Lionel Blue Modules

Just went to Lionel's website and to the Legacy upgrade page, no mention of any upgrade beyond 1.3 lol! Maybe they need to upgrade it lmao!

I just sent a email to "talk to us" to find out how to purchase.

 

Ben

Lionel answered my email about 20 min after I sent it.... Currently, the only way to place an order for the 1.5 modules is to call Lionel Customer Service at 586-949-4100 (select option 2) The modules are $19.95 + 9.00 shipping and any taxes applicable in your state. Thank you, Lionel. Ben

"The modules are $19.95 + 9.00 shipping"

 

I think that's an absurd price and another example of Lionel gouging it's supporters again. The version 1.4 that is on mine works, not getting one penny from me to upgrade. Yes I know if I buy a black module I can download it, but I would have to put out $20+ for it. MTH has not charged me a penny for upgrades in the 6 years I have run DCS.

 

And to the person who I know is going to chime in with the "will spend $1,000 for an engine but not $20 for an upgrade", it's not about the amount of money, it's a principle thing with me.

 

Lionel does have Legacy upgrades on their web site - just not in easily found places.

 

There are zip files containing the upgrades (requires PC, Legacy System Utility software and at least one black module) and the manuals for versions 1.4 and 1.5 located under the "Service Documents: Software Update" section of the #990 Legacy Command Set page.  The Legacy System Utility software itself can be found under the "Service Documents: Software Update" section of the Legacy Writable Utility Module (black module) page.

 

Not very easy to find.

 

I wonder why Lionel would bother producing the blue modules.  Why not just program and send black modules, then for a slightly smaller fee, have the users return the black modules when new updates are available for a slighly smaller fee (or maybe, by that time, the user could find a friend to do it or would be able to do it themselves).

 

And the black modules have further uses beyond upgrades starting with v1.5 (multi-engine module feature).

 

Andy

>>>I wonder why Lionel would bother producing the blue modules.  Why not just program and send black modules<<

 

 

LOL....Do you really want an explanation???   

Joe

I don't agree...they need to make money to stay in business. Every little bit surely helps. And I would imagine they would send the preprogrammed blue ones with new CAB/Base. We've seen enough iconic businesses close for good.

The black modules are a buy once and done deal.  I don't see the issue with buying a writable chip.  If you want to go the free route, you can always mod a blue module.  The black modules can be re-used over and over.

 

As for the $20 upgrade to buy 1.5 modules.  The price does not surprise me.  They really want you to do the upgrade yourself.  Still, I don't find $20 that outrageous.

Lionel won't charge you anything for upgrades if you do it right.  Modify some of your blue modules to make them into writable modules and the cost of any future upgrades is $0.  I don't see the problem.

 

Free Black Modules for Legacy

>>>Lionel won't charge you anything for upgrades if you do it right.  Modify some of your blue modules to make them into writable modules and the cost of any future upgrades is $0.<<

 

I heard your thumbnail photo is being used as a dart board...

Joe 

John I read that very informative thread, and I am sure I have the expertise to "hack" a blue module without messing it up, however how many folks out there that don't and will try anyway, and they may mess up the system with a corrupt load.

 

"I heard your thumbnail photo is being used as a dart board..."

 

I knew when I posted I'd take heat, but it's my opinion which I still believe I am entitled to.

I have a feeling the new blue one may be writeable

I hope not, what a bag of snakes that would open up.

 

"what blue module do you have? it is writable? how do you tell them apart?"

Perhaps the outrage of lionel charging for an upgraded system may be in part a generational issue.  Younger people are use to downloading all kinds of entertainment and information free off the internet, where older guys are used to paying for records, tapes, books, and such.  I do not see where Lionel should upgrade systems now years old for free. Where would be the incentive to do so? Their price seems fine to me and I will probably order it . Fred

I am 62 lol! Well my wife says I act like I am 25, my body says it's old lmao!

