will be a bit lower?
@Rich883 posted:Actually Marty the release said the wiu is discontinued as well.
I realize that but they are still available at a lot of dealers to be had. It's not like they all just went poof. If you already have a TIU, I would look for a WIU before I purchased the combo.
@VonFrank posted:I wonder what the price of this unit will be?
One thing that has always held me back from investing in DCS has been the price tag. Up here in Canada it's a whopping $550 for the TIU + WIFI combo.
Perhaps since everything is in one unit now the price will be a bit lower?
I know your pain, devalued dollar and VAT. The first 56 years of my life were in Canada. I'm seeing $389.95 at my local train shop, so that's going to be about CDN$520.
BTW I really want again thank @Andy Edleman for posting here and clearing things up. I'm not sure where else the VP of a company would jump into the frey and talk us off the ledge. LOL!
@MartyE posted:I realize that but they are still available at a lot of dealers to be had. It's not like they all just went poof. If you already have a TIU, I would look for a WIU before I purchased the combo.
Ok fair for sure they will not go away immediately, I thought perhaps you missed that part of the announcement.
I would expect dealers to run out quickly as a month ago I needed a tiu and wiu and finding stock was very hard.
@Lionelzwl2012 posted:So controling conventional engines one the same track as command ones. Is this literal? Will one track with 18 volts constant run both a command and conventional engine or andy do you mean one constant channel and one variable channel is easily switch between the two via the app on our smart device. Kinda like lionel does with a tpc or powermaster. I may be missunderstanding something here. How does two engines one command and one non command work one the same track together while keeping the voltage at 18 volts?
The track doesn't stay at 18V. The engines equipped with DCS will run at anything over 10V, the motor driver is just limited to a certain amount which limits the top speed. As long as you aren't running the DCS locos at 80+ MPH it should have enough juice between 10 and 18 volts to be able to control the conventional loco with the transformer or variable channels.
I'm not sure how well it works, but it's possible to do.
@TexasSP posted:They have no choice since the components needed are not being manufactured anymore. Seems silly to hold something against them they have zero control over. What other digital electronic device do you have from 18 years ago which is still manufactured?
Also component obsolescence is most likely why the new WTIU won't work with the remotes either.
Really, why are they doing a second run of the redesigned remote?? I have the app, I hate the app, I don't use the app. Two many bugs.
@Rich883 posted:Ok fair for sure they will not go away immediately, I thought perhaps you missed that part of the announcement.
I would expect dealers to run out quickly as a month ago I needed a tiu and wiu and finding stock was very hard.
No worries. From what I can see, the remotes are the biggest seller, followed by the TIU, and then the WIU. I suspect you will see these all go sooner than later but I think you have the best chance of finding a WIU than the other 2.
I gotta wonder how much new users that are tight for cash (like me) affected the decision to drop the remote. It was cheaper to buy the full app for my phone than it was to get a remote. Plus I can recycle my old smart phones and put the app on those for when friends come over. Those friends wouldn't ordinarily run trains at all but now I can put a smart phone in their hand and say "let 'em rip tater chip!"
I definitely understand the argument for it being nice to hold something besides a phone but I'm just glad to see DCS living on in general!
@superwarp1 posted:Really, why are they doing a second run of the redesigned remote?? I have the app, I hate the app, I don't use the app. Two many bugs.
There are probably enough of the discontinued parts right now that the Remote and TIU use to do these "last runs" and maybe even a handful extra. That said, it's a bad idea to build a business around a part that distributors are telling you is discontinued.
If you are buying a new car, would you rather them put a transmission in it that will have parts available for the next 20 years, or do you want them to put an older transmission design in it that uses some parts that the manufacture has announced their discontinuation?
Could they do a completely new remote and TIU that use newer non-discontinued parts? Probably - but there is a lot of expense involved in that. There was probably a considerable amount of R&D that went into the current systems and right now it doesn't make business sense to start a brand new design. From what I've read, the WTIU has been in development for quite a while, so this is what is using current parts and what will be available, and what can still run your trains for the foreseeable future.
Maybe the DCS spinoff company that has been rumored will see fit to offer a "WiFi" remote that works with the WTIU in the future. There is a mode of WiFi called WiFi Direct that supports communication between two devices without the need for any other special networking equipment. That could be a potential opening for a future remote.
I am VERY glad that MTH has FINALLY introduced this new WTIU!! I've been waiting for this announcement for several years!!! I still use my hand held and will continue to do so until I purchase the new WTIU. In electronic parts...they all have a end of life cycle. The company that I work for has discontinued several of their electronic locks for the same reason.....no available parts being manufactured. The public (most) wants electronic devices that are quicker and smaller. MTH is no different....and eventually the same thing will happen with Lionel's legacy handheld. It's just the way things are.....we are a throwaway nation!!!!!
Nobody knows the true situation with the remote and obsolete parts. However, I worked in aerospace for many years, and many of our designs faced parts obsolescence. That didn't stop us from producing product, you just have to plan for it. It's very rare that you have to completely redesign a product for one or two parts that go out of production, normally it's a much smaller task to continue the product production.
