I’ve been trying to do research to find the right DCC system for me. Specifically, I want a system that is infinitely expandable, connects to a computer to handle operations and programing and most important is that it can uses cabs (throttles) that are android or iphone apps.
Looking through the android store, there are plenty of apps to use supporting all the functions. The system should use a modern wirelss router. Infrared is ancient technology and cordless phones? I’m not investing technology that invented in the 1980’s.
The problem is that I can’t find hardly any info on this. Surely there are plenty of you guys who know these systems and can explain them… the best info I’ve found is a super advance system used in Japan…can someone help me out here?
Digitrax is infinty expandable, connects to a computer and uses the kinds of throttles that you are speaking about. It also has radio control cabs so they do not have to be plugged in to control your trains.
A group I belong to, WC2scale.org, had a group of guys get together for an operating session at a members home layout, and they used their Iphones as throttles. I’m not I phone, or I phone app. savy at all, so I can’t intelligently tell you anything more. But the system was Digitrax, and with whatever app they used, their phones were used as throttles.
Both Digitrax and NCE have high-end systems that will support lots of trains and throttles. Both sytems have an interface available so that they can be connected to a home computer via JMRI. You just are not looking in the right place. Here is a link to JMRI:
Both iPhone and Android phones have apps that can connect to the above systems via a wireless router. There are other systems that can attach the same way, but the above two are the ‘Big Guns’ in the USA. You want a DCC system that allows a computer interface(usually via some kind of USB/Serial adapter). Do not write off the wired/wireless throttles sold by the above companies. These are rock solid, and the actual ‘knob’ interface is really better for ‘switching’ cars that the ‘graphic’ interfaces on many smart devices. I use my Galaxy S Android phone as a throttle all the time - Super easy setup(and a cheap throttle compared the $19 ‘trade-in’ they offered me). And it is a good backup if my Galaxy S4 dies or gets lost…
JMRI really is the glue that holds all of this together, and the graphic interface makes programming locomotives very easy.
The only one that does not fully meet this is MRC, because they do not work with the leading computer software, JMRI, which is the ‘glue’ that allows you to use Andoird and iOS devices as throttles, has the operations component, and also works as a virtual dispatcher panel (or you can indeed build a physical CTC panel and use the logic in JMRI as the ‘glue’ to link the pnael to the actual turnouts and signals on the layout.
All of the other popular systems are supported by JMRI, and no one uses IR any more, they all have some form of RF handhelds, except bachmann Dynamis, which is really an ESU system - if you get the ESU version is is more fully expandable. Anything support by JMRI, or the (not free) RR&Co software can use smartphone throttles in addition to the vendor’s own.
Not sure how you are interpreting the specs on various systems if the only one you found that you think meets your needs is some system from Japan.
Thank you for pointing me in the direction of JMRI. After watching some videos and downloading the software, it’s exactly what I want. I especially like throttles used on pads rather than phone, although my S3 phone is practically the size of a pad. Since JMRI is a sourceforge program it makes sense that it is really mentioned unless added as a search term. Thanks again, that’s exactly what I wanted.
The JMRI interface is pretty good once you get it set up on your computer. I have it in my train room on our old XP computer. I use my Digitrax throttles but when I have people over they can use their smart phones. My train club uses NCE but most us use our phones or tablets to play with our trains.
Check Sprog. An interface for your computer that allows you to use JMRI, computers and cell phones. I replaced an MRC Prodigy Squared2 system with this. It offers 2.5 amps and costs about $135. It also has boosters avaialable for larger layouts.
We use Digitrax with USB Loconet and JMRI Sourceforge loaded on a laptop connected wirelessly to router. My son uses his Android phone. We have wireless router. All works great.