Lionel's Cab-1L

I was a BETA tester and still have it (Thanks again Jon).

I like it fine, have had zero issues with it.

I actually was using/testing mine hooked up to my DCS system, but something someone said on another post made me realize I could use the CAB1-L handheld to run TMCC engines while at the same time using the DCS handheld to run everything else.

The only thing I can comment on is that I find it a tad easier to use a handheld with a digital readout (because I can see that I'm getting close to 0 mph) but that's far from being a show stopper.  Heck I can usually see when the engine is about to stop anyway, even without having "digital eyeballs" to tell me.

I do have a question...can the wallwart that powers the Base-1L be purchased separately?  Mine is making a slight buzzing sound (I have it plugged into a power strip).

Paul:  I have to agree with you as to your use of the CAB-2 controller.  The new CAB1-L seems to fit in my hand better than the rather "clunky" CAB-2 controller.  My only objection is that the quillable whistle feature is a bit harder to use by simply pressing the button to varying degrees on the CAB1-L.  Aside from that, it's like old home week, operating any train from the the new CAB1-L.  I will admit that I do like the screen for various information such as seeing the amount of throttle you have given any particular engine.    Can't do that on the CAB1-L.

I never set up MU's on my layout because the sidings are a bit short and I pretty much limit my trains to 12 to 15 cars for freights and 7 or 8 for passenger.  I'm glad to see you refer to it as "MU's" rather than the new "mod" term:  "Lash-Up", however.

Paul Fischer

Paul,

It's ok IMO but I wouldn't have bought it if I had to do it over again. It IS a remote but I have found that even a few feet away the signal sometimes does not get through. There is no LCD display to tell you what's going on but that's something you can get used to. It is pretty easy to operate overall and supports a nice set of functions via simple keypad entry. My big knock on the Cab 1L is the awful throttle control knob. At times it's like driving a car with a disconnected steering wheel. Compared to DCS it is vague at best. With the DCS remote and DCS Commander if you have that there is that nice thumb wheel that clicks as it rolls up and down and the LCD tells you exactly what smph you dialed in. Will eventually use the base to run my Legacy engine off of the DCS remote.

S

I'll keep my Cab2.  Going from Cab1 to Cab2 was a major upgrade.  I won't go backwards.  That being said, I do plan on getting one for guests. 

Hopefully that will hold until the iCab is available.

Scott - sounds like you may have a problem with your particular unit or situation,

as the Lionel remote(s) are and have been pretty robust and reliable, and tend to

function very well. We (in the past) have had problems at train shows with one

club's CAB-1's (not CAB-2's, true) running other club's locomotive, so range is fine.

I like the control knob.

No LCD display? That's what Post-it notes are for.

As for "what's going on", I find watching the trains to be very helpful. But, that's just old visual-me.

Pretty sure the unit is good. Of course it may the operator. I should be aiming the remote at the track right? That acts as the antenna. Maybe a review of the instructions would help.  That's always my last resort.

I like my Cab-1L just fine.  Does everything I need it to do and I definitely like the more convenient size of the remote.

Actually the track is not the antenna (receiver).  It's the carrier (broadcast) for the radio signals to the locomotives (which have the antennas).

The command base is the one that receives signals from the CAB1/L remote.  Those commands are then sent out to the track via the single wire that attaches between the base and the track.

Since it's radio and not infra-red it doesn't require line of sight.  But environmental conditions can play a factor in quality of reception.  Because it's wireless, it's just as susceptible to interference just like other wireless devices are.  If there's potential interference like cordless phones that operate on the same frequency or if there's any concrete/metal objects (walls, support pillars, etc.) that are in-between where you are positioned with the remote and the command base, those are some possibilities for having poor reception.

Got one because t thought it would be easier and less complex for the grandkids to deal with. That has proven to be case.

It's growing on me.  We have a couple at the club, and I recently picked up a CAB-1L/BASE-1L set.  I figure to keep the base as a backup in case my Legacy decides to take a dive and I have to send it for repair, and I like the easier one-handed operation of the CAB-1L at times, especially with TMCC stuff where I get no major benefit from the full CAB2.

