Since MTH says that the WTIU is supposed to work with a tethered handheld (or did they back away from that?), I have looked into 25 foot phone cords. Not a perfect solution by any means but it may allow some mobility.
@PRKTRAINS posted:Since MTH says that the WTIU is supposed to work with a tethered handheld (or did they back away from that?), I have looked into 25 foot phone cords. Not a perfect solution by any means but it may allow some mobility.
Do what the DCC guys do. Have phone jacks placed in several spots on your layout table so you can plug in.
That thought had occurred to me too. You can get wall jacks and long (50-100 feet) straight phone cords that will attach a jack to the WTIU, If they ever come out I plan on having three WTU's. Assuming that they can still be operated in "super TIU mode, that would mean a phone jack on each one to which a phone extension cord could be attached and control all of the engines. In theory...
A tethered remote and of course restricted to a single remote. Also, I have no idea if the tethered remote would disable the other WiFi connections, I guess we'll know when the WTIU is released.
Finally, my TIU is in the center of the layout on a panel, so connecting a cord to it and moving around would be a giant PITA, even if I were inclined to accept those limitations! IMO, this is a giant step backwards, notice that Lionel thought about this with their BASE3 and it's compatible with all the Legacy remotes!
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@superwarp1 posted:Do what the DCC guys do. Have phone jacks placed in several spots on your layout table so you can plug in.
How about I just don't buy this flawed product? 
@PRKTRAINS posted:That thought had occurred to me too. You can get wall jacks and long (50-100 feet) straight phone cords that will attach a jack to the WTIU, If they ever come out I plan on having three WTU's. Assuming that they can still be operated in "super TIU mode, that would mean a phone jack on each one to which a phone extension cord could be attached and control all of the engines. In theory...
Actually, a tethered cord to one WTIU would only operate the engines that WTIU has, just like what happens today with with a tethered remote to the TIU. I can't imagine that the multiple WTIU's are going to get the data from that tethered remote. I'd be amazed if they implement that since they didn't do the much simpler RF link for the remote!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:How about I just don't buy this flawed product?
Sounds reasonable to me, John!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:How about I just don't buy this flawed product?
I agree, I don’t understand why a company would shoot themselves in the foot. Lately it seems to be a common issue……
Lionel did better, but you can’t buy the cab2 remote…. But the cab 1l is still for sale? Also the cab 3 is looking like delays as much as MTH.
A lot of us want an actual remote, not a touchscreen.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:How about I just don't buy this flawed product?
That's another option!
I agree and certainly sympathize, though l am probably going to go ahead with my order since I will need something to replace my current unrepairable TIU's when they go. I am also holding out hope that some really smart electronics guy will figure out a plugin receiver for the WTIU phone jack that will work with the existing handheld remote. Probably not going to happen...
Ordered a new WTIU version for the new layout. The app (warning) indicates it is only compatible with older Android phones?
I planned on trying on using my Samsung 10e and leaving the remote for the garage layout. Glad I saved my old LG. I bet there will be new software soon.
@PRKTRAINS posted:I am also holding out hope that some really smart electronics guy will figure out a plugin receiver for the WTIU phone jack that will work with the existing handheld remote.
Of course, we all hope @gunrunnerjohn will start working on this! 
I'm still waiting for a WIU to pair with my DCS. Supposedly those are going to be made again soon. I feel like an aging spinster waiting for it. In the meantime, my remote works fine and I have no plans to stop using it. Younger folks will probably start making fun of me because remote controls seem to be going the way of land lines. My question to them is, how do you put on a You Tube channel or watch a ball game on your phone and still run your trains if your phone is needed for controlling them? And please don't tell me switching between the two is doable. I have a hard enough time sipping on a drink and using my remote control.
Mike
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Since the DCS remote doesn't work with the WTIU, my interest in it disappears along with that lack of capability. I have several spare TIU's, hopefully a lifetime supply.
Sounds like a great item for the will. 
John
@Craftech posted:Sounds like a great item for the will.
John
I'll leave the TIU's and remotes with prices expected for my kids. 
Its a generational thing I think. At the moment I can control a house full of TVs, HVAC, water heater temperature, alarm system, cameras, garage door, 2 cars, and my pool on my phone. The only thing they won't let me do is close the automatic pool cover because of people closing them without making sure everyone was out. I also now have a second junk drawer full of remotes.
That being said my favorite way to run is with one hand on a ZW handle and the other holding a glass of brown liquid with a cigar perched atop.
"But the cab 1l is still for sale?"
Yes, the one I had on back order came in a couple of months ago.
@Landsteiner posted:"But the cab 1l is still for sale?"
Yes, the one I had on back order came in a couple of months ago.
It was a statement, sorry. I was trying to understand why keep making the 1L and not the cab 2. Regress in tech
@Pu239 posted:It was a statement, sorry. I was trying to understand why keep making the 1L and not the cab 2. Regress in tech
Pretty sure the CAB2 parts problem was the obsolete LCD displays, those aren't available anymore.
According to the Train World / MTH live webcast this evening, the WTIU is going into production in June and expected to ship to dealers prior to the end of the year. Fingers crossed…
