Need advice on a Ipad for the LCS app,Jon or Rudy??

I believe the LCS requires the iPad, so you are somewhat limited to your choice of tablet.

John, So if I understand this right, Bluetrain will only be an add on for LCS and will still need the Ipad then?

iPad: You will need wifi but not 3G or LTE. You probably want a 4th generation Retina one (though 3rd generation will be ok)  but only minimal memory if all you are going to use it for is LCS (Personally I max mine out on memory)

You don't need the current models with the Retina display. I spend several hours/day on my iPad (including reviewing design/artwork on it) and don't have a Retina display model. Also the LCS app isn't natively developed for Retina so it won't make use of the higher resolution display. Having a Retina display for LCS makes about as much sense as buying an HDTV to watch VHS tapes. 

All iPads have wifi and that's the only must-have. Lionel has said that the LCS app will work with ALL iPads, including the earliest versions which Apple no longer supports. If you're using the iPad strictly for your trains I'd get the cheapest used one you can find. If you think you might use the iPad for anything else - reading your local paper, eBay, these forums, etc. - then I suggest getting an iPad 2 or newer as these support the current release of the operating system including security updates. Bottom line is if what you do on the iPad involves making a purchase or requires a password you should get one that runs the latest version of the operating system. iPads are pretty fantastic. I bought one for my parents a couple of years ago and they haven't touched their desktop computer since. 

If having a warranty is important you can get a refurbished iPad mini from Apple for as little as $250 (http://store.apple.com/us/brow...me/specialdeals/ipad). They come with the exact same 1 year warranty as a new iPad. Really the only reason to buy a new iPad is if you insist on owning the latest and greatest. I only buy the refurbished models. 

Whichever one you get I very strongly suggest buying a good protective case. The screens on the iPad are on the fragile side and a drop of only a few feet can crack them resulting in a $100+ repair bill. We have an OtterBox case on the iPad our kids use and it's survived many falls. Money well spent. 

BlueTrain runs on an Android device and connects to your layout using the LCS WiFi module. An iPad is not required, but if one is also present, the iPad can run Lionel's LCS App simultaneously with the BlueTrain/andriod device.

If you want to run the LCS software, my understanding is you need an iPad, right?

Actually no. According to MR at the Lionel event since Lionel released the protocols of the Legacy system any software developer could create a program for Android devices. At the present time according to MR Lionel only plans to support the iPad.

He also indicated that MTH will provide their protocols as well all you need to do is contact them. When I questioned him on this he said they do not have an exclusive with Hikel!

So, if that is true you can have both systems on the same Android device not sure about iPad.

Lastly, I have a 10 inch Android tablet that I got from Micro-Center for $79.00 and added a keyboard case. It works fairly well for such an inexpensive device. I've also seen pricing on a number of other tablet devices lowered over the past several months same thing with the Apple devices.

So, it's actually yes.  I was sure I didn't mis-read that.  I've been shopping for a used iPad so I can try this out...

Nothing works until the WiFi adapter is out, I am hearing July now.

Lionel LCS app = Ipad

Bluetrain LCS app = Android

You have time.

Dan

Also, the Ipad 2 will not see IOS 8.  Ipad 3 and 4 will.  Also, beware of pricing, many resellers charge above list.  The only place I have seen good sales on them is Best Buy.

Apple annoys me for the amount of money they charge for flash memory upgrades, $100 for $5 worth.  They should just drop the 16GB version.

I use the Bluetrain application right now with a $12 BlueTooth adapter for the serial port of the Legacy base.

The Bluetrain developer is updating his app to work with Legacy and the WiFi adapter.

Dan

Well, I have run TMCC and some Legacy locomotives with my DCS remote, so I guess I can plead guilty.

The latest version of Blutrain allows you to select either bluetooth or wifi connection.

Its available from the Google Play store.

However, the latest version of bluetrain will NOT work with a full sized tablet. It will only work with a Android phone or a smaller 7" tablet.

I have ver 1.4 working on my 9" tablet and ver 2.0 (latest) working on my 7" tablet.

I have a used Ipad 1 for sale.

But I have not tried adding the LCS app to it.

email me if interested.

Ok,I misunderstood the Bluetrain and Android device as being a way to use the Lionel app. Bluetrain must be similar to the Railman program I bought years ago to run TMCC from my computer.

So now that you got that part figured out for me,thank you!  I read in the LCS post that Jon Z. uses a first generation Ipad. So is a 16 gb enough or should I look at 32 gb?  Then there's the IOS version??

Thanks,Doug

The guy who developed the Bluetrain app, bkbob, did it all on his own with out any help from Lionel. He did it using the original TMCC codes published by Lionel many years ago. AFAIK, the current version of Bluetrain does not include the additional Legacy codes.

Future Bluetrain releases will probably have the Legacy codes.

Lots of information about the Bluetrain app has already been posted here:

https://ogrforum.com/t...om-you-android-phone