RTR12, I agree with everything except the iPhone part, but that's a personal preference. We have Samsung Note 5's and love them. However, if I do go with the iPad and HomeKit, our next smartphone will probably be an iPhone so everything works seamlessly. If your friend has other Apple products, that might explain his regret over not buying an IPhone. I much prefer Android and really don't like the iPad, iPhone, etc., but everything does work together more easily, so that's the reason I'd switch. The biggest negative will be having to keep my laptop to run SCARM. 
Barry my plan is to give all this some time for debugging and then upgrade everything to 6.1! I've got 5 tiu's and 4 remotes. I'm not one to upgrade these myself. You may be seeing me at a future DCS meeting in York for some upgrades. Of course your book will be a requirement to help with all this as well.
rtr12 posted:Hi Dave,
Yes, I agree with the new tech stuff. I did the same thing with ipods, never saw a need until I finally got one. Then I couldn't do without one. Some things do get me right away, but some do not. I also just discovered my iTouch keeps track of how far I walk every day! Another neat feature. It only has wifi and there is none where I walk on the trails around here, but it somehow keeps pretty close track of the mileage. I was always going by the trail mile markers before and the iTouch is very close to the mile markers in distance measuring.
As for the iPads, we have an early version. My wife wanted it and then hardly used it. I have been using it too. My wife texts the kids and grand kids with it and that is about all. I think you will like the iPad Pro. It looks like it's plenty big enough to be able to read most everything on. I have been thinking about an iPad Mini as well, for train operation. Although so far I have been able to read the iTouch just fine so I may wait on that for a bit. Also my grandson has an iPad Mini and I may just try his first.
As for the phone, I will probably get an iPhone 6, the smaller one. I think you have to get the wireless earhones with an iPhone 7 and that's another $150 or so plus tax I think. I already have a bunch of wired earphones and they work just fine. I have a friend that recently got a Samsung smart phone (not the exploding/burning kind) and he tells me regularly that he wishes he had gotten an iPhone instead.
I also like the home automation stuff and the smart phone would allow all that to happen too. That is one newer tech item that I won't have to wait on, I have been interested in that for some time now, but had no smart phone or desire to get one until now. What will they think of next??
iPhone 7 doesn't require the AirPod headphones. Apple simply removed the headphone jack and now uses Audio thru the lighting port. Apple even gives you an adapter to use your old headphones. I would recommend get the 7.
Dave,
I think maybe he has a Note 5 as well, or something like that. It is not one the newer ones they have out now. I will try to remember to ask him why he wants an iPhone instead. He does have an iPad, but he has an app that allows texting between the different types of devices and I don't know what all else he has adapted to the iPhones.
If you like the Samsung phones, you should maybe look into the apps for compatibility before switching. Not having a smart phone, I really don't know enough to say what is and is not compatible? I am sure you would know what to look for though. Just a thought...
I know that is one bad thing about the Macs, iMacs, etc. that nothing for our trains runs on them, like the Lionel and MTH update programs and things like that. It will be good to keep a PC based laptop for just such things and also SCARM and RRT of course.
ChessieMD posted:rtr12 posted:Hi Dave,
Yes, I agree with the new tech stuff. I did the same thing with ipods, never saw a need until I finally got one. Then I couldn't do without one. Some things do get me right away, but some do not. I also just discovered my iTouch keeps track of how far I walk every day! Another neat feature. It only has wifi and there is none where I walk on the trails around here, but it somehow keeps pretty close track of the mileage. I was always going by the trail mile markers before and the iTouch is very close to the mile markers in distance measuring.
As for the iPads, we have an early version. My wife wanted it and then hardly used it. I have been using it too. My wife texts the kids and grand kids with it and that is about all. I think you will like the iPad Pro. It looks like it's plenty big enough to be able to read most everything on. I have been thinking about an iPad Mini as well, for train operation. Although so far I have been able to read the iTouch just fine so I may wait on that for a bit. Also my grandson has an iPad Mini and I may just try his first.
