CAB-2 vs CAB-1L/BASE-1L

The biggest different is probably the CAB2L has a display and slider buttons. The CAB1L lacks both of these.

Functionally, they're pretty similar. You can quill whistles/horns better with the CAB2.

It's easier to see:

   Cab-1

  Cab-1L

  Cab-2

All of these can provide conventional control, but they all need help to do so.

To provide variable voltage to the track for conventional control of either Lionel or MTH you need to add a PowerMaster of some sort, or a new transformer that has PowerMaster functionality built-in (a ZW-C or ZW-L).  PowerMasters translate the command from the cab and base to the variable voltage necessary at the track for conventional control.  There are several of them:

• PM-1
• TPC 300 and 400, of two series (one each from IC Controls and Lionel)
• Legacy PowerMasters (180 and 360)

Mike

Are there many differences in operation and functions ?

Can they operate trains in both command and conventional mode

in conventional mode will they operate both lionel and mth ?

@pphegena posted:

in conventional mode will they operate both lionel and mth ?

With the addition of the Legacy PowerMaster, you can operate the MTH DCS locomotives in conventional mode.

They will not operate MTH DCS in command mode.

I'm still a bit confused on the differences as well, specifically which remotes are compatible with which bases.

Hi Everyone i need some help

I have the 180 watt Powerhouse

I was going to look for the 6-37147 Legacy command set which consists of the Cab-1L remote controller (6-37155) and the Cab-1L Command base (6-37156)

I called lionel and they said they no longer have the Cab-1L base only the cab-1L remote controller, so if i got the Cab-1L remote controller what base could i use ? i plan to also add a powermaster so i can operate on both command mode and conventional mode.

regards

Prentice

@pphegena posted:

Hi Everyone i need some help

I called lionel and they said they no longer have the Cab-1L base only the cab-1L remote controller, so if i got the Cab-1L remote controller what base could i use ?

regards

Prentice

You have 3 options of which 2 are no longer produced.  Base1L and a Legacy Base will work with a Cab1L if you can locate them.  Both are no longer produced but may be found on the secondary market.  The other option will be the new and yet to be released Base3. 

@BlueComet400 posted:

I'm still a bit confused on the differences as well, specifically which remotes are compatible with which bases.

Cab-1 only works with the Base-1.

Cab-1L works with the existing Base-1L, and Base-2, and the upcoming Base-3.

Cab-2 works with the existing Base-2 and the upcoming Base-3.  (It may also work with the existing Base-1L but I've never tried it.  Anyone know?)

Mike

@pphegena posted:

Hi Everyone i need some help

I have the 180 watt Powerhouse

I was going to look for the 6-37147 Legacy command set which consists of the Cab-1L remote controller (6-37155) and the Cab-1L Command base (6-37156)

I called lionel and they said they no longer have the Cab-1L base only the cab-1L remote controller, so if i got the Cab-1L remote controller what base could i use ? i plan to also add a powermaster so i can operate on both command mode and conventional mode.

regards

Prentice

Cab1L blue remote uses 2.4GHz communications to the base.  Sold as a set (matching base) or separate sale. http://www.lionel.com/products...command-set-6-37147/

Includes

• 637155 CAB1L Remote Controller
• 637156 Base1L

Bases that support 2.4GHz:

• 637156 Base1L http://www.lionel.com/products...trol-base-1l-6-37156
• 6-14295 Legacy 990 (Set)- Technically the Legacy base was never sold as a separate listed item http://www.lionel.com/products...command-set-6-14295/
  
• CAB 3 base- not yet released

Base that WILL NOT WORK with a CAB-1L 2.4GHz remote because these use 27MHz AM radio frequency

• 6-12911  TMCC Command Base http://www.lionel.com/products...ommand-base-6-12911/

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

(It may also work with the existing Base-1L but I've never tried it.  Anyone know?)

Mike

No it will not.  There is no database for it to connect to.

Also, do not get confused- the Legacy 993 set includes a base but it is charging only. No communications electronics.

http://www.lionel.com/products...pansion-set-6-14294/

It looks like a Legacy base, but again, has no connections other than power, no antenna, and no way for it to be a Legacy base. The remote is a Genuine CAB2 to be used with either a Legacy 990 base or the new CAB3 base.

