Legacy command bases

Jeff, there have been a number of software upgrades over the years for the base and CAB2.  There was also some tweaking of the design a few years back, presumably because of parts being not available.  AFAIK, all the Legacy systems are equal as far as compatibility, I've heard or seen nothing to suggest otherwise.

Any Legacy system that's not at the original software version 1.0 can be field upgraded.  Systems with software 1.3 or later can write their own upgrade modules using the LSU (Legacy System Utility) and downloaded software updates.  Systems with software 1.2 can be field upgraded, but you have to obtain a later software update on writable modules to do the update.

OK my lack of computer skills will add to my education to get things done. So what would be your suggestion as to which newer Legacy version to buy? And how do I know the differences in these Legacy changes made by Lionel. I assume the model #990 is always the same, but the Lionel catalog 6-???? must be the way to locate what I should get. Thank you.

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

I am looking to upgrade from TMCC to the Legacy system. I have watched tutorials on a Legacy system. But what do I need to know if the Legacy system had upgrades over the years. Which system should I buy? Not interested in any wi-fi if that makes a difference. Thanks for your guidance.

Good luck finding a 990 for a good price.  Been out of production for sometime now.  Base3 maybe by Feb/March.

Yes I know they are priced  plenty high!!  And I have been stalling.

Jeff,

At present this (6-14295, Cab-2/Base-2) is what is available, no longer new from Lionel, as Gary has pointed out, but on the used market, in order to access all Legacy features:

If you'd like a brand new one you'll notice that it's sold out at Lionel.com, and apparently everywhere else for that matter.

This will provide you with most of the Legacy features, but not all of them.  Only the handset (6-37155, Cab-1L) is available new,  The base (6-37156, Base-1L) is available only on the used market:

Good luck with  your search.

Mike

Unless you absolutely need a Legacy system now... Wait

I've been waiting...................................

Jeff...I moved this topic to the legacy forum.  This is where it should have been since it is not a discussion about 3-rail traditional trains.

Oh OK thank you.

Lionel went out of production for all the old command bases several years ago, as well as the Legacy CAB2.  The only survivor of the carnage was the CAB1L remote, that will connect to the upcoming BASE3, but that's still a number of months away.

If you happen to get one before the show at York Marty will update for you

I would also suggest you wait for the base3 but then you would not have the cab2 handheld controller

if you have a legacy engine you can run it with universal remote or the lionel app. won't have all the legacy features

"won't have all the legacy features"

This is true for the Universal Remote, but I believe the Lionel app has all the Legacy features available for locomotives.  Like others, I would not purchase a used Legacy system at this point due to cost and the fact that the Base 3 is perhaps 5-6 months away, and will be under formal warranty. Lionel has been repairing Legacy systems but I wouldn't count on that lasting indefinitely.

I run all my Legacy locomotives with the LionChief app and it does not offer all the Legacy features like I’ve seen with the Cab2. I also use the universal remote when I want to run more than one locomotive. Unfortunately, I started my o scale layout after Lionel discontinued the Base/Cab 2 and never experienced my locomotives to their full potential. I’ve had my Base 3 on preorder since May 22 and looking forward to when it arrives next year.

Gene

I have a Cab 1L that I added last year. Does everything I need it to do and interfaces with a couple new bluetooth engines that I added recently. I prefer having a physical remote, don't love the touchscreen as required on the app.
And as stated the 1L remote will work with the Base 3 when it is released.

Like most of the folks here... I prefer the tactile feel of the handheld remotes.  I have the Base 2, Cab 2 (990 set) and added the Cab-1L as backup a while ago.  Here's hoping that at least one of them (preferably both) outlast me.

@RSJB18 posted:

I have a Cab 1L that I added last year. Does everything I need it to do and interfaces with a couple new bluetooth engines that I added recently. I prefer having a physical remote, don't love the touchscreen as required on the app.
And as stated the 1L remote will work with the Base 3 when it is released.

The bottom line (I think, but I'm not an expert) is to get a Cab 1L remote handset, which is the only handset available from Lionel other than the more basic Universal Remote. And, since the Cab 1L base unit is not available, get the Base 3 to go with it when it comes out (lastest estimate from Lionel is about March 1, I think). That's if you want a handheld controller in addition to using your cell phone with the Lionel mobile app, and want the additional features the Cab 1L remote handset has over the Universal Remote.

Maybe the price of the cab2 will come down in price once the base3 comes out

@trainbob posted:

Maybe the price of the cab2 will come down in price once the base3 comes out

Maybe but people prefer remotes to APPs and I don’t see that changing.

@trainbob posted:

Maybe the price of the cab2 will come down in price once the base3 comes out

If anything, 993s are going to go through the roof.

You don't just want a remote, you want the matching charging base.

@Vernon Barry posted:

If anything, 993s are going to go through the roof.

You don't just want a remote, you want the matching charging base.

I can live without a charging base, we've been replacing batteries in pretty much every other remote we own.

I must admit, before I got the #993, I was just swapping out rechargeable batteries, but I actually like the convenience of dropping the remote in the charger and having it charge.  My #993 works perfectly as it got a visit to Lionel for the charging circuit a few years back.

I have several Legacy remotes for the layout, so I just rotate them into the charger to keep them all ready to go.

As a very good friend of mine once said about another friend, "he knows the price of everything and the value of nothing". The value of something is what a willing buyer will pay a willing seller, neither being under compulsion to buy or sell and both being aware of all relevant facts. So if you REALLY want it and can afford it, buy it. If you want to wait until the new unit comes out and see if you like that better, do that. It's your choice.

IMO, only you can decide how badly you want something which isn't going to be made again. I have a 990 for sale which is "priced plenty high" because that's what the market is. If I sell it, fine and if I don't, that's fine too. I've had many trains for sale which were priced very low because that's what the market is. I'm in the hobby to have fun, but like many others I do some buying and selling. Sometimes you make money but with modern trains much more often you lose money. That's just life, and fortunately, I'm not into trains to make money.

Gerry