I'm starting to build a small HO layout. I purchased the MRC Prodigy Express DCC system. I haven't purchased any locomotives yet, but am looking at Atlas or Proto. I do want to use sound. My question is whether it is better to purchase a 'DCC ready' loco and install a decoder, or a DCC w/sound Loco. The manual for my MRC system has a note that some QSI sound decoders might be harder to program with my system, and I think both Atlas & Proto use QSI. Is this a problem? I appreciate any input! Thanks.
nfanMy question is whether it is better to purchase a 'DCC ready' loco and install a decoder, or a DCC w/sound Loco
By farther better off buying a DCC Sound engine. Cost of sound decoder and speaker can cost more than you save. Not counting the head ache on installing not counting any problems that might poop up.
I have yet to have a Atlas engine, but I swear by my Protos. Only one has DCC with sound, it is a E-7. I do not like it's sound! It not that the sound quality is bad, it is good. I just don't like the sounds it makes?
I have around 14 Protos and never had a real problem.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
nfan I'm starting to build a small HO layout. I purchased the MRC Prodigy Express DCC system. I haven't purchased any locomotives yet, but am looking at Atlas or Proto. I do want to use sound. My question is whether it is better to purchase a 'DCC ready' loco and install a decoder, or a DCC w/sound Loco. The manual for my MRC system has a note that some QSI sound decoders might be harder to program with my system, and I think both Atlas & Proto use QSI. Is this a problem? I appreciate any input! Thanks.
Atlas Gold's use QSI and are worth every penny vs. trying to upgrade an Atlas silver unit. Any Proto units that have sound I have upgraded but these are older SD50's and SD60's that were not offered with sound. I can't speak for all of the newer Proto units with sound and what they use. I did see that Walthers specifies QSI on their U30B series units but not all of their sound listing stated they used QSI. I suspect they do. I try to not buy anything new that doesn't have sound already installed, unless it is something I really want and doesn't have a sound offering.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
You can't go wrong with either brand of sound equipped locomotive because they are both smooth running engines and both use the QSI sound system.
There's an article on page 70 of the February 2009 issue of Model Railroad News magazine which indicates that there's probably no real difference between the two brands because they are both made by Sanda Kan in China, along with approximately 50 other brands.
As others have mentioned, get them with sound already installed if they use QSI, SoundTraxx Tsunami, or ESU LokSound decoders. Athearn has models with sound already installed, but they use the MRC sound decoder which has a very high failure rate.
Also check out Broadway Limited's BlueLine series of engines. Go to this site and listen to their sound samples --
http://www.factorydirecttrains.com
I have 2 atlas Golds and 2 Bluelines and I'm happy with every one of them. If you go with the broadway limited I would wait for the paragon 2 series which will come with DCC installed. The bluelines are great but a little tricky getting the sound and DCC working together correctly.
Springfield PA
HamltnblueThe bluelines are great but a little tricky getting the sound and DCC working together correctly.
I will second that! I have two Blueline GE AC 6000's and they sound great and will pull a brick! Installing the decoder is easy as long as you leave it sat on cab 3. After that good luck.
I have an Atlas FM Trainmaster-Gold Series. It is magnificent.
I once owned a pair of B&O Classic RS-1's silver from atlas.
Quite possibly the very best non - dcc engine set I ever have seen on old fashioned 12 volts. I think these were the Kato drive train engines and I regret selling them now. =(
QSI is in the Atlas Gold. You cannot go wrong with them.
My problem with the Golds is the budgets OUCH.
Many things besides trains are diverting funds because this current economic storm is preventing me from moving forward with pending atlas engine gold purchases for my layout. So they will have to wait. But while I wait, a few pennies here, a few pennies there.
I also have a Prodigy Express DCC system. I have 4 Atlas Gold loco's, 6 Proto loco's with sound and 1 Blueline loco. The Atlas and Proto both use QSI sound decoders and I have had no problems programming them. I mainly change the address and adjust the sound. The Blueline is another story. Don't know if its the Digitrax decoder I installed or the Blueline sound decoder. I have gone with buying factory installed sound decoders. You can usually find good deals on them if you have patience and check your favorite online hobby stores or ebay.
Mike
Mike Kingsbury
davidmbedard Sound locos are great, but never, ever buy one with an MRC chip installed. Thankfully, this is limited to Athearn and MDC (Roundhouse) sound locos. David B
Sound locos are great, but never, ever buy one with an MRC chip installed. Thankfully, this is limited to Athearn and MDC (Roundhouse) sound locos.
David B
And sadly, Rapido Trains will install these MRC decoders in their new line of Canadian sound engines too bad.
Jack W.
I have an Atlas gold and it is one of my best performers, both sound and running. Also have BLI and Proto 2000, but the Atlas is the most consistant, best running diesels I own. Worth the money to buy factory installed and will do it again.
Jeff