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Lots of talk again running trains from a smart phone or tablet.    I did download the Lionchief APP and run on my tablet to try it.   I guess I prefer the handheld remote - I enjoy my trains - one big thing is stress relief from the "real world".   Smart phones and tablets and laptops have invaded most of our life's at work and everything else.   I like to get away from the stress , trains are my time, and just run my trains- to me the handheld remote or using the transformer handles is part of the fun.  

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Gregg,

   There are definitely a few other threads on this subject, however I like my DCS HHRC, in fact I had it upgraded to fully rechargeable, love my Legacy HHRC also, no need for a phone APP, to run my Trains.  However I am almost 70 years old now, and we need young guys & gals to keep our hobby alive, if they like the APP's more power to them.  Don't like the fact that MTH is not going to build HHRC units either.  I like modern technology but I am hands on when it comes to operating my remote control O Gauge Trains.

PCRR/Dave

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Last edited by Pine Creek Railroad

   I wrote elsewhere today that manual button dexterity was king imo. The tactile feeling of buttons in your hands negates the neeed to look at any screen to aim. That mostly means "better and faster" in my experience, the rest is just the perception that newer is "better". The  reality is the mfgs dont want to bother with buttons they cost more. Nor a controller if they can shift the cost to you.

 I liked the cab1 over dcs, but the remote controls I like best are the really heavy black ones...I think someone called them transformers,  which was a real cool movie so I'm choosing that as best. It's too techie not to be.

Adriatic posted:

   ............... The tactile feeling of buttons in your hands negates the need to look at any screen to aim. That mostly means "better and faster" in my experience, the rest is just the perception that newer is "better". The  reality is the mfgs dont want to bother with buttons they cost more. Nor a controller if they can shift the cost to you..........................

This.

-Dave

sinclair posted:
Pine Creek Railroad posted:
 Don't like the fact that MTH is not going to build HHRC units either.

Is this a fact, or just a rumor?  If fact, where did MTH announce it?  And what about the TIU?

Seems to be fact - various sources.

Just keep in mind - MTH does have a clue here - they probably have adequate inventory to cover themselves for sometime to come - so you can't blame them for not making another order of HHRC.

  I think that 10¢ was a west coast thing and regulated to 10¢. It was 20-25¢ here till high tech lowered costs and it shot to 50¢-$1.50 in just a couple of years.

Jim 1939 posted:

The young, the up on tech seem to like the pad. Me I'm old, I have always ran trains with some kind of control or handle in my hand so that's the way it will stay for me. The choice is yours.

  It is a choice. And yes, they do like them. But why?

Most reply; faster. 

  But I've already proved I can outpace the new phones with older tech like a land line or keyboard to three people under 22 that rent from me, and a few tech enamored friends too.

  It's new, it's neat, it fits in a pocket so you can break it easier ( ) but it's not truely better at the job.

  Young folks just don't have the practical experience to know the difference yet.... and you cant take the others to school and pass electronics notes all day

I bought a device to try it myself. Maybe I was wrong...Not. I hate it. Slow, and more issues than Internet Exploder at its worst. I got twice as much done on a small laptop computer, and could always see it.

Come on by, we can race!

....just like if CDs are better, why do audiophiles like analog?

Because analog is a closer reproduction to real life. Digital CDs are a sampling of points from an analog sound wave...the analog is more acurate. We were sold CDs buy hype, all because it was cheaper to make. If real quality was strived for we would at least have 64 bit CDs and players vs 32bit. Mp3-4 is another step down in quality too fyi.  That's not better, it's settling.

  T gauge is the best because it's smaller and lighter than O ...not.

Roving Sign posted:
sinclair posted:
Pine Creek Railroad posted:
 Don't like the fact that MTH is not going to build HHRC units either.

Is this a fact, or just a rumor?  If fact, where did MTH announce it?  And what about the TIU?

Seems to be fact - various sources.

Just keep in mind - MTH does have a clue here - they probably have adequate inventory to cover themselves for sometime to come - so you can't blame them for not making another order of HHRC.

Noting making more currently because they have plenty of inventory is not the same as never making handhelds again.  I would like links to these various sources please.  My local MTH dealer has not heard of this news that MTH will no longer make remotes.

Not sure, just getting my first Engine with Bluetooth, will check it out. I love the Cab 2 System very much as it allows me to turn on and off blocks thru BPC’s, flip switch’s via ASC’s, turn on and off Locomotives anywhere on the track. I am sure using the Cab 2 is the easiest way to run my trains do to using it for such a long time. It’s simply a habit.  Although I just turned 73, I am not Old Yet, Just a Senior Kid.... I want to visit folks that use their IPads and IPhones for Control Of their layouts.  Great Thread....

Answering the question pertaining to the two Lionchief sets (only LC sets we own) under the Christmas tree I actually prefer running the one with Bluetooth from the app on my iPad.  I like the extra features the app provides but I especially like the forward/reverse button on the app.  With the Lionchief remote I occasionally shift the PE into reverse unintentionally.  Not really a problem but that doesn't happen with the app.

As for my non LC engines , I have several TMCC engines (no Legacy) and only a few non-TMCC engines. I have been using a cab-1 to control them for a long time.  The original Polar Express was run using  its CW80 at Christmas time.

For me depends on what I decide to do. The Only thing I have seem to notice is that the MTH App seems to have better range controlling the Locomotives, at least on my layout. I have a MTH PS3 Diesel parked in a shed on my layout, and there are times when the Remote says engine not on track, but I can use the App and control that engine with out many problems. Though I do need to redo all my wiring and set up blocks, but that is what I have seen on my layout.

sinclair posted:
Roving Sign posted:
sinclair posted:
Pine Creek Railroad posted:
 Don't like the fact that MTH is not going to build HHRC units either.

Is this a fact, or just a rumor?  If fact, where did MTH announce it?  And what about the TIU?

Seems to be fact - various sources.

Just keep in mind - MTH does have a clue here - they probably have adequate inventory to cover themselves for sometime to come - so you can't blame them for not making another order of HHRC.

Noting making more currently because they have plenty of inventory is not the same as never making handhelds again.  I would like links to these various sources please.  My local MTH dealer has not heard of this news that MTH will no longer make remotes.

Andy Edelman, VP of marketing for MTH has been the "source".

They feel that since "everyone" has a smartphone nowadays, why not integrate train control into that, making it easier and more appealing for the user.  This has been large topic of discussion at the past few DCS users group dinners at the York TCA meets. (Out of those in the crowd that still had "flip phones", they drew names to give away a WIU in hopes to get people on board).  

This is why the new RTR sets are now coming with the DCS Explorer.

You can read about what was discussed at the meeting by searching the forum for "DCS user group", or read the minutes from the October 17 one here. Barry does a great job recording the events.

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