lionel cab 3 handheld.

@Dylan the Train Man posted:

Here are my ideas for a similar device to the one mentioned at the start of this post for running both MTH and Lionel engines:

-A physical remote that uses a phone (either an I-Phone or Android Phone) as the screen

-Remote connects to phone through its USB plug (or maybe through Wi-Fi) to interface with either the MTH or Lionel app

-Remote is compatable with both Legacy/TMCC and DCS

-Remote is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatable

-Controls on device: throttle knob, quilling horn/whistle control (works with both DCS and Legacy), Legacy train brake slider, and bell control

Basically, this device would look similar to a Legacy or DCS Remote, but with a phone holder instead of the screens of the original remotes. The trottle knob, whistle/bell control, and train brake slider would be next to the throttle knob like they are on the Legacy remote.

Well, I already did something like that a while back. Now this is an old video but I have since worked on enhancements to use one of the joysticks to roll in a 360-degree fashion and simulate the knob everyone likes so much. (that feature is not demoed here). I can control both TMCC/Legacy & DCS trains all from one app using about $50 of hardware and the DCS Premium app.

I've held off any future work on this until the WTIU & Base 3 hit the market with their new apps. Control of conventional trains is also on the list of future features.

@Dylan the Train Man posted:

Here are my ideas for a similar device to the one mentioned at the start of this post for running both MTH and Lionel engines:

-A physical remote that uses a phone (either an I-Phone or Android Phone) as the screen

-Remote connects to phone through its USB plug (or maybe through Wi-Fi) to interface with either the MTH or Lionel app

-Remote is compatable with both Legacy/TMCC and DCS

-Remote is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatable

-Controls on device: throttle knob, quilling horn/whistle control (works with both DCS and Legacy), Legacy train brake slider, and bell control

Basically, this device would look similar to a Legacy or DCS Remote, but with a phone holder instead of the screens of the original remotes. The trottle knob, whistle/bell control, and train brake slider would be next to the throttle knob like they are on the Legacy remote.

Like this?  I've had this made up for ay least a year or two now.

The only issue I see Marty is trying make something like that accommodate many different sizes to hold the device securely.  It's not impossible but predicting all of the next generations of smart phones might present some challenges.  Plus, what about those folks who want to use a small tablet?? Again, not impossible but I suspect what we would get could be very different from your artistic conception.

While we're on the topic of concepts, this isn't a fully flushed-out concept but is it's also a thought starter like Marty's:

Too bad it's not generic and only available for the Moto Z phone, which I have (which is how I found it).

There are similar things though, that are generic, like this one:

On the down side these are both largely two-handed solutions.

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

On the down side these are both largely two-handed solutions.

Well, the Cab & DCS remotes really aren't the pinnacle of true one-handed operation either. Maybe for some basic functions, that can be reached with your thumb, but that's about it. We had a guy at our club who swore up & down that the CAB2 was a one handed controller and when asked to demonstrate, he dropped it. Luckily it survived but the case now has small crack and battery door doesn't seat tight. It was then unanimously agreed among us that the CAB2 was not a one handed remote.

Mike,

  does the Skyreat  joystick interact with some of the controls on the Cab 2 especially with the red knob that controls speed?  The device looks like and interesting alternative.

Marty

It’s defined just a concept. The design could be modified but I was trying to keep the feel smaller for a “remote” feel. Different size phones could be accommodated with an adjustable cradle. People with a more mechanical mindset could probably figure that out.

@martind posted:

Mike,

  does the Skyreat  joystick interact with some of the controls on the Cab 2 especially with the red knob that controls speed?  The device looks like and interesting alternative.

Marty

Not presently.  It would require a little software work, basically adjustments to the software making up the Lionel/MTH apps, to tie them into the Skyreat's existing functions.

Mike

Perhaps something a bit simpler that would not be affected by the size of the phone/tablet? Here's one being used by DCC (not my pic).

Link to project:

https://www.trainboard.com/hig...ess-throttle.140805/

I haven't seen the quotes from either company regarding no more held held remotes. It depends upon how they word it. Perhaps they are saying no more dedicated wireless remotes? Dunno. I could see one or both companies (after their new bases hit the streets) coming out with a simple external controller (a knob or two and maybe a button or two) since the phone/tablet would be doing the heavy lifting.

