Walthers P2K F7A-B set with QSI sound decoder

[Guy Papillon]

I saw a bargain at a LSH on a Walthers P2K F7A-B set with QSI sound decoder. I read somewhere that the QSI decoders don't offer good low speed control and that the sound is not so good. Any opinion here from someone who owns or tried such locomotive?

[peahrens]

I have a LifeLike pre-Walthers gray box E6 A-B set (dummy B) that came with QSI Quantum DCC.  I later acquired a LifeLike blue box DC E6 A unit and added a LokSound Select decoder and twin 1.1" HiBass speakers.  I don't know if your Walthers QSI version is the same as my older one.

I have the three units in consist all the time.  I got the A unit reasonably speed matched but recall a bit of trouble doing so.  The QSI unit had a tendency to rev up quite a long time before moving, in particular.  I don't recall what I did but they run together ok.

On sound, I dislike the QSI to the point I plan to change the decoder to a LokSound Select.  The Select is immensely better IMHO and the QSI sort of howls.  I'm not sure which is more prototypical but I know I like the Lok enough more to spend $80 to revise the QSI one.

Not F7s, but maybe some parallels.

[LIRRs]

Hi Guy.

I have the P2K F7A/B set (both powered) with QSI sound in the B&O colors.  The sound is good and the slow speed control offered by the decoder is very good.  Speed matching the 2 units was very easy.  The sound of the decoder is dated compared to one from LokSound, however, I would not go as far as replacing it.  I, as well, have an P2K E7A in NYC colors with the QSI sound decoder and, again, the sound is good and the slow speed control is very good.  Have had both units for several years now with flawless performance.

[rrinker]

 By the time Life Like started selling QSI equipped locos, they should come with all the features enabled, including the BEMF. They will run fine slow.

                               --Randy