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Digitrax SFX0416 sound only decoder; reviews, opinions?

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, February 17, 2011 10:07 AM

I have one word for the SFX0416.

Disappointing.

This decoder lacks sound volume.  I have a couple of them installed, and they can barely be heard if anything else is running on the layout.  One is in a trolley, which pulls no other cars so there's little sound competing with it.  The other is in a dummy F7A, and I can't hear it when I run it in a AA pair with an F7 equipped with a better sound decoder.

I've programmed a few of these.  I used Fred Miller's trolley project, and it came out very well, but I really wish I could hear it better.

Instead, just get the SFX004 Sound Bug.  The volume is much better on those.  They don't have the extra function outputs, but it sounds like you don't need them anyway.  And, I think they are cheaper.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: O'Fallon, MO
  • 292 posts
Posted by Lateral-G on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 10:55 PM

davidmbedard

Have you tried searching the forums?

I'm not very successful at how this forums search feature works......

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 10:01 PM

 Available sounds are somewhat limited, that's the biggest problem. Some people on the Digitraxsound Yahoo group have created sound projects that sound far superior to the ones Digitrax has available - ut not all of them are available to use. One interesting one that hsows prmise is a sound file to use the SOundbug in a mechanical reefer.

 There is a HUGE potential in these decoders, but they are notoriously difficult to program, although Fred Miller's SPJ Helper program is a step in the right direction. Fred adn one or two others on the Yahoo group are leading the way in making these things really sing and dance - most of the canned sounds, particualrly the default SD38 that comes already loaded, are pretty pathetic in comparison.

                    --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: O'Fallon, MO
  • 292 posts
Digitrax SFX0416 sound only decoder; reviews, opinions?
Posted by Lateral-G on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 8:12 PM

I'm looking to add a Digitrax SFX0416 to my already Digitrax decoder equipped diesel.

Any one have any thoughts or comments on this particular sound only add-on decoder?

From the looks of the instructions all I need to do is hook up the red and black wires to the existing track pick-ups on the loco and then assign the same address as the loco for it to work.

-G-

 

 

 

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