Walthers Proto 2000 to use Tsunami decoders

[cacole]

I just received an announcement from Walthers that they are going to start using SoundTraxx Tsunami decoders in their Proto 2000 products instead of the QSI systems that have been used in the past.

 

[selector]

I wonder if the bloom if off the rose a bit with the Tsunamis.  I recall anticipating their arrival eagerly when they finally showed up in 2006/7, and I think most of us agree that they were worth the wait.  However, the 'others' have not been on vacation; they have continuously upgraded their product to the point where I think Tsunami's are soon going to be relegated to the second-line.  They come with generic sounds in many cases, and their BEMF isn't the greatest.  I don't believe CV2 can be programmed....or one of those usual ones, I forget.  EU LokSound and Quantum Industries have developed loadable sound  files that are vastly superior to those on their decoders just three years ago.

I don't mean to suggest that there is no room any longer for the currently available Tsunami...I have one modern diesel Tsunami in a Genesis SD75M, and several light, medium, and heavy steam Tsunamis, and I still like them.  All I am wondering is if the market might be getting squeezed a bit for them after four years of health, and that they made an offer to Walthers that neither could refuse.

Pure conjecture on my part.  They're still darned good decoders.

Crandell

[rrinker]

 Part of it is that Tsunamis are less expensive now. The initial pricing made them the most expensive sound decoders out there, now QSIs are $10-$20 more. Curious what they will do with the speakers, those lark A frames make for good sound and I hope they kee them. Probably need some retooling in the decoder area, the Tsunami is not the same size as QSI.

 Don't expect Walthers to pass any of that savings on though, although you never know how much one of the new Proto locos will actually cost, the MSRP is ridiculous but they always sell for a huge discount.

                       --Randy