Running Engine Driver on Fire Tablet HD 8

Mark Ricci Jun 22, 2021

  1. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

    481
    649
    13
    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?
     
  2. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

    3,259
    6,173
    70
    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...
     
    Mark Ricci likes this.
  3. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

    473
    607
    24
    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.
     
    Mark Ricci likes this.
  4. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

    481
    649
    13
    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...
     
  5. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

    481
    649
    13
    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.
     
  6. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

    473
    607
    24
    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.
     
    Mark Ricci likes this.
  7. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

    481
    649
    13
    Thanks for the feedback. Did you download EngDrv app from Amazon?
     
  8. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

    3,259
    6,173
    70
    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...
     
    Mark Ricci likes this.
  9. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

    473
    607
    24
    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.
     
  10. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

    481
    649
    13
    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.
     
  11. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

    481
    649
    13
    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.
     
  12. Carolina Northern

    Carolina Northern TrainBoard Member

    216
    145
    23
    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
     
    Mark Ricci likes this.
  13. Mark Ricci

    Mark Ricci TrainBoard Member

    481
    649
    13
    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!!
     

Share This Page