mth dcs hand held remote is this the last run?

Only Mike Wolf can say for sure, and he might change his mind.  I would get another. 

MTH keeps saying this is the last run, and at the last York, Mike Wolf himself said it.  That doesn't mean it really is, but it's a reasonable indication that they don't really want to make them.

There have been similar threads on this topic in the past. MTH has been saying that they were going to discontinue the DCS handhelds for the past few years, but they continue to manufacture them, as there was a lot of push back from customers. In fact, they recently released a new upgraded version, replacing the 50-1002 with the 50-1038, which is listed in the 2020 catalog. It's starting to feel a little like the boy who cried wolf.

BTW, if you go on the MTH website, there appear to be several dealers who still have the old version in stock. I do not believe that the newer version is available yet. 

Pat

If they discontinue it, it's for one reason: they're not making enough profit to justify producing it. Maybe they're not making anything on the remote, but if it drives the sale of other items that are more profitable, it may be a bad decision to discontinue it. Most businesses have a "loss leader." Could the DCS remote be just that for MTH?

In a recent on line interview with MTH they said yes this is the last run as they can not get the internal components that are needed to make the hand held. I am hoping to be able to get a few more of the remotes as well. Really easy to handle 1 MTH remote in each hand running 2 trains easily switching and doing most things by feel with the remote. With the Wi Fi app I find I can only hold one phone or pad or ? and have to spend most of my time looking at the screen. And have not had the same range with the wi fi as the MTH DCS remote especially at a distance at the club garden railway layout. I wonder how many people would buy a tv dvd player, stereo  etc. without a remote. or a household appliance without buttons to push to make it run instead suggesting you use your phone to control your washer or stove! 

I urge MTH if they can not make the same remote to come up with anything like it that is so functional. 

KJ, I totally agree. 

I find it hard to believe that components cannot be found that can accomplish the same function.  Not necessarily direct replacements, and some redesign of boards may be needed.From what I've seen on the forum, boards are cheap to redesign & produce.

For one thing, the thumbwheel is no longer available, if they have to change that, it would be a significant redesign and R&D expenditure.  My sense is that MTH doesn't think the demand justifies that investment.  I'm sure the 20 year old LCD display is also no longer produced.  Circuit boards and many of those components are the easy part, the mechanical issues is where you'll spend the money getting something produced in quantity.

 If one desires a remote to run their layout. I know I prefer one. I do have the Wi-Fi setup. For operations. I just like the feel of a remote. I know you would need to abandon DCS completely. If you own engines that are DCC capable. Is that an option worth looking into. Just to have a readily available remote. The best part. Is you get to pick the system that works best for you. If you have numerous AIU’s. I’m guessing you could retain them and run them through IPads with the TIU having no track connections.

 I know it’s another learning curve. I’m assuming if you have DCS working well. DCC should be a simple hook up and just engaging the switch on the engine or pulling a jumper. I’m guessing TMCC can also be on the layout. I know you would lose the smph feature. Not sure if you lose cruise. I have 3 remotes. During an op. session. They may all be in use. Most of my MTH are switchers or road switchers. I just don’t like running with Wi-Fi in this scenario. I’ll probably grab a remote or 2 when they become available. 
 If I was starting from scratch and building a layout for operations. I would look at DCC.

One thing I failed to mention in my earlier post is that MTH significantly increased the price for 50-1038, the new version of the handheld. You have to wonder whether MTH is thinking that this will tamp down on new sales and thereby provide air cover for  ceasing to manufacture them in the future. When the new version is released, I am planning to purchase a few of them, as who knows what MTH will do in the future. Best to be prepared.

Pat

I agree the parts are getting long in the tooth. guess I have to get 4 of them when they are released. maybe I should have pre ordered them. will also check with dealers who have them.

I agree the remote is good for one handed operation vrs two with the ipad or phone app. only upside to the phone app is getting to menues and naming things is very easy. the app at least for me still has some flaws and I dont recall an update in a while from the app store or mth.