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

While we're on the topic of concepts, this isn't a fully flushed-out concept but is it's also a thought starter like Marty's:

Too bad it's not generic and only available for the Moto Z phone, which I have (which is how I found it).

Not to mention, Motorola discontinued the Z and the moto-mod concept.

As a latecomer to this thread, what do I need to operate my TMCC/Legacy locomotives using a 180 brick through an older TIU straight to the track please? I have the MTH handheld for my MTH equipment.

Do not have a RR wifi connection at this point and don't want to buy a Base 3 as I don't intend to run Lionchief engines.  Thanks.

You need either a TMCC command base or Legacy command base (or a cab-1L command base) and the appropriate MTH cable to connect one of these to your TIU or wifiTIU.  Unfortunately neither of these devices has been offered for sale new with warranty for some years, so the second hand market is all that is avaiable.

@c.sam posted:

As a latecomer to this thread, what do I need to operate my TMCC/Legacy locomotives using a 180 brick through an older TIU straight to the track please? I have the MTH handheld for my MTH equipment.

Do not have a RR wifi connection at this point and don't want to buy a Base 3 as I don't intend to run Lionchief engines.  Thanks.

Nothing, not a darn thing. You said "operate"- they can be operated conventionally using the variable channel of the TIU.

If you want TMCC command operation- you need a command base to transmit that Lionel signal. http://www.lionel.com/products...ommand-base-6-12911/

If you want Legacy features- you need to pony up more and buy a LEGACY base to transmit legacy commands. The Legacy base was only sold as a set with a CAB2 remote http://www.lionel.com/products...command-set-6-14295/

Note, http://www.lionel.com/products...rol-base-1l-6-37156/ Base1L is Legacy lite. They are not in production and very rare right now. Even if you found one, I'm not sure you get 100% of Legacy features commanded over the serial input- from the TIU and DCS remote.

You connect either base using the MTH adapter serial cable. https://mthtrains.com/50-1032

Caveat- to get full Legacy features, it not only requires a Legacy base and the above cable, but also an LCS SER2 box and matching PDI starter cable.

My omission here - Should have said operate in command with my phone app...

I have a router and wifi in my home but what is needed to utilize the Lionel/MTH phone apps to control the trains please? I would imagine the prices should come down on the 990 base when the cab3 system arrives. I don't plan on buying the Cab2 remote either. Looking forward to using the iPhone. I belong to a good HO club and most of the active members use their phones.

@c.sam posted:

My omission here - Should have said operate in command with my phone app...

I have a router and wifi in my home but what is needed to utilize the Lionel/MTH phone apps to control the trains please? I would imagine the prices should come down on the 990 base when the cab3 system arrives. I don't plan on buying the Cab2 remote either. Looking forward to using the iPhone. I belong to a good HO club and most of the active members use their phones.

Well, you seem to be squarely parked in catch22 land.

For the DCS app with your current TIU, you need the WIU- which luckily they just released a batch of those to dealers- so they should no longer be the sky high prices way above MSRP just a short while ago. https://mthtrains.com/50-1034

Where the catch22 kicks in, you have an older TIU you stated previously- sans USB port. This then means you need to pick up a USB to serial port adapter that is compatible with the WIU. I posted some suggestions and details here about that "Serial-USB Connector For TIU-WIU" https://ogrforum.com/...3#170078122474117763

@c.sam posted:

As a latecomer to this thread, what do I need to operate my TMCC/Legacy locomotives using a 180 brick through an older TIU straight to the track please? I have the MTH handheld for my MTH equipment.

Do not have a RR wifi connection at this point and don't want to buy a Base 3 as I don't intend to run Lionchief engines.  Thanks.

Where catch23 (Ricky TPB) kicks in again, now because you have the TIU with only a serial port and not the secondary USB port found on revision L- now you have to Y split off the only serial port to be able to use the special TIU to TMCC adapter serial cable. I believe this still works, but I don't have a good way of testing at the moment.

Again, this scenario is about getting wifi access for your TIU via the WIU device for the DCS app. The DCS app is capable of sending Lionel TMCC and Legacy serial data commands - but you need to import those commands into a TMCC or Legacy base across the serial port using the special MTH adapter cable https://mthtrains.com/50-1032 and in your specialized case, a Y splitter at the TIU for both the USB to to serial and the above cable to mate to your TIU.

Searching for just such a scenario I found this topic https://ogrforum.com/...cs-connection-to-tiu