MTH DCS Explorer vs. Full DCS systems

The DCS Explorer is a moderate step up from the DCS Remote Commander. It's functionality is equivalent to that of the free app. It is absolutely not as capable as the DCS Remote's control of individual engines.

It lacks a number of individual engines' features, and doesn't handle lashups, TMCC, Legacy, accessories, switch tracks, import/export, or record/playback, as well as lacking other features. It's intended purpose is to get new people into DCS.

It only allows a maximum of 3 engines to be added to the app, although you could operate all 3 simultaneously.

It comes with its own power supply, which is limited to 6 amps total draw, and cannot be used with a higher powered transformer or in passive mode.

Lastly, the single purchase units aren't scheduled to arrive at MTH until mid-January.

First step is would you prefer to control your trains via a smart phone or MTH DCS remote? With DCS you can add the WiFi unit to the TIU, don't think you can add remotes to the Explorer. All features accessible with the Explorer?

The TIU version would seem the better, though more expensive, way to go.

The Explorer will only allow very basic functions for the engine alone:  speed (but not setting max speed), direction, horn, whistle, electro couplers, master volume, smoke on/off, engine sound on/off, headlight on/off.  The rest of the features I have tried give a statement that you need to buy the whole system.  So, the Explorer isn't close to being the full DCS system.  It is more like the old Remote Commander except it works more reliably and runs multiple trains.  It requires a power supply and has a jack that fits a MTH brick.  I have connected two 4x8 independent loops of track to one Explorer and it runs the two trains just fine.  I don't know how much track it would support, but I would suspect that is more a function of the number of power feeders you used.  I don't see how you could control more than one Explorer with the app, but not sure why you would want to.  By the time you run 3 engines with smoke you would be getting close to the max for a MTH brick.  If you had two Explorers and two smart devices you could probably run them separately by using the MTH network setting for one and your home network for the other.  I think you would be better off with the full DCS system than spending the money on multiple Explorers and bricks.

Two more features I overlooked that are available on the Explorer.  The Passenger/Freight Announcement feature and the Doppler effect on the horn.  The single purchase Explorers without a transformer must be available because I purchased mine from Model Train Stuff a week ago.  

The single purchase Explorers without a transformer must be available because I purchased mine from Model Train Stuff a week ago.  

Actually, the separate sale units are still on the water.

I expect that your store broke yours out a RTR set and substituted a DCS Remote Commander for a customer who wanted the set without WiFi capability.

Sorry this is an old topic but if I have a mth Amtrak genesis from 2017 would the explorer run all the functions of ps3, smoke, all the horns, bells and whistles? I only ask because I have a Lionel legacy 990 and don’t want to buy a whole new system for one engine.

It will control the following functions:  You can turn the smoke on/off.  You can operate the horns, bells, and whistles.  You can control the speed and set a maximum speed.  You can control the couplers, headlight on/off, engine sound on/off, activate Passenger/Freight announcements, and you can control the sound volume.  You can control up to three engines at once.

The dcs explores does all the functions as the remote commander. You can not control the track power to run ps1 locomotives. The thing is with the full dcs is you get all features. So my opinion is that get a TIU because if you have a tmcc base you can tie them together and run any Lionel command locomotives threw the TIU. The thing is you can only access the tmcc futures. You can also have conventional threw the TIU.

Thank you guys!

i just need to find some passenger cars that will look good with this 

Cant get the PSA To work on my MTH SHORELINE EAST GENESIS. I have another post on this but wanted feedback from you other fellows. Should I get rid of the Explorer for the DCS MTH-50-1028 Commander so I can get the protocast to? Its nearly the same price.

Robert, IMO you should get rid of the Explorer and go with the TIU.  That's the route I took.  I wasn't happy about it but it's worked out.  I've never used the Commander.

Robert,

Assuming the PSA button is not grayed out, what exactly are you doing to try to get it to work and what exactly is happening?

You must use the PFA key on the lower Engine Control Screen. The PFA sounds don't happen by themselves.

What about the DCS COMMANDER mth 50-1028?  How much is the TIU?

Barry,

The PFA is in white, then under is the Doppler in white, the Protocast in grayed out underneath. 

When I click PFA the explorer flashes but no sound occurs, it lets me click Activate nothing happens then goes to arrival and nothing, Segment 1 and nothing, segment 2 and nothing and finally Departure and nothing happens but a flash of the Explorer lights.

Dave,

It could  be that there's a bug in the engine's sound file. Can you get PFA sounds from any other DCS engines?

