To Bluetooth or Not to Bluetooth

Bluetooth seems to be standard on the new Lionel engines, both LionChief+ and Legacy (at least in O gauge) so cost is probably not an issue when buying a new engine.  The app allows more control of options (such as momentum; individual sound levels for horn, engine, etc; speed limit).  Depending on the ages of the grandchildren this may not be very important.  If you have very young children using the app expect they will hit the uncoupler button and disconnect the engine while it is running.  The remote requires pushing two buttons to activate the couplers which makes it more child proof.  My grandchildren, ages 3 and 4 prefer the remote.  Each has his own remote to control his own train and they seemed to prefer twisting a dial and pressing a physical button instead of pressing an icon.  You can use the app to set the sound levels and when the app is closed and the remote tuned on, the sound levels are maintained with the remote.  The speed limit and momentum settings, however, only work when using the app.  The only disadvantage I have seen using the remote with young children is to keep the speed at a reasonable level.

I have two lionchief RTR sets running on carpet central with two ovals, one is bluetooth. Using the app is fun my 5 year old grandson runs both ways, but the remote is perhaps better. The two year old also uses the remote. I like the tactile feel with the remote,as opposed to the app,and dont have to look at the remote to run the trains.  The range on the remote is good, can run the train two rooms away, if I wish.

But,but,but, if you are buying new engines then perhaps get ones that have BT, you can then control either way.

I have it set up so the 5 year old can just go into the living room, hit the power switch on the power strip, turn on the remotes and he is running trains.

I also had a squirrel this spring in the basement, cost me 500 to get it removed. It moved about 100 miles an hour along the rafters, no way I could have hit it with any kind of gun.  I tried live traps, no joy, service came in and got him in about 10 minutes with a better live trap. Mine was set too sensitive, I think.

oldmike

In simplest terms, yes the bluetooth adds additional functionality over what LionChief Plus does with just the remote, but you can use it with the remote just like any other LC/+ engine if you prefer that.  I've been away from the forum for a while and not entirely up to date on the features so may want to double check, but I think you can use the ap to set speed limits and momentum then hand the normal remote to the kids and those features will continue as programed until set again with the app.  

As far as the why of Bluetooth, the answer is that it is cheaper to make and adds more features over the original LC/+ electronics.  it's basically the same type of technology, 2.4GHz wireless, but using a single part now replaces half a dozen parts in the original design.  

I haven't been watching prices, but the change shouldn't have affected new engine prices.  

First off, I am more up on DCS than Lionel, and have never used a Lion Chief or LC+ item. Lionel started putting Bluetooth in Lion Chief, Lion Chief+ and Legacy a year or two ago. All the newer sets and engines should all now have it I believe. If you stay with the Lion Chief/LC+ items you get the remote with the LC set or LC+ engine. It appears the younger kids like the remotes over the apps, but when they get a little older the apps become more interesting to them. The grand kids can use the remotes until they get to the age when the app becomes more appealing to them. The bluetooth app is free. I think it is available in IOS and Android, but I am not positive about Android.

Yes I have the lionchief app on my android phone.

oldmike

I like postwar Berkshires so I bought this one...it runs nice. 

Squirrels are smart and crafty little creatures. I have known people that had them in their attics, but hearing about them in basements is a first for me. Sounds like a take right out of Clark Griswold's Christmas Vacation.

I do appreciate the damage they can do and feel sorry for you that they got to your train stuff. I can't imagine the damage the have done, but I know it can be disastrous. Sure hope you cane get things repaired and up and running again soon. Grand kids are great motivation and incentive to get going again. I wish you luck and hope the kids are all happy soon! 

As an aside here (no squirrels) I had an uncle that had what seemed to me like a massive train layout (first saw it at about 5 years old or so)  in his basement. I think it was HO and it was always covered up when ever I was there. I desperately wanted to see it in operation, I always asked, but there was always something wrong with it or too much trouble, or something else and I never got to see it run. Might be part of the reason I finally have a layout in my retirement.

