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Reply to "DCS Remote"

Yardmaster has really given this topic a lot of exposure (in a fair way) and here is my response from early last year when he brought up the remote vs app.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...74#79001688802693474

Yardmaster96 posted:

  Why, why, why would you want to use a tiny cell phone screen when you have nice rubber buttons that are easy to find and feel.

Because on a 7 inch tablet the controls are easy to understand instead of a tiny LCD screen or even smaller icon buttons. I've used both apps and the ability to read the entire function vs trying to interpret a tiny icon or 3 letter acronym has turned me off from using the remotes after seeing how the app worked. Also, the remotes cost a lot more than a bargain bin tablet. I've had to replace a dropped remote (before the days of the apps) and that was an expense I didn't look forward to.

Also keep in mind that the apps are software, and easily changed. I envision someday where we as operators will be able to customize the look and controls we see on the apps. We would be able to put commonly used controls on the home screen of the app in any way we want them to appear. Personally, I wish the the red wheel on the cab remote was in a different location but that's never going to happen.

And yet another thing that the apps help facilitate is to allow those with disabilities to participate better. There is an older member in our train club that has Parkinsons and operating the remotes with there tiny buttons is extremely difficult, let alone holding them like we do. The app with larger buttons ( on a 11 inch tablet) and the use of a weighted stylus has been much easier for him to use. Before the apps, he was limited to conventional operation only.

As for the actual Wifi vs Bluetooth they are are both good and each have there pros and cons. I have experienced the range problems with Bluetooth engines. But as Bigdogetrain said earlier, this only happens on large layouts and you may need to centrally locate yourself or follow the train a bit.

Bluetooth is a simple setup and WiFi offers more flexibility with multiple operators because of how the communication is handled to the train controller.

Last edited by H1000

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