Has anyone tried this yet? WiThrottle
Yes, I started a thread in the DCC section a week or so agao. Works great, with any DCC system supported by JMRI (sorry MRC).
Since I’d have a computer even if I wasn’t a model railroader, I don;t consider the cost of that. Since I’d have my iPhone even if I wasn;t a model railroader, I don’t count the cost of that. Computer interface + the app costs less than most systems’ radio option. Incrementally it’s even less, you cna add additional users simply by loading the app on their iPhone/iPod.
–Randy
One of our operating crew brought some samples over during the last operationg session. They’re pretty slick, althoiugh I tend to be a bit ham-handed and was constantly changing screens when I just wanted the train to move. However, I did get used to it eventually. Best thing about it as far as I was concerned was the ability to set the throttle down on a flat surface and not have to hold on to it even to use it. We only have enough operators for one man crews and having to hold a throttle, clipboard with car cards and an uncoupling skewer can get a bit frustrating.
It occurred to me after the Op session that coating the blunt end of the uncoupling skewer with plastic or rubber might make that into an “11th finger” so that ham-fisted types like me can operate the throttle wthout our fat normal fingers getting in the way,
Andre
This is a pretty cool idea… now they need to make an android version of the app so I can use it on my droid.
Unfortunately a rubber-tipped stylus won’t work on the type of touch screen the iPhone uses. There IS a type that does work - I was surprised, but one of my clients showed me that iPhoen case she had that included a stylus that DID work on the capacitance screen.
–Randy
There is an Android version. I’ve used it and it works well. http://jmri.org/help/en/package/jmri/jmrit/withrottle/EngineDriverAndroidThrottle.shtml
Your stylus will need to be conductive with a conductive rubber end that is similar to the tip of your finger. Copper tape is easy enough to apply to the skewer. Alternatively you can get a stylus and then modify it to make it work for uncoupling.
Plenty cheap enough at $1 each.
Ken - Welcome to trains.com! [C):-)]
I have had the iPhone version for awhile and love it. It is an easy to use app.
Eric
My wife would FREAK if I took her iPhone and started using it as a throttle. I have a Blackberry so I’m out of luck.
RR&Co. has also developed an interface for mobile devices. Initially they were offering iOS and Android apps, but they wanted to get away from the quick rewrite cycle of mobile OS’s. They have now embedded a web server within Train Controller. All you have to do is type in the IP address assigned to the web server by your LAN in the web browser of any mobile device. That makes the interface compatible with any mobile device that has wi-fi, including iPads, iPhones, Android phones, Android tables (Kindle Fire), Windows phones, and Blackberries. The server will display either a throttle or dispatcher window. On my current project we are using iPads linked to Train Controller as local control panels. Touch the switches in the graphic and it toggles their position.
!(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s305/Dave_Hikel/Northwest Trunk Lines/DSC_2742.jpg)
JMRI has that as well, in fact they’ve had the web server longer than the iPhone/Android connection. Features may not all be the same, but it’s an option for other devices and particularly for tablets with larger screens. I don’t think the WiThrottle app for iPhone has changed significantly over the past bunch of iOS updates. I’ve had it for a long time now, and definitely update my phone when a new iOS comes out. I even switched phones - back when I first purchased it I had an iPhone 3G, I now have a 4.
–Randy
sure wish they would come out with one for use on the kindle fire…[:)]
There might be a way to get standard ANdroind Market apps on a Fire, but it takes some hacking. FOr whatever reason, Amazon decided to limit the device, even though it runs Android.
–Randy
Ahaa! you are able to download JMRIs enginedriver on a Kindle Fire…and its free.
seem’s for whatever selfish reason Amazon only wants you to download apps from their apps store,but that default function can be turned off.