Moral of the story here is make the grand kids happy while they are young, they don't stay that way near long enough so enjoy every minute with them you possibly can. They are very precious!  Mine are now 13 & 17 and they don't to do as much with the grand parents as they used to. Plenty of activities and friends of their own these days. 

Oldmike, thanks for the tip on Android and the BT app.

I had a couple of teens stay with us over the past weekend.  Both girls- one 14 and one 10.  They are are technically not our grandchildren, but the CALL us "Grandpa and Grandma" since their extended family life has been less than ideal, so we fill in.

The 10 year old was running several trains conventionally, and, then  a LC Plus Berkshire w/ Bluetooth, using the remote.  After a few minutes, I remembered Bluetooth and said: "Hey this one will also run using the phone!!".  I pulled out my phone shut off the remote, and the phone connected up to the loco.

She was fascinated.  In the beginning when Lionel and MTH made a big deal out of running trains using phones and tablets- I blew it off, since I could not care less  about running trains that way.  But- I think they are on to something.   Maybe Bluetooth and phone operation ("Teleops?") will draw in a new generation??

OldMike posted:

I have two lionchief RTR sets running on carpet central with two ovals, one is bluetooth. Using the app is fun my 5 year old grandson runs both ways, but the remote is perhaps better. The two year old also uses the remote. I like the tactile feel with the remote,as opposed to the app,and dont have to look at the remote to run the trains.  The range on the remote is good, can run the train two rooms away, if I wish.

But,but,but, if you are buying new engines then perhaps get ones that have BT, you can then control either way.

I have it set up so the 5 year old can just go into the living room, hit the power switch on the power strip, turn on the remotes and he is running trains.

I also had a squirrel this spring in the basement, cost me 500 to get it removed. It moved about 100 miles an hour along the rafters, no way I could have hit it with any kind of gun.  I tried live traps, no joy, service came in and got him in about 10 minutes with a better live trap. Mine was set too sensitive, I think.

oldmike

 

Yeah, the 2-year old loves playing with phones. It's like a tiny little interactive television to him. So maybe there is something to using the app. I should have mentioned, I do have 1 non- Bluetooth LC+ B&O Steamer that I bought when Lionchief Plus first came out.  Luckily the squirrel didn't get that one. And yes, it was lightening fast, but I was an Olympic level 10 meter air pistol shooter at one time. My vision was much better then than it is now but still, hitting it wasn't that hard for me other than the fact it was the first living thing I'd ever shot at. I'm not a hunter, just a target shooter - or at least I was. I did feel just a tiny pang of remorse at the time but then when I thought about the damage it had done the feeling went away. It was quick. My pistol fires pellets at 400 FPS. He didn't know what hit him!

I just ordered a non-BT diesel engine from Trainworld, on special for only $200, but I do plan on getting one or two more. From looking at the 2018 Lionel catalog, just about every LC+ engine comes with BT so, I'll probably give the app a whirl at some point.

JohnGaltLine posted:

In simplest terms, yes the bluetooth adds additional functionality over what LionChief Plus does with just the remote, but you can use it with the remote just like any other LC/+ engine if you prefer that.  I've been away from the forum for a while and not entirely up to date on the features so may want to double check, but I think you can use the ap to set speed limits and momentum then hand the normal remote to the kids and those features will continue as programed until set again with the app.  

 

 

There are some features that can be set with the app and remain set even when the remote is used.  They are:  pitch of horn and bell, individual sound levels (horn, bell, crew talk, engine, master volume), and smoke on/off (although sometimes my engines lose that setting).  Unfortunately neither the speed limit nor the momentum setting are locked by the app.  The remote does not currently have either momentum or speed limit.  One thing that the remote does have that the app is missing is a two button push requirement to activate the couplers.

I'd rather have Blacktooth on my screen.