I recently saw a YouTube video of a TCS UWT100 throttle and it caught my interest. I am a Digitrax user, with DT402D’s and a UT6D. Maybe it’s cabin fever but I am considering purchasing the TCS 100. But I’m very interested in comments from Digitrax users who have also purchased one and what their comments are, pros, cons, even worth bothering to purchase? Obviously, all users regardless of their DCC system brand I would like to hear from you as well. And to even further muddy the waters, any comments regarding the TCS 100 vs. the TCS 50. Thanks all.
I have a TCS UWT-50. Love it! I don’t know what the 100 does that the 50 doesn’t.
I have NCE at home, while at the club we have Digitrax. We both have wifi adapters - me a WFD-31, and the club has the Digitrax wifi adapter (don’t remember the specific nomenclature).
The UWT works flawlessly on both systems. Once I told it which wifi network to connect to at each location, it does so automatically. I turn it on, wait a few seconds for it to connect, and it’s ready to go. I expect the 100 would be the same.
Got the encoder. Works well, but occasionally the ballistic tracking does something stupid - I’ll barely turn the knob and the loco will jump from off to full speed. Doesn’t happen often.
I prefer using the TCS UWT throttles to the Digitrax throttles. My home layout is set up to use both the older simplex throttle and the duplex ones. I have two LNWI modules and always use the one of my TCS throttles, normally a UWT100. I also have both versions of the UWT50, but prefer the larger screen on the 100, plus I’m I got a 100 first, so I’m more used to the key arrangement.
I operate monthly on a large home HO layout that uses Digitrax. At this month’s session, we had six operators using either UWT100’s or UWT50’s, which was more than were using Digitrax throttles. Two LNWI modules were in use for the wireless connection to the layout.
Mark, Dave, thanks for the replies. One question, I’ve been searching online but couldn’t find anything - how do you turn track power on/off with the TCS units? Right now my DCS100 defaults to track power is off on start up. Thanks.
Chris, home layout is a Digitrax. Use the the TCS 100, it is outstanding. I also operate on MRC, NCE and other layouts with no problem. Only have to have to remember how to use one throttle on any layout. At my age that is a distinct advantage. Very easy to use. Highly recommend it. Walter
Yes you can turn on/off track power with a UWT-100.
Control track power in Menu > Settings > Track Power. This menu option can control layout power on any system that supports it. Track power may still be controlled via the E-STOP button if configured as a more convenient option.
Peter (and anyone else off course), can you program one of the 4 programable soft keys to control the track power, so as to skip drilling into the menu/system/track power keystrokes? Thanks.
The TCS throttle has a unique 3-Stage Emergency Stop function. Some stages will not be supported on certain DCC systems. Stage 1 is supported under all DCC systems that communicate via the WiThrottle Protocol. LCC supports all 3 stages.
Stage 1: Press the E-Stop button once to bring your current locomotive to a stop.
Stage 2: Quickly press the E-Stop button again to stop all of the locomotives on the layout.
Stage 3: Quickly press the E-Stop button a third time to turn layout power off completely.
When E-Stop is initially pressed, a small countdown timer will appear in the drive window. Pressing the E-Stop button again before the timer runs out will escalate the E-Stop to the next stage. To release any of these stages of E-Stop, wait until the countdown has finished and press the E-STOP button again. E-Stop stages can be disabled in the “E-Stop Settings” menu.
I suggest you join the TCS groups.io users forum as there are people there that are/were involved in the programming. TCS-Users@groups.io | Home