I understand why iPad has no/limited engine control at present

My nephew is blind. You should see him Navigate an iPad. I've scene some of the soft controllers for ho Maybe multiple controllers on a screen might Be in the future

Kevin

 

My feeling exactly.  I can navigate a Legacy and DCS remote by feel. I can still throw switches and activate accessories from my CAB2 or DCS remote as well so I don't need to carry my iPad to do so.

 

That being said, I guess if folks want to look at an iPADto operate, maybe that should be an option to turn on a Legacy remote simulator but it certainly is not a priority for me on either system. 

 

Of course after both systems are available I may eat my words.  Done so in the past and they usually go down well.  From what I have seen, Dave's approach is well thought out so I may be surprised at how well the interface works with the user.

 

We have a winner!!

 

The tactile input of the handhelds make it possible to not have to look at your controller to control your trains. With the iPad or smart phone apps there is no way to get this same feedback from your hands. whip out that phone and try to accelerate without looking at it, or pull the train brake back, It's not going to happen.

While I admire the work Dave is doing on the iPad DCS controller, I am waiting for it to be released and hearing the sad stories of engines crashing into each other when the user cant find the right button to stop it or a call comes in and the screen goes away at the wrong moment

Chris,

 

You raise some good points, however, as regards the forthcoming app...

hearing the sad stories of engines crashing into each other when the user cant find the right button to stop it

There will be a red E-Stop button right in the middle of the throttle.

a call comes in and the screen goes away at the wrong moment

I expect Android has a similar "Do Not Disturb" feature to the one that's on the iPhone.

 

As far as looking at the phone while entering commands, that's never been a priority for me. A quick glance is all it takes and taking one's eyes off the trains is most certainly not akin to taking one's eyes off the road while driving.

 

While the app hasn't yet been developed, I've implemented Dave's current, PC-based system on my layout, and I've run the layout from the PC, my iPhone, my wife's iPad, and my iPad Mini. In my experience using all four devices, I've found that the best of them is, far and away, the iPad Mini.

 

The PC is not a contender at all, the iPhone is just too small for me to consistently press the correct soft button and I find the iPad too heavy to hold in one hand. The iPad Mini, however, is the "Goldilocks" device for me - it's just right. It's not too heavy to hold in one hand, and has buttons that are big enough to see without my glasses and which I can consistently press with accuracy.

 

Also, Dave has optimized key placement for the iPad, which carries over to the iPad Mini. I expect that other like-sized tablets will be just as optimized.

 

The forthcoming app, of course, may be more well-suited for a smartphone, as well as for tablets.

Barry,

 

I actually suggested a big E-Stop button  to be put on the Lionel App as well, not sure if it has been implemented.

 

I think its great both devices are great ideas and some people will like them, but I think there will be many who try them and find they are missing the CAB2 or DCS remote feel and make mis-presses or other errors

And hopefully Android has the do not disturb, as I learned this weekend calls have a way of dropping in at the worse time and taking the app off the screen. This time I was looking at the GPS App on the iPhone and trying to figure which road I needed to take at a split in the road and the wife called. I would hate to be backing into a siding and have her call right when I needed to stop the engine

Chris,

I would hate to be backing into a siding and have her call right when I needed to stop the engine

Then you run the risk of compounding the problem big-time if you foolishly attempt to place the blame on your wife!

 

Minimal control and emergency stop on the app makes sense.  Things like speed, direction, whistle/horn.  The dedicated remotes offer a lot more control of the locomotives but they really don't do well with "layout" control.  

 

That said a separate app that does mimic all or nearly all of the controls of the remote may make sense especially if it's user configurable.  Our cable/isp released a remote for the cable box that runs on the iPad and it's actually much more user friendly than the remote in many ways and provides more useable information.  It's also not as flexible in terms of controlling the other devices like the DVD player and sound system since the iPad can't generate IR signals the way the remote can.

You pretty much just described the current Lionel App, plus it has train management features

Definitely want to be able to control engines with ipad/iphone/phablet programs.  Controlling switches, accessories etc. is cool too.  Let's do it all!