I am a strong fan and advocate of smart device app based control systems and have tested seven different types. But I must admit that the LionChief universal controller is really a great design. It's strongest point is its basic functional simplicity. As a long term designer, you develop an admiration for simplicity, many times overlooked in our increasingly complicated world. Lionel deserves a heads up for this first rate product.
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I like it except for it's very short range. I don't know if it's just mine that's defective or they're all like that. The LC remote that came with my LC+ Camelback has a much longer range than the Universal remote.
The range on my universal remote seems to be around 25 feet or so.
I have had it lose communication on one end of a portable S gauge layout at a train show. It worked out OK if I was in the middle of the layout, but not at one of the ends.
The range on my LC+ controller is about 25 feet, the range on the Universal remote is more like 8-10 feet. I suspect I got a broken one. I just use it to repair LC/LC+ stuff that comes in without a remote so I guess I'll just live with it.
Did a quick range check on my universal LC controller and got well over 40 feet. Will next compare it with the accompanied LC+ black controller.
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