And that statement is 100% true. As a matter of fact, when I'm not using it to run trains, I use the handheld remote to scoop out the kitty litterbox. I've had the same set of lithium batteries in it since I bought it and I fully expect them to last 10 years. My wife uses the TIU unit as a doorstop when I'm not running the trains. And the AIU I use as a handy hammer when I need to drive nails. While the Realtrax track may not line up as good as Fastrack, the curved sections make dandy boomerangs. My Father-in-law's Doberman loves to fetch the straight sections and use them for chew toys. And when he gets done, I re-assemble all the track pieces and the trains all run perfectly on them. Go figure. Oh yeah...I sometimes drop some old metal tinsel on the track around Christmas time just to see it spark and because I like to see the red light on the transformer go on once in a while. I have special plans for this New Year's Eve. I am going to get one of those Lionel exploding boxcars and pack it full of hi-power firecrackers. Then right at 1 minute to 12 on New Years Eve, I turn off all the lights and light the fuse and send that baby whizzing around the track. When she blows, she'll be a real "exploding boxcar"!!!
And feel free to comment for or against DCS, whether you own it or not. Heck, you don't even have to own a train to voice an opinion. I don't discriminate in my threads Dep
Virginian Railroad
Mine too. [along with my Legacy that works fine]
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
My DCS is currently trouble free. After some initial issues with components going bad in my REVG TIU, MTH repaired at no cost and beefed up the circuitry that solved that issue.
I never had any issues upgrading and because my layout is not all that large, never had some of the signal issue that other have. DCS does what I want it to do and that is run my PS2 engines.
In the latest rounds of upgrades I did have a few issues that were eventually fixed with a new release. Currently at 4.02a my DCS has been running happily.
Trying to update my avatar since 2020
MartyE and Kodi the Husky Dog! ( 3/31/90-9/28/04 ) www.MartyE.com My O Gauge Web Page and Home of Kodiak Junction!
My doberman is DCS controlled. Unfortunately, now his battery went dead and he no longer responds to my commands. ;)
Thanks guys. I felt the need to lighten things up a bit Neil: Just make sure your dog doesn't overheat
nblum My doberman is DCS controlled. Unfortunately, now his battery went dead and he no longer responds to my commands. ;)
Neil,
Maybe the transceiver board in the remote or the dog needs to be reseated!
In "O" gauge, I Collect Trains, mostly Lionel, some MTH, but do not run them.
In "G" gauge, I run them on over 510 feet of track and have 16 locomotives!
Eleven of my locomotives are MTH with MTH/DCS control, three of my Aristo-Craft locomotives have been converted to DCS control. The two other use Aristo's "Onboard Train Engineer". Both systems use 20 volt DC constant voltage on the track, DCS with a track signal and TE with a radio signal. Both can run at the same time on the same track. My base power is the Aristo-Craft 13 amp switching power supply feeding the MTH/DCS system and track.
1. I chose MTH because it's a "closed loop" system as apposed to a "feedback system". The software knows exactly what the motor is doing in real time. This is the same "type" of system we use to control our elevators, where speed and position is everything.
2. Like "Windows" and most other "software programs", as problims are found and features added, new, updated software can be downloaded (free) to your computer and then to your Remote, Track Interface Unit, and to your Locomotive (that's right, don't like the sound, download one you like).
3. You buy the system once, never a need to buy updated versions of your hardware. ProtoSound 1 was "sound only", ProtoSound 2 is the combined sound AND MTH control system. I understand that the new ProtoSound 3 locomotives will contain both DCS AND DCC decoders for the "HO" and "G" market users.
I have had no problems with MTH/DCS operation. Double (tripple) heading diesels is a joy, you can hear them all over the neighborhood.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Thanks DMU! Excellent report
Some folks are so fanatical about MTH that they refuse to hear anything that isn't praise and adoration. I was only trying to enlighten. :)
I've replaced my doberman's Ni-Cad with a BCR and now he'll heel and fetch, but he will not make guacamole. Should I take him to the MTH ASC?
nblum Some folks are so fanatical about MTH that they refuse to hear anything that isn't praise and adoration. I was only trying to enlighten. :) I've replaced my doberman's Ni-Cad with a BCR and now he'll heel and fetch, but he will not make guacamole. Should I take him to the MTH ASC?
Sure glad that doesn't describe me. I own plently of Lionel, Atlas, MTH, Weaver, and K-Line. Sounds like your dog needs an upgrade. If it's an MTH dog, you can do it at home. If it's a Lionel dog, they probably promised you you could do it at home, but don't bet on it :)
If it's a Lionel dog, they probably promised you you could do it at home, but don't bet on it :)
Fact Check... The return of the Legacy system was a one time deal. The reason for the return was to ensure the processor settings were correct. Some, not all were incorrect from the factory. Rather than sending out an upgrade and having it not take, they erred on the side of customer service and did the correction if needed and upgrade at Lionel. From here on out all upgrades are able to be done by the user. Then again I'm sure Deputy knew that.
Now as far as Neils dog... I think he isn't seeing the watchdog signal!
"If it's an MTH dog, you can do it at home."
Is it true that I need to buy a cable or two, and have a serial port equipped computer (what's that?) to get Binky (I know it's a weird name for a doberman) updated?
Bob Keller
If you are afraid of your Computer or just use it for E-Mail, if you never hooked up things to your Computer, then the advantage of MTH/DCS may not be for you.
The "Track Interface Unit" (TIU) has a Serial Port on it. If your Computer has a Serial Port you need a Serial Cord, if not, you need a Serial to USB conversion cord to do updates and upgrades. (all modern Computers have several USB ports) You also will need an Audio Cord and a Phone Cord. All can be bought at Radio Shack (store or on-line) and most Computer Stores (Best Buy, Circuit City).
On your computer you download a "Loader Program" from the MTH Web Site. After that, it's click on the icons and follow the instructions.
OgaugeoverlordI guess we can't all get along after all.
Oh we're just having some fun. We're getting along fine. As a matter of fact I had to upgrade my cat because she would get this glossed over look and in her eyes it said "Litter Box Not Found". I sent her out to Mike Reagan and 1.2 took care of that. Now though she gets 20ft away and her eyes flash red and just stands there.
nblum "If it's an MTH dog, you can do it at home." Is it true that I need to buy a cable or two, and have a serial port equipped computer (what's that?) to get Binky (I know it's a weird name for a doberman) updated?
Only if Binky is 50 years old or older (in dog years) do you need a serial cable. A USB-to-serial cable (the one that's a little bigger than a dog collar) can do the update quite nicely. Picture the cables as dog collars and leashes for Binky. You gotta keep Binky on a leash and collar if you wanna walk him. So yes, need to buy them. It's part of dog (and computer) ownership. And I know you know about owning computers, otherwise you wouldn't be able to come up with these funny ideas.
MartyE OgaugeoverlordI guess we can't all get along after all. Oh we're just having some fun. We're getting along fine. As a matter of fact I had to upgrade my cat because she would get this glossed over look and in her eyes it said "Litter Box Not Found". I sent her out to Mike Reagan and 1.2 took care of that. Now though she gets 20ft away and her eyes flash red and just stands there.
Marty is exactly right. I started the thread to poke fun at myself and others who were taking all this stuff too seriousy. No harm no foul. BTW...my cats have become addicted to MTH Christmas scent smoke. They sniff it right out of the bottle. I wonder if that's safer than sniffing the real smoke?
Bob, not to worry, this is just a little entirely friendly sparring. If you want to see "not getting along," come over to the AOL Lionel Board and watch one of your advertisers performing his semi-psychotic vaudeville act :).
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