Last week I finally got around to hooking up the RR-Cirkits Locobuffer USB to my layout's Digitrax loconet and installing the JMRI software on my Windows 7 PC. After getting the JMRI and LocoBuffer working (it was easy once I got the correct Windows drivers installed) I installed the Engine Driver app for my Android phone (Samsung Galaxy S3). The Engine Driver android app requires the JMRI 'WiThrottle' service to be started within JMRI on the computer in order to connect/control the layout.
The Engine Driver throttle app had no trouble connecting to my layout and I was up and running using the smartphone throttle within 10 minutes of starting the whole LocoBuffer USB/JMRI process.
Based on how well the smartphone throttle works, I don't foresee purchasing any additional Digitrax throttles $$$$. I have never understood why the Digitrax throttles cost so much. I currently have 2 dt-402D throttles and 2 dt-400 (upgraded to duplex radio) throttles.
I also installed the Engine Driver app on my Kindle Fire HD 10" tablet and it functions fine, however it's rather large/clunky to be used as a 'portable' throttle.
Since Kindle Fire 7s can be purchased for about $40 and other cheap Smartphones can be purchased for even less it doesn't seem to make much sense to buy additional Digitrax throttles.
I just thought I would post this in case anyone else was "on the fence" about setting up to use Smartphone as DCC throttles.
Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.
- Photo album of layout construction -
While my layout (if you want to call it that) uses the NCE system, I have also gone the cell phone/kindle route and like you I could not be more pleased with it. A very affordable way to have a smooth operating wireless system.
Old Fat Robert
Waiting for the "phones aren't allowed in my train room" crowd lol
The phones are great! You lose a few things to having a full throttle in hand, but it's completely worth it and the batteries last way longer.
Don't even bother buying phones, just ask around if people have old ones. Do a factory reset, connect to your home router, download jmri and you're ready to go. The best have power button on right side and volume on left side when looking at it. It has a more natural feel in hand than if both are on the right side.
OnewolfI also installed the Engine Driver app on my Kindle Fire HD 10" tablet and it functions fine, however it's rather large/clunky to be used as a 'portable' throttle.
Hi, Onewolf
I've been using two Kindle Fires for at least the past two years, maybe more. I had been using JMRI and the RR Cirkits interface for years, (I recently went to a Digitrax PR3 Xtra) and found the same results you did. The Kindles were free hand-me-downs from my sister!
Actually I get better signal strength with the wi-fi than I ever did with the Duplex throttles. Lots of dead spots with the duplex frequency.
The other thing I like is that for most of my decoders the functions are actually labeled using Engine Driver so I don't have to try to remember what function does what on the various decoders I have. Plus my entire JMRI roster is there which makes it simple to select a new locomotive.
I use a case that has a hand grip built into it so I can at least have a free hand when I'm running trains. It would be nice to have a neck-strap or some kind of lanyard for the Kindle.
Fun Stuff!
Regards, Ed