I am a beginner just starting out. I have a DCS Wifi companion on the way. Do I also need the DCS companion 3rd edition as well? or does the DCS Wifi companion cover everything a beginner would need?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
DOCHAB,
I do not have the DCS WIFI Companion, however I seriously doubt it contains the full over all educational information of the real DCS O Gauge Companion.
PCRR/Dave
First, thank you for purchasing The DCS WiFi Companion. This book is intended for any DCS operator that is using the DCS App and not the DCS Remote. If you're controlling your layout using only the DCS App, any version (free, Standard or Premium), this book is all that you need to completely master DCS and to get the most out of it.
The book is written solely from the point of view of the DCS App and explains everything that you need to know (and more!) to maximize your DCS experience using MTH's WiFi approach.
The DCS Companion, on the other hand, is written to do the same thing for the DCS operator who only uses the DCS Remote. While it does include an introduction to the free and Standard versions of the DCS App, these versions of the app only support control of individual DCS engines.They don't come close to what the Premium version of the app can do.
The reason that there are two books instead of one book that encompasses both the remote and the app is due to the very different way that the two control methods operate a layout. The human interface of the two methods are completely dissimilar and it would have been necessary to present every aspect of actually controlling a layout twice, in two different formats. This would have caused any such book to be close to 400 pages and would have provided a confusing presentation. Additionally, the price of a print copy of the book would have been close to $50.
If you plan to operate DCS using the DCS App, you made the right choice. 
Dave,
I do not have the DCS WIFI Companion, however I seriously doubt it contains the full over all educational information of the real DCS O Gauge Companion.
You may doubt all that you like, however, you would be absolutely incorrect!
Both books contain the same level of basic and advanced understanding of DCS, and discuss in the same level of detail how to plan, implement, operate, and troubleshoot a DCS layout.
Be assured that I understand that you're a devoted DCS Remote user and aren't interested in using the DCS App, and I completely respect your opinion. However, I aimed the new book at those who are entering the DCS world through the WiFi door and would have been derelict in the writing of the new book if I didn't provide these new arrivals with the same level of information as is in the original book.
Further, I don't mind in the least which book someone purchases, as long as they purchase at least one!
Barry, thank you so very much for your clear reply. You left me without any further questions. Fantastic !
Looking forward to the books arrival.
Thanks again, Dochab
