I'm interesting in buying a backup TIU. Don't know much about the different revisions. Currently have a REV. L and run proto sound 3.0 locos. Will the older units work with the newer locos and which of the older units are reliable and which should be avoided. Anybody know if MTH is gonna fish or cut bait when it comes to producing a newer version of the tiu.
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The new TIU that MTH is producing will NOT be compatible with the DCS Remote, it'll only work with WiFi smart devices. If that doesn't turn you off, I think they may actually produce that one.
As for used ones, the one for sure to avoid is the original Rev. G (just an FCC ID on the bottom). Any TIU can be updated to the current software, and they'll all run any DCS locomotive.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:The new TIU that MTH is producing will NOT be compatible with the DCS Remote, it'll only work with WiFi smart devices. If that doesn't turn you off, I think they may actually produce that one.
As for used ones, the one for sure to avoid is the original Rev. G (just an FCC ID on the bottom). Any TIU can be updated to the current software, and they'll all run any DCS locomotive.
Well, it all depends on what you consider “compatible” John. The new tiu will not be able to remotely communicate with a handheld, however, according to MTH, you can tether a remote to the new tiu and operate ps2/3 engines. For those of us without huge layouts like gunrunner John’s, this may work out fine. For example, on my little pike, I sit in one place in front of my control panel and operate everything. No problem for me operating a remote with a 10 foot phone cord tethered to it. You could say the new tiu is quite “compatible” with my style of handheld operation. In fact, I’m looking forward to having the ability to use my smart phone along with a tethered remote on the new tiu I have on order.
When I think of a "remote", I don't think of a cable lashing me to the control box. 
Also, I wouldn't be so quick as to assume the old remote will be supported.
Some information I saw recently suggests that the remote jack is being replaced by an Ethernet connection, that may spell the doom of connecting the existing remote to the new box. From the thread WELCOME TO THE 27th DCS USER GROUP MEETING. The removal of the remote input jack suggests that the idea of supporting the old remote in any form has been abandoned.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:When I think of a "remote", I don't think of a cable lashing me to the control box.
Some information I saw recently suggests that the remote jack is being replaced by an Ethernet connection, that may spell the doom of connecting the existing remote to the new box. From the thread WELCOME TO THE 27th DCS USER GROUP MEETING. The removal of the remote input jack suggests that the idea of supporting the old remote in any form has been abandoned.
Yes, but the product description for the new wtiu states that the DCS remote will work with it, but only when tethered, and one of the mth guys confirmed this when previewing the new wtiu. Unless you know that they have reneged on that and pre sold all those wtius with incorrect information, I would think the remote tether input is on the other side, just like was said in the thread you linked to. From the DCS summary post in the link - “An important thing to be aware of is the new WTIU will NOT include a 900MHz radio. Therefore, it will not communicate via radio with existing DCS remotes. The product description for the WTIU notes that the DCS remote will work with the WTIU, but only when tethered. That implies that the "REMOTE INPUT" jack will be relocated to the opposite end of the WTIU.”
If your fears are correct, and they have an incorrect product description, that would be a deal breaker and force me to cancel my order. However, I’ll give mth the benefit of your doubt for now.
You may be right, I just remembered seeing the jack changed for the Ethernet. 
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