Wifi Cost/Aggravation Justification

Don,

I think DCS wifi is like heated seats in your car. Nice fora couple days in the winter but....really?

You should possibly consider the following in your future plans:

• The current DCS Remote may not be discontinued this year or next year, however, it will be gone at some point, along with repair parts availability.
• It’s extremely unlikely that there will ever be a next-generation DCS Remote. It just costs too much to design, manufacture and support a new remote, and an ongoing program to improve its software, vs. only improving software on a standardized WiFi platform.
• Any new DCS features and functions will, by all expectations, be only incorporated into the DCS App, not into the DCS Remote. The DCS Remote is simply maxed-out.
• MTH’s DCS future is, by their reckoning, soley using WiFi communications.

Just as an FYI, TMCC is also not likely to see any improvements any time soon.  

If you enjoy your layout just as it is currently, then you can ignore DCS WiFi completely with no regrets.

I have been thinking of wifi and beings I can only run one train on my 16'x4' I'm not sure it is really needed. Some have suggested that I try out the MTH exployer that I think can run 3 engines. I am leaning that way but I would like to know from some people if that is worthwhile considering I already have a DCS system. Which runs perfect. I do like to run lash ups of my diesels and that will have to be included in any option I pick. 

And btw I do have heated seats in my suv and for me it was a great option, better then Sirus Xm which is awful, I never used it even when it was free for six months. And just think they thought I would pay for it, did not happen. 

Dave

David,

The cost difference between a WIU and a DCS Explorer is negligible if you already have a TIU, while the difference in capability between the two devices is huge.

I’d strongly suggest a WIU rather than a DCS Explorer.

Thank you Barry,

Dave

Don, I have 2 WIUs, one for each TIU, because I have a penchant for playing with new gadgets.  I also like running trains, and I rarely use the wifis.  I prefer the remotes for operating.  They do all I need to operate, and I find them more user friendly when the traffic gets hot & heavy on the layout.

But it's all a matter of taste.

"I think DCS wifi is like heated seats in your car. Nice fora couple days in the winter but....really?"

Barry, you do live in Florida.  Move to Massachusetts and you'll learn to love them.

I respectfully disagree...using an iPad or iphone to play with the trains is like driving a Cadillac compared to the DCS remote which is like a Ford Pinto  IMO....it is well worth the investment...the clarity of the screen is worth it...everything is legible and in ENGLISH vs. Cryptic Code...I personally think my trains run better and more reliable on my 8x16 layout...

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences. Barry, thanks for being active on the forum--it really helps. I bought your latest wifi companion book and have read it cover to cover, sections of it repeatedly. It was a great investment.

Money is money in my (now retired) life. I can't have everything that a lot of the hobbyists on this forum seem to take for granted.  Today I decided that wifi is in that category. My original budget for this layout was $5K. That jumped to $10K within months of getting started. Now I am "hoping" to get it done for $15K. And that's buying EVERYTHING used--even track and switches. 

So it's a practical thing and wifi just doesn't make the $15K cut.  If I am forced into it by obsolescence down the road then at least I can pay for it with depreciated dollars a few years from now! And if Moore's law continues to hold true, what I will buy then in toy train wifi computing power will be way better than what I can get now!

So all you wifi enthusiasts out there, sell me your unwanted DCS remotes.  I will give them a good home.

Don Merz

Don,

I'd be curious to see what you layout will look like when you are done, please do post some pictures!!

For $15K you can't find it anywhere in the budget to squeeze in a WIU???  But no worries, You won't be forced in obsolescence, all versions of TIU ever made will work with the WIU. If you want to add WiFi later your TIUs will be ready to go!

GOOD LUCK ON THE LAYOUT BUILDING!!!