Anyone give the new diesel decoders a try? Any thoughts?
The Tsunami decoders are being discussed at length in the Yahoo SoundTraxx forum. Some people are happy with them though there are a few issues to keep this on a positive note. Operating a diesel decoder is quite different than operating a steam decoder. Some people are happy with the default sounds. Rivet counters what exact duplication of prototype sounds which is ok.
Go look. Free to join and there is quite a lot of info in the Files and Photos sections where members can post information, manuals, installations. Bruce of Litchfield Station and Rick of DCC Sales and Installs along with some other experienced decoder users are there. Very informative group for SoundTraxx products.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/soundtraxx/
I use the Tsunami steam decoders.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
David- So you think for diesel sounds, the Loksound is a better purchase?
A friend of mine demoed his unit to me. It was a 2nd gen. EMD (forgot exactly which model).
Prime mover, air compressor and other power system sounds were good. The horn was not bad, though, as Soundtraxx did add a few more horn sounds to their offerings.
My "quirky" disappointment was that the air "pop-off" burst is too short and not adjustable. Prototypically on 1st and 2nd generation EMD and GEs air systems age, the pop offs tend to get longer.
Overall, the "sound quality" that I heard was good. Though I'm leaning heavily towards Lok Sound, I can see myself getting one diesel Tsunami for one of my P2K E-units.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Thanks for the helpful info David. I wasn't aware that the SFX didn't have throttle notching. A friend of mine (DCC newbie) is planning on purchasing several Digitrax 165 series decoders for his Kato and P2K diesels so that he can install the a "sound bug" in each one. I'll suggest to him that he just purchase one Digitrax sound unit and try it out before laying out money for several. Of course he's attracted to the price when compared to the Lok Sound.
BTW: I saw that YouTube vid again with the Tsunami equipped loco chassis taking off like a rocket after a power interuption. Got a good laugh out of it again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6_ib7_QxNA
davidmbedard QSI-R is downloadable, but you can only use the provided schemes. This would be ok, but QSI has dissapointed me in how they handle different prime movers. They have committed some sound faux-pas and unless they actually improve the sound of their primemovers, I cannot recommend them yet. (Their horns rock my world though). David B
QSI-R is downloadable, but you can only use the provided schemes. This would be ok, but QSI has dissapointed me in how they handle different prime movers. They have committed some sound faux-pas and unless they actually improve the sound of their primemovers, I cannot recommend them yet. (Their horns rock my world though).
David B
David, don't you think this may change very shortly? I'm sure you've noticed by now that the latest schemes for QSI-R have a USER SOUND slot that can take whatever you put in it. Seems natural that the rest might follow. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking.
As far as Loksound, the one thing that has stopped me from buying is not the cost. It's the 100 ohm speakers. Limits selection just a bit.
I think you missed my point a bit. Right now, I agree, one more sound whether you put some radio chatter or cows in the road, is fluff. BUT, they are showing me that NEW sounds CAN be put on the decoder. If one, why not more? If they aren't thinking about it, maybe we need to email and voice our opinions about it.
Please don't misunderstand my posting here. I have only one Revolution and a few Factory QSI and I like them. I am not here to knock anybody elses choices.
I do think that QSI is showing some interest in the customers though. They have already revised the software for their programmer so it works with their software or JMRI Decoder Pro. To me, that at least says they care a little.