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Offline laalves  
#1 Posted : 29 September 2011 00:31:16(UTC)
laalves


Joined: 10/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,162
Location: Portugal
Hi all,

Just bought an iPad 2 as well as the Märklin iPad app. Result: the best train controller ever (note: controller only, no programming is possible). Fantastic.

It is possible to control and display 8 locos in the screen at the same time, since when in panoramic mode, there are 4 slots to fill as you wish. Each slot can be configured as:

a. one loco;

b. two locos;

c. one keyboard page (one finger scrolling through all 16 keyboards);

d. one memory page (one finger scrolling through all 3 memories);

e. one layout page (can be dragged and/or expanded to full screen).

Just beautiful. I think this completely removes the need for a second, third or whatever CS2 or any future wireless controller.

A good deal may be to get a second hand iPad 1 16Gb (basic model) and use it as a more or less dedicated controller. with the added ability of quickly switching to this forum and posting anything you may see fit.

Very good and kudos to Märklin for this app!
Offline Piper  
#2 Posted : 29 September 2011 01:05:45(UTC)
Piper

South Africa   
Joined: 13/09/2005(UTC)
Posts: 262
Location: Johannesburg
Luis

Well done. I must agree it is the best thing since sliced bread.

Very good idea to get the smallest iPad & use it as a permanent controller. Have a look see at controlling 8 locos on one screen. BigGrin

Pieter
Era I-V / HO / C-Track / MS2, CS2 & CS3 Z gauge. Insider
Member of Märklin Modellers Group
Offline Bigdaddynz  
#3 Posted : 29 September 2011 02:38:05(UTC)
Bigdaddynz

New Zealand   
Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 18,772
Location: New Zealand
Originally Posted by: laalves Go to Quoted Post
A good deal may be to get a second hand iPad 1 16Gb (basic model)



Dang, one of NZ's 1 day deal websites just had a special on iPad 1's 16Gb/3G, $650 instead of the old normal price of $999. Still, I guess you may see more deals on iPad 1's around for a while. I'm still inclined to get an iPod and use the Marklin app with that (as well as Touchcab for my Ecos).


Now, all Marklin needs to do is give us Android versions of these applications (2012 New Item, perhaps?).

Edited by user 29 September 2011 08:55:37(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Offline Dreadnought  
#4 Posted : 30 September 2011 19:52:49(UTC)
Dreadnought

Canada   
Joined: 24/12/2008(UTC)
Posts: 422
Location: Niagara, Ontario
It looks as if you need a wireless network connection to the CS. How do you do that?
I have an ipad1 I use for work. It is great. It would be fun to run my trains with it.
Offline laalves  
#5 Posted : 30 September 2011 20:18:49(UTC)
laalves


Joined: 10/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,162
Location: Portugal
Originally Posted by: Dreadnought Go to Quoted Post
It looks as if you need a wireless network connection to the CS. How do you do that?
I have an ipad1 I use for work. It is great. It would be fun to run my trains with it.


You need a wireless router for the iPad, connected via wire to the CS2 and wirelessly to the iPad. Currently I use an Apple Airport Extreme as a wireless router (for the iPad) with an Airport Express configured to accept wired clients (the CS2) and connect wirelessly to the Airport Extreme.
Offline Dreadnought  
#6 Posted : 30 September 2011 23:22:27(UTC)
Dreadnought

Canada   
Joined: 24/12/2008(UTC)
Posts: 422
Location: Niagara, Ontario
Thank you for the help laavlas,
I may have a problem. My trains are in the basement. My router is on the third floor. That calls for a lot of cable. Time to rethink the computer set up.
Maybe Marklin could put a wireless receiver in the CS2?
Offline laalves  
#7 Posted : 30 September 2011 23:42:48(UTC)
laalves


Joined: 10/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,162
Location: Portugal
Originally Posted by: Dreadnought Go to Quoted Post
Thank you for the help laavlas,
I may have a problem. My trains are in the basement. My router is on the third floor. That calls for a lot of cable. Time to rethink the computer set up.
Maybe Marklin could put a wireless receiver in the CS2?


