It seems as if I´d be better off with a Tsunami decoder - money-wise it is just about the same issue here in Germany. Still I do not know where to put the speaker, which one to choose...
I'm really finding the SoundBug to be a better choice in many respects. User-programmable sounds for once means it beats Tsunami hands down. Plus it has NO current inrush problems like QSI and needs no booster or extra junk to program - even works on the program track, not just the POM workaroudn needed for some others. Granted I've had no problems programmign QSI with my Zephyr, but that's not the case with users of other systems.
I do find the lack of sounds disappointing, but a new program just released by Fred Miller might change that. The problem with the Soundbug is that 'programming' it really means 'programming' - you have nearly direct access to the PIC processor on it and need to program the sequences essentially by programming the processor. Naturally this is NOT easy - but it is way more flexible than the canned set of events built in to other programmable sound decoders. Fred's program simplifies all that by providing the misisng canned common sequences so one only needs ot know how to edit sound to make a sound file for the Digitrax sound decoders - without it you need to know how to edit sound AND be a PIC programmer.
I've found most of the claims here and elsewhere about the Soudnbug to be totalyl false. Digitrax needs to correct their web site, the Soundbug has a standard 8 ohm speaker, not an oddball 32 ohm. That's not true for all Digitrax sound decoders, but in the case of the Soundbug, it's defintiely an 8 ohm. It's also NOT "so quiet you can barely hear it". I clip-leaded it to my track and just lef tthe speaker sittign there - no enclosure. If anything, that should be the quietest it can be - I know using a Soundtraxx LC it was nearly inaudible in a quiet room until the speaker was put in a proper enclosure. Instead, the sounds were easy heard in the next room with the TV also on!
As for sound quality, it's very much a function of the recorded sounds being used. The stock 'generic' SD38 sounds are not very good. But look at Ken's experience using the Loksound - he got the Loksound because the original owner found the sounds to be not very good. Reprogrammed with a good sound sample - it's like a completely different decoder. The Soundbug is no different. Poor recording in = poor sound out. I am hoping that now that the effort involved with getting the new DT402 duplex radio system in production out of the way, Digitrax will put some more effort back in the sound side and start expanding the Soudn Depot with more and better choices. There's a lot of potential in this little decoder.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks, Randy, for your help. I was afraid that it is going to be a little more than just plug-and-pray...
I can get the P2K for about half the price , so I will have to accept fiddlin´ with the sound - or is there another solution, ie. MRC soundboard ?
Looking at my Soundbug sitting here on my desk, I'm going to have to say that the included speaker, especially after adding an enclosure, will be too big to fit without some serious modification to the loco. However, it is a standard 8 ohm speaker, not some special 32 or 100 ohm model, so various size and shape repalcements are readily available. I think a small oval with enclosure would fit inside the cab, after removing the crew figures.
Hi Folks,
I have been offered a Walthers P2k SD45 for very little $$$, but it is DC and I need to convert it to DCC and sound. A Digitrax DH165L0 HO Scale Mobile Decoder is recommended for the conversion, which is "Soundbug" ready.
Here is my question:
Does the Soundbug fit into this loco without any changes to it (the loco or the loudspeaker)?