Sensor Tracks hitting the Streets.

Thanks Jon for clearing up my PDI (not PID) error.  Fast typing and short memory.

Thanks for the additional info too!

Jon, what is the usable range of the track sensors below the track tops?  I'm interested in how close I have to mount it if we hack a couple to put into Atlas track.  Obviously, I'd like it to trigger reliably, but ideally, I wouldn't have to do major surgery on the Atlas track sections to fit it in.  I'm thinking of embedding the board in the cork roadbed we use.

I'd be REALLY surprised if Jon is not vastly more informed than any of us about the exact status of any of the Legacy components.   Do you actually think that Jon and MR don't speak?

Trainman9, I'll say this one more time politely... Time to lay it down and move on to another topic, man.  Really.  

David

Trainman, In case you haven't realized it yet. SantaFeFan/JonZ is the designer and the brains behind the Legacy system. He knows what is in it. Any changes would start with him and he would approve them.

At the best I would say you misunderstood Mike R. at the worse you are not listening. Either way give it up. Someday there may be a redesign of the 990, but not in the near future.  Move on you are looking foolish

John, I just installed the sensor electronics in an Atlas track section for a customer.  I simply removed the bottom of the tie and and removed two ties where the IRDA sensor hit. The result was the PCB was set against the thin remaining tie slightly under the rails. 

If the IRDA is set lower, ie an inch - it would still work, just keep in mind at higher speeds of the data beamed out of the loco has to have a clear view from an angle to catch all the transmission.  If the PCB is low and the IRDA sensor is "down in a hole" the view may not be long enough to catch all the info. 

Great Jon, that's what I wanted to know.  Sounds like it shouldn't be much of an issue to hack these in, that's what I was hoping.   I just want to disguise them a bit under the rails so that it's not obvious there's a whole PCB under there.  We may end up extending the control panel a few inches and hiding it under scenery, that looks simple enough.

Forumites,

Mike and I talk, and sometimes the plans change.  We review many things during design discussions, and implementations are fluid until the design is complete.  I don't discuss preliminary status of products, but at times Mike may need to convey the current situation on items that have issues.

I can assure folks the 990 set is not based on the Cab1L/Base1L.  I personally designed the Cab1L/Base1L hardware, and worked with the CM in China to modify the tooling.  All aspects of the Cab1L/Base1L were my design and responsibility to execute.  It was fully based on the Legacy 990 set, not the other way around.

I can assure folks who have the Legacy 990/993 set that any newer units produced in the future won't functionally be any different than the very first Legacy 990/993 sets off the line.  Software has improved, but updates are available to all.   No changes planned are based on the Cab1L/Base1L design.  There is no need to feel the Legacy 990 set you have is "down level".  Our Legacy design works, and we won't be changing or upgrading the product without a lot of research and thought.

Relative to component subs, all subs are run by engineering.  The Legacy 990 systems with issues had only newer versions of the *same* part numbers, which caused some issues and delays to the consumer.  The newer parts should have worked, but did not.  The changes to the code and hardware were such that functionally the Legacy 990 design has not changed, but adjusted to continue to meet specifications.  Engineering was responsible for the direction to make these parts work, and they were very, very, minor adjustments.  It just takes time to research and correct, hence the delays.  We are truly sorry for the delays, we want the product to be right.

I was not alone and I guess the two of us misunderstood what MR said.

This is my last post on the subject so I'm sure all of you will be satisfied.

As for me I'm keeping the 1L and will wait until all the issues, like most of you I have had them, are resolved with the 990 before I purchase it.

Lastly, if there are no issues with producing the 990 system where are they!!!!

AlanH is that you?

Jon, what's that old saying?

You can have them fast, you can have them cheap, and you can have them good.

Pick any two.

I have the Legacy system,  two controllers actually, I have a few beam-er equipped engines, but no sensor tracks, no sensor "controllers" nor cables. It is not the cost that is my issue. I even bought an IPAD mini for this (and I hate Apple).

