So I got my CSX Wi-Fi Cam caboose and the picture was terrible.
Here is the before.
Here is the After.
See my review & fix below if interested.
Lionel Cupola Cam Caboose – 5-12-19
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Nice review, although I did have to skip through due to time. I don't think this is a universal issue. We played with one at the shop and although not a crisp as yours with the window out, it doesn't look anywhere near as bad as yours with the window in. That being said I would probably still 86 the window.
SandJam posted:So I got my CSX Wi-Fi Cam caboose and the picture was terrible.
Here is the before.
Here is the After.
See my review & fix below if interested.
Lionel Cupola Cam Caboose – 5-12-19
Good job as always Sean. Specialized Factory tools must be used during assembly. Glad you solved the clarity issue.
Nice job SEAN, thanks for the info.
As others have suggested, I'm sure, I plan to use a small piece of glass or plexiglas, and glue it into the opening to replace the plastic window, to protect the lens from dust. Many thanks to Sean for his thorough video of the take-apart process.
Why bother fixing this issue! I mean has lionel even bothered with a formal response to the cam caboose issue?
shawn posted:Why bother fixing this issue! I mean has lionel even bothered with a formal response to the cam caboose issue?
Not sure what they could possibly do except what everyone is already doing. Remove the window or replace it with glass maybe.
I think the issue is the clarity of the plastic window. It is not optical plastic. They should of used glass for that one window or a thin crystal clear piece of plastic. My guess is the samples Lionel tested had a clearer plastic and the production stuff got degraded.
There is technically nothing wrong with the cam itself.
SandJam posted:shawn posted:Why bother fixing this issue! I mean has lionel even bothered with a formal response to the cam caboose issue?
Not sure what they could possibly do except what everyone is already doing. Remove the window or replace it with glass maybe.
I think the issue is the clarity of the plastic window. It is not optical plastic. They should of used glass for that one window or a thin crystal clear piece of plastic. My guess is the samples Lionel tested had a clearer plastic and the production stuff got degraded.
There is technically nothing wrong with the cam itself.
I understand where your coming from wanting to fix the caboose! Tinkering is part of the hobby! But, when it gets to the point of destroying detail parts - cuttting plastic - to fix something that should be delivered cosmetically and electrically functional. The line is drawn - it is going back.
Also, I still believe that Lionel hasn't responded to the complaint of "blurry" video on some cam cabooses?
Patients is a virtue!
PS - When you had it apart did you check if there was any minor focus available via the small lense.
Sean
Well I think I'll "stand corrected". On a small screen of an iPhone the picture looks ok but once on a larger screen the picture definitely is degraded but I still feel it's better than your sample (not by much). Thanks for the video showing the corrective measures. I may try to find a microscope slide to act as a new window. Seems that should work.
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breezinup posted:As others have suggested, I'm sure, I plan to use a small piece of glass or plexiglas, and glue it into the opening to replace the plastic window, to protect the lens from dust. Many thanks to Sean for his thorough video of the take-apart process.
Actually, You might be better leaving the window out. The caboose is not totally sealed to the elements. Dust will find its way inside, Better being able to clean it.
I'd still want the window so the lens on the little camera doesn't get dirty.
I have been trying to fit a microscope glass but I am having trouble cutting it down so it fits. They are very thin and fragile and so far scoring for cutting results in shattered glass.
Any recommendations?
Rolland
So if there is an issue with the cam caboose with plastic wndows causing blurriness, then Lionel should fix it. I think a call to service requesting them to remedy the situation. Mine looks a little better than your blurry picture when used on a large monitor we put in the inside of our display layout at shows.
Hey c
RLaHaie posted:I have been trying to fit a microscope glass but I am having trouble cutting it down so it fits. They are very thin and fragile and so far scoring for cutting results in shattered glass.
Any recommendations?
Rolland
Yes! Wait until Lionel comes up with a fix
I'm still waiting for Lionel's response as to why you have the option to use a 4 split screen view, yet you cannot as the Ipad or Android can only receive 1 cam caboose wifi signal??
So Dave, how do you use the 4 screen option that is available?
I'm waiting...
