Using an iPod Touch as a wireless throttle

[SpaceMouse]

I didn't want to hijack the thread, but I wanted to know more about what Randy was talking about. I have an old laptop I was going to dedicate to the layout to be a video monitor for staging and it has wireless. And I have an iPod Touch on my wish anyway.

Walk me through this...

[Lengthy computer code removed]

[Mark R.]

Seriously ??? 

Looks like source coding to me .... don't ask me to decipher it though !

Mark.

[Hamltnblue]

I would just use a radio throttle and be done with it. The ipod touch is a 2 hand operation, throttle is a 1 hand op.  most who try things with the ipod touch are doing so because that is another hobby of theirs which is fine, but it brings nothing extra I see to running trains.

[CSX Robert]

Does this help?: WiThrottle setup

[rrinker]

 You cn use the WiThrottle app with one hand. In fact it has settings to put the throttle slider ont he right or left hand side of the screen depending on which hand you intend to use. You just run your thumb up and down the throttle slider to change speed - there's a switching mode where the center is off and up is increasing forward speed and down is increasing reverse speed.

 What you need, besides the TOuch or iPhone and the app, is a computer and a wireless router, or you can create an ad-hoc connection using the wireless adapter in the computer. You need to install Bonjour from Apple, JMRI, and have a suitable computer interface for your system. It works with any DCC system that JMRI can work with. Once the connection is up and JMRI installed, test run a loco using the JMRI throttle - if it works you're all set. Start the WiThrottle server in JMRI, fire up your Touch, and if everything is installed correctly it shoudl find your computer with JMRI active. That's pretty much it.

                                    --Randy

[CSX Robert]

Hamltnblue

I would just use a radio throttle and be done with it. The ipod touch is a 2 hand operation, throttle is a 1 hand op...

Have you tried or seen the WiThrottle app? It most certainly can be used with one hand.

Hamltnblue

it brings nothing extra I see to running trains.

Except for a very inexpensive wirelees throttle, if you already have the iPod and a JMRI setup. My son has an iPod, so naturally I installed WiThrottle and tried it out. It is not as ergonomic as a standard throttle(at least ot to me, I prefer knobs and buttons over a touchscreen on a throttle), but it does work very well. I certainly would not buy an iPod just to use as a throttle, but if you happen to already have one and a JMRI setup, it seems like a no-brainer to me get an extra throttle for only $10.

[Stevert]

CSX Robert

Does this help?: WiThrottle setup

 

Also this:  JMRI: WiFi Throttle

 

 

[CSX Robert]

rrinker

You need to install Bonjour from Apple, JMRI, and have a suitable computer interface for your system.

I did not have to install Bonjour to get it to work for me.

[rrinker]

 I tried it when it first came out, it would not autodetect my server without Bonjour (going through my wireless router, NOT using the laptop's wifi in ad hoc mode - I have my whole place networked). Haven't tested it with newer JMRI versions (ie since the moved the server launcher to a more suitable location on the menu). Can't test because I have Bonjour installed anyway for my Bookshelf app. I suppose I could compltely remove iTunes from my laptop, I never sync my phone to the laptop, only my desktop.

                               --Randy

 

[Hamltnblue]

To each his own but I think it's just another app that people like to play with to show their music player can do it.  I have one of the touches and after seeing the screen go blank or buttons hit by accident and changing screens, I think it's likely to result in accidents on the layout. 

[Scarpia]

CSX Robert

I prefer knobs and buttons over a touchscreen on a throttle), but it does work very well. I certainly would not buy an iPod just to use as a throttle, but if you happen to already have one and a JMRI setup, it seems like a no-brainer to me get an extra throttle for only $10.

 

Seconded. It works very well, as long as you have a good JRMI connection to your DCC system, and is well worth the extra $10 for the app.

Besides, how many wireless throttles do you know of on the market that allow you to watch train videos on them, while you wait for your next gig in crew lounge?  Add a headset to an iPhone, and you might even be able to replace that crew radio system as well, and just call the dispatcher on the cell.....