MTH DCS Remote Commander

It should work from a few feet away, but the remote really needs to be pointed directly at it. Most of the time when I use it, I have the remote very close to it, like it sounds like you are. What type of track and switches do you have, if any? The signal strength may not be great on these, and I think they are generally better suited for a small layout/loop of track. FastTrack switches, for example, can also interfere with the DCS signal and cause commands to not be received by the engine.

It's Lionel STD tubular track.  No switches at the moment.  I've even tried leaving the red cap off the receiver and trying to bend the photo cell diode leads to get a bit more clearance / better angle over the edge of the hole in the little case, but it only helped marginally.  IR is line of sight, so they really should have built this thing so the cell was above the surface of the case to prevent anything blocking the remote signal.

I use one on my layout for DCS. It's mounted to the front fascia and yes, the remote is very LINE OF SIGHT.

Only suggestion would be to try wiring the RC directly to the track buss- called passive mode. The RC will get power from the track and works just fine for me. Power wiring from your transformer should go directly to the track instead of through the RC.

My layout is 4x8 but I have lot's of switches, blocks and 2 levels and it works fine.

Bob

That's how I run mine as well.  Remote base wired to track.  Whole thing is powered by Lionel LW.  Only hassle has been fighting the angles with this IR remote.

I installed a MTH Remote Commander at the "L" angle of my 15x19-feet L-shaped layout - near the control panel. The layout is equipped with Lionel tubular track and switches. As others have mentioned, a LINE OF SIGHT unobstructed path from the controller to the device is critical. However, as the distance between the hand-held controller and the device increases, the reliability of signal reception decreases. Further, in my use of it this DCS variant, it isn't as quick to respond to commands as the Lionel TMCC system.

The MTH full-featured DCS system is pricey, so I installed the affordable Remote Commander system instead. I have only one MTH DCS-equipped loco, and I don't run it very often. In terms of actual performance of the Remote Commander, it works OK as long as I stay within its boundaries.

Mike:  I have a 25ft x 12ft layout with three "legs" -  one leg has my fiddle/freight yard - the middle leg has my turntable and 3 mainlines - and the other leg has my incline/decline, as well as the passenger station and a "hinged" bridge that has two mainlines returning back to the middle leg, which in turn connects all of the three legs at the other end of the layout.

I have used Buco brass and steel three rail track and switches in all instances, and have three bus wires running under the table feeding the three mainlines.

I am like you......I can't bring myself to going the whole hog and installing the full DCS system, so I have the DCS Remote Commander System to run my PS2 and PS3 MTH RailKing loco's.

I don't seem to have any problems controlling the trains, or with them responding slowly, but I do have the infra red receiver mounted on the tabletop edge, about mid way along the "middle leg", so it is always no further than about 8ft from me, at any location where I stand around the layout.

I LOVE MY DCS REMOTE COMMANDER!!!!!!......and without all of the hassles (and expense) of the full DCS system.

Peter.....Buco Australia.

Peter Down Under ...

Your layout platforms seem to be ideally situated for using MTH's Remote Commander DCS system. All to the good! My L-shaped layout was built in an L-shaped room, and the far corners are not LINE OF SIGHT locations for the DCS remote controller.  So I must stay close to the "L" angle of the layout (at the control panel and near the DCS track sensor) for reliable performance. Generally, that's not a problem for operation, just "limiting."

However, it's not a significant problem because I rarely run my few MTH DCS-equipped locos. They are "shelf queens" on display.  Most of my O-gauge collection is Lionel with TMCC or other compatible brands -- all of the Rock Island RR, the railroad that served my hometown (Peoria, IL) when I was a boy during the 1940s-50s.

Carry on, regardless ...

Mike   LCCA 12394

I currently do not have a DCS system but have been thinking about a MTH DCS EXPLORER.   They seem to be slightly newer tech might be the compromise between upgrading from the old commander tech, but without the expense of full DCS.   I've seen a few around for around 250.   Would love to know thoughts if that helps the OP.

@42trainman posted:

I currently do not have a DCS system but have been thinking about a MTH DCS EXPLORER.   They seem to be slightly newer tech might be the compromise between upgrading from the old commander tech, but without the expense of full DCS.   I've seen a few around for around 250.   Would love to know thoughts if that helps the OP.

The new WTIU is going to become available in the next few weeks, it appears. This will provide the full DCS system at $350. At this stage...that would be the way to go if one was going to upgrade from the Remote Commander. I don't think an intermediate step, especially at $250, would be worthwhile.

Gotta go with Greg here, I'd wait for the WTIU.  It's going to be FAR more capable than the Explorer, it's pointless to make that move now.

I think MTH is missing the boat by not offering the Standard upgrade for use with the Explorer.

@H1000 posted:

I think MTH is missing the boat by not offering the Standard upgrade for use with the Explorer.

