I recently purchased a BLI Blueline Cab Forward DC loco with factory sound and the sound system is disappointing to say the least. So far I have been unsucessful in getting the exhaust chuff to function and after some communication with BLI they have sent a read switch for me to fit. However in the mean time the static sounds (dynamo, pump, relief valve, etc) have developed irritating static (no pun intended) and then stopped working all together. (probably a poor connection to the speaker which is yet to be investigated).
I also have BLI Northern operating on DC with factory sound an it is superb and i like the fact it does not require a separate sound controller. Based on this experience I am seriously considering replacing the Cab Forward sound system with a QSI unit, but I have read some good reports on the Tsunami unit.
Do you need a separate controller to operate the Tsunami units or will it operate with the standard throttle like the QSI?
What are the experinces of others with QSI and Tsunami?
Which is considered better?
Which unit will fit straight into the Cab Forward without modifications?
Cheers
Philip
Philip,
ESU Loksound might be another consideration for you. I don't know for sure if they have a specific Cab Forward sound packet for their V3.5 decoder but it's worth investigating. I've been very pleased with the two Loksound decoders I have.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Before I went to the draconian extent of replacing the supplied sound system (and I have done it a couple of times), I would make sure that the fault wasn't easily corrected. Corrupted sound files are one thing, or sounds that don't ring true, but if it is a connectivity problem, it should be easily tracked down. Have you seated the tender connector well? I use a wooden skewer and press hard on each side of the connector to fix intermittent sounds. A defective speaker can be replaced.
Most reports I have heard about BlueLine sound is quite enthusiastic. To get motive control, Digitrax or TCS decoders have won favour in the BlueLine crowd.
Here's a comparison
http://qsisolutions.com/products/techinfo/revolution/q-revo_tsunami_comparison.html
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
C&O Fan Here's a comparison http://qsisolutions.com/products/techinfo/revolution/q-revo_tsunami_comparison.html
Yeah, that looks really objective...... It´s like if a Chevy magazine would make a comparison with a Ford.
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
My Railroad
My Youtube:
Graff´s channel
Graffen C&O Fan Here's a comparison http://qsisolutions.com/products/techinfo/revolution/q-revo_tsunami_comparison.html Yeah, that looks really objective...... It´s like if a Chevy magazine would make a comparison with a Ford.
Yes you have a good point but there is very little out there in the way of testing and
reviews
If you talke the time to read it you see he's basicly telling the truth
I own both types of decoders and agree with most of what he says
The Revolution is more flexible The one feature i like is that you can Mute The Revolution in degrees
rather that all or nothing like the Tsunami
One thing he failed to mention with the Tsunami Heavy steam
You can choose between standard and articulated steam
I really like the way my articulateds go in and out of sync when operating
Both decoders are great and the differences are so subtle it's really dealers choice
You are quite right an I intend to do this when I have time, but if a simple solution is not found then replacement is a distinct possibility.
The BLI Cab Forward is a great model which runs well and I want the sound to operate to match the loco's looks.
Thanks for the comment.
Phillip
Here is a video of a Tsunami equipped H-8 so you can hear the articulated chuff sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyg_q_BIC2s
Here's a video of a QSI Revolution A equipped Berkshire with a T-1 sound track
I think the T-1 whistle is the best on the market
But the Tsunami Chuff is better
The last part is the QSI Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvx1M0uYqO4
davidmbedard C&O Fan Phillip Here is a video of a Tsunami equipped H-8 so you can hear the articulated chuff sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyg_q_BIC2s Here's a video of a QSI Revolution A equipped Berkshire with a T-1 sound track I think the T-1 whistle is the best on the market But the Tsunami Chuff is better The last part is the QSI Sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvx1M0uYqO4 Your comparision is invalid because the decoder you are using (Tsunami) is the wrong one for the OP's locomotive. Soundtraxx offers a Tsunami with Cabforward soundsets. It is a different chuff and the whistle is correct for the CFs. David B
C&O Fan Phillip Here is a video of a Tsunami equipped H-8 so you can hear the articulated chuff sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyg_q_BIC2s Here's a video of a QSI Revolution A equipped Berkshire with a T-1 sound track I think the T-1 whistle is the best on the market But the Tsunami Chuff is better The last part is the QSI Sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvx1M0uYqO4
Your comparision is invalid because the decoder you are using (Tsunami) is the wrong one for the OP's locomotive.
Soundtraxx offers a Tsunami with Cabforward soundsets. It is a different chuff and the whistle is correct for the CFs.
David B
What i was trying to show him was the way the Tsunami Chuff goes in and out of sync
and the QSI Decoders don't have this Ability
Yes Soundtraxx offers a cab forward version and the chuff sound is different but IT TOO goes in and out of Sync
Southern Pacific Cab Forward - includes classic SP whistles (and a few extra for variety) as well as the signature 'aspirated' airpump. Whistles included are:
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?printable=Y&productid=999002769&cat=153&bestseller=Y
Philip, I am very happy with the sound of the 3 Blue Line I have, but they are diesels. Could be a bad decoder? This is the only post I have seen where someone did not like there Blue Line sound. One thing you could check is to see if a speaker has sucked up a rail spike. I am guessing the Cab Forward speakers are facing down like my PCM and BLI steamers. Mine have sucked up a few spikes and make them sound god awful.
Before I drop $100.00 on any new decoder I would look at better speakers as well.
C&O Fan (Terry) hated the sound from his H-8 with a Loksound decoder. Terry was so kind to send me the old decoder and speaker. Soon as I looked at the speaker Ii knew it was a piece of caboose. Had Ulrich Models up load Big Boy sounds into the decoder and bought the correct speakers for my PCM Big Boy and it sound great. Terry told me I would not be happy with it sound.
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j284/cudaken/?action=view¤t=BigBoySound.flv
It sound better now after I played with the CV's. Yet to make new video.
I have heard only one Tsunami and it was in a Big Boy, I found it to be very lack luster. But, again it was more than likely the speakes.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust