[nrscroller]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone has gone to a wifi throttle on their smartphone and is it better than say a digitrax ut4 throttle like I have?
Can I choose different engines etc. I have a modulart switching layout and I have to plug and replug all the time whereever train is. I know I need the unit from digitrax to do it with my phone.
I see TCS is coming out with a throttle but who wants to pay 300 bucks for that.
Thanks
Bill

 

[DonR]

You will be very pleased to go with a wireless
throttle for your DCC system. I've used both
wired and wireless. As you may have discovered,
as you move about the layout with the wired
throttle your legs soon are entangled in the cable.
Wireless sets you free.

Don

 

[MichaelE]

I too would recommend a wireless system for any layout for which the cable length on the throttle runs out.

If your layout is small enough, there is nothing like the reliability of a wired connection.

 

[deedub35]

I have the DCS51 Zephyr, two UT4s, the LNWI module, and a few old smartphones with the withrottle app. I use the wireless throttles almost exclusively. So much more convenient.

 

[nrscroller]

HI
Ok I have the zepher and one ut4 with an l shaped switching layout. If I went wireless, is it hard to switch engines. I have a little plymouth switcher I like to use for the small runaround on part of the layout and then I park the larger switcher anywhere and change adresses to run the plymouth etc. With my ut4, I can just dial up my 2 digit code and punch it in and it changes engines for me.
Thanks
Bill

 

[deedub35]

I find it easier to switch locomotives on the smartphone than the UT4. My thumb and index finger have a tough time turning the dials on the UT4. On the withrottle app just press a few buttons - as easy as dialing a phone number but with less keystrokes of course.

If you have access to a couple smartphones you won’t have to switch locomotives at all! The LNWI module will allow you to use several at the same time.

 

[CTValleyRR]

Wireless -- which is what most of the responders were talking about -- is great. The joy of not having to swap throttles between jacks cannot be overstated. I got a wireless upgrade for my MRC Prodigy, and am super happy with it.

Now WiFi, which is what you asked about, is a different animal. Using a smartphone or tablet with a touchscreen just doesn't work for me. I like the tactile feel of physical buttons and knobs. It's very easy to tell when I've done what I wanted, even when I'm not looking at the throttle. This is definitely an individual preference thing, though, so my recommendation is try it -- in real operations, if you can (because part of the issue with a touchscreen is that you can't FEEL for the button if you have a lot going on), but at least download the app and play with it. Do everything you would do during a normal operating session.

 

[nrscroller]

I ordered the digitrax unit last nite from Yankee Dabbler on sale for 59 dollars, I think it will be nice
Bill