I've searched the web and this forum and can't find the answer to this. I'm looking to buy an HO DCC Diesel with Sound. Price is really the limiting factor - something in the $150 range is where I'd like to stay. The Proto 2000 Alco RS-27s look like they would work and are currently on sale. One of these look like they would work (I don't really have any road name requirements): http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-31334
What I can't locate is how many speed steps the DCC decoder has? I'm assuming 128, but want to make sure its more than 28.
It looks like these are being discontinued? (why the drop in price)? which I'm guessing means this has been out for awhile? What are your opinions on these locos? Good runners? Have problems and I should avoid them? Sounds are reasonable (for an HO loco)? Does this look like a reasonable loco to buy given my limited criteria above?, or are there better choices out there than this in the same price range? Any advice/opinions are welcome.
Finally, it looks like for around $30 I can buy an aftermarket replacement chip that adds more sound and possibly upgrades the DCC functionality? Any details or opinions of this?
Those are a lot of questions I know - THANKS for any advice...
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!
The reason I ask is last February I bought 2 Bachmann DCC Diesel locos from their Standard line, and the decoders that came with each only support 28 speeds (which wasn't and still isn't listed on their website). Don't get me wrong, I like them, but just wanted to be sure of what I was buying this time.
THANKS to everyone!
IIRC, those Bachmann DCC engines in their standard line has a special low-end decoder made by Lenz for them. The 'Spectrum' line of DCC/Sound steamers had a Soundtraxx 'LC' decoder. The current Spectrum DCC/Sound steamers has a special version of the Soundtraxx Tsmnami decoder.
The P2K engines us the QSI sound decoders. I think the RS27 has the current 'upgrade' chip in already, as there appears to be no 'upgrade' available on Tony's site....
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin