I'm looking to replace my old Crest trackside Train Engineer and remote with a similar remote (with basic forward, reverse, stop and momentum control) for traditional track powered trains using a Bridgewerks Magnum 10-SR controller.
I'm wondering is any of you have tried using Bridgewerk's plug-in remote RC-100 If so, how is its range? Does it have a reverse function and momentum control or is it just a throttle that works in forward only?
I hate the ergonomics of the old Crest Train engineer with its brick-like shape and the long antenna. I love the small pocket size form of both the Railboss and Bridgewerk remotes.
I came across an O gauge forum which is also testing the MTH WIU for bugs and issues. Even though their gauge is different, the issues they found should be about the same.
I found their discussions fascinating. Seems that most of the issues they are seeing involve issues with the software updates, and with engine recognition, especially when trying to connect to multiple engines at the same time. I have not experienced any of the things they describe, but I haven't tried linking to multiple engines yet.
I have a feeling that some of the issues they are seeing are due to not updating correctly or linking with the wifi or not understanding the User guide instructions. Others might be legitimate issues. Hard to tell. What they really need is an MTH expert like Ray to help them with their issues!
Yesterday I thoroughly used the MTH WIU Wifi unit for the first time. It FAR exceeded my expectations. What a pleasure and how fun and easy it was to use! I'll make a prediction- This will change the model railroading experience forever as other companies try to imitate the MTH control system. It makes all other remotes look and act like antiques- even the MTH handheld remote. Here is a brief summary of the test results...
Setup: I tested it using both a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and a Samsung Galaxy tablet with the Standard version WIU and a Rev L TIU placed 4 feet above ground next to my layout
Ergonomic Impressions: I thought I would like using the app on a 4 x 7.5" tablet more than the smart phone because it has a bigger screen and would be easier to see the app with my bad eyes, but I was wrong. the smaller smart phone was far better. The phone felt much better in my hand and I could read everything without my glasses. Also, the phone was easier to carry around the layout and I could operate most of the functions with just one hand. (You need two hands to use the tablet unless you lay it down on something.) Also, the bright screen of both the tablet and phone makes running your trains at night much easier than using the MTH handheld remote and having to keep the light on.
Range: No problem here! I controlled the train from everywhere in the large yard, even around the corner of my brick house, and from inside the house. I couldn't test it farther than about 150 ft or I'd be out in the street.
Learning Curve: Honestly, the WiFi app is so well designed that almost anyone could use it without any instructions. I love it that all the app functions are written in plain English without the abbreviated words that the handheld remote has. Finding the features you want to activate is much faster and simpler than the old remote that required all that button pushing back and forth from the menu. It is incredibly user friendly- much better than the remote.
Favorite Features: When you activate a feature (lights, smoke, etc) the app icon changes color so you know if its on or not. For example, with the old remote I never knew if the engine smoker was out of oil or if it was turned off. The "speedometer" indicates if you're in forward or reverse. All the function icons do this. Very Helpful! Another GREAT feature is the "cruse control." I love being able to set the speed I want and the engine goes to that all by itself. - no scroll wheel with lots of turning. You know all those sounds options that MTH has (idle sounds, engine sounds,etc)? On the old handheld remote it was a cumbersome procedure to change the sounds, especially if you couldn't remember the three letter code for each sound. Now they are all easy to find and written in English. I heard new great sounds coming from my Triplex that I'd never heard before! One last thing- Since the WIU works using either the old remote, a phone, or a tablet, I'll never need to buy another MTH remote if I want to run multiple trains with friends.
Glitches & Bugs: NONE FOUND!!!
One last thing. I had a friend over who is not really a big train enthusiast and I gave him the phone to run the train. He got hooked on it and was like a little kid. He said never had so much fun. I really think this app will draw kids and newcomers into the hobby.
I got the WIU today! It is scheduled to rain here all week long, so I’ll need to wait until things dry up before I can test it with my Triplex on the track.
Meanwhile I’m studying the WiFi DCS User’s Guide to prepare myself for the testing.- available at http://mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/download/instruction/50as13515i.pdf A printed copy doesn't come in the WiFi box which only has the little Quick Start Guide. I think it will be most helpful to save a pdf copy of it on your tablet and/or smart phone for quick and easy reference while you are running the trains, especially if you don't have an internet connection.
Note: There was one section of the WiFi User Guide that seems a bit problematic and not at all user-friendly. It's called LuCI (Web Interface) pages 9-14. It's mostly about how to update the WIU software. I assume that we can disregard this for now since the WIU units are brand new and probably don't need updating. I wonder why MTH didn't include WIU updating in the new Consumer Loader 5.0 so that it can be updated just like the TIU and the remote with a USB cable? Maybe they will do this in the future...
Ray- Have you tried to follow the complicated LuCI (Web Interface) instructions yet? Were you successful? Are we missing anything useful there? I haven't tried it yet.
My name is John Carmichael. I live in Tucson Arizona and am a new member to the G Scale Train Forum, although I've been a huge fan of Ray Manley and his superb website for a while. His tips and repair work have saved me hundreds of dollars and much frustration over time. The Forum members' postings are proving to be quite helpful too, and I thank you all! I hope I will be able to return the favor with a few useful postings of my own.
Here is my first post: Solving a TIU update problem so I can use the new WIU)
Using Ray's DCS Consumer loader instructions, I easily and successfully installed the new loader onto my Windows 8 pc. But when I tried to update the Rev L TIU using a USB cable, a message popped up that said it was looking for the TIU on the COM 3 port. After several minutes of waiting and retrying it was obvious that it wasn't going to find it. Then I remembered a similar problem I had years ago with the Phoenix Sound program. It turned out that my pc's default bit rate for the COM 3 port was set too high at 9600. On the pc's device manager under the COM 3 properties, I lowered the COM 3 bit rate to 4800. That fixed the problem and let me update the TIU software! (Ray, you might want to add this solution to a troubleshooting section on your website's TIU update section if others have this problem)
Ray sent me a a new WIU unit yesterday so I hope to thoroughly test it and report back to you all soon with the results.
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Choosing the right power and controller for G scale track
in Digital Control
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That was fast Ray! The RC-100 seems pretty useless without a reverse. Thanks for that Info. Will investigate it further...