Cheap DCC WiFi Throttle

[John]

found this on the JMRI list

If you don’t use WiFi throttles, stop reading now. If you use JMRI and WiFi throttles, Target has a great deal on a Kyocera Event phone. Buy the phone for $19.99 and get a $15 ‘entertainment’ gift card free. The gift card can be for Subway, Taco Bell, Burger King, Starbucks, etc. So for less than $6 with tax, you can have a brand new Android throttle that can run up to 3 engines at once with the free Engine Driver app.

[C855B]

Thanks for the heads-up, John. If we make it into town (nearest Target is 50 miles away) before stock clears I might pick up a couple. I have been collecting "discarded" iPhones to use with JMRI/WiThrottle.

I also just tried to do something similar with a Polaroid Android pad on blow-out at Menard's ($30 after rebate, IIRC.). Once online with it, I discovered that Google Play doesn't support Polaroid pads - something about a licensing conflict. Shrinks the available apps to practically nothing. However, and thank goodness, Engine Driver .apk downloads are supported directly on the JMRI site.

Anyway, the Kyocera phone doesn't have this "no support" problem.

[peteski]

I checked the Target's website and the phone mentioned is sold for $60 and no gift card info.
http://www.target.com/p/virgin-kyocera-event-prepaid-cell-phone-black/-/A-14768180
Also, the specs do not show any WiFi capability (unless that capability is simply assumed)? I'm not up on my smart phones - I just thought I might pick one out to have a WiThrottle handy.

[reinhardtjh]

I checked the Target's website and the phone mentioned is sold for $60 and no gift card info.
http://www.target.com/p/virgin-kyocera-event-prepaid-cell-phone-black/-/A-14768180
Also, the specs do not show any WiFi capability (unless that capability is simply assumed)? I'm not up on my smart phones - I just thought I might pick one out to have a WiThrottle handy.

Based on the info in the JMRI posts, I think the people that got them picked them up in person. It may have been an "in-store" thing that hasn't shown up on the national web site.  There was a lot of thread drift so not much actual info on the deal.

And I can't see anything in the online specs about wi-fi either and no model # given for further research.  I'd have to see the actual phone in person to know if it works.

[peteski]

Based on the info in the JMRI posts, I think the people that got them picked them up in person. It may have been an "in-store" thing that hasn't shown up on the national web site.  There was a lot of thread drift so not much actual info on the deal.

The info on Target website states that those $60 phones are available for in-store purchases only. Are the local stores running some unadvertised specials?  Maybe only certain stores have the special deal?

[reinhardtjh]

The info on Target website states that those $60 phones are available for in-store purchases only. Are the local stores running some unadvertised specials?  Maybe only certain stores have the special deal?

I wouldn't be surprised.  Maybe certain locations had a surplus they wanted to dump.  The wife and I drove past a Target yesterday (Monday) but we didn't go in.  Maybe we should have.    Then again, I've used my Samsung Galaxy S3 with Engine Driver and Digitrax UT4's and Lenz LH90's and I prefer anything but Engine Driver.  I can't keep my finger on the throttle slider on a touch screen without looking at it the way I can a throttle knob.

[peteski]

I prefer anything but Engine Driver.  I can't keep my finger on the throttle slider on a touch screen without looking at it the way I can a throttle knob.

I agree. I also prefer a real knob (and not one of those endless-spinning encoder knobs either), but for $6 I was willing to try a WiThrottle.

[davefoxx]

I wouldn't be surprised.  Maybe certain locations had a surplus they wanted to dump.  The wife and I drove past a Target yesterday (Monday) but we didn't go in.  Maybe we should have.    Then again, I've used my Samsung Galaxy S3 with Engine Driver and Digitrax UT4's and Lenz LH90's and I prefer anything but Engine Driver.  I can't keep my finger on the throttle slider on a touch screen without looking at it the way I can a throttle knob.

John,

I agree about the throttle slider.  Did you try the volume buttons on the left side of your Galaxy S3?  That made it much better for me, and I had better train control.

DFF

[conrail98]

John,

I agree about the throttle slider.  Did you try the volume buttons on the left side of your Galaxy S3?  That made it much better for me, and I had better train control.

DFF

Definitely use the volume buttons, by far a better experience then any DCC system throttle out there,

Phil

[reinhardtjh]

Uh, volume buttons?   I never thought of that.     Well, the next op session there will be in 3 weeks. I'll have to make sure to try that.

[conrail98]

Uh, volume buttons?   I never thought of that.     Well, the next op session there will be in 3 weeks. I'll have to make sure to try that.

Yeah, only the Android one has that feature (from what I remember) and it's on a newerish version so just double check the version you have before attempting it. I had an older Android until Christmas and that feature wasn't on that phone's compatible version of EngeinDriver but was on my newer S3,

Phil

[reinhardtjh]

And I can't see anything in the online specs about wi-fi either and no model # given for further research.  I'd have to see the actual phone in person to know if it works.

New posts in the JMRI groups indicate people bought the phones yesterday and were able to use them so they must have the wi-fi capability.  Maybe it's time for a quick trip to Target.

[Ike the BN Freak]

Target ad shows the $15 gift card, but not the phone for $19.99.

Guess I'll have to check to local Target.

[reinhardtjh]

I stopped at one of the local Targets yesterday (Wednesday) and looked.  I had to ask a sales person, but they were there.  This store had an end cap display of Virgin Mobile devices and the $19.95 phone was there along with a selection of $15 gift cards.  I looked the phone over and it has the volume control button on the left and a button on the right so I got one to try out.

The phone is small.  About 80% the size of my Galaxy S3 in height and width.  It weighs about the same.  If the side buttons work it should fit nicely into my hand.

The Wi-Fi does work. I connected to my home network and I've downloaded Engine Driver to the device, but I don't have any place to test it until the next op session at my friend with the Lenz system.  He's the only one with JMRI and wi-fi hooked up.  That's not for 3 weeks though.  I think this sale is over in a few days (the 6th?).  I should tell my friend. He might want to pick up a couple for his op sessions.

[peteski]

Thanks for the info John. I am planning to stop by my local Target today.

EDIT: Went to Target (Woburn, MA): Empty space where these phones were supposed to be and the price was still shown as $59.99. No gift cards either.  There was also an empty space where Kyocera Hydro phones were. They were reduced to $29.99.