remote question

Legacy doesn't have the actual speed that is sent back from the engine like MTH does. It does have a speed graph that tells you what speed step the engine is at. Also has prototypical railroad speed buttons for 4 prototypical speeds. Legacy is easier for some to wire up as it only takes one wire from the base to the track common. I have only used the MTH remote a little but it seemed about the same as far as ease of use.

Ron

Vic,

As Ron stated, Legacy doesn't show actual SMPH. I believe that MTH might have the legal rights to it? Legacy shows "200 speed steps" for which I can't recall what the breakdown to SMPH is. Nonetheless, each Legacy loco uses the same speed steps so you can easily set independent trains to run at the same speed.

If the DCS remote is your only gripe, you may want to hold off for a while as rumor was going around that a new remote is in the works.

when you turn the red knob a number shows up in the lower right of the top screen.  this is the MPH.  this was discussed in another thread and santa fe fan said the number is so close to actual MPH it would be hard to tell the difference.

thanks guys ,,im really interested in the legacy system ,,less wiring , more comfortable controller the smph thing really isnt a factor for me

Vic2367 you might want to find a hobby shop or train show that has Legacy in operation. You could look at it and maybe operate it and ask questions that could be answered while the remote is in your hand.

Ron

I added DCS to my Conventional just a couple weeks ago.  Yep the remote is a pile or junk. Why they cant have train novices involved in the design of these kind of things is beyond me.  I am a tech guy, but I am sure the menus and the whole thing gives the non technical guys fits.

As far as wiring the system.  I just hooked the leads from the transformer to the TIU, with banana jacks I am not sure what the issue is to to cut two wires, strip and put banana jacks on?  I got DCS because I am a miser.  I picked up a PS2 loco and 4 passenger cars for $200 and a used TIU and Remote for $190.  Some day I will invest in Lionel, but it's going to be Legacy, but for now I am happy with DCS.  I'd like to have both.

when you turn the red knob a number shows up in the lower right of the top screen.  this is the MPH.  this was discussed in another thread and santa fe fan said the number is so close to actual MPH it would be hard to tell the difference.

I run both systems simultaneously. For road engines speed steps between 37-39 correspond to MTH's 10 smph.  For switchers (my genset) runs at 23 speed steps for 3 MTH smph. The subways are geared differently as well with 38 speed steps equally 20 MTH smph.  It is my experience that as the MTH speeds increase the number of speed steps per smph increment decreases.

If you trade or sell your DCS system you wont be able to run your PS2 & 3 engines in command mode. Legacy will only control TMCC and Legacy equipped engines.

 

The Command Demo group will be at the Edison Greenberg show in March if you want to try Legacy.

I never understood the problem with the thumb wheel. I find the dcs remote easy and and only need one hand. I am not a techie or computer savvy  and hooking up to wires is not hard.

no its not hard at all ,,just less wire looks better too me ,,and the remotes wheel is kinda tricky ,