Bluetooth or WiFi for control

When I had a couple of MTH PS-1 equipped locomotives go bad, I talked to a coworker that has BT device experience about this.  In the end, it was cheaper for me to get the locomotives repaired then to develop and make a BT board for it.  It is possible, but still would cost too much to be worth it.  Also, BT is limited in range, so if you have a big layout, you'll loose contact with your locomotive.

There's the rub. Creating the hardware to drive it gets expensive. As far as using a smartphone/tablet to control trains, there are interfaces out there for JMRI that support a WiFi interface, which has better range than Bluetooth, plus multiple units can access it. Orange County OScalers were using it at a recent show in Ontario, California.

Bluetooth is usually a one-for-one connection, plus the range is typically about 15 feet before the signal degrades.

Biggest problem is scale of production. The reason you can buy an iPad for the same price as a DCS or Legacy controller is because Apple makes millions of iPads and that level of scale drives prices way down. The production runs that MTH and Lionel order are extremely small compared to most consumer electronics which is why they're so incredibly expensive. If trains were as popular as RC vehicles prices would be a lot lower. 

Well I hear what your saying, but as I understand it the boards are already available,and being used, on one site a went to the boards were about $40 US with3 amp capacity, and the aps to control were free. I think the real problem is controlling multiple units independently. I could have it wrong, I don't claim to be any kind of authority on the subject, so I might be missing something here.     Stephen     (cTr...Choose the Right)

Where'd you find the boards? While I probably wouldn't run trains with them there are a couple of other projects I could use something like that for.

Matt try http://www.deltang.co.uk & www.bluerailtrains.com there are other possibilities I just can't remember them!!      Stephen    (cTr...Choose the Right)

Here's my Bluetooth or WiFi controller: 

(Actually, I think its a BlueFi or Witooth...)

Since I have just a single train on a 124-foot continuous-loop track with no switches, it works just fine, and even triggers sound effects on my DCC sound-equipped Atlas-O Loco by blipping the direction control, without interrupting the direction and speed of the train!

This is the best train setup I ever had, and it only requires plugging in 1 cord, with 2 wires running to the 2-rail track!

Good Luck on your Smart Controller outfit! 

BAD ORDER

Bad Order.... I love the simplicity!!I really do! Unfortunately Ive be bitten by the to many loco bug. I own and run some of MTH's locos and run them on DCS (DC 2 rail). I also have other none MTH loco's, for example a Scalecraft 2-8-2, there worlds apart. Its difficult to get DCS boards especially if you live in Australia, so what can you use thats compatible with DCS? I was going to use Aristacrafts Revalution radio control, but thats gone the way of the DoDo, or may be I could use Gwire? but Im not sure of the computability with DCS, but the availability is there, and then theres TMCC again problems in a DC environment. So! the search for new possibilities.    Stephen     (cTr....Choose the Right)

Thanks, Stephen!

After 37 years in the Aerospace Engineering business, I've had it up to my neck in New Technology! (Retired since 1998)

This is why I don't know anything about WiFi, Blue Tooth, I-Pads, Smart Phones, Laptops, Tablets, etc., and don't care to!

I would much rather sit on a rock at Alice Springs with a Rum & Coke and talk to a Wallaby!

Cheers, Mate!

BAD ORDER

Bad Order......Sometimes I think your right!! but  I cant help myself other times, so what to do?   Stephen    (cTr...Choose the Right)

Cheque this out no DCC here or any other, all we need is a password or address if you like   www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqQs-Mzy_sA  here's another http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDUTB8teaRY    Stephen    (cTr...Choose the Right)

HEY STEPHEN,

You say "sometimes" you think I'm right...NOT GOOD!

I would respect you more if you said I'm always right or I'm always wrong.

Nothing halfway...that's being indecisive!

Never say or even think "I can't help myself" or "what do I do?"

Don't let your kids hear you talk with such a weak, defeatist attitude...be strong and decisive!

BAD ORDER HAL

Hal

You are so wrong so often even your dichotomies are false!

Now, has your respect for me increased? 

Yes, Ted, I have a newfound respect for you!  (Which is strange, because I never heard of you until now...)

I had a dichotomy last October.  The surgery went smoothly, but the recovery took longer than I expected.

Thanks,

BAD ORDER

Bad Order     The truth is I find new subjects stimulating, so I just had to investigate.This means Iv'e become distracted.       Ted Hickel has been developing the interface that allows us to use DCS, using our smart phones, as in the current MTH catalogue.       Stephen    (cTr...Choose the Right)

Ted    Do you think MTH could be prevailed upon to provide a board that would give us basic control with DCS, without the bells an whistles, DCS is a great system, I like it!! Lionel has done this with TMCC.      Stephen    (cTr....Choose the Right)   

Stephen, it's not necessary that you explain or justify to ME what you think or do...who am I to have any judgement in the matter?

Here's our Canadian Timber Wolf "Tundra".

Cheers,

Bad Order

You have to stop trotting out that ceramic dog, let's see a real one!

OK, OK, Gunrunner...here's our REAL Australian Cattle Dog, blue-eyed "Barbie":

(She "sings" to my harmonica...really!)

Bad Order 

That one even looks real.

Real, you say?

Would you like to know how much she eats?

bad order

(here's a train picture to keep the thread proper)

How much does the train eat?

Ted    Do you think MTH could be prevailed upon to provide a board that would give us basic control with DCS, without the bells an whistles, DCS is a great system, I like it!! Lionel has done this with TMCC.      Stephen

Stephen

My brother Dave has developed the PC interface and smart device apps for DCS.  While I do get to do some beta (or alpha) testing, it is Dave's project.  I would suggest you read the minutes from the DCS users dinner on the DCS forum.  I believe there was some discussion of the technology used in the Coors train that hasn't appeared in any other projects but could (and perhaps should) have further applications.

I do not know of any DCS hardware development that would be a "DCS light" sort of product.  We might see something like that but my best guess is likely not too soon.

Yes, Ted, I have a newfound respect for you!  (Which is strange, because I never heard of you until now...)

 

Hal

Then perhaps a posting holiday is in order.  Spend a day or two just reading the forum.  There are plenty of great people posting good information here.  From time to time I might even be one of them. 

But the ceramic one is the brains of the outfit,

Ted    Thank you for putting me striate, your brother is doing a great job. I dont think this new use of DCS with the smart phones etc can be under estimated, especially for this generation. I hadn't had the chance to read the minutes from the  last DCS users meeting, but i will.        Stephen    (cTr....Choose the Right)

Bluetooth is to "flaky" for control.  Just an opinion.

Larry

I don't think this new use of DCS with the smart phones etc can be under estimated, especially for this generation.

Stephen

I agree.  Most of us, and virtually all younger people, are now walking around with such powerful devices in our pockets it just makes sense to create ways to apply that power to our hobbies.  It is a real game changer and reduces the need to create custom hardware devices.  All you need is a software application for the powerful hardware that is available.  That concept certainly applies to command control and we are also seeing it in physical modeling with things like 3D printing.

If I get my slightly opaque 3D printed crystal ball out I think we will start to see more applications of really capable, relatively inexpensive and really cool hardware over the next few years.  Out in the 3-5 year and certainly in the 5-10 year range there will be a very different world as the need for custom hardware is reduced and new technologies make the custom hardware that is needed much easier to make.