Does the new MTH WTIU that was announced in their ho catalog mean the end of the handheld remote? I assume it can be used for O Scale as well? Any Opinions?
Ted
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Considering MTH is closing it’s doors next spring it could be the end of a lot of things! I would try to get another remote while you still can and extra thumb wheels to go with them. Time will tell.
The thumbwheel ship has sailed, there are no more available.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:The thumbwheel ship has sailed, there are no more available.
Well there ya go. Sign of the times and tip of the iceberg I guess.
Isn't the cradle the weak point, not exactly the thumb wheel? Couldn't those items be candidates for 3D printing?
I'm not an advocate for the WiFi. I never intended on buying one, but please correct me if I'm wrong. You don't need the remote if you run with the WiFi set up, but you still need the TIU.
it looks like the new WTIU has the Wifi built in so you dont need a separate wifi module - but i was still wondering if the new WTIU can be used with O Scale - its in the new HO Catalog -it says it can only be used with the app and not the handheld
Yes you still need the TIU and the WIU but not the remote. To be honest I was a hold out going to the Wi-Fi unit but it works and works very well in my experience. There are a lot of advantages to using it like a backlit screen especially if your eyes aren’t getting any younger.
@ted K posted:it looks like the new WTIU has the Wifi built in so you dont need a separate wifi module - but i was still wondering if the new WTIU can be used with O Scale - its in the new HO Catalog -it says it can only be used with the app and not the handheld
I don’t see why it wouldn’t work with O scale. It doesn’t seem make sense to build one just for HO.
Well, it outputs DC, so it will work for DCS, but forget about running TMCC/Legacy on the same tracks!
Remember, they're selling the O-gauge rig, it's the TIU and the WIU in a package, but no remote. However, I believe it's the standard TIU, so the old remotes will work with it.
I don’t know with any certainty, but when reading up on the new WTIU it looks like it’s only for two rail operation (they seem to focus it mainly for HO layouts), but hoping I’m wrong, it’d be nice to have everything in one device.
@Keith Crook 020419 posted:I don’t know with any certainty, but when reading up on the new WTIU it looks like it’s only for two rail operation (they seem to focus it mainly for HO layouts), but hoping I’m wrong, it’d be nice to have everything in one device.
I agree. Although the wifi box isn't huge it would be nice to have everything in one unit. It doesn't look like it'll connect with the legacy/TMCC base through the serial cable as I don't see a port for that on it.
Given that it appears it outputs DC, there would be no point in connecting it to the Legacy base!
thanks for the comments - i have a spare remote and like using it vs the app, it seems to respond faster - i guess MTH will not be shipping/manufacturing the "new" remote - i had ordered one from McMuffin's but guess it will never show up. one of my DCS handhelds backlight doesn't work - but both control my trains with no problems - also have a "spare" WIFI module - had to fix the power connection but works fine
thanks again for the comment
I no nothing about the WiFi, its pros or cons, set up or equipment needed. Since the future of MTH is unknown, what happens to the WiFi app or MTH engine upgrades to different sound files, etc. if MTH disappears completely?
Should have said know nothing! Dah.
@ironman1 posted:I no nothing about the WiFi, its pros or cons, set up or equipment needed. Since the future of MTH is unknown, what happens to the WiFi app or MTH engine upgrades to different sound files, etc. if MTH disappears completely?
Specifically the sound sets is what worries me. Might have to get to downloading the ones I really want, the subways, historical scale steam and some diesels.
@ironman1 posted:I no nothing about the WiFi, its pros or cons, set up or equipment needed. Since the future of MTH is unknown, what happens to the WiFi app or MTH engine upgrades to different sound files, etc. if MTH disappears completely?
Since none of us can predict the future, there's no telling what happens. The "claim" is that they'll have a group providing follow-on support for the DCS system, including boards and new hardware and software. However, that remains to be seen, talk is cheap.
Seems almost certain that if you want to be operating DCS in the future, you'll be using smart devices such as a phone or tablet, not a handheld DCS remote, unless you already own one (or more). If making a handheld remote wasn't attractive for the intact company, it it is even less likely to be the approach any successor company choses to take.