I personally have used both the Lionel and MTH smart device applications, and I still prefer the remote. One thing that you can't do well, or at least most of us can't, is run one-handed with the phone or tablet. I also can't use tactile feedback on the remote, so I'm looking at the phone instead of looking at the train. When I'm running trains, I really don't want to stare at my phone all the time.
This announcement is nothing new! MTH has been dropping hints for some time indicating that they were going to discontinue the handheld! Remember Protosound 2?? As I can recall, MTH had the SAME PROBLEMS with getting parts for the proto 2 boards! That is the reason why they switched to proto 3....part availability, more functions that can be programmed into board and smaller size. When the proto 3 boards was released, that enable MTH to make SMALLER engines!! I know some of you don't like this announcement, but it is what it is.....and....if you still want to use the older technology, you can....it still works....but you may want to get a few extra TIU's and handhelds to last you for the future..................
@ROGERW posted:MTH had the SAME PROBLEMS with getting parts for the proto 2 boards! That is the reason why they switched to proto 3....part availability, more functions that can be programmed into board and smaller size.
Apples and oranges. They replaced the PS/2 boards with a fully compatible replacement. That's not what is happening here. In order to make that a similar case, they have had to replaced the remote with an upgraded remote, not a smart phone or tablet from a 3rd party.
FYI, some of the parts on the PS/3 boards are already obsolete, try buying the common mode chokes on the boards for the ones that fail...
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Nobody knows the true situation with the remote and obsolete parts. However, I worked in aerospace for many years, and many of our designs faced parts obsolescence. That didn't stop us from producing product, you just have to plan for it. It's very rare that you have to completely redesign a product for one or two parts that go out of production, normally it's a much smaller task to continue the product production.
I personally have used both the Lionel and MTH smart device applications, and I still prefer the remote. One thing that you can't do well, or at least most of us can't, is run one-handed with the phone or tablet. I also can't use tactile feedback on the remote, so I'm looking at the phone instead of looking at the train. When I'm running trains, I really don't want to stare at my phone all the time.
Of course there's a huge difference in the dollars allowed in aerospace for this contingency and the need to plan and cover parts obsolescence which really isn't applicable at this level. The real question is while yes it can be done what's the cost to design and make a remote with current parts which will work with the original TIU's and WiFi? Then what is the real market here for it, could you even begin to recoup the costs?
Unfortunately this is felt harder in the 3 Rail O world do to the smaller and fragmented command markets that exist. You can see this same problem though in the DCC market as well.
As an FYI this whole issue is something I dealt directly with at a previous employer so I have a fair amount of experience here.
@TexasSP posted:Of course there's a huge difference in the dollars allowed in aerospace for this contingency and the need to plan and cover parts obsolescence which really isn't applicable at this level. The real question is while yes it can be done what's the cost to design and make a remote with current parts which will work with the original TIU's and WiFi? Then what is the real market here for it, could you even begin to recoup the costs?
Unfortunately this is felt harder in the 3 Rail O world do to the smaller and fragmented command markets that exist. You can see this same problem though in the DCC market as well.
You assume facts not in evidence. Truthfully, the cost to do last time buys of parts was a minor part of the costs of doing business. The planning ahead was the key component in the equation. There isn't unlimited money in any business, including the aerospace business. Most of the parts we had to stock cost peanuts, it was just that we had to carry the inventory of obsolete parts for the projected lifetime of the product.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:You assume facts not in evidence. Truthfully, the cost to do last time buys of parts was a minor part of the costs of doing business. The planning ahead was the key component in the equation.
Are you not doing the same then? Assuming they didn't plan for this? Economies of scale still a factor too. I had one of the largest CNC control manufactures in the world run into this same issue. At some point the end comes.
What about those of us who dislike Apple (had a bad experience with them some time ago) and I have a Kindle Fire which I like. Can't think of a good reason to buy an IPad to just run trains.
Frank
These types of responses or resistance to change is what you normally get when someone is comfortable with what they have! They don't want to embrace change...and they don't want you too either!! Change is inevitable!! There is nothing you or I can do about it!! Life will go on with or without you!! The choice is either embrace the new technology coming.....or use what you have!............It's not rocket science..............its only model trains!!!!
I am glad I was able to buy spare DCS remotes and TIUs. As I've stated before on other threads, and not withstanding technological challenges, I believe it is short-sighted decision, and frankly, a bit nervy, on MTH's part to go exclusively towards "Smart" handheld devices to run trains. There's just too many operators, myself included, who are challenged using "swipe" screen applications. Plus, using the DCS remote is fun! It bridges the digital age with analog push-button nostalgia.
Hopefully, Lionel will not pursue a similar path with Legacy, as I also find the Cab I and II's fun to use!
@ftauss posted:What about those of us who dislike Apple (had a bad experience with them some time ago) and I have a Kindle Fire which I like. Can't think of a good reason to buy an IPad to just run trains.
Frank
Amazon's Fire Tablets run the DCS app perfectly fine. They can be had for $50 and closer to $35 when they're on sale.
@TexasSP posted:Are you not doing the same then? Assuming they didn't plan for this? Economies of scale still a factor too. I had one of the largest CNC control manufactures in the world run into this same issue. At some point the end comes.
TexasSP, Some will get it, some won't!! Notice how its always (most of the time) the older generation that is resistant to change!!!!!.............Life goes on with or without them................
OK, topic has gone off topic....closed.