@MartyE posted:

There is no database for it to connect to.

This makes perfect sense when you think about it.

Thanks.

Mike

Great summary and thanks to all contributors.  As I grow older (but not wiser) waiting for the CAB 3, I occasionally wonder if I should pull the trigger on a Cab 1L and base 1L.  I guess I could sell the base 1L if the CAB 3 ever arrives.

@hokie71 posted:

As I grow older (but not wiser) waiting for the CAB 3, I occasionally wonder if I should pull the trigger on a Cab 1L and base 1L.  I guess I could sell the base 1L if the CAB 3 ever arrives.

It may be too late to pull the trigger on the BASE1L, they've disappeared from the retail channel now.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

It may be too late to pull the trigger on the BASE1L, they've disappeared from the retail channel now.

I think you are right; the cow is out of the barn on that one.  (from a few days ago...)

I saw a CAB1-L for sale at a hobby store this past weekend.  Contact me through my profile and I'll let you know where I saw it.  Maybe they would ship it to you???

@DaveGG posted:

I saw a CAB1-L for sale at a hobby store this past weekend.  Contact me through my profile and I'll let you know where I saw it.  Maybe they would ship it to you???

What he really needs it the BASE1L, lots of places have the CAB1L, and it'll still be produced.

Right.  I think it was a set (hand held and base)

Not trying to hijack the thread but what is the difference between the cab 1 and the cab 1L? They look nearly identical.  I'm not interested in understanding which bases do they connect to, rather what can one handheld do that the other can't?

John

@jbmccormick posted:

Not trying to hijack the thread but what is the difference between the cab 1 and the cab 1L? They look nearly identical.  I'm not interested in understanding which bases do they connect to, rather what can one handheld do that the other can't?

John

I assume this thread still accurate

https://ogrforum.com/topic/cab1-vs-cab1l

@jbmccormick posted:

Not trying to hijack the thread but what is the difference between the cab 1 and the cab 1L? They look nearly identical.  I'm not interested in understanding which bases do they connect to, rather what can one handheld do that the other can't?

John,

You can't simply dismiss the bases.  The handhelds can't do much without a base.  And which one they use makes a difference.

Cab and Base work as a team.

Mike

@jbmccormick posted:

Not trying to hijack the thread but what is the difference between the cab 1 and the cab 1L? They look nearly identical.  I'm not interested in understanding which bases do they connect to, rather what can one handheld do that the other can't?

John

I agree the base comes into play. That said they look and work identically. The difference is no more poke your eye out antenna.

Again, the reason the base and other details come into play is the rest of the system. Example the pre-legacy powermasters- receive the direct radio signal (27MHz) from the remote. Conversely, the Legacy Powermasters (blue) listen for the 455KHz TMCC/Legacy radio signal on the track from a base.

Again, the old way- a Cab1 grey w/ poke your eye out antenna, can talk directly to an early Powermaster- no base involved.

A Cab1L blue remote- can't do anything without a base. Literally nothing. It must communicate with a 2.4GHz capable base- CAB1L base (blue), Legacy 990 Base, or the new CAB3 base.

I wasn't clear enough in my initial post.  I bought the cab1 and cab1 base when I first got into trains.  Subsequently, I purchased the cab2 and cab 2 base, when it came out.  Once I bought the cab2, I stopped using the cab1. I was more curious as to the different between the cab1 and the cab1L.  @hokie71 shared a thread that answered that question perfectly.  @Mellow Hudson Mike, you are 100% correct in what you stated.

Is a Cab 2 remote compatible with a Base 1-L?

@BlueComet400 posted:

Is a Cab 2 remote compatible with a Base 1-L?

No, because Base1L is legacy lite- the lite part- no database.

This database is what tells the remote to display the different icon screens for a given ID slot in the database.

Ok, thanks. So, for a Cab 2 remote, it's a Base 2 or Base 3, if/when it arrives, correct? On the other hand, is a Cab 1-L remote compatible with a Base 2?

@BlueComet400 posted:

Ok, thanks. So, for a Cab 2 remote, it's a Base 2 or Base 3, if/when it arrives, correct? On the other hand, is a Cab 1-L remote compatible with a Base 2?

Yes it is.