TIU Revision questions

The TIU is not a Rev. L.

 

It's a Rev. I3 (as in the letter "I"), not a Rev. 13 (as in the number "1").

 

There was no TIU Rev."thirteen".

Thank you Barry.  Thanks for this, the excellent book, and the help you give others.  I am really enjoying this adventure with my kid.  Now just talk MTH into dropping the price on the system by $100 and the stars will align.

For what it's worth, the rev I3 and I3a seem to work quite well. They will certainly power a good sized layout using multiple channels. Rev L is better, but also commands a higher price.

 

Rod

This is my dilemma.  I want a dcs setup but I figure I should hold out for the rev. L because I will use it for years.  It is the last major component I need.  I can get it new for 280$ or used for around 250$ but I have read that there is a new version coming out this year.  That will either be a must have or it will drop the price of the rev L units.  I would hate to spend 280$ and be bummed the next week.

I have read that there is a new version coming out this year

Two things of which to be aware:

1. It's not coming out this year, for sure.
2. It will be part of a brand new version of DCS, including new software and a new remote, as well as a new TIU. There have been no statements made as of yet regarding interoperability with the current DCS.

Barry,

   This is exactly why I am waiting on the new TIU & hand held remote and not purchasing anything else.  Really hoping for a serious upgraded hand held remote control!

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

 

You may be waiting for quite a while!

Barry,

   Yea I understand it might be a while, I sure was hoping that it would come out toward the end of 2013, but it's not looking good now.  No talk of new engineering

at all.  Got to admit after running Patrick H's Lionel Legacy remote control with his new ZW-L, I really want MTH to upgrade the DCS remote control package very badly.  The Z4K really does not need upgrading at this time,  but our TIU and hand held remote control needs upgraded badly.

 

PCRR/Dave

 

Dave,

new ...  hand held remote

Stay tuned, there's an app coming for that!  

The MTH DCS remote has been out awhile but what is the big gripe?

 

I find it very easy to use and with good range.

 

Alan

 

 

 

Alan D,

   Just for a start the remote control wheel needs upgrading totally, direct one step switch remote control needs to be added badly.  Screen needs to be bigger and lighted better. One step remote control uncoupling & coupling needs to be engineered.  These are just some of the upgrades I would like to see.

The range is fine, no change actually needed.   Making the DCS hand held remote control larger, with a charging station and bigger and better rechargable batteries, would actually be a good upgrade also.

PCRR/Dave

 

My opinions!

Hot Water,

  If I have to use both hands to have all the different options in a rechargable remote control that operates correctly, thats fine by me.  Keeping the remote control small means nothing to me.

PCRR/Dave   

I only push one button for uncouple. whats wrong with the wheel? again only one button push to get to switches  I like only using one hand to operate trains. Rechargeable would be nice and a bigger screen only if the printing is bigger. 

I admit that I am the new guy here, but if the TIU could connect via bluetooth to a tablet or smartphone we could customize our screens any way we wanted to.  Plus, we could use a device we already own, such as an outdated smartphone, as a second controller.

 

 

Very definitely YES! The Rev L TIU has far better communication to the locomotives, and made a HUGE improvement on my layout.

Gentlemen,

   Hot Water is absolutely correct, pass over the AI3 or I3a.  If you are purchasing right now the Rev L TIU is what you want.

PCRR/Dave

I agree with Hot Water. The Rev. L TIU is clearly superior to all previous models. It's easily worth a $100 price difference, or even more. Most likely, you're only going to buy one TIU.

 

Further, the MTH warranty is definitely worth having!

Barry,

   Man you are absolutely right about the Warranty, I had a AIU bad, NIB and returned it for a new one.

PCRR/Dave

For those who want a remote to have one push control for everything, that remote is going to be far too large for my tastes.

And don't say they can make the buttons smaller. They are just fine, I have big hands and fingers so I can't use most phones as it is now.

 

Also, if you want to be able to pick up the remote and change switches right away, get a spare remote and leave it in switch mode.

 

And if buying DCS now I'd definitely go for a Rev L, but mine works just fine and I see no reason to upgrade at this time.

A warranty is always good to have, so buy from reputable dealers like your LHS.

Russell,

   No I do not want to walk around with 2 different DCS remotes, just make the DCS Remote almost the size of the Legacy and get it over with, design it so the larger remote is rechargable, with decent size batteries also.

After 10 years and wearing two wheels out, I know this is a poor design that needs upgraded badly.

PCRR/Dave