NEW DCS Remote

Just an item number change, nothing to get excited about. Same remote, same function, different ID number when ordering. http://www.rayman4449.com/MTH/...stem-Parts-Power.htm

Different parts inside.

David Minarik posted:

Different parts inside.

Is it more advanced in any way? Just went with what parts they could get?

An email rec'd from Steve Nelson, this AM, states, "The next release of the remote... will have some significant changes to the internal components."  However, no details are provided.

Enquiring minds want to know!

thought they were doing away with the physical remotes when parts were no longer available? this is good to hear as I like the remotes. 

Interesting, I wonder what was changed.

I don't have any idea what was changed - expecting we will find out at York.......

So if the remotes will soon not be available new from MTH assume that means to use DCS will have to do so with a phone or tablet?

I want a DCS remote that has a touch pad and whistle slider like the legacy remote has. And get rid of that thumb wheel, change it to a dial. 

Trainlover9943 posted:

I want a DCS remote that has a touch pad and whistle slider like the legacy remote has. And get rid of that thumb wheel, change it to a dial. 

The "dial" is the way to go, it's more intuitive for old operating people... like me.

Could this mean the possibility of a new TIU as well in the near future?  With remotes going obsolete, will MTH integrate the wifi module in the TIU or perhaps develop a new piece of hardware that does something different?  

Can you imagine a new person going to the hobby shop to buy DCS for a few hundred, only to find out they have to spend another $150 on a wifi module as well because DCS does not come with a remote?

Ron

Hard to believe them dropping the remote only to add another development project to the hopper.

My belief is that having only WiFi access will impact the market for MTH.  My sense is there's enough people that have no interest or desire to run their trains with their phone, and will want a dedicated remote. 

Note that Lionel, even with the BlueTooth equipped product, still has a dedicated remote for all their products.  In the case of the LC and the older LC+ products, they came with their own remote.  You can also run with the Universal Remote and newer ones with BlueTooth.  In the case of the LC+ 2.0, they're now compatible with TMCC, so anyone with TMCC or Legacy has a working remote.  In addition, you can also run new Legacy and LC+ 2.0 with BlueTooth, the Universal Remote, or the TMCC/Legacy command system.  In my view, Lionel is filling all the holes as far as the command operation, dropping the only physical remote leaves MTH at a disadvantage.

Ron045 posted:

Could this mean the possibility of a new TIU as well in the near future?  With remotes going obsolete, will MTH integrate the wifi module in the TIU or perhaps develop a new piece of hardware that does something different?  

Can you imagine a new person going to the hobby shop to buy DCS for a few hundred, only to find out they have to spend another $150 on a wifi module as well because DCS does not come with a remote?

Ron

The 'new' DCS package comes with a TIU and a WIU. 

It is the same price as the 'old' DCS package that came with a TIU and remote.

Ron045 posted:

Can you imagine a new person going to the hobby shop to buy DCS for a few hundred, only to find out they have to spend another $150 on a wifi module as well because DCS does not come with a remote?

 

No, I think you missed the catalogs on how they are selling these. The old way was they bundled a remote and  a TIU as a package. (TIU roughly $220, Remote for $150, total roughly $350 with bundle savings) Now, they bundle a TIU and Wireless module- same price. You aren't wrong in that this is a difference as the old way, you got a complete set and could run trains, now, they assume you have a smartphone or tablet you are willing to use to run trains. Again, since I joined this hobby roughly 2 years ago, a DCS setup (TIU+Remote) sold for about $315-$399 depending on who the dealer was and how cut throat they wanted to be on pricing. Now, the TIU+Wireless bundle is about the same exact pricing. Example is Mario's has the bundle for $324. Make no mistake, it's a change, but it's not "buy DCS for a few hundred, only to find out they have to spend another $150 on a wifi module".

DCS is still tiered:

You have the IR commander set- roughly $60- only runs 1 train and ID must be set to 1- aka factory defaults.

The wireless explorer- $135- runs up to 3 DCS trains but only 1 track output, but does have limitations compared to full blown DCS wifi equipped TIU. In other words, this is better than the IR commander, but way, way less than a full featured DCS. Just enough to annoy you once you figure that out. Also- requires a smartphone or tablet. Not the craziest assumption to expect in todays society but definitely geared for the smartphone carrying generation.

Full blown DCS (TIU with either remote or Wifi) - $350 median price for the "bundle" At least until they run out again- you have a choice, buy a TIU with a remote, or buy it with Wifi, or, get both for an additional $150

The pricing hasn't really changed IMO. What changed was beginning to bundle TIU+Wifi, and the cause or push was the lack of remotes for a while, and then I believe (caution, opinion) the desire to open the market to the smart phone/tablet generation. 

They just have to figure out how to cable it up and get the WiFi running.   Judging from many of the posts here, that's going to be a challenge for a computer novice.

I have issues with the app as it is currently. thier are things that it does well and things that still need work. like cloning the tablets just as you would the old remotes. I cant seem to get that feature to work. the app brought me back to mth locomotives again and then one day I feel in love with there remote all over again. fits is one hand nicley when operating and frees up my other hand to use my uncoupling tool.  I at first did not like the thumb wheel,but now I love it. It works well as far as feel when running trains at slow speed. for example with dcs speed control one wheel click is 1smph, five wheel clicks is 5 smph.  I have both lionel legacy and dcs. I recenty started playng more with my legacy remote to try out the brake slider for locomotive rpm notiching. I agree dcs could use a slide button to quill the whistle although I do not think the design would allow it though. I needed a few more mth remotes for operating sessions I plan to have some day with others on my future layout. so I for one am glad they are still able to find parts to produce them.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

 

My belief is that having only WiFi access will impact the market for MTH.  My sense is there's enough people that have no interest or desire to run their trains with their phone, and will want a dedicated remote. 

Exactly!  I couldn't agree more with this statement! (Count me in the 'likes the remote much better than the app' camp!)

Guess I better get to ordering one (or two) of the new remotes while they can be had. 

From the e mail I received from my dealer once these are gone there will be no more remotes made. A huge step back words in my opinion. Those tablets and phones aren't cheap even if you buy them used. As for me I do not own either.

feet posted:

Those tablets and phones aren't cheap even if you buy them used. As for me I do not own either.

I'm not a proponent of running trains with a phone.  But YES, phones ARE cheap.  You can buy a brand new one for $25.  You do not have to activate it as a phone and do not need to pay for monthly service either.  Just turn it on and find your MTH Wifi network.

https://shop.tracfone.com/shop...lcatel-tcl-a1-a501dl

Having Fun... With a remote.

Ron