Ted Bertiger posted:So if there is an issue with the cam caboose with plastic wndows causing blurriness, then Lionel should fix it. I think a call to service requesting them to remedy the situation. Mine loks a little bettet than your blurry picture when used on a large monitor we put in the inside of our display layout at shows.
Well service is closed right now. Plus Lionel has been silent on this issue and these have been out a while now. I wouldn’t get my hopes up on a fix.
SandJam posted:Ted Bertiger posted:So if there is an issue with the cam caboose with plastic wndows causing blurriness, then Lionel should fix it. I think a call to service requesting them to remedy the situation. Mine loks a little bettet than your blurry picture when used on a large monitor we put in the inside of our display layout at shows.
Well service is closed right now. Plus Lionel has been silent on this issue and these have been out a while now. I wouldn’t get my hopes up on a fix.
Well, You have it working for now. Just sit tight. Hopefully we will get a answer!
I'll give it to July! Then, I'm sending them all in for repair.
SandJam posted:Ted Bertiger posted:So if there is an issue with the cam caboose with plastic wndows causing blurriness, then Lionel should fix it. I think a call to service requesting them to remedy the situation. Mine loks a little bettet than your blurry picture when used on a large monitor we put in the inside of our display layout at shows.
Well service is closed right now. Plus Lionel has been silent on this issue and these have been out a while now. I wouldn’t get my hopes up on a fix.
Maybe, the only solution is for everyone that has a issue to send them all back to Lionel at one time.
shawn posted:SandJam posted:Ted Bertiger posted:So if there is an issue with the cam caboose with plastic wndows causing blurriness, then Lionel should fix it. I think a call to service requesting them to remedy the situation. Mine loks a little bettet than your blurry picture when used on a large monitor we put in the inside of our display layout at shows.
Well service is closed right now. Plus Lionel has been silent on this issue and these have been out a while now. I wouldn’t get my hopes up on a fix.
Well, You have it working for now. Just sit tight. Hopefully we will get a answer!
I'll give it to July! Then, I'm sending them all in for repair. Also, thinking about buying the cam off of flea...and installing in a old railscope engine...
Lionel has been silent cause there is a known issue and a recall would equal about a 1,000 to a few thousand being sent back for a window replacement that should have had the correct one installed at production.
1 year warranty... I might have to use it.
But I am still waiting for a response from Lionel or from Dave on the 4 picture screen option and how to use it when 1 IPad only sees 1 camera caboose????
Well, the lack of Lionel’s response is all speculation. I’ll wait unti July - for some-sort of response. Plus, give them time to move the service Department. Personally, how many with issues have contacted Lionel? Any Response?
Hopefully, I don’t need a call to the NYS AG,s office....
I think it’s time to limit my purchases and start buying used...
shawn posted:Well, the lack of Lionel’s response is all speculation. I’ll wait unti July - for some-sort of response. Plus, give them time to move the service Department. Personally, how many with issues have contacted Lionel? Any Response?
Thn the next run is being delay. Hmm! Time to return these? Wait for the fixed cabooses?
shawn posted:Hopefully, I don’t need a call to the NYS AG,s office....
Really? I think you need to take a step back and remember this is just a hobby. Since Lionel service is closed right now for the move, I don't think it's realistic to expect any response for until at least July.
gunrunnerjohn posted:shawn posted:Hopefully, I don’t need a call to the NYS AG,s office....
Really? I think you need to take a step back and remember this is just a hobby. Since Lionel service is closed right now for the move, I don't think it's realistic to expect any response for until at least July.
Yes, John! A hobby - But - the Selling Company is bound by Federal and State laws in regard to my purchase of their product, in regards to a written or expressed warranty!
it doesn’t matter if it’s a TV, a car or a model boat. It is a consumer product!
Also, I did state, I’m being patient for a reply on the issue from Lionel. The reason, I’m not redesigning my caboose. But, If perhaps, I do get hoodwinked on this purchase... I need to educate myself of my legal rights
Also, I did delete that one line. As, it may have been stated a bit rash. As, Lionel as a whole has stood behind it’s products.
But, as someone stated this one “might” be to big for them to chew ..
Ted Bertiger posted:
But I am still waiting for a response from Lionel or from Dave on the 4 picture screen option and how to use it when 1 IPad only sees 1 camera caboose????
