Looking to get input from people who are using Engine Driver on a Fire Tablet. Understand that Amazon posted app version is old so plan is to side load. Since the 8" F Tablet on sale today, thought about picking one up. Any thoughts?
One advantage of using Engine Driver on a phone-sized unit is that it can more easily controlled with one hand, than a larger (say 8") tablet. That may or may not be an issue for all users...
I have it on my 8" fire works well. smaller cell phone is fine for one throttle. I like the larger 8" screen for running 2 or sometimes 3 throttles on the same screen. keeps the buttons and throttle slider big enough so i don't have to worry about hitting the wrong button by accident. I have the plastic case for mine with the hand strap on the back which makes it a lot easier to hold onto it all day at a show.
Thanks for the info. Did you side load current ver or from Amazon older version? Have small 2x4 layout so can't possibly imagine ever running more than 3 loco's, and 99% of time only 2. Hoping at some point EngDrv has option to custom view so possibly one can fit a couple of throttles plus 3-4 switch controls on same screen. Figure a 7-8" tablet would have sufficient screen size to display? Kinda of surprised how little info on web and boards with the A tablet and Eng Drv. While didn't spend alot of time browsing, not many results. I didn't pull trigger yesterday .. :-( Oh well, next sale...
Definitely a valid point. On one hand, like smaller size for that reason. Unfortunately have an iPhone but really love Eng Drv and believe it is the best, at least for me. Looking also to help out my old eyes too.
Got mine a couple years ago with the only intent to use it as a cheap ($30.oo) wireless throttle. A friend hooked to the internet one time when i first got it to download and install Eng. Drv. Other than that one time, Its never been updated or connected to any wired or wireless network other than the Digitrax LNWI on our modular layout. I power it, on open eng-drv, give it a few seconds to connect to our LNWI, choose a loco and start running trains, Works just fine as is, If it aint broke i see no reason to fix it.
Used android phones can be purchased online or at pawn shops. They don't include SIM cards, so they cannot connect to a cellular network or place/receive calls, but they can be connected via WiFi to your local network or an LNWI, etc. That does not help much with the fine print on the display...
A friend loaded and set it up for me. He showed me the one he had and how easy it was for him to see and operate 3 throttles all on one screen compared to me fumbling around trying to hold 3 individual handled throttles. When i heard the price, I grabbed my phone logged on to amazon and ordered one before the sale ended. I had to wait a couple weeks to get it but when i did I gave it to him 15 minutes later he handed it back to me and its been my favorite go to wireless throttle ever since. Sure It may not be as compact or as easy to operate one handed as a cellphone is but i don't have to worry about killing my cell phone battery or missing calls while running trains and a dedicated rechargeable wireless throttle for $ 30 is hard to beat.
Looked on eBay a while back and decided that if can get fire tab On sale, the 8 HD was on sale for 45, hard to find used phone less. Think at right price its a great option when it is convenient to have larger device with more screen real estate.
Looked on eBay a while back and decided that if can get fire tab On sale, the 8 HD was on sale for 45, hard to find used phone less. Think at right price its a great option when it is convenient to have larger device with more screen real estate.
I have engine driver running on a Fire 6, a Fire 7 and a Fire 8. I use them depending on how I feel and if I am running one or multiple throttles. I got my copies and updates from Steve Todd's site and side loaded. I don't use them as much since I got the throttle from ESU, but engine driver and JMRI are a hard to beat combination. Don
That's great to know. Planned on using ver from Todd's site. Having an option of throttles is what I'm looking for also. Definitely, running JMRI with ios and windows (via JMRI webserver) is great but can't wait to run Eng Drv cuz I think its the best throttle too!!