I am in the process of installing a loksound 5 micro. Today, I tested the sound and motor function. I auto-tuned the motor and now the loco runs very well. I then triggered F8 and wow, just wow. The sound is crystal clear. The bell is so crisp. It really does sound like you are standing next to a real locomotive. It was a good reminder on why I choose to standardize on ESU decoders. The sound on the 4's we're good, but the 5's are that much better.
P.S. The loco is a walthers ML-8. I will be posting a photo blog in the coming days.
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
Hi JJF,
I think you have chosen wisely!
I am slowly converting almost all of my non ESU equipped locomotives to Loksound V5s for the same reasons. I just bought 8 V5 decoders and I will probably need at least that many more. Well worth the money AFAIC.
I'm not going to change out any of the Loksound Select or V4 decoders. I'm quite happy with them.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I agree! All my engines have Loksound 5's now. Great control and sound. Really appreciate the "traction motor" sound in v.5. One caution--a Loksound Programmer is almost essential to use.
trnj I agree! All my engines have Loksound 5's now. Great control and sound. Really appreciate the "traction motor" sound in v.5. One caution--a Loksound Programmer is almost essential to use.
All my ScaleTrains loco's with sound are Loksound 5 so I'm bracing myself for that expense.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
trnjOne caution--a Loksound Programmer is almost essential to use.
I'm curious...please explain why the Lok Programmer is more needed with the V5 than, say, with a V4. I have LokSound Selects (similar to V4's) in most of my locos and one V5 has arrived for my next loco. I do have the Lok Programmer but usually only use it to load a sound file project. Many folks buy their Vx with their preferred sound file loaded by the retailer and previously have not needed the Lok Programmer.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
"Essential" may be overstating it. It makes it very simple to assign sounds to specific function keys, customizing them as well for seeing CV settings and adjusting them on short test track. I have also found it helpful in locating problems from my bad programming "on the main" when I may set a wrong CV by mistake. I have seven engines at present so it was a good investment.
I was talking recently with a manufacturer who also sells engines with ESU decoders because I was curious if they were having supply problems due to the chip shortages we hear about in the news. He told me they have plenty of deocders to sell to their customers and bulk supply to install in their engines, which is good. But he said they were sold-out of the ESU Lok Programmers and ESU told them it will be a while before they can send them more to restock.
I knew of another vendor that had them in-stock so I bit the bullet and ordered one since I am slowly accumulating a number of loco's that are or will be equipped with Loksound or Lokpilot decoders (at least 15 so far - about 2/3rds with the sound version). My other DCC equipped engines are non ESU (a mix of TSU1, TSU2, Econami and a few QSI.)
I purchased a LokProgrammer 3 or so years ago and have used it some. Like the decoders, I really like the fact that the firmware is easily updatable via the internet. And, while not essential, it sure did come in handy troubleshooting a sound file issue I was experiencing with a recent brass 2-6-6-2 sound installation.
Have you tried any of the TCSWow decoders yet, rio? I have 2 or 3. The programming is a bit different but the sound is very good and the motor-control is on par or slightly better than the ESU decoders. TCS is my go-to for non-sound decoders.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Great sound you say?
You guys are making a G scale switching layout sound so tempting.
Cut it out!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hi Tom,
I have not tried TCSWow yet. The reason is all of the sound loco's I have are factory equipped with ESU and Soundtrax, and a few QSI (I completely avoided MRC sound). So far engines I have bought haven't come factory equipped with TCSWow. What little hobby time I have been getting has been going into progressing on the layout, so opening up engines and installing sound has been one of those things I haven't had time for, although I'd like to try it eventually.
I have installed a few non-sound mobile decoders and among them are some TCS decoders. They seemed to be very good and good motor control I am not averse to getting more. I recently purchased a couple of LokPilot 21 pin decoders for loco's that have the DCC ready with 21 pin sockets.
Some recommend as much as possible using the same brand. For example, I have purchased a number of ScaleTrains locos with Loksound - and other ScaleTrains loco's DCC ready and purchased LokPilot decoders that ScaleTrains pre-programed for those loco's and sent to me separately.
Athearn OTOH, has been shipping my Genesis loco's with TSU2 sound. My Rio Grande Zephyr F9AB loco's came with TSU2 sound and the 2nd B unit is DCCready. Tony's trains recommened in that case to buy and install the same DCC sound TSU2 to get the full features with matching braking scenario's.
So it seems advise has steered me away from TCS decoders in many cases, although I'm sure they are excellent. Another thing is I have seen very little demonstrations of TCS sound for diesels for specific diesels say on YouTube but quite a few for ESU and some for Soundtrax. It helps to be able to gauge sound from samples and video's when making decisions.
The only TCS decoders I've used are the function-only ones, inside of passenger cars. They work great, especially since they include an extra wire for the "keep alive" (cannot stand a flickering light in a passenger car!).
But a friend offered to let me run his Rio Grand articulated, equipped with TCS sound. He had it set up to operate like a real one, so that it would coast a LONG way when the throttle was shut down. You HAD to use the brake. The sound matched the loco perfectly--when coasting you could hardly hear the exhaust. Hit the throttle, and it got louder. It was really very nice, and I decided I would likely use TCS for my steam locos.
Because I don't ever intend to "MU" my steam engines, I don't have to worry about them operating well together. For diesels, I do. And, because of that, I have tended to group my diesels into ESU groups, and Tsunami groups, and only make consists from one or the other.
Speaking of MU'ing, I have three Walthers E7's that I run as a set. They came equipped with QSI. Since they don't run with anything else, it works for me. Plus there's a function for turning on and off the cooling fans. Nobody else has that.
Ed
SeeYou190 Great sound you say? You guys are making a G scale switching layout sound so tempting. Cut it out! -Kevin
Kevin,
I believe I said "very good". But...I understand your point, as a larger speaker(s) would improve sound fidelity substantially.
tstageI believe I said "very good". But...I understand your point, as a larger speaker(s) would improve sound fidelity substantially.
Tom,
I don't know what is wrong with me. Ever since Tony Koester built his O scale switching layout with the Proto-Throttle control, and I heard a sound system in a G scale locomotive at a train show... I have been having distracting fantasies about building an around-the-walls G scale switching layout.
It is like an alluring temptress whispering to me from the shadows.