Returned base and Cab2 to Lionel and received a replacement base today. Before it couldn't find the base even when sitting in the cradle... now it works from two rooms away or even upstairs with my back turned toward the base. WOW!!!
Turn around time was 8 calendar days. I no longer need the Hawking antenna which wasn't really helping anyway.

Glad to hear you're back in business. Sounds like you received good service from Lionel also. Now it's time to enjoy your Legacy system. Have a great weekend.

Ken

I just sent mine in to lionel on friday. I was having the EXACT same problem, cant wait to get it back. I hope I get the WOW factor.

I wonder if they installed the new fix that were all supposed to get to get better signal? I'm waiting for this update to see if mine improves if not then will send mine in too it cares less what antenna I use oem or after market and yes I have the hawking and no better results. glad to hear yours is the wow factor. $oo

I am operating two Legacy Systems, one at the club, AGHR, with a Hawking antenna, and the other at my home layout. I could be standing right next to the base and still get the red light on. It's extremely frustrating. I too would like to know what's up. I sure hope the fix in nothing more than sending out a new module.

I just may contact Lionel in the next few days to see what they say. I will report back.

Jeff in LA

I just got off the phone with Lionel tech support. Spoke to Tony. He gave me a return authorization to send the base and remote back for repair. I will track this this and keep all advised as to the progress. He mentioned nothing about the module fixing the problem when asked.

Jeff in LA

Very interesting. I too have the Hawking, but on occassion can be standing next to it and the Legacy base and still get the dreaded Cab2 red LED indicating dropped connection between the Cab2 and base. If they've solved this I would very much like my system updated, upgraded, fixed, whatever.

The red light really indicates corrupt packets not really a loss of comms. There is a difference. I too look forward to a good fix.

quote:

Originally posted by MartyE:

... I, too, look forward to a good fix.

Ditto!!     I've been waiting two years to purchase this set!
 

quote:

Originally posted by MartyE:
The red light really indicates corrupt packets not really a loss of comms. There is a difference.

MartyE is right own with this one. I get the red light 5 inches away from the base but it is a packet lost. I just touch the engine number again and it goes out. I am also waiting for the fix for distance.

I've had few instances that actually effect me but it is obvious that there is an issue. Sooner or later my layout space will grow and I don't want to be bothered by these same issues.

It's been 2 and 1/2 months since Lionel repaired/replaced my Legacy base. Everything still works flawlessly... not a single problem with any phase of it's operation. Anyone having problems with range etc. should seriously consider sending it back before fooling with mods,antennas or other fixes.
Rob

Sent out mine today via UPS. Hope I also get a wow factor. Will keep all posted.

Jeff in LA

quote:

Originally posted by Moonvette:

It's been 2 and 1/2 months since Lionel repaired/replaced my Legacy base. Everything still works flawlessly... not a single problem with any phase of it's operation.

Umm...     have you considered placing your Legacy unit on the OGR Buy/Sell board ??????  

You might get a bidding war going!!  
 

First $1500 takes it...

quote:

Originally posted by Moonvette:

First $1500 takes it...

Umm...     will you take $1.00 a week over.............             well, you do the math.  
 
It's the "economy", you know!  
 

I have the same red light issues as most others. Does anyone have any idea how the new "Fix" is supposed to work. Will it be a module type upgrade or will we have to send the stuff back again. Surely by now someone would know Lionel's intention.

REV

I am having a similar problem but with only one of two remotes. My son and I each have a Cab-2. One is working just fine. The other is now giving the "base not found" message. I have tried changing batteries, reloading the Cab-2 software from the module (version 1.2) but still no luck. Has anyone had this problem?

Haven't had this issue myself but is the Cab2 and the base on the same channel? That's about all I can think of if it can't find the base and the other can.

They are on the same channel. I have also done a channel scan.

Maybe time to call service then unless anyone else has some ideas. Sounds like you've done all the things I would have tried. Customer service might have some other suggestions.

Thanks Marty. I called Lionel and they gave me a return authorization and told me to send the Cab-2 and base in.