MTH has not charged me a penny for upgrades in the 6 years I have run DCS.

 

 

Paul my dear friend,

 

To upgrade Legacy you buy one black module that costs $19.99 will last forever. And it does more than just upgrade can be used for making custom engine modules.

 

To Upgrade DCS you have to buy a phone handset cord (6.99 at Radio shack), a 1/8 inch patch cable cable (6.99 at RS)  and perhaps a clamp ($2.00) and Barry's book 29.95. Price before Barry's book ~16.00

 

Both you may need to buy a USB>Comm cable (except Rev L DCS)

 

Both have FREE downloads of the software

 

So we are talking about $4.00 difference for those who want to upgrade their own to get set up.

 

Now if you don't want to make the Legacy upgrade modules yourself you can get a friend to do it for you, have the LHS do it for you or buy them right from Lionel and get two modules delivered for 19

 

If you don't want to upgrade DCS you can get a friend to do it for you, have the LHS do it for you, fly to York or (I think) ship your DCS unit to MTH customer service and have them do it for you (Wonder what that costs).

 

So not seeing a whole bunch of difference either way. If you are willing to do a really easy upgrade of Legacy or DCS you can save some money. If you don't want to upgrade either your options are pretty much the same. If anything the postage to MTh and back may cost more than the modules from Lionel

 

And that is if you pay full MSRP.  I got mine for $16.95 each after tax.

 

Andy

Good point my friend, I had in a drawer, or on the bench everything I needed to do the MTH upgrades, others might not already have them and would have to purchase.

 

Good work Forum on keeping the thread cordial, we are evolving lol!

There's no reason not to keep it cordial.   Everyone has their opinions, and should be free to express them, right?

 

I too had all I needed to upgrade the MTH TIU and remote, but I'm sure many folks did have to buy the stuff, as I saw a number of threads asking specifically about what cord and what type of audio cable they needed.

 

Truthfully, I believe both systems are pretty easy to upgrade, and I'm not upset by Lionel wanting to charge a one-time charge to buy the black modules.

 

I'm also curious if the new blue modules will be writable, there were other references to the fact that might be the case.  If so, I think I'd break out my Sharpie Pen and color them black!

G man,i called lionel today & they said that the 1.5 modules won't be available until the middle of the month,& that you can only buy them from the lionel store or through a dealer,have you ordered yours yet?

An update to my previous response,i called lionel again today,got a different person & i was able to order the 1.5 modules i customer service needs to get their act together,everyone should be on the same page good customer service shouldn't depend on which person answers the phone.

Gerald, thanks for the update - good to know you got it all sorted out.  I have not ordered them as yet but plan on doing so soon. 

Do I understand this correctly? I need to buy a black module for $30 and down load information on my computer and install it into my Legacy ........... Then I have to order blue modules at $30 and do this installing again? And what do I get for my $60 that I do not have now? David56

If you buy the black modules, you do not need the blue modules.  Black modules run around $17.  You only need one.  Getting two just makes it more convenient to do the upgrade.

 

You download the LSU software and install it. 

Download version 1.5 from Lionel.

Connect the legacy base to the computer using the cable provided with the legacy system.

Run the lsu software.  Plug the black module into the legacy base.

Download the Cab2 software into the module.

Disconnect the legacy base and install the cab2 software (using the black module) into the handheld.

reconnect the base to the computer and download the base software into the black module.

Disconnect the base from the computer and reboot it.  It will load the software from the black module.

 

Whole process takes about 5 minutes.

 

Cost: $17.  For ease, people buy 2 modules so they can use one for the cab2 software and one for the base software.  But that is not needed.

 

Since the black modules can be re-used, there is no additional costs for future upgrades. You just download the latest software from Lionel and redo the process.

The Blue Modules are for people who do not want to buy the black modules and create the module upgrades themselves.

As I mentioned previously, you can also hack the blue modules and make them re-writable, cost $0.