My issue is that I have a heck of lot more engines that are NOT Legacy beam-er equipped. It seems like a lot of work for too few engines.

So unless more of them can join in with alternative beam-ers  I just dont see this as something essential at this point.

However, I do appreciate the discussion as it's very informative.

I think there should be a sensor boxcar that would beam to the sensor track, that would be something that could be incorporated in any consist and offer the same functionality to older locomotives.  I'd like to see it be programmable in some fashion so that you could own a couple of them and use them in various configurations, you wouldn't need that many.  Perhaps a USB connection to your computer to program the characteristics of the consist it was going to run in?

If the protocol for the transmission from the locomotive was available, this could even be a 3rd party project, it would be a great product.

I know it was brought up before, but I figured since the question came up again...

MartyE

For some of us there is a "learning curve" or even a "warming-up-to curve" that is still, from what I have read here, going on.  So bear with us Gringos please and try to withhold the scant sarcasm, it never convinces anyone!  I know.

Originally posted by Santafefan: 

The Legacy 990 systems with issues had only newer versions of the *same* part numbers, which caused some issues and delays to the consumer.  The newer parts should have worked, but did not.  The changes to the code and hardware were such that functionally the Legacy 990 design has not changed, but adjusted to continue to meet specifications.  Engineering was responsible for the direction to make these parts work, and they were very, very, minor adjustments.  It just takes time to research and correct, hence the delays.  We are truly sorry for the delays, we want the product to be right.

i have read no posts here that has sarcasm, what are you reading AlanRail?

There is allot of good information here on the new LCS track piece That was just released. 

Now where did I hear that idea before?

SARCASM 

No worries Alan, I have a thicker skin that that. 

ok

sorry for taking it for John. it sounded sarcastic to me.

oh- well.  I should have Laughed Out Loud instead and next time I will!!

No mistake Alan, it was sarcastic, I just took it in the spirit it was intended.  And, if that's not the spirit it was intended, I just ignore it.

I think we're all interested in the same thing here, I have a couple of the sensor tracks here now and I'm eager to tinker...

Geez I guess I'll just keep it to myself the next time. Here I thought I was having some good natured ribbing. I guess next time I'll include a whole crap load of these...

Because the  Must have been to sarcastic. (That was sarcasm). 

LOL!  Still just having some fun guys!  

Avatar sanitized for your protection.

Well, I'm sure you didn't want to be recognized that way, so it's probably for the best.

Marty

I DO appreciate all of your "positive and funny" comments about the system.

I am just grudgingly admitting to myself that I will likely have to get a few sensor tracks to play with as well as the other paraphernalia. Thanks for posting.

No worries Alan. I've been told my humor can be very dry. And add that to a post where intent can be hard to pass. It's all good. Like GRJ said were all hear to get the most out of the info. 

Marty Dry?

I think you had coughed up a hair ball! <GRIN>

Text, has always been a challenge at times since you do not hear or may not be aware of other factors that can slant the communication.

So, everyone is now chilled and we can get back to getting some good info on how to use and modify the LCS Stuff!

And a little humor adds a lot to the enjoyment, at least I like it.  But, as PRR2818 says below (I guess that's above now), unfortunately the written word is sometimes mis-interpreted and feathers can be ruffled un-intentionally.

Fascinating........I appreciate you guys road testing this........since I'm still wiring up my Atlas track layout, I be a late-comer to the party. Right now I have 2 legacy engines with sensor capability.......a RS-11 and a Mohawk. I don't think my NYC ten-wheeler has the hardware.

i am learning tons just by listening to the discussion.

Peter

Jon - are we in luck?  Did they make it?  are the on the way to dealers to enhance our layout and sensor track fun?

this post gives me that feeling of being 7 years old in the month of December, when the 25th is never soon enough (even when it is already the 24th )