A 99 US$ Airport Express will have you sorted. Configure it to create a new wireless network and to accept wired network clients (options available in the Airport Utility). Configure your iPad to connect to your new wireless network and configure your CS2 to have a fixed IP. Then you're all set!
Offline Alberto Pedrini  
#8 Posted : 01 October 2011 00:58:54(UTC)
Alberto Pedrini

Italy   
Joined: 02/07/2004(UTC)
Posts: 1,448
Location: Italy
I agree, it's fantastic, here some screens.

Base, two controls and two switches

UserPostedImage

Four controls and one switch

UserPostedImage

Eight controls

UserPostedImage

Control switch memory and layout

UserPostedImage

Layout full screen

UserPostedImage

That you can enlarge and move as you need

UserPostedImage

Fast as a "Frecciarossa" great app, the best BigGrin Cool BigGrin
Alberto

Marklinfan Club Italia
www.marklinfan.net
Offline Webmaster  
#9 Posted : 01 October 2011 01:06:31(UTC)
Webmaster


Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC)
Posts: 11,165
The iThingies are great controller interfaces to the Central Units, TouchCab with CS1 & Ecos (and some DCC systems) and with the M apps with the CS2...

The dedicated brand wireless remote controllers are soooo 90's.BigGrin
It's so much better to get an iPod Touch + TouchCab to control CS1, Ecos, Lenz...

Will have to get a CS2 soon so I can run the M "mobile control" and "station" apps...
Plan is: TouchCab with iPod 2nd gen with CS1 connected to CS2, then "mobile" app on iPod 4th gen and "station" app on iPad 2...

The times of using a fixed placed controller with rotary knobs are over, unless you like to sit down in one spot all the time and control the trains from that chair...
Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service...
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb]
Offline xxup  
#10 Posted : 01 October 2011 02:01:56(UTC)
xxup

Australia   
Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
Posts: 9,595
Location: Australia
I have an iPhone and Miss 12 has the iPod Touch (it used to be mine before I had to buy the iPhone in Paris).. The iPod Touch runs TouchCab and the iPhone runs the WinDigiPet Mobile which has handy stuff like a S88 contact viewer.. The s88 Contact Viewer is awesome for debugging contact or route problems on the layout..

The other nice thing about these devices is that there is no cord to knock over the Preisers..
Adrian
UserPostedImage
Australia flag by abFlags.com
Offline Bigdaddynz  
#11 Posted : 01 October 2011 03:36:54(UTC)
Bigdaddynz

New Zealand   
Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 18,772
Location: New Zealand
Originally Posted by: Webmaster Go to Quoted Post
The times of using a fixed placed controller with rotary knobs are over, unless you like to sit down in one spot all the time and control the trains from that chair...



Because I have to crawl under my layout to get to the other sides of it, being able to take a portable controller with you, so that you can start things up again after correcting a fault (derailment, etc) would be great. Saves having to crawl back to where the CS is again!

Now, should I get an iPod, or should I get a wifi iPad?
Offline Dreadnought  
#12 Posted : 01 October 2011 04:51:24(UTC)
Dreadnought

Canada   
Joined: 24/12/2008(UTC)
Posts: 422
Location: Niagara, Ontario
Bigdaddynz,

I would go for the iPad. I have had mine since last December. I have taken it on trips to Europe, to my cottage in the north, and the U.S. I can connect to the office from anywhere. I can e mail the kids, and stay connected with the Marklin users net anywhere there is internet access. It is very portable, and "user friendly". I have books, and music on it. It is great for long trips to keep me amused.

I will have to follow up on using it as another controller. That seems a great idea.
Offline Webmaster  
#13 Posted : 01 October 2011 21:39:05(UTC)
Webmaster


Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC)
Posts: 11,165
Originally Posted by: Bigdaddynz Go to Quoted Post
Now, should I get an iPod, or should I get a wifi iPad?


