Digitrax LNWI (Wireless throttle interface)

[wmcbride]

I received my Digitrax LNWI today.

It comes with a separate power plug and connects to the LocoNet via a standard Digitrax cable (provided). So I plugged it in (power and Loconet), downloaded the Engine Driver app for my android phone, selected the LNWI wifi network, and was running trains in under a minute.

Painless and kind of slick!

[boisecity]

That's great to hear.  I am thinking of getting one for my layout but wanted to get some feedback first.
Thanks
JohnF

[wmcbride]

I will say it was a lot easier to use than my various Digitrax throttles in selecting engines etc. Sometimes the buttons on the Digitrax throttles don't engage because of my finger error, etc. No problems like that on my phone and I would imagine even fewer on a bigger tablet.

[mmyers]

I need to pick up one. Really interested in its behavior when used along with a UP3/JMRI computer/ and router that is also connected to loconet.

[jdcolombo]

Using a smart phone as a throttle has advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages: larger function key "buttons" with ACTUAL LABELS (at least, you can do this with JMRI; it really helps with sound decoders, where you can label everything so that operators know which button turns on the Mars light, which turns on the ditch lights, activates Drive Hold and the Independent Brake on a LokSound, etc.)

Disadvantages: no throttle knob and no hard buttons or toggle switch for train direction control.

I find the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.  When I'm doing switching ops on my layout, I don't want to be looking at my phone; I need to be looking at the train and controlling the speed to spot cars precisely.  I can't do this with a smart phone slider on a touchscreen - there is no tactile feedback.  On the other hand, the Digitrax UT4 utility throttle is perfect for this: nice large knob and a toggle switch for direction.  I can control the train with one hand while never looking at the throttle.

Best of both worlds: something like ESU's Mobile Control II, which has cell-phone-like function buttons with labels on a touchscreen, but also a knob and hard buttons for train control.  Now that Digitrax has the LNWI, perhaps they could design a throttle to work with it that is similar to the ESU Mobile Control II (and maybe at least a little less expensive?).  UT4-like throttle knob; toggle switch or hard buttons for direction to give tactile feedback for operating a train without looking at a touch screen, but touch-screen function keys so that you can label them (or maybe actual hard buttons with a color LCD below them for labels - even better, though probably prohibitively expensive).  I don't know how Digitrax might accommodate function key labels on such a creature; JMRI does it via its computer interface, so maybe some software and a computer connected to a PR3 or the newer command stations with the built-in PR3.  Until I get such a throttle, I really don't have much use for a WiFi interface (even with JMRI, I rarely use Wi-Throttle for the reasons stated).

John C.

[wmcbride]

I agree with John about switching. I couldn't do it with a screen throttle. However, for just "running" trains this works well enough for me.

[conrail98]

I've always used my phone's volume buttons for the throttle response, works fine for me. I never use the slider,

Phil

[wmcbride]

I've always used my phone's volume buttons for the throttle response, works fine for me. I never use the slider,

Phil

I am a neophyte with the phone throttle.

I'll have to try that...

[conrail98]

I am a neophyte with the phone throttle.

I'll have to try that...

I believe that's only available on EngineDriver and not on the WiThrottle, but don't hold me to that as I know that had been a request to the WiThrottle developer a while ago,

Phil

[jdcolombo]

I believe that's only available on EngineDriver and not on the WiThrottle, but don't hold me to that as I know that had been a request to the WiThrottle developer a while ago,

Phil

That's correct - you can't use the volume buttons on an iPhone for anything but volume; I think Apple prohibits "alternate" use of its buttons (unlike Android).  Using hard buttons would be an improvement, but I'd still prefer a knob, with a toggle switch for direction (the toggle switch gives you immediate feedback on what direction the loco is in, and you can tell what direction it is set for by feeling the direction of the toggle switch).  To each their own, mind you.  I'm probably quirky about this tactile-feedback thing, but I hope Digitrax will think about a Mobile Control II-type throttle in the near future . . .

John C.

[Lemosteam]

So who's got one and how do you like it so far? 

[Lemosteam]

Anybody???

[MK]

Our club recently bought one and we really love it.  Simple plug and play and relatively inexpensive and no need to hand people DT throttles.  Easy to get "outsiders" involved with just a smartphone and app.  Out intentions are to take it to trains shows where we can get the public, especially kids, involved.

[Lemosteam]

Thank you @MK , I am going to ask Santa for one!

[mmyers]

BANTRAK had two connected at our last Timonium show. They worked flawlessly all weekend. Set up was as easy as originally posted here. Changing the password and network name required a little digging in Digitrax' tech support files. Folowing their procedure is just a few steps similar to setting up a UR92.

One thing to remember in a multiple runners situation is the 4 connection limit on each LNWI. When a user is finished running trains, the user needs to either "Forget" the network or turn WIFI off so that their phone doesn't continue to be connected. With only one it would have been possible to fill our network. With two LNWI's that did not happen. Simplest way is just to turn WIFI off when done running. Turn it on to run again. That way the network and password are still in the device.

Martin Myers