What's the "standard" upgrade?  The DCS Explorer was always a limited use item.  It was designed to replace the DCS Remote Commander in sets.   As I recall, it only outputs DC and is limited to 6A track power.  So, you can't use it with TMCC/Legacy on the same tracks, etc. It also only has one channel, so it's strictly for small layouts that only run MTH DCS.

The WTIU will not have any of those limitations.  It has four channels and is capable of handling most home layouts.

The Standard upgrade within the app unlocks full control of the locomotive functions and allows you to add more than three engines to the app engine roster.  These limitations are within the app and not the explorer itself.

The Explorer will output AC or DC, depending on whichever power type you input, it works exactly the same way fixed channel 1 on the TIU operates. The Standard app upgrade doesn't give you access to variable voltage track control, and you wouldn't need it for the Explorer as it doesn't have the hardware built in to support that function. The Explorer has no interface for the AIU or serial port for a Lionel Base, so the premium app upgrade would be useless.

Yes, you can run the explorer with a Lionel base system together and run TMCC, Legacy, and LionCheif with MTH PS2 & PS3. The Explorer can provide power to the track via an AC transformer and hook up the base as one normally would. You may be limited to 6 amps per explorer but that will run three trains on small to medium layouts fairly well, just don't crank up the smoke on all of them at the same time.

Also, keep in mind that you can use more than one Explorer at the same time.  If you have two Explorers, each can power a track and have its own power source and you can interface with both of them on one (or more) device running the app. They can be linked together the same way you link two or more WIUs together. The only limiting factor here is the app only allows you to add three active engines to the roster, the standard upgrade removes this limitation.

So this WTIU is $350, plus a power source that's compatible, plus an app that requires you to buy digital upgrades to get full functionality?

It will not include a power pack to run your trains. I think it includes one to power the device.

The free app will limit the functions to basic train control and a max of three engines. The paid upgrades will unlock more features.

Multiple DCS Explorers seem pretty silly compared to just buying the WTIU, but whatever floats your boat.  If you have three DCS Explorers connected to three independent loops, you also need three smart devices to use them!  You can't connect multiple DCS Explorers to a single smart device at the same time.

Another point is the price of the DCS Explorer on the secondary market, they're long out of production at MTH.  I see no point in buying limited out of date hardware at the inflated prices they are going for now.  You can buy the new WTIU for the price you'll pay for a couple of out of production DCS Explorer boxes, it's more capable, will drive a large layout, and is still in production.

If you look at the description on the MTH site for the MTH 50-1035 DCS Explorer Track Interface Unit, you'll see this statement.

The DCS Explorer has a limited feature set and is intended for ready-to-run train set customers and hobbyists who are just starting out in the command control world.

"If you have three DCS Explorers connected to three independent loops, you also need three smart devices to use them!"

No, you do not. All three explores can be linked to the same wi-fi network in MTH or HOME mode and one device can connect to all three and run anything connected to any of them.

"You can't connect multiple DCS Explorers to a single smart device at the same time."

Yes you can. Tested it myself and works just as if you had multiple WIU's and a single device.

Even if the DCS Explorer is out of production there are still useful ways to utilize the product and MTH could unlock some additional potential (and revenue) in the device with the standard unlock.  They are obviously still supporting the device as the newest version of their app still have Explorer functionality built-in.  Plus there is still demand for them as they do sell frequently on the bay and sometimes for higher than MSRP prices.  I don't see them reintroducing the product, why produce a cheaper device to undercut the sales of the WTIU.

One thing to keep in mind with the Explorer. In sets it came with a power supply.  That, for some reason, wasn't true of the separate sale Explorer.  There is no recommendation other than MTH transformers for power supplies, and this almost doubles the cost.  And I'm not sure MTH is even making the Z-1000 still, as one example. There are probably many separate sale wall warts that could work, but I haven't seen MTH recommendations regarding these. So if you purchase an Explorer, try to get one that comes with the original MTH wall wart power supply from their train sets would be my recommendation.

Sorry, I'll stand by my statement, with the soon arriving WTIU, the obsolete, limited, and out of production DCS Explorer is a silly purchase IMO.

My layout isn't that big, but in order to cover it, I'd need four DCS Explorers vs the one TIU that I use to support the whole thing. In addition, I can run conventional from my remotes on the variable channels of the TIU.  Another capability is the ability to run TMCC/Legacy equipment from the DCS remote or App with the TIU or the WTIU.

I simply don't understand the zeal for a product that is out of production and overpriced in the secondary market.

Once again, whatever blows your hair back is fine with me, it's not my money.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Sorry, I'll stand by my statement, with the soon arriving WTIU, the obsolete, limited, and out of production DCS Explorer is a silly purchase IMO.

My layout isn't that big, but in order to cover it, I'd need four DCS Explorers vs the one TIU that I use to support the whole thing. In addition, I can run conventional from my remotes on the variable channels of the TIU.  Another capability is the ability to run TMCC/Legacy equipment from the DCS remote or App with the TIU or the WTIU.

I simply don't understand the zeal for a product that is out of production and overpriced in the secondary market.

Once again, whatever blows your hair back is fine with me, it's not my money.

