Universal Lionchief/Lionchieft Plus Remote first impressions

Captaincog posted:

"...The only time an engine will not add would be some of the start set style engines. So far my Polar Express and Silver Bells engines are not recognized by the remote...."

Yes, thank you for posting this information, Jeff. Surprised it doesn't work for all Lionchief products, (especially their all time best selling  rtr Polar Express set,) since it's advertised as a Lionchief universal remote. That being the case, I wonder why Lionel hasn't published a list of Lionchief sets and engines it's not compatible with so people buying it to use it it with those sets won't then buy it and thus be spared the hassle of returning it along with $$ lost from return shipping costs and possible restocking fees after discovering such incompatibility.

Thanks for the review, Jeff.

These long awaited remotes are here and mine should arrive next week for some post-Christmas running.  

Jeff, Glad to hear that you are pleased with your experience using the Universal Remote. Placed an order for one in December of 2015...received a confirmation call yesterday that mine is being shipped, so next week cannot come fast enough!

I currently have 4 LC+ locomotives and was wondering if each one is placed on the track...and added one at a time using only 3 of the 4? One of the 4 will obviously have to be used with its designated remote. As you already have the operating manual, was looking for your interpretation...

On a Amtrak and heading for Chicago as I write this...never get tired of hearing the horn as we approach every crossing.

Thanks and have a Merry Christmas.

ogaugeguy posted:

Surprising that it doesn't work for all Lionchief products, (especially their all time best selling  rtr set, the Polar Express) since it's advertised as a Lionchief universal remote. 

Well, Lionel did say that some older LC (not +) locomotives would not work.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

ogaugeguy posted:

Surprising that it doesn't work for all Lionchief products, (especially their all time best selling  rtr set, the Polar Express) since it's advertised as a Lionchief universal remote. 

Well, Lionel did say that some older LC (not +) locomotives would not work.

True, John, and not to be argumentative at this festive time of year but "older" is ambiguous considering Lionchief hasn't been around that long. I have no problem with it not working with all Lionchief locomotives, but considering the "newness" of the Lionchief system and even with likely design changes and tweaking during its existence, how many "older" incompatible sets and engines can there be that that it would make too cumbersome and long a list for Lionel to compile and publish? Considering the immense popularity of the Polar Express, at the very least specifically include that as an incompatible set in the disclaimer "some older LC locomotives may not work ".

My suspicion is that the LC electronics changed and the older design isn't compatible.  Short of replacing all those sets, I don't see how Lionel could have solved this issue.  I doubt they considered the need for the universal remote from the original product design.  Also, Lionel actually didn't design the LC electronics I've been told, but rather contracted it to some outside house.

Will not work with all should be noted in large lettering. I had a similar experience with the MTH commander, it does not work on ALL MTH engines either.

Well at least you should still have the original remote to run with. How many LC+ engines do you run all at once? Just curious, not a debate question.

Jim 1939 posted:

Will not work with all should be noted in large lettering. I had a similar experience with the MTH commander, it does not work on ALL MTH engines either.

Well at least you should still have the original remote to run with. How many LC+ engines do you run all at once? Just curious, not a debate question.

Jim, three LC+ (and a Flyerchief which is similar to its LC+ cousin) and nine LC starter sets with four of those LC's being Christmas themed (one made by Lionel for Hallmark) which I frequently run simultaneously during the holidays.

Running multiple engines is easy and almost easier than switching between 2 engines on my legacy Cab2 so having 3 engines on call is nice. Since I run trains at quite a few shows having engines that run with this remote allows me to leave the engine specific remotes at home and reduce the risk of damage.

To be fair Lionel does day that it will not control all Lionchief engines so I figured I would post up what I have found out. I have 2 other engines to dig out and try that are starter set engines. The technology changes so fast as far as what is available I am not surprised. The real question is how often do most users run their holiday themed sets? I suspect the newer designs will likely work fine.

I really feel this remote is a great value and does exactly what it should.

Captaincog posted:

Running multiple engines is easy and almost easier than switching between 2 engines on my legacy Cab2 so having 3 engines on call is nice. Since I run trains at quite a few shows having engines that run with this remote allows me to leave the engine specific remotes at home and reduce the risk of damage.

To be fair Lionel does day that it will not control all Lionchief engines so I figured I would post up what I have found out. I have 2 other engines to dig out and try that are starter set engines. The technology changes so fast as far as what is available I am not surprised. The real question is how often do most users run their holiday themed sets? I suspect the newer designs will likely work fine.

I really feel this remote is a great value and does exactly what it should.

Thanks, Jeff, for your review and effort letting us know which rtr sets won't work with the remote. I'm planning to buy the remote but before I do thanks to your heads up I'll now call Lionel's service department and hopefully they'll be able to tell me whether it will work with the LC rtr sets I want to use it with.  At least that will save me disappointment and aggravation of purchasing it only to discover it won't fit my needs after I've tried using it.

Question on universal remote. When you switch from on engine to another, does the first one continue to run until it is readdressed?

thanks Tstark

tstark posted:

Question on universal remote. When you switch from on engine to another, does the first one continue to run until it is readdressed?

thanks Tstark

Yes, whatever was the last command sent in running speed and direction that engine will continue until you come back to it. It works well in switching between engines which I can see is a primary advantage of this remote.

I cant wait for mine to come in so I can see what does and does not work.  I'm curious, Captaincog, if you know when, about, your polar express was made, and if the remote will work with later versions of the engine.  I have a 10th year edition which from what I understand, had added sound clips over the previous version, and I wonder if it also includes added compatibility for the remote.  I have a second LC polar express that was bought from Hennings a couple months ago, that seems to include all the same sounds as the 10th anniversary version, so I think it uses the same boards/code as well.  

JGL

JohnGaltLine posted:

I cant wait for mine to come in so I can see what does and does not work.  I'm curious, Captaincog, if you know when, about, your polar express was made, and if the remote will work with later versions of the engine.  I have a 10th year edition which from what I understand, had added sound clips over the previous version, and I wonder if it also includes added compatibility for the remote.  I have a second LC polar express that was bought from Hennings a couple months ago, that seems to include all the same sounds as the 10th anniversary version, so I think it uses the same boards/code as well. 

JGL

That one might work. I would like to know since mine is the first edition Lionchief.

Jeff, silly question, but on the engine that didn't add to the remote, it's original  remote was off, correct? The manual says the original remote for the engine must be off.

I think lionel did a good job of letting people know it doest work on early lionel lionchief was on a full page add on there web site

Doug-Sr posted:

I think lionel did a good job of letting people know it doest work on early lionel lionchief was on a full page add on there web site

Lionel needs publish a list of incompatible engines. Just saying it doesn't work on "older" engines is useless and confusing. How is that in any way a good job?

Thanks for posting this and for the discussion on the new remote. Mine is on the way.

Four LC+ locos and counting!

Having a list of the incompatible locomotives would certainly be useful.