Tsunami decoder or Economy decoders

[bnsf0823]

I would like opinions and experiences with installing and operating with these two types of decoders Tsunami and econami.  I run pretty much everything modern from dash-8 to sd70mac wondering for the installation and pure functionality of these two decoders which one you all would prefer.  Most of my engines are athearn genesis, kato, and one atlas dash8.  Thanks always like to hear experiences of my fellow modelers.

[rrinker]

 Which do I prefer/ ESU Loksound.

Better motor, better sounds. Used to be lower price but the Economi comes in under them now.

               --Randy

 

[peahrens]

I have a pet peeve with the Soundtraxx Sound Value (not Economi) in my Bachmann 2-6-0 with the inability with the reduced function decoder to turn off the auto sound startup with powering up the track.  So if I have 15 locos on the track and turn on the DCC power, good ole #39 starts making sounds.  I usually have it tuned in on my 2nd throttle and hit F8 to shut it up.  (Today I took it off the layout).  It bugs me to the point that I will replace the decoder (with a LokSound Select) when I get to it.

I have put some normal steam Tsunamis in two Bachmann 2-8-0s and can't complain, though if doing today I would choose the LokSound Selects, for motor and sound quality.  But if the Economi does not allow shutting off the auto sound start (IIRc it's CV116, nmaybe 114??) I'd steer totally clear, but I don't know how the Economi is set up so don't mean to disparage it.  If it allows silent addition of track power, fine.  If not, maybe it's just me; i.e., it may not bother you.  I only mean to raise the consideration, but I can't figure out the answer for the current Tsunamis nor Econome's for sure.

[hon30critter]

I have to agree with what Randy said.

The Tsunami has known operating issues with respect to slow speed control. They can be fixed but it is a pain. They also run hot. I'll never buy another one. In fact I would politely decline one if it was offered for free.

The Loksound Selects run perfectly right out of the box almost all of the time. If they do need to be tweaked, the decoders will tweak themselves with a couple of simple commands. They do not suffer from heat build-up. I don't know of any issues with them, other than the instruction manual which can take a bit of time to fully comprehend if you are doing major re-programming.

I can't speak to the Econami. For the price difference I'll stick with the Loksound Select.

Dave

 

[bnsf0823]

Everyone seems to really like the loksound decoder.  Where can i find a chart to help me match what lok decoder i need to buy for the engine i want to install it in?  I have just started hearing about lok decoders recently.  I would love to give one a try maybe in my atlas dash--8 or Athearn genesis sd 70 mac.  I currently have all tsunami decoders mostly sd 70ace that were factory installed.  They seem to not have a very good compasitor in them.  If they hit a dirty or dead spot the sound will turn off and then fire back up.  it is anoying if you ask me.  Is their a good way to fix that or am i stuck with it that way?

[rrinker]

 There really are only 3 Loksound Select decoders. One is a board style for Atlas/Athearn type locos (Loksound Select Direct), one is a standard HO size with wires (Loksound Select), and ones is a micro size with wires (Loksound Select Micro).

 The sounds are loadable - either by having a Loksound Programmer or, when you order the decoder form any of th emajor DCC dealers, they will load your choice of sounds on it before shipping, so you don;t have to invest in the programmer hardware. They don't have seperate SKUs for all the different sounds, like Atlas board, EMD 645, Atlas board, EMD 710, Atlas board, GE FDL, etc. There's one decoder and then a variety of sound files that can be loaded.

 The list of available sounds can be found here: http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads/sounds/loksound-select/loksound-select-usa/

              --Randy

 

[tstage]

I don't know nor do I model modern diesels.  The Loksound Selection page does list an EMD 701-20Cyl SD80 MAC sound file and you can listen to the sound sample of that file.  I have no idea whether it's similar to the SD70 MAC though.

I'm also a big fan of Loksound and don't care much for the Soundtraxx diesel sound decoders because of the so-so motor control and weak horn - even after tweaking.  I've also heard good things about TCS Wow decoders but have yet to try one.  Along with Loksound, TCS decoders offer excellent motor control, which is far more important to me that sound.

Tom