Those are all great features for those like you who have large layouts, with lots of trains from various manufacturers. If a small-time operator shows up with a couple of MTH RTR sets and a few Lionchief engines, the bargain price of a used $70 - $175 for an Explorer fits the bill better than a new $350 WTIU. Like it or not, the Explorer exists on the 2nd hand market and one of the primary principles of this forum is to share ideas of "how to" and different ways to utilize what you have. Telling everyone to move on and forget it while having very little practice and knowledge of the product is not in the best interest of those who come here to learn about that product.

Early on, I had a portable command layout that only ran a mix of MTH & Lionchief trains, two sometimes three at the same time. The TIU I swapped in from my home layout to run it was overkill. I picked up a used Explorer for $50 and never swapped the expensive TIU again, it fit the bill perfectly for this situation.

@Landsteiner posted:

One thing to keep in mind with the Explorer. In sets it came with a power supply.  That, for some reason, wasn't true of the separate sale Explorer.  There is no recommendation other than MTH transformers for power supplies, and this almost doubles the cost.  And I'm not sure MTH is even making the Z-1000 still, as one example. There are probably many separate sale wall warts that could work, but I haven't seen MTH recommendations regarding these. So if you purchase an Explorer, try to get one that comes with the original MTH wall wart power supply from their train sets would be my recommendation.

The Explorer was never intended to be a separate sale device that includes a power pack capable of running your trains, which is a job reserved for transformers. In the history of command control units issued for sale, no one has ever included the transformer needed to power your trains except in extremely rare situations like the Lionel Electronic Set. The Explorer replaced the DCS Remote Commander in all RTR sets and was offered for separate sale for those who wanted the Explorer without having to buy an RTR set to get it, they would not need a transformer as they could reuse one from their RTR set.

Finding a compatible power pack for the Explorer isn't hard. The instructions are vague because again MTH intended this to be sold to those who already have RTR sets with compatible power packs. If you didn't have a power pack, they recommended their own Z1000 as indicated on the separate sale packaging (and yes the Z-1000 is still in production). The Explorer will accept pretty much anything you throw at it as long as it's not direct 120-volt AC line power. If you wire up an old ZW to it, don't worry about the current protection that's built into the Explorer along with the TVS protection. Keep the input voltage under 24 (19 if running anything from Lionel) and that's about it.

@H1000 posted:

Those are all great features for those like you who have large layouts, with lots of trains from various manufacturers. If a small-time operator shows up with a couple of MTH RTR sets and a few Lionchief engines, the bargain price of a used $70 - $175 for an Explorer fits the bill better than a new $350 WTIU.

Show me ANYWHERE you can buy the MTH Explorer for anything remotely resembling $70!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Show me ANYWHERE you can buy the MTH Explorer for anything remotely resembling $70!

With a little patience, they pop on for a low price. One sold on eBay back in August for $76. The was also one on OfferUp last month for $85. I bought mine a while ago for $50. There is a dealer on eBay who is sitting on a pile of them and selling them for $50 above MSRP.

@H1000 posted:

There is a dealer on eBay who is sitting on a pile of them and selling them for $50 above MSRP.

$50 above MSRP is $200, way more than makes any sense to buy this very limited box!  You say it's good to present all options.  I agree, and it's also good to point out why some of those options make less sense in the long run.  I believe this is one of those cases.

Let's agree to disagree, I think buying the DCS Explorer for anything like $200 is a very foolish and shortsighted purchase!

Gunnerjohn wrote: " In addition, I can run conventional from my remotes on the variable channels of the TIU".

Wow John are you actually admitting out loud that you run conventional.

Bill

@RSJB18 posted:

I use one on my layout for DCS. It's mounted to the front fascia and yes, the remote is very LINE OF SIGHT.

Only suggestion would be to try wiring the RC directly to the track buss- called passive mode. The RC will get power from the track and works just fine for me. Power wiring from your transformer should go directly to the track instead of through the RC.

My layout is 4x8 but I have lot's of switches, blocks and 2 levels and it works fine.

Bob

Don't think I noticed your layout in your past posts Bob (I probably missed it).

Very nice setup.

Congrats,

John

I wonder how many hobby shops and online O gauge vendors went out of business waiting for control systems to come in so they could sell their expensive engines over these past few years to people who didn't already have a way to run them.

John

@Craftech posted:

Don't think I noticed your layout in your past posts Bob (I probably missed it).

Very nice setup.

Congrats,

John

Thanks John. My little slice of heaven.

Bob

@ogaugenut posted:

Gunnerjohn wrote: " In addition, I can run conventional from my remotes on the variable channels of the TIU".

Wow John are you actually admitting out loud that you run conventional.

When I get repairs that require it.

Also, I still have a handful of conventional engines that haven't gone under the knife yet.  If I buy a new engine that's conventional with the intent to upgrade it, I like to run it a bit to make sure all the running gear is solid.  It costs me nothing to have the capability to run conventional stuff, so why not?