iCab App Thoughts and Questions other than pricing.

Thanks for starting this thread,  i had questions i posted on the other thread that got lost in the discussion

How do you get the aux1 feature to do the sequence sounds.  Normally on legacy, I hold aux1 for a second.  The locomotive responds, then it works until I power off.  I saw an aux1 on the PGM screen.  I thought PGM screen was only for setting new addresses.     

Marty and Chris.....please excuse my stupidity.....to use this app (after downloading it) you need a Legacy base and a Lionel wifi module, correct?

Peter

Just downloaded the APP. I like it, especially being able to retrieve a locomotive from the roster list. Only thing I've noticed is the smoke doesn't turn on or off with the smoke icon on the Xpert page with a TMCC locomotive. Have to use the 8 and 9 key like a CAB1.  CAB2 had the + and - keys for TMCC smoke, just have to remember CAB1 keystrokes. Smoke icons work fine with Legacy locomotives. Better speed control with the throttle slide switch compared to the iPad LCS APP. Even got a cell phone call in the middle of controlling a couple of locomotives. Never had my "handheld" ring before.

I like the App very much. We need to exercise this app so we can find what we like and what we don't like so it can be updated. This should help attract the younger folks to model railroading as they are really into controlling all things from their iPhone. Great job Lionel. Keep the technology coming!

Jim

Exactly the point of this thread.  Lionel will be wanting the feedback to improve upon and update. 

My understanding is that while iCab is an iPhone app, it will run on an iPad.  I thought I saw a picture of the app running on an iPad mini, and the app did fill the screen. 

- Has anyone run this app on a full-size iPad?

- If so, does it fill the screen?  If not, what percentage of the screen does it fill?

- Does it rotate between portrait and landscape when you rotate the iPad?

- If it does rotate, does it maintain its aspect ratio?

Thanks.

Vince

i have it on my iPad and it fills the screen. It does not rotate.

I had a running session with my son using several iPhones and the Legacy remote.  We ran multiple engines and tested consists.   I no issues with connectivity or communicating with the engines.   We tested the quillable whistle and it responded well compared to the CAB2.

I was able to run the TR function to run a consist of two locomotives.  Controls responded well.  I was not able to get the dialog sound to respond using the iPhone.  When I switched over to the CAB2, they worked.  I have no issue with the dialog sound when running the engines individually.  Has anyone had a similar experience. 

Here are some thing I would like Lionel to add to the iCAB.  

1) The ability to enter in the 4 digit locomotive numbers to look up the address of the locomotive just like the Legacy CAB2 offers.  I do this often with my CAB2.  I can use the roster function and scroll to the locomotive, or I have figure out which 2 digit I assigned to the locomotive.   

2) Add a direction indicator when changing directions.   I cannot tell which direction I set this.   

3)  Add a screen to have the aux1 and the buttons 1 - 9.  I use aux1 for the sounds 2, 7, or to activate the sequence sounds (hold aux1 for two seconds) 

4)  Add additional buttons for the steam engines sound effects for blow down and loading the coal.

5)  Have a customized screen for dining cars for the sound effects.  I was able to get this to work, but not all features worked for the sound sequences using the iPhone.  For now the iCab2 is the best for using the station sounds.   I like how the CAB2 offered specific icon for these features.      

5) Add Allow direction button when using the on the advanced section for Speed.  I use this when screen when switching and changing directions.  Perhaps you can add the button on the iPhone 6 / 6plus phone which has more room.  This is a nice to have feature. 

6)  Allow to build and edit Lash ups (Consists) 

7) I would like the next update to take advantage of the new screen sizes for the iPhone6 / iPhone6 plus.  The bigger screen could offer more space additional buttons or features on one page.  On the 6plus the screen is looks enlarged and the buttons look low-res.  

8)  Add ability to do smoke volume low, medium, high.   I think it is just on / off.

9) Add an ability to toggle between the last two engine selected just like the CAB2.  I usually have two engines running on two tracks with one handheld.   

10)  The use of iCloud to backup setting and to sync pictures between iPhones.  my family will be using several devices and each one I have to take pictures of the locomotive.  Can this also sync with the iPad app, so I can get the setting / pictures I did in that app?

I look forward to trying this out again over the weekend.

Thanks for the info, Jeff.  I guess those are some pretty big buttons on the screen.

OK guys, I'm excited......where can I buy a wifi module? I don't think I saw any at York....

Peter

All the big sponsors have them.  I'm sure others too.  I saw several at York at the various Big Dealers.

Where do you find the App for the iCab?

It's on the Apple App store under Lionel iCab.  If you are on an iPad make sure you search for iPhone Apps.

Thanks, Marty.

Peter

I am not sure if I missed something.  My RPM sounds do not change with engine speed.  They do on the CAB2.  Is there a setting I need to use for the app to get that function to return.  If not, I would like that functionality in this app.

Hopefully, that's one of the things that will be corrected.  I'm surprised they can do that with the LCS, I don't know how to separate them with the CAB2.  I guess if you're running and then manually crank the RPM down that would work...

on the icab, is there a way to access the accessories function? If not I would like to see it added.

Not currently. 

I don't see any way of controlling track power from the app.  I have to first power up my cab2 remote than dial up track power than switch over to the iCab app. seems like the "TR" page would be of  better use for that purpose.  Would also give you the ability to run conventional engines. 

I use mine to dial up track power using the TR page slider bar.  Not sure if the power supply matters.  I use a ZW-L.

from the TR page are you selecting a track number pressing enter than sliding the graph bar?

that's exactly what I am doing.  I am also using a ZW-L.  am I missing something.  works fine from my Cab2 remote

Thanks Marty

problem solved !

So what were you missing?

Was hoping you wouldn't ask. since it is called train and not "track" and the page is identical to engine I assumed that feature was not included. learned my lesson

No biggie. It's all a learning curve. 

can you explain how to use a Bluetooth?

based on this statement from the link you provided.

Requires a bluetooth adapter or Lionel LCS WiFi controller.

Sorry. I use iCab. I'm not familiar enough with Bluetrain to comment intelligently. 

OK thanks, is there anyone out there that can comment intelligently?