Let the Lionel LCS WiFi games begin! Post your thoughts here!

Added the new Lionel links here for convenience.

LCS Website

LCS WiFi Installation Video

LCS WiFi Manual

LCS SER2 Manual

iPad LCS App Overview Page

iPad App Help Page

iCab Overview Page

LCS Overview Video

LCS Sensor Track Video

LCS Sensor Track Manaul

My WiFi is in transit so now I have to get an iPad this weekend. I am looking forward to playing with this and confusing my technology challenged friends some more.....

Muahahahaha!

I found it rather intuitive.  The learning curve is not bad.  I had a wireless router laying around and created a secure network.  I have the LCS WiFi and an Apple TV device on it.  The iPad joins the "Legacy" network.  This way I can feed the iPad to a monitor.

The network is NOT connected to the internet. 

Fun times are ahead!

Mine is scheduled to arrive Tuesday.  Wish I had it tomorrow so I could use the holiday weekend to set it up.

Neal Jeter

Mine should be coming soon from Nassau Hobby. When is the iCab app going to be released?

Haven't heard about the iCab.  Derek from Notch 6 is doing a special podcast.  Maybe post there.  He might know.

One feature I especially like is the Join to Network mode, using the WPS option on modern modems.  (See pg 13 of the WiFi manual.)  I joined my WiFi network to my home network, so that I can now carry my iPad back and forth between home use and layout use, and not have to switch networks each time I do so.  This is very convenient.

   Bob A.

MartyE showed a sample LCS screen.  Here's mine; I've got a small bedroom layout, so a caricature of the whole layout can fit on one LCS screen.  Your situation may vary!

   Bob A.

Nice Bob.  Have you noticed any issue being on the home router with all the other traffic?

Gooks great, Bob!

Our network is mainly used for email and occasional web browsing.  We're so old-fashioned we watch Netflix DVDs rather than streaming. And when I'm at the layout, I'm not at my computer! So no notice of any issue.

   Bob A.

What is your point about not connected to the Internet?

I'm using an iPad 1 and find it pretty clunky compared to using a mouse on a pc.

I got the WIFI and the SER device today and hooked it up this evening.   Forgot to upgrade the LEGACY to 1.5.2, so had to do that 1st.  After a few minutes, the update was done and I was up and running.   I decided to just use the WiFi access point for now.
I used the Y connector to hook up the cab1 base as well.  Everything worked well.   My son, daughter and myself had our iPads running several trains.  My daughter liked running the Gantry crane and its sound effects.  The sounds are a neat feature.   I am really looking forward to the iCab apps as well.  

Can the layout designed on 1 iPad be synced to the others?   I had to create a quick one for the gantry crane on the kids iPads.   Also I am getting a 2nd wifi for my Christmas layout.   If both are on access point, will they overlap each other or will they be separate networks.   Had anyone tried two wifi modules on two layout in the same building?  

Which brings up another question in my mind...

If I switch from an iPad 1 to an iPad Air for example, I assume I can save the data on my apps on iTunes and restore/load a new iPad so the layout I spent an hour making will now be on the LCS app on the new iPad Air.

Anybody done this with the LCS app?

Neat!  You can have many WiFi units as you wish, they all have different SSIDs ands you pick the connection in settings. 

Correct you can sync in iTunes and move the layout from pad to pad. 

After playing for the last few days, I am really loving the ability to control all thinks not train or engine related off the iPad. Makes it easy. 

I really hope Lionel marketing will provide a properly aspect image of at least new engine issues to just import into the roster list. I'm pretty happy this is finally out. The LUG meeting should be interesting!  

Jon,

Thanks, i will use itunes to sync the layout between the kids iPads. 

Does the Lcs module come with plug to connect to the command base or is that  seperate?

Every thing is purchased separate. I wanted to remark about that, but in thinking about it, your purchase depends on your particular setup. You have to buy the power supply to power a Sensor track or connect to a Base. But you only need one power supply so they couldn't package one with every item that might need it. 

What's the physical size of your layout? have a overhead pic of the actual layout? 

Thanks,

Timmy

In the near future we will have the ability to effectively replace our DCS remotes and CAB2's with an iPad or iPhone.  I have no experience with iPads or iPhones so I am wondering if the DCS app and Legacy app can be put in side-by-side windows so that you can see and have direct access to DCS and Legacy.  Trying to do this on an iPhone is probably totally impractical, but on a full-size iPad I could see this being practical.

I am debating whether to buy an iPad Mini or full-size iPad.  Being able to window the 2 apps would sway me toward getting the full-size iPad.

No iPad app I know of can simultaneous be active on the screen at the same time. The only hope is someone will create an app to control both. 

I bought the full size IPad and I am glad I did since it just gives me more area to see and type.

Now that I ran the WiFi last night I do second the idea of having a sensor track boxcar car. All it would need is the infrared sensors and then a command board to send the requested commands to the engine that is running. Have a soft set ID to use the car for multiple locomotives and we would be all set. We could use our non-infrared legacy/tmcc locomotives and run sensor track triggers to then have the engine blow horn, crew talk, etc.

Lionel....I got this one figured out for ya....are you listening?

Thanks for the reply, Marty.

I may not have phrased my question accurately.  In MS Windows, only one app can have "focus" at a time.  Multiple apps can be running and updating the screen, but you can only interact with the app with "focus."  If you have the Legacy app and DCS app on your iPad, could both be running simultaneously and then you switch back and forth between them?  Or would you have to actually shut down one app to use the other?

Timmy - The layout is about 12' x 13', in a spare bedroom.  I don't have a good picture of the overview of the layout, but a series of short videos (#15-23) in my YouTube series under the name/channel "rha90272" shows it being built; by sampling those, you can get a good idea of the overall layout.

   Bob A.

I just set up my LCS. Tried to load the roster and got a timed out (5) message???

What now?

I got that yesterday afternoon. It sounds to me like your WiFi signal is potentially dropping out during the roster read from the base to the IPad causing the error.

Check your WiFi settings on the IPad and make sure you are connected to the WiFi on the IPad and the connection is not dropping out. Should the connection drop in and out then change to a higher channel on the WiFi box. I ended up getting to channel 8 before the drops stopped so far.

Over the weekend I ordered the LCS Wifi and the 6-81499 cable for it from one of the very large sponsors on OGR.  This afternoon I received a shipping notice from them.  I went out tonight and bought an iPad.  Just a while ago I checked my credit card account.  The charge to my credit card is only for the WiFi module.  So, it looks like I will receive the WiFi module this week, but I won't be able use it.

The cable isn't even listed on the Lionel shipping schedule (which was updated today),so I have no idea when to expect it.

I would contact the big sponser and see why they did'nt ship the cable! Other members here have them?

Doug

I'll be making that call tomorrow morning.

VinceL, the 6-81499 cable is available and has been shipping for some time--that's probably why it isn't on the most recent shipping schedule. 

I found that cable seemingly in stock at a host of places.  I know that Henning's Trains has a couple on the shelf.

I called this morning, and much to my disappointment, this very large Lionel dealer does not have the 6-81499 cable in stock.  They say they hope to have more next week.

I guess this delay gives me time to get familiar with my iPad.  And, I can at least download the LCS app and be ready for when the cable does arrive.

I'm suprised they did'nt let you know this when you placed your order. Atleast then you could have got the WiFi and cable elsewhere or just the cable so you would have it.

Doug