Please forgive my ignorance but am I correct that the basic MTH app is free but there are limitations? To get full functions there is a fee? Is that a one time fee & you have it forever but it needs to be purchased for each smart device?
Thanks,
Joe
Okay, I'll ask again, & please excuse me if these are dumb questions.
Am I correct that the basic MTH WiFi app is free but there are limitations? To get full functions, all of the functions you have with the remote, there is a fee? Is that a one time fee & you have it forever? Does it need to be purchased for each smart device? I honestly don't know how this works. If MTH closes COMPLETELY, does the APP for the WiFi disappear? Is it something you own forever?
Thanks
@ironman1 posted:Okay, I'll ask again, & please excuse me if these are dumb questions.
Am I correct that the basic MTH WiFi app is free but there are limitations? To get full functions, all of the functions you have with the remote, there is a fee? Is that a one time fee & you have it forever? Does it need to be purchased for each smart device? I honestly don't know how this works. If MTH closes COMPLETELY, does the APP for the WiFi disappear? Is it something you own forever?
Thanks
The free version of the MTH WiFi app is limited in functionality. They list three "tiers" on their site:
- The FREE version provides users with control of 3 locomotives and limited features and works with the DCS WIU WiFi Module or the DCS Explorer.
- The $4.99 STANDARD version provides users with full Proto-Sound 2.0 and 3.0 locomotive control when using the DCS WIU WiFi Module.
- The $24.99 PREMIUM version provides the user with full DCS control and more when using the DCS WIU WiFi Module.
I found this at: https://mthtrains.com/news/576
I'm by no means an authority on this, but from my experience with the App stores (both iOS and Android) when you download or buy an app you get to keep that app on your device even if the publisher retracts it from the store. This has been true of both free and paid apps in my case.
As far as I know with Apple devices you only have to purchase things once, but it may depend on the app. However, that will likely NOT be the case for an app that is on both platforms, i.e. if you buy it for your iPad, it won't be paid for on your Android phone. Also, when paying for an app via the store, usually that transfers from device to device. However, if it uses in-app purchases to unlock features, I think it's a per-device purchase - but I'm not positive about that.
Another thing to consider is that while I've been able to keep apps on my devices after the publisher pulled them off the App Store or they went out of business, the app will only work as long as it stays compatible with the version of the Operating System on your WiFi device. Sometimes after an upgrade I've had an older app stop working.
My assumption is that whoever takes over the DCS stuff from MTH will probably continue to support this app. Whether that will require buying another license when that business entity is established or if the existing versions will transfer is TBD. But for $25 it's not the end of the world right?
@rplst8 posted:The free version of the MTH WiFi app is limited in functionality. They list three "tiers" on their site:
I found this at: https://mthtrains.com/news/576
I'm by no means an authority on this, but from my experience with the App stores (both iOS and Android) when you download or buy an app you get to keep that app on your device even if the publisher retracts it from the store. This has been true of both free and paid apps in my case.
While the app will stay on your device past its removal on the appstore, you might not be able to reinstall it if for some reason it gets damaged or accidentally uninstalled. For Android, there are "apk extractor" apps that let you save the installed app to an SD card for safekeeping on another device (like a PC). I used this to copy some Team Fortress (videogame) soundboards from my phone to a tablet that I hadn't installed them to before the developer disappeared from the Play Store. I'm not aware of an iOS equivalent, but not owning any Apple devices, I haven't looked for them.
The situation with unsupported apps ceasing to work on newer revisions of the operating system remains a thing, though. May have to keep an old device around to run those.
---PCJ
Thank you rplst8 for offering some answers. I appreciate your candor about not being an expert. I guess we'll see if anyone else may be able to shed some more light on this. I never intended to go the WiFi route but before I take the plunge I'd like to feel safe that it won't become obsolete in some way.
While in the process replying to rplst8, PCJ added some more info, thanks. I guess its possible to have a device or 2 dedicated to the MTH app, which would be similar to owning another remote for back-up.
FROM THE MTH WEBSITE and this STINKS!!!!
- Current and past DCS Remote Handheld units (50-1002 and 50-1038) cannot control the WTIU because there is no 900mhz radio transimtter/receiver in the WTIU