Just got the "NEW" legacy back seems to work great. Lionel sent me a brand spankin new handheld, base, and six new batteries! I have to reload everything but thats fun! I quickly loaded the acela and with me at the complete opposite end of the house and my dad in the train room it was perfect! we're very happy thanks lionel! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by nmtrains:
I just sent mine in to lionel on friday. I was having the EXACT same problem, cant wait to get it back. I hope I get the WOW factor.

nmtrains

That's great news. Sounds like they maybe onto something finally.

Yea hopefully Marty. After all it is fall, time for version (1.3?) to be issued? Maybe an upcoming announcement during York? I guess I can and will wait.

Ken

ME to I hope it will be out soon. Sounds like something has been changed for the signal strength and that's good.

I wonder how long it will be before Lionel makes a programmable module that we can download revisions from the internet. That would certainly be cheaper then mailing out new modules to all of the Legacy users.

Earl

Glad that you too are experiencing the "WOW" factor. Sounds like you're as satisfied as I am. What a difference!!!

nmtrains - great to hear yours works. It would be much appreciated if Lionel were to update us all soon. Mine skipped out at least 6 times last night when I was within 6 feet of the base. I had 3 bars on the Cab2, the Hawking antenna vertical and on the surface of my layout, and the mobile phone removed from the room. I love Legacy, but don't much care for this disconnect (bad packet, whatever) problem.

Lionel received my Legacy unit on 9/9. Same problems. Still waiting for it to come back. Hope my results are the same as the others.

Jeff in LA.

don't ya think its time they asked all that have same issues to return it for the fix so we can get past this issue finally we shouldn't have to go to them when they know it has issues and apparently have the fix to correct it!!

Soo

I agree unless they know it will be part of the upcoming upgrade via the module. But they could at least let us know that. We should find out more at the Legacy Meeting I hope.

sphillyj

Some guys have all the luck, I called tech support today to check a part number and then said that people were sending in their Legacy and having the range problem fixed. The tech would not give me a RA said they are waiting and the fix should be in a module. I even read the letter and reply I got from Tom R but it was no go>

sphillyj - - it sounds now like you may be one of the last able/authorized to send yours back. Please do let us know what it's like when you get it back and whether they give you any indication as to what they did to it. One can only hope the fix is truly only a matter of programming (software or firmware) and does not involve any hardware modification(s). Otherwise even when/if we get the module that addresses the issue, it may only be a partial correction.

For those that have sent the units in for the upgrade, has this also corrected the "Battery Charging" issues? Or has the upgrade simply addressed the range issue?

I'm referring to the fact that almost nobody can get the batteries Lionel sent to charge properly, and there seem to be no end to the various different scenarios people are having with the flashing lights on the base when in the charging mode.

REV

quote:

I'm referring to the fact that almost nobody can get the batteries Lionel sent to charge properly, and there seem to be no end to the various different scenarios people are having with the flashing lights on the base when in the charging mode.

I have one unit with the command base and a second one with extra charging station. There have been NO PROBLEMS with either handheld or charging unit. I'm still using the original GP batteries for 9 months on the first unit.
I only run my trains for a half hour or less at a time. It may be because I don't let the batteries run all the way down until they are nearly dead. It takes a lot more of the life out of them if you do this. I son't attempt to get them up to nonflashing green every time. They do get warm.
On my boat trolling motor I have 2 deep cycle batteries that are used almost every day of the season. Primary power for my boat. They are 3 yr batteries on their 5th year now. I never run them down below 75% of full charge and recharge after every use.

Hi all,

I believe the 1.3 upgrade is due soon, should help w/the range issues.

As far as the charging circuit goes, be careful! The Legacy base we use at the train shop is on for 8 hours a day/5 days a week. We use the CAB-2 on occasion to test run/demo engines for customers, but it mostly sat in the base "re-charging". The base stopped working one day, wouldn't communicate w/the CAB's. It was returned and replaced by Lionel.

IMHO, the charging circuit/base, if left on for many hours and/or days on end, will get too hot and "cook" the batteries and itself eventually. If one uses their Legacy only on occasion and power it down after each session, they may never have a problem. For users who keep their systems on for longer periods, there could be a problem. I HIGHLY recommend, as have some others, to turn the charging circuit OFF and use (my preference) Energizer Advanced OR Ultimate Lithium AA batteries. They last 4x or 8x longer, respectively, than regular alkalines in high-tech devices (Energizer's claim!). We have had them in our CAB-2's with success and a good life w/ no more worries of HOT Legacy bases!

Good luck and enjoy!

Joe

~Long Live Lionel~

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joemums,

This morning at 7:00 am PST, 10:00 am EST, I could not get through to Lionel. One minute they said they were still closed and the next the call volume was too heavy. Just wanted to see what the status of the repair was. Tried again later with no luck, just a recurring message that the average queue time was one minute. After ten minutes, I hung up. Hoping the unit will be back next week. Will let everyone know what's up.

Jeff in LA

hello joe, thanks for letting us know of the update for signal issues. now lionel the corp should have sent a notice in the mail to all legacy owners of the impending fix. or better yet put a notice of intent on there web page how long would that take any longer than it takes to post here. food to ponder on. only my opinion and as they say we all have one. $oo

Hi $oo Line, I understand what you're saying. I'm guessing Lionel will make the announcement as soon as they are sure it's good and ready to ship...hopefully soon!

It sounds like the recently returned ones are working great.

Joe

~Long Live Lionel~

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joemums,

joemums' it will be a relief to just not have the red light up close and personal. it is a feature rich system and I do enjoy the legacy engine features heres hoping. $oo

$oo

My thought exactly!

Don't know if the rechargeable battery situation is fixed or not. I use Energizer disposables and haven't tried recharging since getting the repaired base back from Lionel. Disposables have lasted quite a few months. I guess I should try the rechargeables again and let you guys know

I can not get my "rechargeable" batteries to charge in the base of a separate charger. They were never used until I took the unit out of the box. I switched to non rechargeables.

quote:

Originally posted by wmwalker:

quote:

Originally posted by MartyE:
The red light really indicates corrupt packets not really a loss of comms. There is a difference.

MartyE is right own with this one. I get the red light 5 inches away from the base but it is a packet lost. I just touch the engine number again and it goes out. I am also waiting for the fix for distance.

What I don't understand is why loss of a paclet would shut down the system until another input. There should be an automatic resend when the bad packet is received. It would happen so fast there wouldn't be time for the red light to even blink. That's how the internet works.

Neil

Folks,

I have tried to keep the forumites updated on progress with the Cab-2 and range concerns at regular intervals. I will recap the current status. We have been trying several concepts to address the range. Most of these concepts trade off the increased range by slowing down the data rate and adding additional error correction information in the packets. We have not settled on the final approach to resolving this concern, however we have seen an improvement in house and at several test sites.

The 2.4 GHz spectrum is very crowded; and the hardware has limits. I wish these limits did not exist, however they do exist. I find it interesting that after replacements of the Legacy system, some folks are seeing an improvement. The questions that come to mind are: the channel setting, battery state, etc, that could be responsible for the improvement. Please understand, there are no hardware or software changes on the replacements from Consumer Services.

Folks know my commitment to this hobby, and I will keep everyone informed of any progress worth reporting. We can, and will, bring you a preview of the new features at the Legacy Users Group meeting at October York. Feedback is appreciated, and just note the date for any official release is unknown as of today.

I ask your patience, and rest assured that when any improvements are fully ready we will get them to everyone. My goal is this year, however quality is priority one.

Jon

As always we appreciate the information. As $oo has said it's a great and fun system. I know it's frustrating for folks that use it on bigger layouts to get the red lights and loss of response. I know it's equally as frustrating for you guys to hear of these problems and get to the root of them.

We are looking forward hearing what's on the horizon and I know Will, Chris, and I appreciate any involvement with the Legacy User's Meeting. Of course to any one who misses the LUG Meeting we will post a full summary the following Monday on the forum.

I might add as a dcs user we have waited on updates and improvements to make it better as well and legacy deserves the same support. Jon is a great guy and Lionel is lucky to have him. chief

Thanks for the update Jon! Legacy is a great system and we appreciate it.

Joe

~Long Live Lionel~

jon, so if no changes made to replaced legacy base units then my mind is saying did the majority of us just get a bad batch of units from dear old china? there has to be something different from first production units to the ones being exchanged with returned units they most certainly didn't heal themselves within its box. I'm just injecting food for thought has anyone there looked to see if an issue with parts used verses what was intended to be used was substituded by manufacturer? $oo