I'm out of the loop, but just curious why they are so very high priced and hard to find? Has Lionel discontinued them?
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Yes discontinued
Lionel is coming out with the Cab 3App later in the year or first of next year which In reality is a control system featuring all of there latest technology, using the Cab 1L base, and will not be making a new hand held remote, No Cab 3 Remote, however, the Cab 2 remotes will work with this new base as well as the Cab 1L remotes. Cab 1L remotes are still in production. Lionel will also repair the existing Cab 2 remotes as long as parts are available, so, this is why some folks are selling their Lionel 990 Legacy sets at a premium, availability. Supply versus demand. Happy Railroading Everyone
Thanks. My kids and I prefer the legacy controller. Kind of odd to get rid of it in my opinion. Trains is a way to avoid smartphones for us haha. The Cab 1L just seems like the old Tmcc control which is also dumb in my opinion.
Steam, many of us feel the same as you do.
@steam posted:Thanks. My kids and I prefer the legacy controller. Kind of odd to get rid of it in my opinion. Trains is a way to avoid smartphones for us haha. The Cab 1L just seems like the old Tmcc control which is also dumb in my opinion.
Lionel has said the chips used in the CAB2 have been discontinued. Knowing from one of my other hobbies (EV conversions/hacking), redesigns to deal with an obsolete chip can be quite difficult and time consuming. It seems they've made the decision that a software based solution, the phone app, is the easier and more efficient solution.
I understand why Lionel is going the direction they are, but I don't like it either. Zero screen time is one of the appeals to running trains.
@steam posted:The Cab 1L just seems like the old Tmcc control which is also dumb in my opinion.
Just a note.Many folks like the Cab 1L, and prefer it to the Cab 2. There's reliability and simplicity of operation, among other things, for those who mostly want to just run trains and not fool around with electronics and try to remember what does what. The Cab 1L does far more than the old Cab 1, and offers access to most Legacy features, certainly all the functions that operators mostly use.
@leapinlarry posted:Lionel is coming out with the Cab 3App later in the year or first of next year which In reality is a control system featuring all of there latest technology, using the Cab 1L base, and will not be making a new hand held remote
The new base is the Base3. The Base-1L is no longer being made either.
@rplst8 posted:The new base is the Base3. The Base-1L is no longer being made either.
I think they meant the 1L remote, which is still being produced. It can work with the Base 3.
@breezinup posted:Just a note.Many folks like the Cab 1L, and prefer it to the Cab 2. There's reliability and simplicity of operation, among other things, for those who mostly want to just run trains and not fool around with electronics and try to remember what does what. The Cab 1L does far more than the old Cab 1, and offers access to most Legacy features, certainly all the functions that operators mostly use.
The only Legacy feature that the Cab-1L gives you access to is quilling whistle.
@PSM posted:Lionel has said the chips used in the CAB2 have been discontinued. Knowing from one of my other hobbies (EV conversions/hacking), redesigns to deal with an obsolete chip can be quite difficult and time consuming. It seems they've made the decision that a software based solution, the phone app, is the easier and more efficient solution.
IIRC, the discontinuation of the display screen component for the Cab2 was a major issue, if not the deciding one. The lack of a display is probably what has saved the Cab-1L, at least for awhile.
@Rrplst8, you may not have read what I was saying, the base in the upcoming New Lionel Cab 3 is the same base as in the Cab 1L, not a new base, it’s just going to have more functionality for I-phone uses. @Steam, I, like many others like the Cab 2 remotes, I have 3, but as life goes on, there’s going to be a day when Lionel can not repair these Cab 2 remotes, therefore the Cab 1L will be the best remote to run our Legacy equipped Locomotives/Diesels. No, it’s not exactly the same, but it is what it is. I also use the Cab 1L to run my TMCC locomotives and it is very smooth. It is much better than the Cab 1. I would recommend you get a Cab 1L remote and give it a try, I think you will be very surprised. @breezinup, agrees with me, it is better than most folks think. Happy Railroading Everyone
The following is a pretty good summary, I guess, made a while ago by a very experienced operator on the Forum (whom most everyone would recognize) who has both systems (and does like his Cab 2):
"I like the CAB1L as I can connect to the Legacy system with a smaller and more robust remote that is not so easily damaged. For common running sessions, I don't really need the features of the CAB2, so the smaller remote is just "handy"."
@leapinlarry posted:... the base in the upcoming New Lionel Cab 3 is the same base as in the Cab 1L, not a new base, it’s just going to have more functionality for I-phone uses ...
Larry,
This (Base-3):
Doesn't appear to be the same as this (Base-1L):
Either in form or function (the Base-3 has a number of switches on its front that the Base-1L doesn't have).
Are you talking about what's inside them perhaps?
Mike
@breezinup, you are correct, the cab 1L has a very sturdy feel to it, I just hope Lionel continues to keep it in the line. My information comes directly from Lionel as Questions were asked at the recent LCCA National Convention to Ryan, a Lionel spokesperson. I like the Ryan and Dave shows and know them personally. They say, no Cab 3 Remote, no no no. Happy Railroading Everyone
@Mellow Hudson Mike, Your absolutely correct, the shape is different, that’s going to be the cradle so to speak containing all of the electronics, and What I’m saying is, the electronics that are in the Cab 1L Base, are the same electronics going into this new design for Cab 3 App. O-Kay, Just pretend you buy a new Sport Coat, a gray one, you put it on, it fits you fine, then you go to your closet, pull out a nice suit, it fits fine, all you’ve done is change the outside, your the same person in both dressings, so all I’m saying is, the inside of this new package will have the Cab 1L electronics insides. Hopefully I’ve made my point. Happy Railroading Everyone
@leapinlarry posted:@Rrplst8, you may not have read what I was saying, the base in the upcoming New Lionel Cab 3 is the same base as in the Cab 1L, not a new base, it’s just going to have more functionality for I-phone uses. @Steam, I, like many others like the Cab 2 remotes, I have 3, but as life goes on, there’s going to be a day when Lionel can not repair these Cab 2 remotes, therefore the Cab 1L will be the best remote to run our Legacy equipped Locomotives/Diesels. No, it’s not exactly the same, but it is what it is. I also use the Cab 1L to run my TMCC locomotives and it is very smooth. It is much better than the Cab 1. I would recommend you get a Cab 1L remote and give it a try, I think you will be very surprised. @breezinup, agrees with me, it is better than most folks think. Happy Railroading Everyone
@leapinlarry posted:@Mellow Hudson Mike, Your absolutely correct, the shape is different, that’s going to be the cradle so to speak containing all of the electronics, and What I’m saying is, the electronics that are in the Cab 1L Base, are the same electronics going into this new design for Cab 3 App. O-Kay, Just pretend you buy a new Sport Coat, a gray one, you put it on, it fits you fine, then you go to your closet, pull out a nice suit, it fits fine, all you’ve done is change the outside, your the same person in both dressings, so all I’m saying is, the inside of this new package will have the Cab 1L electronics insides. Hopefully I’ve made my point. Happy Railroading Everyone
Larry,
The electronics are most certainly not the same. Not at all.
@rplst8, Ok, please explain your theory, I’m game. I’m going on what I’ve been told, the I-Phone/WiFi has been given a boost, but I was told the Cab 1L base, the electronics parts would be the same. If I’m incorrect, let me know why, I’m subject to change. It’s sort of logical, the Cab 1, TMCC base looks like the Cab 1L base, but the unit is completely different inside. So, I can see that the Cab 3 App box is newly designed, but can contain the Cab 1L electronics. Thank you very much. Happy Railroading Everyone
@leapinlarry posted:@rplst8, Ok, please explain your theory, I’m game. I’m going on what I’ve been told, the I-Phone/WiFi has been given a boost, but I was told the Cab 1L base, the electronics parts would be the same. If I’m incorrect, let me know why, I’m subject to change. It’s sort of logical, the Cab 1, TMCC base looks like the Cab 1L base, but the unit is completely different inside. So, I can see that the Cab 3 App box is newly designed, but can contain the Cab 1L electronics. Thank you very much. Happy Railroading Everyone
Larry, you seem a bit confused. The Cab 1L electronics are in the Cab 1L. Nowhere else. There's no such thing as a Cab 1L base. There's a Cab 1L, and a Base 1L (discontinued). The BASE 3 has ALL NEW ELECTRONICS, as it can control Lionel's bluetooth equipped engines, as well as Legacy and TMCC. Try that with a Base 1L (not happening).