TouchCab & M "Mobile station" work on iPods (w WiFi), the new "Station" app is iPad only.
Do as I have done - one of each... Well, actually 2 iPods + one iPad 2 in my case....BigGrin

Only running TouchCab though, have no CS2....
Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service...
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb]
Offline ak_marklineer  
#14 Posted : 01 October 2011 23:43:38(UTC)
ak_marklineer


Joined: 10/05/2009(UTC)
Posts: 27
Location: Auckland,
I have found the use of wireless controllers (the iPhone with TouchCab, for me) so convenient especially so when talking to patrons at exhibits, I'm a keen proponent of technology, use it where you can! It can be frustrating when it doesn't work though, a good thing many of us Marklin enthusiasts are techo's.
I have to say I get a blast from watching the father/mother of a child observing the Loco's chuffing by and as I'm chatting to them pressing the Horn/Whistle button as it passes their Little Johnnie/Jane they are ALWAYS impressed!
I think a standard iPod touch/iPad would be better because if you need to take a phone call it can delay control and the last thing WE want is our pride and joy crashing/derailing (though I'm sure the exhibit patrons would find it fascinating) LOL
Steve
German DRG ERA II
MSIG of The Auckland Marklin Club Inc
www.marklin.org.nz
CS1 with WiFi
TouchCab with iPhone
Offline MarioFabro  
#15 Posted : 02 October 2011 22:07:24(UTC)
MarioFabro

United States   
Joined: 16/10/2001(UTC)
Posts: 793
Location: Pittsburgh,
I assume one still needs the CS to control the layout.
UserPostedImageUserPostedImageUserPostedImageEra IV-VI --- "If you have brains you love trains" or "When I grow up, I will play with trains"
Offline Bigdaddynz  
#16 Posted : 03 October 2011 01:28:33(UTC)
Bigdaddynz

New Zealand   
Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 18,772
Location: New Zealand
Originally Posted by: MarioFabro Go to Quoted Post
I assume one still needs the CS to control the layout.



Yes, a CS2 is required to use either of the Marklin apps.

Plus, you need:

- either an ipod touch 4th generation or an ipad/ipad2
- a wireless router connected to your home network
- internet connection (only required for CS2 updates)
Offline laalves  
#17 Posted : 03 October 2011 01:31:43(UTC)
laalves


Joined: 10/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,162
Location: Portugal
Originally Posted by: Bigdaddynz Go to Quoted Post
Originally Posted by: MarioFabro Go to Quoted Post
I assume one still needs the CS to control the layout.



Yes, a CS2 is required to use either of the Marklin apps.

Plus, you need:

- either an ipod touch 4th generation or an ipad/ipad2
- a wireless router connected to your home network
- internet connection (only required for CS2 updates)


An iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S or 5 Cool will also do. The original or 3G will not do.
Offline Bigdaddynz  
#18 Posted : 03 October 2011 15:20:01(UTC)
Bigdaddynz

New Zealand   
Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 18,772
Location: New Zealand
Yes, of course an iPhone can also be used. Thanks Luis.


Well, I took the plunge and grabbed an 8Gb ipod touch, which was available for a discounted price - the store had no other sizes available, but it's surprising what you can get on to 8Gb. Marklin TV doesn't look too bad on it, either. I might follow Juhan's lead and get an iPad later on (maybe I can get one cheaper through work, which is an option available to me), but for now the iPod will do. And of course, I purchased copies of Touchcab and the Marklin mobile control app.

It's a pity the apps aren't available for android devices, as the hardware for that OS is much cheaper than the Apple stuff. Apple seems to want to be the IBM of the 2010's where their stuff is of a closed design.
Offline darryl123  
#19 Posted : 06 October 2011 19:30:44(UTC)
darryl123


Joined: 17/05/2011(UTC)
Posts: 20
Location: boston
Originally Posted by: Dreadnought Go to Quoted Post
It looks as if you need a wireless network connection to the CS. How do you do that?
I have an ipad1 I use for work. It is great. It would be fun to run my trains with it.

its easy to use an old linksys wireless router set to dhcp then plug the cs into the computer port and connect the iphone to the wireless. it will work without having the whole network hooked to it. and older routers are cheap now.
Offline MarioFabro  
#20 Posted : 06 October 2011 22:13:20(UTC)
MarioFabro

United States   
Joined: 16/10/2001(UTC)
Posts: 793
Location: Pittsburgh,
OK, I got most Applie stuff (Ipad, Ipod touch and soon Iphone 4S :) and the WiFi etc. is up. The only item is a CS2.. I was thiking to wait a bit and see if there is anything new coming down the M* line..
UserPostedImageUserPostedImageUserPostedImageEra IV-VI --- "If you have brains you love trains" or "When I grow up, I will play with trains"
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