buying a dcs system

rtarnofsky,

    I do believe Dave owner of Bill & Walts in White Oak, Pa has a DCS in his glass show case $299.00.  You can find him on the web.

PCRR/Dave 

I saw that Trainworld and Charles Ro had them both late last week. Maybe check with the 

Maybe a silly comment, but have you tried the product locators or checked with some of the sponsors?

Kevin 

I haven't heard any rumors or facts regarding any change to the DCS TIU, AIU, and remote. 

Laidoffsick,

I guess its true, no stores carry stock anymore, I guess ill have to preorder it. I really like your layout by the way, great roundhouse!

Pine Creek Railroad, 

Thanks for the suggestion, but that is a 5 and a half hour drive from me in central NJ. Too bad it is not closer

PSU1980, 

i checked both online stores and both are sold out and on back order.

RJR,

That is good to know for the future

Thank You

Ryan

Since they obviously do mail-order, why not call them and see if they'll ship it?

gunrunnerjohn,

Thanks I didn't think of that I will call them tomorrow

I have one DCS system left at $299.99, call me at the store on Monday and its yours.

Pat

PATRICK'S TRAINS

304-232-0714

E-MAIL PATSTRAINS@AOL.COM

PATSTRAINS,

Sounds good, where is your store located?

There are supposedly changes coming, but not to the existing electronics themselves as far as I know.  They are adding a plug-in wireless interface so that you can control things with your phone/tablet instead of the remote.  I'm actually kind-of looking forward to it.  

I do have a piece of advice that the OP isn't going to like - buy two TIUs.  I've had a couple of issues with my original and fortunately, it was repairable, but it always seemed to cut out at the worst possible time (around the holidays, with lots of train related stuff going on) and as you've noticed, they can be hard to find.   I'm not advocating you do it all at once, but having two has saved my bacon at least once or twice.  

Another piece of advice:  I have nothing but anecdotal evidence to back this up, but since I switched to powering the TIU through the AUX power port instead of the Fixed Channel 1 inputs, my problems have ceased.  

rtarnofsky,

    Patrick is in Wheeling WV, my Legacy Shay came from his store to my door.

PCRR/Dave

Please call MTH directly. They will advise you on where you might purchase the DCS system. They are available and they are being produced/manufactured.

I might add that MTH has a fine reputation of helping out their customers. I also realize not everyone will have the same experience(s) that I have had with MTH. Be that as it may, I am sure they can help you out so you can secure that DCS system.

Good Luck, Pete

50-1001 is supposed to be back in stock at MTH on Saturday 12/20 

Team,

Remember, more TIU's mean you need to read and set the remote controller to Super TIU. Second, if you have not upgraded the remote and base to the latest version your missing out. The software is 4.3 I think. Plus their is a difference in the old TIU's and Version L, the new ones. I have 2 TIU's and only use one. Also, remember,  you need to size your layout and out the power drops in the right spots as well as install the little light.

I also use TMCC on the same layout and no major issues other than the bigger you get the more complex it gets

Oh, I don't run two TIU's.  My layout isn't large enough.  I keep one as a hot spare.  One of these days I'll get around to using it for sound file upgrades and such.  Just not today 

I can also vouch for Pat.  He's close by for me, and I've been in almost weekly for the last couple of months.  Really good people.  

PSU, there is absolutely no problem is using different editions of the TIU at the same time on the same layout.  It is only with software that all units, both TIUs and remotes, should be the same.

Not exactly, we have older TIU's and and newer TIU's on the same layout and this has caused major headaches for us. We pulled all 5 - then used Rev L saw problems, then we downgraded the TIU's and saw more problem. We have not used a combo of old and new because you will get an RF out of Range message.

We have upgraded member and club remotes with new software to ensure we were on top of things.  With that said our experience depending on the day, is no go, go, or great. We are now doing a complete electrical review.

Bottom line, per MTH if you have a newer Version of DCS you can't use the older version TIU at the same time. I believe I read that in the upgrade instructions. I will check but why would you use conflicting versions?

MTH sells to dealers only so you will need to use the product locator or ask a sponsor

per MTH if you have a newer Version of DCS you can't use the older version TIU at the same time.

Absolutely incorrect!  I use two Rev Gs--the first issue--with DCS 4.3.  There is no conflict. 

In response to your last question, Why would you but a new TIU whenever DCS was upgraded?

you may not have issues with G but try it with L, their are issues

Re-read your statement I quoted.  You said that if one uses a newer version of DCS, which means the software, you can't use an old TIU.  I said that the newest versions (and I've used all versions over the years) work fine on old edition TIUs.

I did not get a call from rtarnofsky so I sold the DCS system yesterday.

Thanks

Pat

PATRICK'S TRAINS

142 29TH STREET

WHEELING WV 26003

304-232-0714

WWW.PATSTRAINS.COM

E-MAIL PATSTRAINS@AOL.COM

Latest version of DCS will be in stock again this week. Thanks!

The product locator list 30 dealers that have the DCS Remote Control Set 50-1001 in stock.  One in Wildwood NJ.  There are more then 30 dealers with Z4000's.

there is a problem with the new rev L units. we have replaced all them with older version tiu's for the time being. I would wait until they get this right.

There's one that almost brand new from Third Rail Mike on the Buy Sell Forum.

Scott Smith

JohnS, can you elucidate us as to the nature of the problem?

Back in September, when I was looking for a DCS Set I did not have much luck.  So I ended up buying the TIU and Remote from two different sellers on the Bay.  They were a bit more expensive that way but that was the market.  The TIU was "REV L" and I took it to my local Hobby Shop and had their repair guy update the software for a nominal fee. Both units are wrapped and under the Christmas tree as a gifts from my son and daughter. 

As it turns out my old club had several TIU's and Remotes all of which were donated to my current club.  The TIU's needed some work and upgrading but we have a member that "may" be able to repair them.  As far as I know, the remotes are functional.  But nobody has tested them yet as the club just got them a week ago.

My point is search on-line.  They are out there.

I found mine locally in Butler County, Pennsylvania at $250 back on March 31st.  That is the TIU and remote set.  I thought it was a good price, I had the money, so I snatched it up.  Of course as I started to type, that is longer ago than I thought.  Supply could be way down by now.

Mark,

   There are some still available, look around if you can still get one for $250.00

you will be lucky.

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

I just take it from this topic that for once I made my purchasing decision at the right time.  Either I pay too much, or more often I wait too long and then can't find one.  

Oh well, it is a hobby.  I don't have to have anything; but it is fun.  

Mark,

   No doubt you purchased at the right time, the cost back then was slightly less

and some of the businesses were being effected by the competition to supply

the DCS's, it worked out well for the consumer during that time.  Now it's kind of the opposite situation, the supply is lean and cost has gone up. 

Yes this is a hobby but I still shop around for the best deals, our hobby has never been

very inexpensive to begin with.

PCRR/Dave