Observations about Legacy and Bluetooth control

You are seeing the difference between BT4 and BT5.  The difference is night and day, and the evolution continues at a speedy pace... there have been 3 versions of BT5 since its release.  Bluetooth 4 had lower message capacity of 37 octets, but 5 increased it to 255. This resulted in more efficient data transmission over greater distances with less broadcast time and a much richer user experience.

Well, I don't think it would take version 5 over 4 for this ability. After all, this is simple two-way communication with extremely low bandwidth requirements that even the earliest versions of Bluetooth should be able to handle. I think it's Lionel improving the coding within their software & hardware over time and also has to do with some of the enhancements being incorporated into the BASE 3 with Bluetooth communication.

@Volphin posted:

You are seeing the difference between BT4 and BT5.  The difference is night and day, and the evolution continues at a speedy pace... there have been 3 versions of BT5 since its release.  Bluetooth 4 had lower message capacity of 37 octets, but 5 increased it to 255. This resulted in more efficient data transmission over greater distances with less broadcast time and a much richer user experience.

I really don't think the Universal Remote has BT5, so that can't be it.  The only thing I have that has good range using BT is the ES44AC that came with the Rocket Booster Set and the Strasburg #89, both very recent engines. All the other BT equipped stuff I have from Lionel punks out in less than 30 feet, usually more like 18-20 feet.

The only BT device that gives me a longer range is my Samsung Galaxy S21 5G with BT5 with the two aforementioned new locomotives.  The Universal Remote wouldn't connect to any of them at 30 feet.

@H1000 posted:

Also, when running older Lionchief RF engines, the universal remote provides more speed steps vs the original RF remote. We were able to get slower and better speed control from RF engines. Plus, using the RF remote and the Universal remote at the same time resulting is some strange behaviors with odd sounds, interesting to see but not recommended.

Thanks for sharing this H1000, but please clarify one thing...  Are you referring to basic LionChief, or the 1st-generation LionChief Plus with dedicated remotes in the passage quoted above?  Thanks!

@H1000 posted:

We noted some unique behaviors during our last operating session when running Legacy engines with the Lionchief App and the CAB1&2 remotes.

While running a newer 2021 release camel-back, we turned off the smoke using the CAB remote and the App would automatically recognize this change and update the icon indicating no smoke.  It didn't do this for any other function like Direction, Bell or horn. We tried this with an earlier Bluetooth equipped diesel from 2018 and smoke icon never updated. Something curious we noticed.

Another more annoying issue we noted is that when controlling Bluetooth engines with both a Bluetooth device (Universal remote or APP), that the engine would stop once Bluetooth connectivity was lost even though the CAB remote was still controlling engine. This created a small mishap which required some quick thinking on our parts.

Also, when running older Lionchief RF engines, the universal remote provides more speed steps vs the original RF remote. We were able to get slower and better speed control from RF engines. Plus, using the RF remote and the Universal remote at the same time resulting is some strange behaviors with odd sounds, interesting to see but not recommended.

What’s your running up against is the fact that Bluetooth is actually a garbage interface. It can easily be knocked out of the air by other devices, and range can be spotty at best.

For me, I DO NOT like Bluetooth, for operating Trains. I believe it was only added to ATTRACT the " Tech-SAVVY " crowd, into our Hobby. Oh, I like my Electronics. I build Gaming PC's as a " Secondary Hobby." I'm also a PC & Xbox Series X " Gamer." At almost  74 yrs old, gaming is good for " Exercising" both the Brain & also the Body !!  My O-Scale Trains, are my PRIMARY Hobby.

@Ted S posted:

Thanks for sharing this H1000, but please clarify one thing...  Are you referring to basic LionChief, or the 1st-generation LionChief Plus with dedicated remotes in the passage quoted above?  Thanks!

This test was with a early generation LC RF (2015 I think?) engine, not a plus.