As for the phone, I will probably get an iPhone 6, the smaller one. I think you have to get the wireless earhones with an iPhone 7 and that's another $150 or so plus tax I think. I already have a bunch of wired earphones and they work just fine. I have a friend that recently got a Samsung smart phone (not the exploding/burning kind) and he tells me regularly that he wishes he had gotten an iPhone instead.
I also like the home automation stuff and the smart phone would allow all that to happen too. That is one newer tech item that I won't have to wait on, I have been interested in that for some time now, but had no smart phone or desire to get one until now. What will they think of next??
iPhone 7 doesn't require the AirPod headphones. Apple simply removed the headphone jack and now uses Audio thru the lighting port. Apple even gives you an adapter to use your old headphones. I would recommend get the 7.
Thanks, I was not aware of that. I haven't yet really looked at the phones though. Coming soon!
I'm not attached to any particular phone or operating system. I just think Android allows users to do more than any of the Apple products. Apple is a closed/controlled environment, but its hardware and software work together seamlessly and that's a big plus for a lot of folks. I'm now past the stage where I want/need the flexibility Android offers, but I still have some difficulty with the high price of Apple products. However, if I go SmartHome, I feel the premium prices are worth it for the ease of use, just like Mianne bench work is worth it for those who want the ease and convenience.....and can afford it. I know I can walk into an Apple Store and come out with a fully functional system. I know I can probably piecemeal together an Android system too, but at what cost and how much time and how much of a learning curve. I really need to find someone with some or all of that I want so I can see what I'm getting into.
I will ask my friend what the differences are that he's missing, the one that wants an iPhone instead of his Samsung phone. I really don't have a clue never having really looked closely at any of them. I am still discovering new buttons to push on my iTouch after a couple of months! 
I did see the Apple home control stuff at the Apple store, but wasn't really sure what it really did either? I have been thinking about looking for a wireless security camera system of some sort to catch pictures of the wild life that goes through our back yard at night. Maybe the Apple home stuff has those too? Probably need to make another trip to the Apple store. Was thinking about a trail camera, but the wireless video sounds like it would be a lot neater.
Ok, so the impending DCS Explorer can only control 3 locomotives. The handheld is convenient. My current iPad is heavier and bulkier and I do not want to use my iPhone as I have many incoming phone calls coming in and that's distracting for me. I'm not thrilled but I ve come to expect, technology is always changing.
RTR12, I don't know if the Apple HomeKit is the solution I'm looking for either, but it's something I'm going to be checking out. I want to be able to check on the house while we're traveling. I also want to be able to turn the AC or heat on before we get home, things like that. I'll send you an email with whatever I find when I start looking into this when we get home., We're in Georgia and leaving for Wisconsin in the morning.
Seacoast posted:Ok, so the impending DCS Explorer can only control 3 locomotives. The handheld is convenient. My current iPad is heavier and bulkier and I do not want to use my iPhone as I have many incoming phone calls coming in and that's distracting for me. I'm not thrilled but I ve come to expect, technology is always changing.
You really DON'T want to be using your everyday phone for running trains - get a dedicated device!
That's why I've been recommending Android devices -they are cheap and feature-wise your only concern is screen size.
Plus - if you decide you dont like table/phone control - you're not out much coin.
Roving Sign posted:You really DON'T want to be using your everyday phone for running trains - get a dedicated device!
That's why I've been recommending Android devices -they are cheap and feature-wise your only concern is screen size.
Plus - if you decide you dont like table/phone control - you're not out much coin.
And they don't need to be connected to a service, they just need to have wifi, right?
DoubleDAZ posted:Roving Sign posted:You really DON'T want to be using your everyday phone for running trains - get a dedicated device!
That's why I've been recommending Android devices -they are cheap and feature-wise your only concern is screen size.
Plus - if you decide you dont like table/phone control - you're not out much coin.
