MTH WTIU

Considering MTH is closing it’s doors next spring it could be the end of a lot of things! I would try to get another remote while you still can and extra thumb wheels to go with them.     Time will tell.

The thumbwheel ship has sailed, there are no more available.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The thumbwheel ship has sailed, there are no more available.

Well there ya go. Sign of the times and tip of the iceberg I guess. 

Isn't the cradle the weak point, not exactly the thumb wheel? Couldn't those items be candidates for 3D printing?

I'm not an advocate for the WiFi. I never intended on buying one, but please correct me if I'm wrong. You don't need the remote if you run with the WiFi set up, but you still need the TIU.

it looks like the new WTIU has the Wifi built in so you dont need a separate wifi module - but i was still wondering if the new WTIU can be used with O Scale - its in the new HO Catalog -it says it can only be used with the app and not the handheld

Yes you still need the TIU and the WIU but not the remote. To be honest I was a hold out going to the Wi-Fi unit but it works and works very well in my experience. There are a lot of advantages to using it like a backlit screen especially if your eyes aren’t getting any younger. 

@ted K posted:

it looks like the new WTIU has the Wifi built in so you dont need a separate wifi module - but i was still wondering if the new WTIU can be used with O Scale - its in the new HO Catalog -it says it can only be used with the app and not the handheld

I don’t see why it wouldn’t work with O scale. It doesn’t seem make sense to build one just for HO. 

Well, it outputs DC, so it will work for DCS, but forget about running TMCC/Legacy on the same tracks!

Remember, they're selling the O-gauge rig, it's the TIU and the WIU in a package, but no remote.  However, I believe it's the standard TIU, so the old remotes will work with it.

I don’t know with any certainty, but when reading up on the new WTIU it looks like it’s only for two rail operation (they seem to focus it mainly for HO layouts), but hoping I’m wrong, it’d be nice to have everything in one device.

@Keith Crook 020419 posted:

I don’t know with any certainty, but when reading up on the new WTIU it looks like it’s only for two rail operation (they seem to focus it mainly for HO layouts), but hoping I’m wrong, it’d be nice to have everything in one device.

I agree. Although the wifi box isn't huge it would be nice to have everything in one unit. It doesn't look like it'll connect with the legacy/TMCC base through the serial cable as I don't see a port for that on it. 

Given that it appears it outputs DC, there would be no point in connecting it to the Legacy base!

thanks for the comments - i have a spare remote and like using it vs the app, it seems to respond faster - i guess MTH will not be shipping/manufacturing the "new" remote - i had ordered one from McMuffin's but guess it will never show up.  one of my DCS handhelds backlight doesn't work - but both control my trains with no problems - also have a "spare" WIFI module - had to fix the power connection but works fine

thanks again for the comment

I no nothing about the WiFi, its pros or cons, set up or equipment needed. Since the future of MTH is unknown, what happens to the WiFi app or MTH engine upgrades to different sound files, etc. if MTH disappears  completely?

Should have said know nothing! Dah.

@ironman1 posted:

I no nothing about the WiFi, its pros or cons, set up or equipment needed. Since the future of MTH is unknown, what happens to the WiFi app or MTH engine upgrades to different sound files, etc. if MTH disappears  completely?

Specifically the sound sets is what worries me. Might have to get to downloading the ones I really want, the subways, historical scale steam and some diesels. 

@ironman1 posted:

I no nothing about the WiFi, its pros or cons, set up or equipment needed. Since the future of MTH is unknown, what happens to the WiFi app or MTH engine upgrades to different sound files, etc. if MTH disappears  completely?

Since none of us can predict the future, there's no telling what happens.  The "claim" is that they'll have a group providing follow-on support for the DCS system, including boards and new hardware and software.  However, that remains to be seen, talk is cheap.

Seems almost certain that if you want to be operating DCS in the future, you'll be using smart devices such as a phone or tablet, not a handheld DCS remote, unless you already own one (or more).  If making a handheld remote wasn't attractive for the intact company, it it is even less likely to be the approach any successor company choses to take.

Please forgive my ignorance but am I correct that the basic MTH app is free but there are limitations? To get full functions there is a fee? Is that a one time fee & you have it forever but it needs to be purchased for each smart device?

Thanks,

Joe

Okay, I'll ask again, & please excuse me if these are dumb questions.

Am I correct that the basic MTH WiFi app is free but there are limitations? To get full functions, all of the functions you have with the remote, there is a fee? Is that a one time fee & you have it forever? Does it need to be purchased for each smart device? I honestly don't know how this works. If MTH closes COMPLETELY, does the APP for the WiFi disappear? Is it something you own forever? 

Thanks