Everyone's entitled to their opinion. 
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Everyone's entitled to their opinion.
Yes we are, but you stated this like it was fact with nothing to back it up.
@JamesRx posted:I see your point. They made them for years, and mine is more than10 years old, has NEVER been updated, and still works perfectly with every new engine that comes out. So what exactly is the difficulty?
I don't believe there's any difficulty. By going with a phone app Lionel doesn't have to support or repair remotes.
They've now put that burden on the consumer saving them Alot of money.
Throwing my two cents into this discussion, I feel DCC will become the primary operating system for O Gauge trains (O Scale is already heading this way). You have a choice of using a handheld or your phone, if you use Bluetooth (Blunami) your costs are dramatically lower and add to this the growing Deadrail niche. Are there issues with Bluetooth DCC, limited amps and a lack of synchronization of drivers and smoke in steamers. This, I think will be addressed by someone if SoundTraxx continues to ignore the issue. I think a majority of Postwar will continue to be operated by transformers and wouldn’t be surprised if this majority grows as ERR conversion continues to get too costly. DCC is a system being used across all scales, is an open system, and is continually updated. Like it or not, if O is to survive DCC is the answer, MTH gives you the option and Lionel does in S scale. This will only expand until both are totally DCC. If Lionel’s new system falls on its face due to quality issues the change will come sooner. Let the arrows fly!!
"I feel DCC will become the primary operating system for O Gauge trains "
It only took about 3 decades for HO, so check back in about 2050 
. The major and only full-line manufacturer in three rail is Lionel. They use LionChief, TMCC, Legacy. All a lot simpler than DCC. LionChief is dramatically less expensive than DCC. These are substantial obstacles to DCC making any dent in 3 rail O gauge.
@Trainmstr posted:Throwing my two cents into this discussion, I feel DCC will become the primary operating system for O Gauge trains (O Scale is already heading this way). You have a choice of using a handheld or your phone, if you use Bluetooth (Blunami) your costs are dramatically lower and add to this the growing Deadrail niche.
I seriously doubt that DCC will be the primary operating system for 3-rail O-gauge in my lifetime. DCC already has significant penetration of the 2-rail O-gauge folks.
Bluetooth-based DCC is looking more and more viable for 3 rail especially in the realm of upgrading or adding command control to a model. With an ERR upgrade getting north of $300 for full sound and motion, a ~$200 system like Blunami looks pretty nice right about now. I may give it a try soon.
@Norm Charbonneau posted:Bluetooth-based DCC is looking more and more viable for 3 rail especially in the realm of upgrading or adding command control to a model. With an ERR upgrade getting north of $300 for full sound and motion, a ~$200 system like Blunami looks pretty nice right about now. I may give it a try soon.
With the added DCC benefit of finally being able to load your own sounds! I'm watching closely, and I know others are too.
"Bluetooth-based DCC is looking more and more viable for 3 rail especially in the realm of upgrading or adding command control to a model. "
I think this is where there will be some growth in DCC usage in three rail O gauge, namely amongst serious and skilled hobbyists modifying existing locomotives.
For those who aren't already in too deep with a large investment in DCS and/or TMCC and a large fleet of locomotives, I think there's a lot to be said for Blunami or dead rail. If I wasn't so heavily invested in the existing proprietary systems, I would definitely give dead rail serious consideration.
@Norm Charbonneau posted:Bluetooth-based DCC is looking more and more viable for 3 rail especially in the realm of upgrading or adding command control to a model. With an ERR upgrade getting north of $300 for full sound and motion, a ~$200 system like Blunami looks pretty nice right about now. I may give it a try soon.
Please post a thread if you go that route, and consider an article for the magazine.
@Mallard4468 posted:Please post a thread if you go that route, and consider an article for the magazine.
Just go to the DCC forum to read more. A number of us are using it and it is indeed capable replicating all the features that Legacy or PS3 has plus many more only limited by in imagination of the user with the addition of very low cost (pennies) interface devices.
Pete
This discussion has gone way off the original topic and is now a DCC thread. You guys need to start a DCC thread and copy some of your comments on it. This topic is closed now as it appears to have run its course.
