Withrottle App Reviews

Wow! All I can say is that I've been waiting a long time for someone to finally bring an app like this to life! While my current throttle (DT400) keeps me tethered to the layout, this app allows me to roam freely and follow my trains. The $10.00 they want for this app is a far cry from what it would cost to install a Digitrax UR92 radio receiver ($160) and the cheap UTR4 radio utility throttle ($129). My iPod Touch is probably going to be my go-to throttle from now on. Heck, between this and Decoder Pro (which is required, but free), my Digitrax throttle may soon become irrelevant. I look forward to future advances and updates to add even more capabilities.

A bit expensive for relatively few extra features. One draw back is that only a slide throttle is available, no SS control, which could easily be achieved.

For what it does, it does it very well. Just follow the instructions and it worked. I'd like to see turnout controls, a way to juggle two locos on one screen and the ability to make and break consists. If it gets that, then it gets 5 stars.

Finally set-up the JMRI solution on an old laptop to run with an MRC system. Easier to do then I expected. Then I downloaded this app and it works better with the JMRI server than my MRC system does. I am no longer using the MRC handhelds. I do wish the volume buttons could adjust the speed up and down in 1 unit increments though!

If you have a DCC layout, do yourself a huge favor and get familiar with JMRI then GET THIS APP! It's really a great addition to the railroad. My only suggestion for improvement, is to allow screen rotation. My switch panel is drawn in landscape, and it's akward to rotate the ipad from portrait (throttle mode) to land scape (web server mode) to manipulate switches. Keep up the great work!

Nice App I like controlling my trains with it. I hope they make an iPad version. With the screen size of the iPad a lot could be added. Thanks

WiThrottle (and Lite) will go nuts if you have network set to autodetect. Temporarily disabling wifi and then setting WiThrottle to manually enter network settings will work as a work around. Otherwise, still a great throttle program in need of some attention (updates).

This app works great! Just wish it would show your layout with JMRI and switch orientation. Love it! Highly recommend!

Our older Digitrax system was due for new throttles, and setting up jmri and using iPods and smart phones was considerably cheaper! Turnout control is a totally awesome feature and everything works great together! It brought new life to this old railroad! Definitely a must have!

This app works great! Just wish it would show your layout with JMRI and switch orientation. Love it! Highly recommend!

Has some minor problems getting switch names and function labels from Decoder Pro, but otherwise functions perfectly! Exactly what I needed to add wireless throttles to our DCC controlled layout.

Best App of 2009! It works as advertised, nice addition to the DCC System. Can't wait to see how things develop in the future. FYI app is installed on ITouch 2g, and is controlling a Digitrax DCC system through JMRI on a Windows XP Acer Netbook. Geek Factor, I give it a 10!

This is an awesome solution for a low-cost DCC soft throttle, especially when compared to the cost of some of the hard throttles out there. However, the user interface is garish and looks like it was put together with very little attention to the look & feel/aesthetics. Type is of various point sizes throughout and usually not well aligned. Graphics elements are extremely simple colored boxes - no gradients, shadows or anything but 90-degree right angles (everything is a simple rectangle). All of this combines to give the app a simplistic, almost toy-like appearance. It looks to the eye very much like this is an alpha version used for UI art concepting - not a final, marketed product. Really hoping an update comes along to give this awesome, indispensable tool a much-needed facelift.

For $10 I get the power of a dedicated wireless throttle on my existing iPhone?!? I LOVE it!

Absolutely fantastic. Everything it's supposed to be. I've been a model railroader for over thirty years but I'm new to DCC. I use a Sprog III DCC system but I really wanted a wireless controller for operations. This is the answer. In no time I was running not just one but two locomotives at the same time. It is so cool using my iPhone as the controller. Super easy to use controls. You can choose different options on controller configurations and a split screen option to run two locos at once. It's great being able to follow my train around the layout. Thanks for this app. It is just about the most enjoyable one I have.

I'm using it with NCE DCC. It took a little while to set up JMRI on an old PC, but now I can control my all my trains much easier than ever. I especially like the way it displays the custom function labels I created for all my sound functions in JMRI decoder Pro. I find with this it is also much easier to pick my DCC controlled turnouts, than it ever was with the NCE handheld controller. I use this APP every time I run my trains now. If you are ever wishing you had a wireless handheld, don't buy one, download this instead!

I love to control my Trains on my phone and my Laptop!

I've been using WiThrottle since June 2015, and have yet to be disappointed. At times, the app is more reliable than the NCE throttles used by my club, and it really shows.

I just tried the Lite version and was so impressed that I immediately bought the full program. Used with JMRI 3.2 on an old Acer desktop running Windows XP Pro and an NCE USB interface to an NCE Power Cab DCC system (v.1.28c). The only hiccup was the driver install for the USB interface and that was resolved quickly. Still trying to figure out how to label the function buttons, but I suspect that is done thru the JMRI which I have yet to fully explore.

