Cab3 App wish list

@Andy Hummell posted:

A feature I would like would be the option, in settings, to have a confirmation on the emergency halt button so that it is harder to trigger by accident.  Or maybe just a requirement that the button be held for a second or two.

Andy

This is great. I’d like a soft halt like if you hit it twice and have PowerMasters or TPC’s it just stops the locomotives and doesn’t cut power abruptly. A single hit could still do the normal system halt. (It’d be nice if the remotes did this also)

Here are a few ideas I have had bouncing around in my head the last few days:

1. I really like the idea of incorporating a video feed from the various cameras into the Cab3 app.  The next iteration would be to have the app screen image of the interior of the locomotive cab (and windows looking out) with controls (throttle, brake, whistle/horn, bell) so you could operate the loco with prototypical (albeit on a screen) levers, valves, meters, etc. while being able to have a first person point of view forward from the cab via the camera.  How fun would it be if you had to monitor boiler pressure, water levels, fuel usage, adjusting for an incline, etc. while viewing your layout from inside the loco cab?

2. I'd love to see the ability to send the engine sounds to a separate sound system via bluetooth.  This may or may not be possible with the Base3.  It would be nice to send the sounds to a system/speaker/sub that could handle lower frequencies that the small speakers are incapable of.  I think the loco should still provide some sound so you can get some sense of audio locality, but the lower omnidirectional frequencies could be handled by a subwoofer below the layout.

3. Another fun idea is to have different user interfaces for accessories.  For example, once you select a gantry crane, the interface would look like the control panel for a gantry crane and you would use those levers and buttons to control the crane.  I think the flexibility offered by an app based remote is a real advantage moving forward.

4. @Dave Olson thanks for all of the hard work you and the Lionel team put into this new system, while maintaining complete backwards compatibility.  I think you all hit the nail on the head with this one.

JD, those are all slick ideas and really do highlight the advantages of a software remote versus a hardware remote. Having Lionel dedicate resources (dollars and engineering effort) to fun new remote features like you suggest will be better in the long term than using the same resources to keep an ancient remote alive. I continue to warm to the idea of giving up my Cab2s……

In all generalities, the new Cab3 app, Command System sounds great, however, for years, Lionel has repaired our Cab 2 systems for Free, my thoughts would be to keep all of the Necessary parts in stock and charge a minimal fee for the repairs needed in the future for anyone wanting to continue using their Cab 2 remotes. This is 2022, and many folks are just now getting comfortable with the Legacy System, so, changing habits are sometimes more difficult with age. This is just my thoughts, some of the monies used to add new products might be diverted to keep the tried and true old products working. If they can fix the new CW80 transformers to be more reliable, they can do the same with the Cab 2.  We have been Lionel customers for many years, which is part of their very successful story. Customer satisfaction should be Job 1. Happy Railroading Everyone

Since users of the original TMCC System can connect the TMCC Command Base to the Legacy Command Base with the included Y-Cable, I would like to see the new Base 3 include a cable to connect to the Legacy Command Base. Also, perhaps the USB connector on the new Base 3 could be used to charge a phone, too.

Wish I had found this thread sooner-

I may be in the minority (or the singularity?) on this one, but the narrow speed slider seems like something that could become difficult to control quickly and reliably via small phone screen. It's not a nice big slider like the bluetooth app has.

Can the option to select a classic speed dial adjuster in the spirit of the real Cab-2 be available as an alternative control (and not a replacement) to the narrow slider seen in the app pictures?

It would be nice to have the big red “L” dial and have it audibly "click" with every notch to create the illusion of something physically turning on the screen, via “haptic feedback”, if possible. In theory this might allow an operator to feel his/her way around the touch "dial" as opposed to having to look away from the train to move a really narrow, crowded, slider up and down on what may be too-small a smart device display (for a phone user).

Just an idea. Probably a lousy one, maybe an impossible one, but hopefully someone can run with it and make something not so lousy out of it..... Or not.

@leapinlarry posted:

In all generalities, the new Cab3 app, Command System sounds great, however, for years, Lionel has repaired our Cab 2 systems for Free, my thoughts would be to keep all of the Necessary parts in stock and charge a minimal fee for the repairs needed in the future for anyone wanting to continue using their Cab 2 remotes. This is 2022, and many folks are just now getting comfortable with the Legacy System, so, changing habits are sometimes more difficult with age. This is just my thoughts, some of the monies used to add new products might be diverted to keep the tried and true old products working. If they can fix the new CW80 transformers to be more reliable, they can do the same with the Cab 2.  We have been Lionel customers for many years, which is part of their very successful story. Customer satisfaction should be Job 1. Happy Railroading Everyone

On the Train World catalog show Ryan and Dave said they would repair Cab2s until they run out of parts.

MaryE, I know what Dave Olson says,  I read that they would repair our Cab 2’s if parts are available, my concern, keep the parts manufactured and simply charge us for the repairs, this way, those that want the best way to operate Legacy our Legacy steamers and diesels with the best walk around hand held will be able to. I feel they can purchase the parts if they want to. We live in the Best of Times for our Hobby, it just takes getting an order Approved. I feel the parts can be made, it’s only money. Happy Railroading Everyone

I saw some comments about being able to have multiple engines up at once on the app screen. If this is not feasable, I would like tabs somewhere of every engine that is running. That way, you could just click on the tab and open that engine for commands.

Of course, I would really like to be able to easily control DCS with Legacy, but I know that I can wish in one hand...

@Dylan the Train Man posted:

Since users of the original TMCC System can connect the TMCC Command Base to the Legacy Command Base with the included Y-Cable, I would like to see the new Base 3 include a cable to connect to the Legacy Command Base.

Why? I just see this confusing more people. The only reason for the TMCC base to be attached is to allow Cab-1 remotes to still send commands. The new Base 3 receives commands directly from a Cab-2 or Cab-1L no need for a middle man base.

@leapinlarry posted:

MaryE, I know what Dave Olson says,  I read that they would repair our Cab 2’s if parts are available, my concern, keep the parts manufactured and simply charge us for the repairs, this way, those that want the best way to operate Legacy our Legacy steamers and diesels with the best walk around hand held will be able to. I feel they can purchase the parts if they want to. We live in the Best of Times for our Hobby, it just takes getting an order Approved. I feel the parts can be made, it’s only money. Happy Railroading Everyone

Larry,

I think you're missing something very important here: They can't get the parts, and/or can't convince another manufacturer to make them.  The existing suppliers have already stopped, or will soon stop production, primarily because no other industry or market needs them anymore.

There aren't enough potential customers for these parts in today's world.  If we are all that is left, at some point, it's not cost effective for them to continue.

This isn't just a toy trains problem, it's presently a problem for many, many industries and markets, because much of the world's production capacity has recently, and apparently suddenly, shifted away from existing electronics.  The manufacturers have transitioned to newer, higher-dollar stuff because of unprecedented demand.

These "new" parts, are both overkill for what we need, and much more expensive than what we need as a result.  Are you willing to pay three or four times more for a Cab-2 and Base-2 that use "new" parts in place of the old?

Finally, retrofitting existing Cab- and Base-2's is not an option because it's no less expensive.

Mike

@leapinlarry posted:

MaryE, I know what Dave Olson says,  I read that they would repair our Cab 2’s if parts are available, my concern, keep the parts manufactured and simply charge us for the repairs, this way, those that want the best way to operate Legacy our Legacy steamers and diesels with the best walk around hand held will be able to. I feel they can purchase the parts if they want to. We live in the Best of Times for our Hobby, it just takes getting an order Approved. I feel the parts can be made, it’s only money. Happy Railroading Everyone

Well, Dave also indicated that parts will become the issue. It is getting harder to get tech parts because things are being phased out. So, they will repair what they have parts for, but eventually they will be at a dead end. With the market moving into apps, that is where we all will eventually be getting into. No, I don't like it, but that is where things will be going to. It is just a question of time. Sorry Larry, but that is what Dave said is going to be the end result. I'm not ordering the Base 3 yet, but that is because I don't need it right now. Eventually it will be what we will require(most likely).

CAB3 App Feature Request....

The ability to assign commands to the volume up/down buttons on the side of my android phone. (and presumably iphones-I don't have one). It would be nice to control the speed of the engine or the train brake with those physical buttons.

I mentioned this request in another thread, I use the Big Red Button that plugs into the CAB2. I would really appreciate a blue tooth equipped Big Red Button that could pair with the CAB3 App so that my students can control Legacy engines.

I do hope for a dedicate App developer on the Lionel team.  You can only pull Dave in so many directions.

I wonder if the CAB3 App for Android will be as useless as the Bluetooth App is for Android.  I'm baffled as to why Lionel refuses to fix the App?

So my wish list is that it fully works for Android.

Anthony

@A. Wells posted:

I wonder if the CAB3 App for Android will be as useless as the Bluetooth App is for Android.  I'm baffled as to why Lionel refuses to fix the App?

So my wish list is that it fully works for Android.

Anthony

I wonder if the old Lionchief app will just go away all together.  The new CAB3 app I believe will also support running 3 Bluetooth engines directly from your phone without the BASE3. If this is the case, there is no point to using the old Lionchief app anymore, just get the CAB3 app and use the Bluetooth tab to run anything Bluetooth equipped.  Perhaps Dave Olsen can clear the air on this.

Mellow Hudson Mike, Thank you very much, I sincerely appreciate your answer to the reasoning on Why parts will not be available, I wish there were ways to keep the parts coming, however I will accept this answer. MartyE, knows how much we like operating our Legacy trains, with lash ups, and the great control it gives us while running our trains and our layouts.  I will order this new system, hopefully it will be easy to learn. This is a great thread, Legacy locomotives are so much fun to run. Happy Railroading Everyone

@H1000 posted:

I wonder if the old Lionchief app will just go away all together.  The new CAB3 app I believe will also support running 3 Bluetooth engines directly from your phone without the BASE3. If this is the case, there is no point to using the old Lionchief app anymore, just get the CAB3 app and use the Bluetooth tab to run anything Bluetooth equipped.  Perhaps Dave Olsen can clear the air on this.

You are correct according to that guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMVvi55ZPag  I'm assuming he's being truthful in the video.

However, I suspect in order to get the CAB3 app, you may have to have a BASE3.

That throttle on the CAB3 App looks difficult to control.  Too close to the edge and very slender.  There is also a lot of buttons on one screen.  While mine may not be pretty, it is functional.

I haven't heard or seen anywhere that the Cab3 app will be able to talk to TPC's so I can control track voltage for conventional locos. Maybe it is so obvious it will be there that it doesn't need to be said.

Also, on the Base 3 I wonder how it will connect to the first LSC device (for me that would be a SER2). There doesn't seem to be a place to connect the LCS Power Supply with DB9 Cable to the Base3. And I don't see a new cable in the catalog with a PDI (for the Base3) to PDI (on the LSC device) connection and power supply. Am I just too confused?

@JamesR posted:

I haven't heard or seen anywhere that the Cab3 app will be able to talk to TPC's so I can control track voltage for conventional locos. Maybe it is so obvious it will be there that it doesn't need to be said.

Also, on the Base 3 I wonder how it will connect to the first LSC device (for me that would be a SER2). There doesn't seem to be a place to connect the LCS Power Supply with DB9 Cable to the Base3. And I don't see a new cable in the catalog with a PDI (for the Base3) to PDI (on the LSC device) connection and power supply. Am I just too confused?

I, myself, wonder if they've thought all of this through.

Maybe I just figured out why there isn't a power supply needed for the connection between Base 3 and the first LCS.  Maybe the new Cab 3 puts out enough power for the LCS devices on the PDI line from the Base 3 to the first LCS device? Hope so, because those cables are available.

How about a default & customizable interface so people who choose too, can configure there remote interface how they would like.

@JamesR posted:

Maybe I just figured out why there isn't a power supply needed for the connection between Base 3 and the first LCS.  Maybe the new Cab 3 puts out enough power for the LCS devices on the PDI line from the Base 3 to the first LCS device? Hope so, because those cables are available.

Yes this is the case. Yes TPC's will work the same way as they do now.

@JamesR posted:

I haven't heard or seen anywhere that the Cab3 app will be able to talk to TPC's so I can control track voltage for conventional locos. Maybe it is so obvious it will be there that it doesn't need to be said.

Also, on the Base 3 I wonder how it will connect to the first LSC device (for me that would be a SER2). There doesn't seem to be a place to connect the LCS Power Supply with DB9 Cable to the Base3. And I don't see a new cable in the catalog with a PDI (for the Base3) to PDI (on the LSC device) connection and power supply. Am I just too confused?

The Base3 will talk to the TPCs using the SER2. The 3 PDI ports on the back will supply power for the LCS modules.

MartyE, so, I’m using 2 only 180 watt bricks through a TPC 400 to power my layout via Lionel first made BPC’s side 1, 20 blocks, and 2 only 180 watt bricks via the new 360 watt powerMaster  via Lionel first made BPC’s side 2. I turn on the TPC400 using Engine 4 , and the PowerMaster via Engine 3. This allows me to run conventional or TMCC/Legacy. My Question, being that I have the Cab 2 base and Cab 1 base connected with the Y cable. What do I need to do when I add Cab 3, and the Cab 3 app? Thank you very much. Happy Railroading Everyone

@leapinlarry posted:

MartyE, so, I’m using 2 only 180 watt bricks through a TPC 400 to power my layout via Lionel first made BPC’s side 1, 20 blocks, and 2 only 180 watt bricks via the new 360 watt powerMaster  via Lionel first made BPC’s side 2. I turn on the TPC400 using Engine 4 , and the PowerMaster via Engine 3. This allows me to run conventional or TMCC/Legacy. My Question, being that I have the Cab 2 base and Cab 1 base connected with the Y cable. What do I need to do when I add Cab 3, and the Cab 3 app? Thank you very much. Happy Railroading Everyone

You will need to get an SER2 connected via a pdi cable to base3 and configure it like a first LCS device then you will connect the cab1 base via the y cable to the SER2 and you will no longer use the cab2 base. There will be some other configuration for sure but since we do not have the base3 or cab3 app cannot confirm all the steps.

@Shawn Chronister, thank you for the information, I’m sure we will be able to make the Cab3 App Work with my system, it’s going to be fun. I will have to get the SER2 from my dealer. Happy Railroading Everyone

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

However, I suspect in order to get the CAB3 app, you may have to have a BASE3.

$29.95 for the app.

Would definitely like a way to see and easily access multiple engines at once…whether being able to have a split screen or multiple tabs to scroll thru.   An iPad version that maximizes the extra screen space would be awesome.

Off the wall wishlist item…. Aren’t switch IDs and routes stored in the base?   Would be cool to have a customizable track diagram and a way to designate the switches on screen.

@VJandP posted:

...An iPad ...

...Would be cool to have a customizable track diagram and a way to designate the switches on screen.

Sounds like you're talking about the Layout Control System (LCS)

https://www.lionel.com/lcs/

I'm still confused by LCS/CAB2/CAB3. You don't get that track layout view with CAB3?  What app exactly is the one with the track map and the switches on it?  CAB3 will control switches, I mean it has to, but will it have the map?

@Cathryn Mataga posted:

I'm still confused by LCS/CAB2/CAB3. You don't get that track layout view with CAB3?  What app exactly is the one with the track map and the switches on it?  CAB3 will control switches, I mean it has to, but will it have the map?

The Layout Control System has the map viewable on and controlled from an iPad.  You can read more about it here: https://www.lionel.com/lcs/

It currently requires the LCS app, and an LCS Module connected to either the Base2 or Base3.

The ability to assign specific ring tones and vibrate to desired CAB3 functions. I want to be able to operate basic functions without looking at my phone. For example, I want assign vibrate to the train brake so that when my thumb/ finger touches the image on the screen I would have that specific feedback indicating to me that I found the desired control. Might have to dial in a brief lag time from initial touch and rendering of command to account for accidental touches.

@SteveH posted:

Sounds like you're talking about the Layout Control System (LCS)

https://www.lionel.com/lcs/

That’s awesome! Thank you!

It's been a while since I released an update to High Rail. The latest version (3.6.0) now supports haptic feedback when adjusting an engine's speed using the "circular gesture". The gesture has always attempted to closely mimic the CAB2 remote speed wheel (even support for slow and high velocity speed changes). For devices that support haptic feedback, you'll now get that familiar "click" for every speed step change you make.

https://apps.apple.com/app/app...1?ct=highrailproject

For those unfamiliar with High Rail, you can read more about it here: https://highrailcompany.com/high-rail-app/

@Brian Coyner posted:

For those unfamiliar with High Rail, you can read more about it here: https://highrailcompany.com/high-rail-app/

I looked, only Apple devices, that leaves me out.

@Brian Coyner posted:

It's been a while since I released an update to High Rail. The latest version (3.6.0) now supports haptic feedback when adjusting an engine's speed using the "circular gesture". The gesture has always attempted to closely mimic the CAB2 remote speed wheel (even support for slow and high velocity speed changes). For devices that support haptic feedback, you'll now get that familiar "click" for every speed step change you make.

https://apps.apple.com/app/app...1?ct=highrailproject

For those unfamiliar with High Rail, you can read more about it here: https://highrailcompany.com/high-rail-app/

I tired this out and it does give a really nice feel to the throttle control very close to that of the Cab2 knob. 

@leapinlarry posted:

In all generalities, the new Cab3 app, Command System sounds great, however, for years, Lionel has repaired our Cab 2 systems for Free, my thoughts would be to keep all of the Necessary parts in stock and charge a minimal fee for the repairs needed in the future for anyone wanting to continue using their Cab 2 remotes. This is 2022, and many folks are just now getting comfortable with the Legacy System, so, changing habits are sometimes more difficult with age. This is just my thoughts, some of the monies used to add new products might be diverted to keep the tried and true old products working. If they can fix the new CW80 transformers to be more reliable, they can do the same with the Cab 2.  We have been Lionel customers for many years, which is part of their very successful story. Customer satisfaction should be Job 1. Happy Railroading Everyone

Maybe, A better idea is to design a new cab 2 remote!