The only way to do this is to have a router as part of this network setup. An iPad can only connect to 1 device at a time so the best you can do without a router is 1 camera.
With a router, the cameras and iPad connect to the router allowing the iPad to connect to 4 cameras via 1 device, the router. I know other folks on the forum have done this.
MartyE posted:Ted Bertiger posted:
But I am still waiting for a response from Lionel or from Dave on the 4 picture screen option and how to use it when 1 IPad only sees 1 camera caboose????
The only way to do this is to have a router as part of this network setup. An iPad can only connect to 1 device at a time so the best you can do without a router is 1 camera.
With a router, the cameras and iPad connect to the router allowing the iPad to connect to 4 cameras via 1 device, the router. I know other folks on the forum have done this.
Yes. It works
gunrunnerjohn posted:shawn posted:Hopefully, I don’t need a call to the NYS AG,s office....
Really? I think you need to take a step back and remember this is just a hobby. Since Lionel service is closed right now for the move, I don't think it's realistic to expect any response for until at least July.
"Not realistic to expect a response until July" ??
How about them addressing the problem when it surfaced, months before their move?
Marty,
Thanks for the response. You are talking to a Lionel guy even though I have my share of MTH engines. The camera caboose was my 1st new Lionel item in many years since I buy on the secondary market.
I do have an extra router since Optimum gave me one for our use at home. Going to try your suggestion. Joe Mania and I have cabooses at shows. I bring the 25" monitor with my Ipad. He uses his phone to connect to his caboose. The large monitor stops folks in their tracks when they see the trains running. I just want to utilize the split screen option.
Many thanks, Marty.
P.S. I am not calling Lionel until they are back in operation. Things can wait.
RLAHAEI, use a 220 grit or finer paper with a little water and you should be able to sculp the glass in whatever shape you need it.
I have a very clear piece of acrylic I'd like to use, but I don't want to pull the caboose apart unless I know it's not too thick. Did anyone keep the piece they pulled out and if so, would you mind posting the thickness? Thanks. Dust is an issue in my basement so if I do pull out the Lionel window I do need to replace it.
shawn posted:Hopefully, I don’t need a call to the NYS AG,s office....
That would be some call. Some guy complaining to the AG that a window on his toy train caboose isn't clear enough. I bet they'd get right on that. 
Is it possible to try and polish the existing plastic window with some type of light abrasive, like the type used to remove the haze/crud on car headlights?
Meguiar's PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish at Autozone or maybe Walmart, also good for improving the yellow in auto head light lens
Charlie
I've said it before and I'll say it again. 
Why do we have to fix BRAND NEW stuff to make it work the way it was designed to work? 
Just sayin'
Chief Bob (Retired) 
breezinup posted:shawn posted:Hopefully, I don’t need a call to the NYS AG,s office....
That would be some call. Some guy complaining to the AG that a window on his toy train caboose isn't clear enough. I bet they'd get right on that.
You might be surprised!
Train Nut posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:shawn posted:Hopefully, I don’t need a call to the NYS AG,s office....
Really? I think you need to take a step back and remember this is just a hobby. Since Lionel service is closed right now for the move, I don't think it's realistic to expect any response for until at least July.
"Not realistic to expect a response until July" ??
How about them addressing the problem when it surfaced, months before their move?
Agreed!
breezinup posted:shawn posted:Hopefully, I don’t need a call to the NYS AG,s office....
That would be some call. Some guy complaining to the AG that a window on his toy train caboose isn't clear enough. I bet they'd get right on that.
LMAO. So true.
The morning coffee break would be full of "fun" remarks.
"What the heck is a 'toy train'"??
"Caboose? Isn't that someone's arse?"
Per chance he might be a train buff? One never knows!
With a router, the cameras and iPad connect to the router allowing the iPad to connect to 4 cameras via 1 device, the router. I know other folks on the forum have done this.
Marty
So the cameras with their own wifi id's will recognize the router as my Ipad that had the Wireless caboose app on it will do the same and connect to the router? My 25" monitor is connected to the Ipad via the power cord.
My wife got me the Reading Camera Caboose for Christmas. A picture of my video is below. I found this thread and see the "before" but mine is nowhere close to that good. Do I have a defective camera caboose? I don't believe this is a result of a bad plastic window, is it?
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