LC+ Multi-Remote

Wow

Thank you xrayvizen for the update and Marty for the photo.  

The way I run I do not want to use a single remote to control all the locos I run at once - I want to have one remote for each loco.  Still, I will buy one at least, perhaps  three, depending on the fine print . . .   

This provides a nice backup should any of my remote units be lost or damaged, or for when I might have problems and need to diagnose if the problem is the loco or the remote.  Whether I need one or three will depend on how they can be programmed: all I need is a backup, so if it is easy to "program" the unit to control any one loco, then I need just one to backup all my LC+ locos.  But if the unit is difficult to program or can only be set that one initial time to talk to, say, loco # 674, then I would need to get three, since I will, when pre-orders are taken into account, have nine.  

Either way, I won't be using it every day to control my locos.  It falls into the category of products with MTH's excellent Parts Maintenance Kit: you hope you never need to use it, but you know you will.

I will definitely buy one of these, and maybe two. I listened to the Notch6 podcast and it sounds like Lionel has plans to further develop the LC+ line. This is an exciting development and I'm looking forward to what Lionel will come up with in the future.

So, is it only for LC+ locomotives, not other LC ones?  And how would you program it?

I wanted to chime in, as mentioned in the podcast there are some technical details that are still fluid. The locomotives are pretty easy to program in and out of the remote. Reminded me of setting a radio station preset in your car. We're going to have a quick followup on the remote after York and will hopefully have more details then. 

Outstanding!

Looking forward to hearing more.

It should make folks happy. It does sound easy to pair an engine to the remote. When you switch between engines, the previous engine will continue at the speed it was set before you switched. 

The LC+ remote looked pretty cool, and does seem to program easily for any LC+ locomotive.  I guess Lionel heard us.

John. Good seeing you this week.

Same here Marty, always enjoy the trips to York.  I'm sure glad it's close, this one was a winner, good weather, no traffic, and great friends.

It seems that Lionel has found itself caught in that age old trap of two ways to do the same thing with plusses and minuses on both sides. History tells us that only one usually survives, with some exceptions. Examples are Betamax and VHS. A more recent example is plasma TV versus LCD with plasma slowly phasing out. An exception is PC's versus MAC's which seem to co-exist. Over time, the lower cost method always seems to win. 

Bob,

 If you are suggesting that Lionel will likely opt to discontinue Legacy/TMCC control systems and locomotives in the future in favor of the LC+ system, that will be when I have purchased my LAST new Lionel Locomotive.

 While this multi remote may be a step in the right direction, I still do not support the whole LC/LC+ concept.

 What Lionel really needs to have, and SADLY DID HAVE, is a modular electronics system, that allows the user to select what electronics package they want. Lionel as far back as at least 1998 offered locomotives that were available as Command or Command UPGRADEABLE, as well as those that were Rail Sounds upgradeable also. I recently upgraded a Lionel GP7, it was VERY SIMPLE, remove the shell, unplug the existing board and plug in the R2LC board, reinstall shell, it was less than a 10 minute screwdriver, NO SOLDERING project. There is no reason that this same system could not be brought back and the conventional board, and TMCC boards be put back into production, as well as developing an LC+ board. Produce locomotives with the conventional board (should be the cheapest board) install the LC+ board in set locomotives, and offer the TMCC(and Hopefully Legacy boards, eventually)for separate sale. That would allow the same locomotive to be appealing to the greatest number of potential customers, I don't see how it could do anything but increase sales. There are a LOT of products that I have passed on simply because of the hassle of upgrading to TMCC, simply made them not worth the effort or expense, of upgrading.

 I do Hope that Lionel is listening, because as much as I like their products, they are making fewer and fewer products that I am interested in. The modular electronics system mentioned above would change that, IF I could EASILY install the electronics package that I want. Lionel had this system nearly 20 YEARS ago, and through some poor decisions discontinued it.

Progress does not always move in the best direction,

Doug

Its not a trap. It's the natural result of technological progress and just about ever company with technical product faces it.  You have an established product with older technology that is well developed and satisfactory.  But there is a new technology or capability, and you know you have to jump on that two.  So you bring out a new system and have two.  If you are good, over time you blend them or merge them so no one is left out in the cold.  If you aren't good, you lose customers and are out in the cold yourself.  Time will tell with Lionel, but I think they have played it just about perfectly so far. 

I find myself half agreeing and half disagreeing with Doug (Challenger).  I think Lionel has mostly set its self for replacing conventional only with LC+ offerings, and then having legacy offer full feature sets that require quite a bit more internal electronics.  There just aren't many cross compatible modules/parts in the mix when making the circuit most efficient.  

What I'd really like to see is a 2.4GHz replacement R2LC (or legacy equivalent. (r4lc?)) board and a transmitter that plugs into the serial port on the command base  This leaves the system just as it is for anyone that likes it, and for what should cost no more that $30 you could have the option to stop caring about ground planes and weak signals.  on this same sort of idea, It seems that a R2LC to LC+ board would be really quick and easy to design and produce, allowing any old TMCC locomotive to be turned int0 a LC+ (minus cruise.), for not much more than the current cost of a replacement remote. 

Excellent point. It addresses the lost/damaged remote concern that many have expressed.

There's a better chance that the moon will leave orbit. Big Mike has said that Legacy will be their premier (not that premier) control system and the LC+ is the lower tier for operators looking for a simpler system, or persons starting out. And Lionel is continuing to invest in the Legacy system, such as the new infrared sensor system.

Since there has been no answer to this question, I'll ask it again as well. When I bought my LionChief+ loco, the dealer said the difference between LC and LC+ was that the LC+ had the ability to switch to and run on conventional power as well as the radio remote, while the LC could not run with conventional control (ie: no electronic e-unit). Hopefully, the new "Multi-Mote" will be able to see the radios in the LC locos as well as LC+, but does anyone really know for sure? Since I have both types of locos, whether the Multi-Mote can work with both types of locos or not, will be a deal-breaker for me...

Bill in FtL

Currently LC+. Looking into LC compatibility. 

Well, true, but not the whole story.  LC is a remote control.  LC+ is an entirely different system that has cruise, more precise control, etc.  MUCH, better control and performance.