Back to using MTH remote from Wi-Fi app after 10 years

The USB plug on the WIU breaking off is a known issue.  It can be fixed.  You could send it to one of the many MTH repair gurus here on the forum to get it fixed.

Hi the WIU power supply connector can be repaired I have repaired them!

Alan

Another case for a designated remote! Welcome back to the dark side!!

I've done more than a dozen WTIU power jacks, the factory installation was substandard and flawed!  I solder them back on, but also epoxy the jack to the board to give it additional strength.

@BlueComet400 posted:

Another case for a designated remote! Welcome back to the dark side!!

I resisted for years.   At one point I bought a game pad adapter for my iPhone which let me program physical buttons on game pad to control app functions like whistle.   Worked for less than a year then a Apple iOS upgrade didn’t support device.   I also got a cheap $50 Amazon tablet and hacked it to run the DCS app.   It worked but it wanted me to buy another full version of app for Android (can’t use the iOS full version license I already own).  Yes I understand that the usb port can be repaired but unless I do it it will cost money.   I’m glad that I spent the money on a remote/tiu.   I now have a spare TIU.  I also have a thumb wheel assembly part in case the thumb wheel fails again.

I have available and have used both: Remote and App. I much prefer the remote, and do wish that they were still readily available.

I’m with you Allan. I’m building a new 19 x20 foot layout. I’m looking at my 20 year old Z4000 and my geriatric TIU’s etc. and wondering what to do. I’ve also held off on pre-ordering the Lionel 3 control system because buying a tech device in its initial form is rarely a good idea. While I have many MTH locos, I’ve been holding back on buying more because I can’t see buying into very expensive locos that are unsupported by a proprietary control system.  I guess we have to treat our $1,000-2,000 locos like we do our TV’s - 5 years and they’re obsolete. How frustrating!

@Allan Miller posted:

I have available and have used both: Remote and App. I much prefer the remote, and do wish that they were still readily available.

Me too. Using the remote enables one to run trains on DCS and simultaneously make videos of them using one's smartphone camera.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Me too. Using the remote enables one to run trains on DCS and simultaneously make videos of them using one's smartphone camera.

Don't you know you're supposed to have a dozen phones around so you can run lots of stuff.

I prefer a remote. I'm so glad my collection is so small. All new loco's I buy will be MTH or Atlas with PS3 since they can be ran with DCC. Being at the mercy of a single source of command systems is not making sense to me anymore.

I was lucky a few years back (BC)* I spotted a New Thumb Wheels on Ebay and grabbed one.  It was sitting in the box for the longest time and finally installed it and works Great.

Johnny

* Before Covid

I use both the iphone and remote. I do this because I don’t want to touch my 2 aging TIU’s by hooking them together. Let the sleeping dog lie. 🐕 💤

There are advantages to both.

The iphone interface is a thousand times easier to see. I can see multiple settings at any one time. Plus it’s well lit for night running which I do a lot.

With the remote you can operate trains without even looking which is cool and an advantage.