@Magicland, thank you for your comments, I am going to do more research on this subject and will get back later. I appreciate your view. Happy Railroading Everyone
The new CAB3 can also control all Lion Chief locomotives that have been made over the past several years in addition to all TMCC/Legacy locomotives. The CAB3 allows for 4 digit addressing when controlling locomotives made with that functionality.
CAB3 is intended for future updates and expansion, as the software in the base can be updated and the app will update on your phone or tablet. Just like how windows 10 was supposed to be the last windows operating system (it wasn't), the CAB3 could be the final Lionel command system because it can be updated with new features more easily. Nothing else compares features wise.
@leapinlarry posted:@Mellow Hudson Mike, Your absolutely correct, the shape is different, that’s going to be the cradle so to speak containing all of the electronics, and What I’m saying is, the electronics that are in the Cab 1L Base, are the same electronics going into this new design for Cab 3 App. O-Kay, Just pretend you buy a new Sport Coat, a gray one, you put it on, it fits you fine, then you go to your closet, pull out a nice suit, it fits fine, all you’ve done is change the outside, your the same person in both dressings, so all I’m saying is, the inside of this new package will have the Cab 1L electronics insides. Hopefully I’ve made my point. Happy Railroading Everyone
Larry,
Two comments, not trying to be snide:
- What about the switches on the Base-3 that are not on the Base-1L? They're apparently there just for looks?
- With so many electronic components going obsolete it would be foolish of Lionel to make the Base-3 innards the same as the Base-1L (a much older design in electronics terms). They could easily find themselves, in the not-too-distance future, unable to build the supposed identical innards anymore.
Mike
@leapinlarry posted:@rplst8, Ok, please explain your theory, I’m game. I’m going on what I’ve been told, the I-Phone/WiFi has been given a boost, but I was told the Cab 1L base, the electronics parts would be the same. If I’m incorrect, let me know why, I’m subject to change. It’s sort of logical, the Cab 1, TMCC base looks like the Cab 1L base, but the unit is completely different inside. So, I can see that the Cab 3 App box is newly designed, but can contain the Cab 1L electronics. Thank you very much. Happy Railroading Everyone
Just seen this and figured I’d pop in. I like to think I know where your confusion is. First a foremost it will definitely an entire new electronic design from anything Lionel has made before. What this will share with the Base-1L is the same on board antenna for the 2.4GHz communication between the Base-3 and Cab-1L/Cab-2 remotes
if this isn’t what you were thinking of all I can say is I tried 😉
@Zhubl, Zachariah, thank you for chiming in concerning my thinking that Lionel would be using the electronics from the Cab 1L Base, I can see I was incorrect, your explanation of the sharing of the on board antenna 2.4Ghz communication letting Cab 1L and Cab 2 remotes work in harmony with the Cab 3 system. Thank you very much. So, @Mellow Hudson Mike, I was wrong about my theory using the Cab 1L electronics and forgive me for being stubborn, @Rplst8, you are right, I was mistaken, so, now that this issue is behind us, let’s look forward to seeing the New Cab3App system in the near future. I’m excited about this new control system.
Fellows, there’s another topic concerning the Cab 3, (Lionel base 3)go over to that topic and Dave Olson clarified the operation of this new Cab 3App, it is a new, ground up system and you can read his comments. This will be a fun system. Happy Railroading Everyone