And they don't need to be connected to a service, they just need to have wifi, right?
Correct. They don't even have to be connected to the internet, just a local network.
Roving Sign posted:Seacoast posted:Ok, so the impending DCS Explorer can only control 3 locomotives. The handheld is convenient. My current iPad is heavier and bulkier and I do not want to use my iPhone as I have many incoming phone calls coming in and that's distracting for me. I'm not thrilled but I ve come to expect, technology is always changing.
You really DON'T want to be using your everyday phone for running trains - get a dedicated device!
That's why I've been recommending Android devices -they are cheap and feature-wise your only concern is screen size.
Plus - if you decide you dont like table/phone control - you're not out much coin.
Ok, maybe I'll search Groupon for a refurbished Samsung tablet. Let me get this correct the DCS Explorer will only run 3 engines. Will I need more Explorers to run more then 3 engines ?
George,
Will I need more Explorers to run more then 3 engines ?
AFAIK, you are limited to one DCS Explorer per layout. However, there won't be any definitive answers regarding this product until MTH actually builds it and releases, sometime later this year.
The DCS Explorer is a replacement for the DCS Remote Commander. It is intended to be an entry-level device for running a starter set engine in DCS mode usng the DCS App. It is expected to allow only limited DCS functionality.
Seacoast posted:Roving Sign posted:Seacoast posted:Ok, so the impending DCS Explorer can only control 3 locomotives. The handheld is convenient. My current iPad is heavier and bulkier and I do not want to use my iPhone as I have many incoming phone calls coming in and that's distracting for me. I'm not thrilled but I ve come to expect, technology is always changing.
You really DON'T want to be using your everyday phone for running trains - get a dedicated device!
That's why I've been recommending Android devices -they are cheap and feature-wise your only concern is screen size.
Plus - if you decide you dont like table/phone control - you're not out much coin.
Ok, maybe I'll search Groupon for a refurbished Samsung tablet. Let me get this correct the DCS Explorer will only run 3 engines. Will I need more Explorers to run more then 3 engines ?
Good question - info is scant on the DCS Explorer - While it seems it uses the same DCS app - not sure its made to interact with multiple units or interact with full DCS systems.
Barry Broskowitz posted:Clem,
Click here to see what's been added/fixed in DCS 6.0.
Thanks for the link Barry. Didn't see anything on it which would induce me to upgrade from 4.3. Haven't encountered problems since upgrading to 4.3 which would cause me to think it's not working correctly for my layout. Layouts vary so much it's not unusual there would be some operational differences even using the same version of software. How many times have we heard "ummm ... it doesn't do that on my layout" ... or does when it doesn't on someone else's setup. Upgrading our three TIUs and three remotes to 4.3 was a big PIA and don't want to go down that road again if I can avoid it.
Not having been able to get any help from MTH in the past I'm not counting on any in the future. Ordering parts is enough of a headache, depending on one person at MTH "Midge" to handle it all. Never got a return call from her in the couple of times I called.
There are more than a few here who have messaged "wish I'd have stayed on 4.3"
For the past months our layout has been stable, and as Kyrian wisely suggests "if it ain't broke, don't upgrade it."
Ok I'll ask what issues is happening or what are you supposedly losing when you upgrade from 4.3???
It is the end of the line for my DCS Handheld Controller.
C&O Hudson #492
B&M SW8 #800
U.P. F3 A-B-A #1400
Next stop, move onto an iPad - I was able to run my android phone next to an iPad at a train show at my LHS. The iPad is faster and the larger screen is better for the touch screen. Better finger management on the commands.
Gary
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Kerrigan posted:Grandma will sell it all when I die, move to Italy, and marry some 30-year-old Italian stud I imagine, and buy a Porsche, in all likely-hood.
She'll buy a Ferrari!
As the MTH WiFi can't control the Z-4000 remote box, they are a no go here with hidden transformers.
