MTH DCS WIU

I understand what Bobby was getting at in his original post, but I don't mind paying a nominal fee for more convenience. MTH probably did a cost analysis, and obviously felt it was worth it, and I'm glad they did. The market will tell companies what is and is not successful. I'm sure this has already been mentioned, but I believe the wifi unit is needed to make it compatible with older engines, and as Mr Muffin indicated, the TIU doesn't have a wifi adapter. It's easier for me to use the iPad, because I having frying pans for hands. Apps are becoming more popular in many fields, including TV. Maybe with a new generation of engines, we will communicate directly with the engines.

 

Andy

I think Lionchief suggests the future already.

 

Right you are Dave! I was actually referring to MTH's future engines...

I don't care how much it costs!  I'm excited for when it gets here!  Tell the boat from China to "Put the Pedal to the Metal!" 😀😀

"There is no such thing as a free lunch."*

 

If the wifi unit were to come with the software (apps) required to utilize it, that means that MTH would have to build into the price the amount it cost MTH (including royalty to Apple) to produce and include the app. Personally, I see no reason why I should have to bear the cost of the app which I will not use, which in my case is the Apple app. Likewise, why should the person will only has 1-4 trains, be required to purchase an app that is more elaborate than he/she really needs.

*My Grandfather told me about the free lunch counter. Back before prohibition, you could go into a saloon and for five cents to get a schooner of beer, the purchase of which entitled you to go to a table at the end of the bar on which was bread, cold cuts, and other sandwich makings, and make yourself a sandwich at no additional cost. Of course, the cost of the barkeep of maintaining that table was built into the nickel price of the beer, but that was a hidden cost to the drinker.

I'm sorry, Barry, but I completely understand where Bobby is coming from in this case. I have been wondering the exact same thing.  I have the Sonos hifi wifi system, so that I can play all my tunes (on my computer or from internet music sources such as Pandora) through all the music systems in my house and garages.  You can no longer purchase a controller through Sonos but they do offer a controller app for use with iPhone, iPad, android phone or tablet for free.  Granted the "zone players" (one is required for each different play back system) are not as inexpensive as the WIU but the controller app is still free. 

 

Larry

Larry,

but the controller app is still free. 

As is the basic DCS App.

Bobby,

   I have never seen any company give rational for their business practices.  Barry was nice enough to answer your question, evidently you do not like the answer, that is ok also. It sounds like you have grown up in a generation that has had things given them, companies are in business to make money, not provide free technology.  That being said I am a Professional engineer and this AP garbage is definitely a modern money making gadget, inflicted on the younger generations.  I view it the same way I view texting.

PCRR/Dave 

Dave,

 

What does my generation have to do with MTH trains, or the WIU APP? I don't mind Barry's answer, but he could have just said "MTH has not given a reason for why WIU is structured the way it is", instead I got a bunch of hateful garbage- and that's what I more have a problem with. Companies frequently give rationales for pricing structure, and hardware investment decisions. Just look-up every press-release on Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, or Sony consumer electronics, you'll find it in there. Same with companies like Verizon, in fact they condensed their rationale into a 30 second commercial. MTH decided not to do that, and that's OK with me. But it will give me pause to see how they approach the way they charge their customers in the future to see if that is something I want to be a part of. Sorry, but i'm not sorry that I'm trying to be an informed consumer here. That's something my parents generation taught me.

 

Bobby