Is the LCS STM2 available yet?

Early next year if not end of this year according to the notes from the Legacy Users Group meeting.

Was there any discussion on the price point?  I hope its not another $90 or more for this one.  Seems like it would just make sense to offer an ASC3 with the STM2 built right into it rather than having to run several wires.  Seems like most people who would use the LCS app would want/need the STM2 functionality to really make the app work properly.

The need for this gadget is a bit of a bummer.
It takes away from the wireless elegance of the tmcc fastrack turnouts. I realize why it's needed but would have liked for this function to have been built into the switches.

Regardless of where you put the transmitter of the status, the customer has to pay for it. So one module versus 10 to 30 transmitters seems to make more sense.

I have to disagree with that line of thinking. That's like saying "you don't need to eliminate an asc controller because you would have to put a tmcc transmitter in every switch, only 1 transmitter makes sense instead of 10 to 20." The point of paying more for command switches is to eliminate wiring them up. If you have to then wire them up to make them really work with LCS, then it kind of defeats the purpose. It would make sense to include the necessary hardware inside the switch to handle this.  

It's not like that actually.

But to answer your original question, the STM2 is not on the shipping schedule yet.

In my opinion, the design philosophy behind any Fastrack components should be targeted to the "full command carpet empires." Thus, wiring should be minimized and everything should be very plug and play. Carpet running is a natural step before the commitment of a permanent layout can be made but it needs to be more than just a simple loop in order to maintain interest. That's why we need TMCC uncoupler and operating track sections just like the TMCC turnouts, integrated signal system (like Z-stuff). Wiring everything back to SC-2's, when on the floor, is not an acceptable option.

The residual result is that you then have a system that will even be attractive to the permanent layout builder simply due to the limited wiring needs.

I agree with all. I was commenting on the existing system which is a one way street. There is no technology in the system that I know of to allow a device, command controlled or otherwise to wirelessly send information back to the base. And command controlled switches are not wireless. They receive data thru the outside rail and house ground system. Just like an engine.

It would require a new version of the base as well as transmission from the switches.

So what we are talking about is a completely new system.

There may be some way to put wifi in every command controlled switch to transmit status to the LCS wifi module. That's the only bidirectional wireless thing in the system...I think.

Would be nice, even individual wireless controllers would be super but it's all about marketing and costs.

The STM2 requires one wire from each switch, the wire that carries the Red/Green data to the LEDs in the switch controllers. 

 

I agree a TMCC uncoupler and operating track would be a good addition to the product line - I have pitched this concept a few times to the marketing folks.

 

However as stated by the forumites, there are some things that don't work wireless for feedback to the base. The STM2 is only a single wire for feedback, that is the best I could accomplish with supporting the product that already was in the field.

 

Oh yes, I remembered that one and then forgot it. No idea if a command switch could send data to the base that way and change status of a switch on LCS...but why...just send the status to the wifi module directly. Not that it would be likely either.

Yes and thank you. I did bring all my switches 4 wires back to the control area connector strips, to SC-2s, and controllers. So I'm ready with the single wire.

In the end, i'm just glad they did at least offer a solution to fix the problem of LCS not recognizing inadvertent switch position changes.  Whether it made it into the switches themselves or not, at least we have a fix and we can thank them for that.

Yes, guys, don't get me wrong. I appreciate the products that Jon and the team are developing. I just hope that, as the system grows, it maintains the idea of "plug and play" simplicity.