I bought lionel cab1-L set a couple months ago and i really like mine so far and got little more feature's to it.    

I found that the signal is much better than the CAB2. In fact I can operate the train about 150 feet outside my house.

Ok I recant. Signal strength problem is most likely due to the wifi router 4 feet away. Still would like the throttle wheel to click though.

I found that the red knob had a nice feel to it. Not too loose not to tight. I also like the way I can address routes and switches. Unlike the CAB2 once I push RTE and the number the switches in the route move.

With the CAB2 you need to push the fire icon to get the route to change.

I've been a DCS user and awaiting the Legacy 990.  My LHS received a Cab 1L set, so I grabbed it to at least try a few Legacy features.  The controller took a bit of getting used to compared to the DCS, but now I prefer the 1L.  Still have the 990 on order and will try the Cab2.  Regardless, will keep both - probably will let the 5 year old grandson use the Cab1L due to its simplicity.

Gregg. 

I would bet the 5 year old takes to the Cab2 faster than you. LOL. Kids today seemed preprogrammed for that sort of thing. 

I agree, IMO the whole "Legacy is complicated" is a myth, created by assumptions. Its actually easier than cab 1 because of the icons in place of the numbered buttons. My 9 year old daughter has been running my TMCC crane with my CAB2 since she was 6.

This guy could do it:   

One major benefit of the CAB-1L is that it's likely a lot more resistant to breakage if you drop it.  The CAB2 is doubtless more delicate, it's heavier and has the two LCD displays.

I like mine

A great feature.

And a time-saver. I could run the trains while I mow the yard.

Rick/Marty - absolute spot on.  5 year old had been using LionChief remote so the only real learning curve was the direction button and anticipating momentum.  Within 5  minutes, he was already used to it.  The numeric keypad has yet to be be mastered by him or me - especially when alternating with the DCS handheld 

The Cab1 concept seems like a giant step backwards. My cab2 works great, a moron could run the trains.

Fred

I think the CAB-1L was made in response to the overwhelming wave of crying/screaming/complaining/kvetching/b*tching/moaning/wailing/flailing/despairing/teeth gnashing over the price of the full Legacy system.

Now, can this Cab1L talk to PowerMasters directly, or would one have to by a bridge?

The new CAB-1L really is "Legacy Lite", and it uses the command base to communicate with everything.  The only communication from the CAB-1L is to and from the command base, whether it be the BASE-1L or Legacy base.

I bought a Cab1L to appease some of the club members in our club when running TMCC/Legacy engines. These members just do not like the Cab2 and I got tired of the complaining so my small investment in me not hearing them complain by buying a Cab1L was well worth it. I now have more club members running their trains and at the last show we even got some new members because their kids could run their trains and I was not worried about them using a Cab1L like I would have been with my Cab2.

One of the reasons I wanted one was so kids could use it.  I'm not nearly as worried about it hitting the floor as the CAB2.

I got a Cab 1L and a SC-2 for my switches. Overall, I'm really happy with it. Very easy to set-up. The two things I wouldn't mind seeing changed are:

1) Dedicated volume up/down buttons or at least have a VOL +\- label next to the 1 & 4 keys. Ditto for RPM labels for the 3 & 6 keys. Several times I increased the volume when I meant to increase the RPM and vice-versa. I finally took a fine point Sharpie and put V and R next the numbers. 

2) I don't like how it handles routes. I have two O72 switches to connect two loops. These switches always get thrown together to allow trains to go from one lop to the other. I was hoping I could simply program this as Route 1 and then each time I select Route 1 it would trigger both switches. It doesn't quite work that way. Instead Route 1 will only set both switches to the through position. If I want to set them to the diverging positions to allows trains to go from one looo to the other I have to program them as a completely separate Route. Seems kind of dumb to me. It's like having two different switches for a lightbulb - one for on and another for off. It also effectively halves the number of routes you can have since each route needs to have two different route numbers programmed.