I have finally got DCC up and running (NCE) and am using it for my old Proto 2000 GP9 with QSI sound. This has software version 6.3, 9/10/2004, far earlier than any listed on the QSI website. I am wondering about upgrading the QSI chip. The description of the sound possiblities seems to be mainly what it already has, 'Sound of Power' , dynamic brakes, etc. It does not have the Back EMF feature, which sounds nice. And it can't be upgraded online, which might be useful if I bought the $100+ upgrade controller and wanted more specifically prototype sounds. But this is the only QSI decoder loco that I have, or am likely to get.
So my question is, is the $32 upgrade chip something I should consider? Will it even work with this old a loco? What features will I use?
Ken Ziebarth
Boulder
Boulder, CO
Ken,
I have an older P2K MILW GP( that I put the upgrade chip in. You get BEMF(disabled athe time due to lawsuits), and you can order the correct bell/whistle for your engine. The overall motor control is better. I felt it was work it. I have also upgraded 2 BLE 2-8-2's and the sound is much better.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
If that's the only P2K loco you have and if you are satisfied with the sound, forget about trying to upgrade.
I upgraded a Lionel 4-6-6-4 Challenger thinking that QSI would finally have gotten a prototypical whistle from an actual recording programmed into the chip, since the UP still runs a Challenger, but they are still way off the mark with what seems like a computer generated whistle.