This app fits our studio needs perfectly. We have more trains than Digitrax throttles (Who woulda thunk it?) and the WiThrottle throttles work great with our Linux dispatch centre. The disconnect auto-stop is great, but I'd love to be able to throw switches. Who knows, maybe soon we can have on-cab signalling, block announcement, maybe even iPhone dispatching! Great app. A way to disable the auto-stop would be nice (HTML switch control)

What a great app for us train junkies. I have a digitrax system with two wireless throttles. This app is as good as the the digitrax versions. Can't wait to see what else is added. Turnout control would be good. Keep up the good work.

I find it very cool to be able to use my Iphone to control my layout. The sliding Function keys is a nice feature as well.

This works exactly as advertised! It is nice to have an app that does what it is supposed to do.

All I can say is WOW! It took about 10 minutes to set up and works like a charm. I prefer it to any of my Digitrax throttles. I have only one comment/question. When switching locks, rather than stopping the current loco, could it be left running at it's last setting? The only reason I gave it 4 not 5 stars is that I'm sure there are updates and improvments to come.

This is a great app especially for the money. If you already have the $$ in an iPhone or iTouch then go for this. The app is fairly simple to get going once you figure out how to start the WiThrottle server in JMRI! You do need reliable wireless access to make this all work. I really enjoy running trains with the WiThrottle. Infact, it is probably my favorite throttle. Selecting locos in really easy especially once it has been selected it can easily be recalled. The slide bar throttle is a simple one finger operation. Just fun, fun, fun. Thanks so much for the great app.

Great app. Saves having to buy separate controllers for my Digitrax Zephyr.

When I got a MTH j class I was annoyed to see I couldn't consist easily with my power cab. With this controller though in able to consist all the locos that I want. From whatever manufacturer. It's great. Super easy to use as well. Thanks!

I have to update my review (below) from 7 years ago; this Version 3 is incredible. The new features interface with Decoder Pro seamlessly and offer so much more. When I consider how much money I had spent on 3 DCC throttles, the price of this app seems to be much too low, since it offers more features than the throttles do with a much easier to use interface. What’s changed most since I first reviewed this app? Today when I visit my friends’ layouts, more often than not I’ll be operating trains with my iPhone. Thank you for continuing to improve WiThrottle. The original review: Until last year I had almost lost interest in model railroading. Here I was in the 21st century still running model trains with 19th century technology. Digital command control (DCC) changed all that -- suddenly model trains could be computerized. Then came the interface that allowed me to run my trains with my computer using free Decoder Pro software available at jmri.org. This was getting exciting. But nothing prepared me for this app. Imagine running your trains without wires, using the iPhone, iPod or iPad you already own! Speed up, slow down, reverse, blow the horn or turn on the lights, all with a tap on the screen. I had anticipated some difficulty in getting this setup to work (since it involved a hand-held device, a computer, two separate software programs and that leftover 19th century technology) but after downloading WiThrottle I was running trains in just a couple minutes on a very well thought out and intuitive interface. Just open a window in Decoder Pro and WiThrottle hooks right on, ready to go. Up until now, you've been able to have our friends over to look at your trains. Imagine how much more impressed they'll be when you can hand them your iPhone and let them actually operate a train!

I have a LocoNet compatible system and have thought about buying a wireless throttle. When I saw the annoucement for this app, I decided to try it out immediately since its just small fraction of the cost of a dedicated wireless throttle. It worked flawlessly on the very first go. I had no problem installing it on my iPod Touch. Its great to be able to follow my train around the layout. In terms of bang-for-the buck, this app can't be beat!

Using it reminds me of the first week of running trains with DCC with a silly grin the whole time. Visitors to our layout tours were amazed when handed the iPhone to run some trains. No problems so far. Can't wait to see what the upgrades will add. My choice would be the ability to throw turnouts.

I use this app to control all the trains and switches in my layout. When friends come to visit, they can download the free lite version and join in on the fun! I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could

This app is amazing and is going to be transformative of the way that model trains are controlled. a $10 app is much more affordable than a bunch of $180 throttles and a UR92. I was absolutely amazing when I saw a modular club using it, and they let me take control of a switcher with my iPod Touch. Yard mode is really slick, and makes switching easier than on the Digitrax throttles. It is easier to use than a dedicated throttle, and is easier for non train enthusiasts to use, since they are used to the iPod Touch interface. This will be partially replacing my DT400Rs and UR91. Wifi is also a lot more reliable, and has more options for boosting the signal than Digitrax's wireless system. I'd really like to see multiple train control, consisting, Ops mode programming, and switch control in this though. Maybe a $15 Pro version with all of that stuff?