MTH DCS Remote Question

I have four remotes and find it is somewhat normal BUT I also found when rolling fast I sometimes press on the wheel a little too heavy and that is when it seems to happen. I got use to just hitting a number for the speed I want and it accelerates to it at the rate I have set for acceleration.

Luther, it's a design flaw.  Every remote I've ever used does it to some degree.

My remote didn't skip when new, but began skipping more as it got older with more use.  The skipping got to be a real pain.  One day it fell onto the concrete floor and the skipping totally disappeared.  Mind you, I don't recommend dropping it on the floor to fix the skipping, but the jar must have corrected a contact issue that made it work like it should.

That's why the thumbwheels (which are no longer available) are in such demand.  The thumbwheel uses physical contacts instead of the much better optical encoders.  That's what happens when you save a dollar in manufacturing, you get crappy product.

Thanks for the replies - I appreciate the information.

CurtisH posted:

I have four remotes and find it is somewhat normal BUT I also found when rolling fast I sometimes press on the wheel a little too heavy and that is when it seems to happen. I got use to just hitting a number for the speed I want and it accelerates to it at the rate I have set for acceleration.

 

I recently picked up a copy of the 3rd edition of The DCS Companion where I saw the Quickset Speed setting.  Thank you for mentioning it.

RON ARNDT 091718 posted:

My remote didn't skip when new, but began skipping more as it got older with more use.  The skipping got to be a real pain.  One day it fell onto the concrete floor and the skipping totally disappeared.  Mind you, I don't recommend dropping it on the floor to fix the skipping, but the jar must have corrected a contact issue that made it work like it should.

I like the ending - dropping the remote fixed the skip.  Something I will definitely not try to replicate.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's why the thumbwheels (which are no longer available) are in such demand.  The thumbwheel uses physical contacts instead of the much better optical encoders.  That's what happens when you save a dollar in manufacturing, you get crappy product.

I don’t think the skipping really makes the product crappy - a minor inconvenience perhaps.  I still enjoy running the trains with the remote which to me is the important part.  I do agree and optical sensor would have been a better design choice - and probably would have lasted longer.

Thanks again,

Luther