best controller

TaylorRA,

  1st you might talk to GGG or Guns here on the OGR they could probably fix anything that is wrong with your Cab1 Remote Controls, 2nd the Cab1L is a better unit without the need for an antenna.  3rd I use the Legacy Cab2 for all my Legacy Engines and the TMCC Engines that others guests bring, to run on our Christmas layout.

Hope this helps a might.

PCRR/Dave

I think you'll find the CAB1L is the more robust controller.  The CAB2 has a couple of LCD screens and some other controls that are occasionally troublesome.  The much greater complexity of the CAB2 is bound to affect it's MTBF.  I think you may just have some CAB1's that are just dying of old age.  I have a couple of CAB1's and command bases I use for testing, they've been dropped, abused, and generally not treated well, they're still ticking.  I did replace the antenna on one with a rubber ducky antenna.  I don't have a lot of issues with the CAB2's, but I'm just suggesting that if you don't need the capabilities of the CAB2, I'd go with the simpler, and doubtless sturdier option.

I replied in a separate post inquiring about how to contact GUNS an GGG as recommended by PCRR Dave. Response came back asking where original post is.  This is it

The big issue with fixing a CAB1 is that parts are the wild card.  Dale Manquen used to fix them, don't know if he still does.  His website says he does, and I know he really knows his way around the TMCC set.  TMCC Controller Repairs - Trainfacts.