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KATO RS2 HO decoder

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  • Member since
    December 2009
  • 36 posts
KATO RS2 HO decoder
Posted by topito on Saturday, May 5, 2012 8:19 PM

Hi community:

I'm  trying to chose a mobile decoder for an HO KATO RS2.

Which is best, the NCE D14 SRP or an MRC # 1834 Direct Connector?

What do you reccomend?

Must I consider another brand or model?

I discarded the idea of a sound decoder because there is no room inside RS2 for a speaker.

Thanks

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Saturday, May 5, 2012 8:44 PM

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Saturday, May 5, 2012 8:47 PM

Topito:

Of the two I would say that the NCE is the best. There have been many reports on this forum about the poor quality of MRC decoders (Not their DCC systems). I have used Digitrax and TCS decoders and have found them to be quite satisfactory.  I'm sure that you will get many more opinions on this - be prepared.

Joe

  • Member since
    April 2012
  • From: Denver, CO
  • 771 posts
Posted by middleman on Sunday, May 6, 2012 8:35 AM

Topito:

My Kato RS2's (and one RSD2) are the only engines without sound on my layout - because of the space limitations you mentioned. I put LokPilot decoders in all three of them.They run beautifully,and low-speed control is especially good. I also have 12 other engines that came with sound,but not DCC. These are BlueLine models by BLI. I put LokPitots in all of these as well, and I'm very happy with the way they perform.

So,if you do consider other brands,you might look at the LokPilot. It's been a while since I bought them - I'm not sure how they compare with other brands cost-wise. 

Mike.

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