Yet another Base3 Post (control curiosity)

Pretty sure the engines can only connect to one device at a time. You can try it out if you have more than one smart device in the house including a Universal remote.

I should have added this is for Bluetooth only engines. Many can still control TMCC and Legacy engines at the same time.

Pete

@Rollsington posted:

Hi everyone. Fired up to know the wait is almost over! I have a few questions I have not seen answered -

Can multiple people control/conflict the same engine? Say we have 2 people with 2 phones and they attempt to control the same thing. How would that play out?

I don't have a Cab2, and on principle, won't ever have one unless prices come back down to earth! That leaves me with the mobile device option. One thing I don't want, is to have the app get interrupted by phone calls, notifications etc. so I will use a dedicated device only for trains.
What kind of devices are you thinking of using? I think I've settled on an old iPhone SE because it is small enough for one handed operation. Then I change my mind and think about using a 10" Android. Just looking for ideas/options from others. Thanks!

While since none of us actually have Base3 or the app yet, I can only presume much like iCab and a Legacy controller, if 2 people try to operate the same engine you will be fighting for control.  The App and Cab2 should track what the other is doing much like 2 Cab2s running the same engine.  This pertains to the Base3 side of the app.

Second I am using an iPad Mini 5. It's bigger than the phone and is used only for the trains.  I got a nice case with a hand strap.

@Norton posted:

Pretty sure the engines can only connect to one device at a time. You can try it out if you have more than one smart device in the house including a Universal remote.

I should have added this is for Bluetooth only engines. Many can still control TMCC and Legacy engines at the same time.

Pete, since he's specifically talking about the BASE3, I'm guessing he's using TMCC/Legacy.  In which case I believe Dave said that you'd be able to talk to the same engine with more than one device, be it a CAB1L, CAB2, or the CAB3 software on a smart device.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Pete, since he's specifically talking about the BASE3, I'm guessing he's using TMCC/Legacy.  In which case I believe Dave said that you'd be able to talk to the same engine with more than one device, be it a CAB1L, CAB2, or the CAB3 software on a smart device.

Regardless of what the signal source is, a Bluetooth only engine, ie Lionchief, can only connect to one device regardless if its a dedicated Handheld, smart device App, or Cab3. First device to connect gets control, the rest cannot even see it. Multiple sources have always been able to control a single TMCC or Legacy engine at the same time. Base3 is just another signal source that differs in the fact that it can broadcast both TMCC/Legacy and Bluetooth that no other source has been able to do before.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Base3 is just another signal source that differs in the fact that it can broadcast both TMCC/Legacy and Bluetooth that no other source has been able to do before.

Except for that one time, and then that other time- when some of this bridging different control methods was demonstrated open source- before they ever announced Base3.

https://ogrforum.com/...-tmcc-is-it-possible

https://ogrforum.com/...ief-bluetooth-remote

https://ogrforum.com/...ing-lionchief-trains

@Vernon Barry posted:

Except for that one time, and then that other time- when some of this bridging different control methods was demonstrated open source- before they ever announced Base3.

https://ogrforum.com/...-tmcc-is-it-possible

https://ogrforum.com/...ief-bluetooth-remote

https://ogrforum.com/...ing-lionchief-trains

Good to know. I wasn’t aware that others have built one off controllers.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Regardless of what the signal source is, a Bluetooth only engine, ie Lionchief, can only connect to one device regardless if its a dedicated Handheld, smart device App, or Cab3.

True, but a BT only engine wasn't mentioned.  If it is such an engine, I agree.

"Second I am using an iPad Mini 5. It's bigger than the phone and is used only for the trains.  I got a nice case with a hand strap."
That is exactly what I want to do!

Totally intend to run Legacy. I was happy in my DCS bubble until one day I was visiting the Strasburg RR and they had the 8618 switcher for sale. Had to have it. My layout spans 3 rooms/areas so Bluetooth is not a great time unless I follow the engine around lol

Great stuff and thank you for the replies/advice

I had my granddaughter on the Cab3 app, my grandson was on the cab3 app with both trains on the same loop.  I had the Cab 2 controller and I could control either train if one of my grandchildren was messing up.  The last signal received appears to be the governing factor for the Base3.

@winrose46 posted:

I had my granddaughter on the Cab3 app, my grandson was on the cab3 app with both trains on the same loop.  I had the Cab 2 controller and I could control either train if one of my grandchildren was messing up.  The last signal received appears to be the governing factor for the Base3.

This is exactly the same as the TMCC or Legacy systems if you have more than one remote addressing the engine.