Barry you might be right, I just got off the phone with MTh and they are having someone check for a bug because it was a rare train. They took my information and said something about a trolley file might be screwing it up. I don't have anything else MTH besides the Elevated subway trestles to test with. 

Robert,

I just tested the PFA function with my DCS Explorer and it works fine.

However, if MTH put Transit Station Announcements in your engine (for use with subways and trollies), I can guarantee that the PFA button won't do anything at all. Transit Station Announcements are not supported by the app when using a DCS Explorer. You need to be using a TIU and WIU.

Following is an excerpt from The DCSWiFi Companion 2nd Edition, page 130, regarding how to trigger PFA sounds:

• Tap the PFA button to open the Passenger/Freight Announcements window. 
• Tap Activate to begin to play the announcement sequences. Activate will change to Arrival. 
• Tap the Arrival button to stop the engine and play the first sound sequence. Arrival will change to Segment 1. The engine’s reverse unit is temporarily disabled so that the train will not move until the full PFA sequence is completed or cancelled. Also disabled is the use of the Bell and Horn/Whistle buttons. 
• After waiting about 30 seconds for the sequence to finish, tap the Segment 1 button to play the next sound sequence. Repeat this for the remaining sound sequences. At the conclusion of the Departure sound sequence, the DCS engine's bell will begin to sound and the engine will resume movement in the same direction that it was going when PFA was initiated. 
• Once the bell turns off, the operator regains control of the engine.

Everything that you need to know about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

my mth dcs remote 50-1002 was bought 10 yrs ago, used ok 1 day but sat in box for 10 years because of my health problems. Can the newer mth dcs explorer now do all functions like lashups, chuff rate changes. or, do I give up many functions as the older posts here suggested. Tried the remote today, updated to the 6.1 software & my original remote will not run or find my original protosound engines using my tiu & variable output channels on my mth z4000.  

my 20 mth premier engines are all original protosound.

Can the newer mth dcs explorer now do all functions like lashups, chuff rate changes. or, do I give up many functions as the older posts here suggested.

No, it cannot do all functions. For that, you'll need a TIU, WIU and the DCS App (Premium version). Specifically, the DCS Explorer cannot do lashups or make changes to chuff rates.

Tried the remote today, updated to the 6.1 software & my original remote will not run or find my original protosound engines using my tiu & variable output channels on my mth z4000.

The DCS Remote can run only PS2 and PS3 engines in command mode. Original Protosound engines may be run only in conventional mode using the TIUs variable channels and the remote's TR screen, or the DCS App's (Premium version) Track Control Screen.

Original Protosound engines cannot be "found" by DCS because they are conventional, rather than command control, engines.

Everything that you need to know about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Everything that you need to know about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Very much appreciated. You answered my question very clearly

Conventional runner here but I am sorely tempted by the recent wifi / bluetooth capabilities of MTH  and Lionel.  Sorry for more questions related to the number of engines possible to control using these MTH wifi items.  

1. The DCS explorer will control only three locomotives simultaneously. Is it simple to change the three it recognizes? For instance I might like to run three locos for several days and switch to a different three.  Has anyone tried this and how big a pain is this to do?  I assume I would need to delete the previous three and go through the reload procedure?  Any issues?

2.  This 50-1036 combination should be arriving soon and it is pretty cost effective it appears.  Based on reading the instructions, it seems this unit would recognize, one by one, my engines as I put them on the track and energized them.  Eventually all my locos would be in the "memory" and ready to roll, whenever I want.  Is this true?

thanks for the help! 

Very true, although I defer to Barry B for all-things-DCS. @Barry Broskowitz

Yes, the price seems cost effective (as bundling usually is) but I am left to wonder if it comes with the remote control unit. I don't think so; and with that, you would be compelled to get at least the basic app for your smartphone/tablet, which is quite limited. The premium app is another $30 or so. 

I just ordered the WIU from Mario's Trains - it should be here on Monday. I have also order Barry's book, which comes highly recommended. 

My only complaint as of today is that the remote controller/hand-held is slow to respond to thumb wheel changes. New batteries and direct-line-of-sight to the base unit (the TIU) doesn't make any difference. Not sure what is going on. 

-- Dr Joe

Dr Joe,

Good points and I failed to say that my plan was to avoid the remote control  hand held and use the app.  Not sure I need the premium but time will tell.  I am happy with the lionel blue tooth app and its capabilities.  Would love to hear your WIU experience with the app when you get set up!

hokie71 posted:

Would love to hear your WIU experience with the app when you get set up!

Will do!

Sorry this is an old topic but I have mth 50-1036  DCS wifi,can i add remote 50-1002 to this sytem and use  or remote or app.

Thanks