Fleet decoders for old locos

[cmarchan]

richg1998

Remember, Bachmann and Athearn have been selling locos with the dumbed down Tsunami as an example of lower cost sound locos. That might change in the future. No idea on that issue.

Rich

The tern "dumbed down" a little harsh here; in some cases there are more features than the aftermarket Tsunamis; for example the Athearn F7 TSU decoder can simulate the use of the RED MARS light in an emergency by shutting down ALL of the remaining lights by pushing one button. Some have less features than the aftermarket version; those choices are made by the OEM vendor not Soundtraxx. The manufacturers are using Tsunami decoders based on their popularity with US the buyer; All the criticism received regarding QSI and Loksound decoders, as well as the higher cost of these decoders caused Intermountain and Walthers to jump ship and go to Throttle Up! (Soundtraxx), so to speak. That may change if the QSI Titan is accepted by the masses.

For the record, I have found SOME sound schemes offer by ALL the sound decoders can make that particular decoder shine; for example Digitrax users check out the schemes offered by members of the  Digitrax sound users group; the F40PH  scheme by Alex Stroshane is nicer than the other offerings. and Digitrax's rail diesel car scheme is nice. Soundtraxx's EMD 567 and Alco 244 sounds are the most popular in the hobby. Most steam enthusiasts agree Soundtraxx is king of that realm.

Many people like the GE schemes in several sound decoders. ESU (Loksound) version 4.0 decoders and Select decoders have excellent motor control; locomotives dont lurch or "accordion"  in consist right out of the box without tweaking 90 percent of the time . ESU's EMD 710, GE Dash series, and Baldwin engine sounds are quite nice IMHO.

Best recommendation; check with experienced, knowledgeable installers before making a decision when purchasing decoders, sound or non-sound.

[jamnest]

I am building a fleet of Athearn BB SD40-2 for my 1981 KCS layout.  As suggested above, if you run consists, you don;t need a sound decoder in every locomotive.  I use two approaches:

My Athearn BB non-sound fleet decoder is the Digitrax DH123D which I hard wire, these are very inexpensive decoders at less than $20 each.  This is the same wiring harnes as used by the Digitrax SDN164D ($50) so if I want to add sound at a later date I can unplug the DH123 from the wiring harness and plug in the SDN164D.

I have also removed the motor from one of my Atheran BB SD40-2 and installed a Digitax Sound BUG  sound only decoder, and place the locomotive in a consist with two powered no-sound units.  The issue here is a Digitrax Sound BUG ($50) is the same cost as the newer SDN164D ($50) decoder.

I am undecided as to the best way to go as the layout is still under construction and I want to test each type of consist to see what sounds the best.  I run three and four unit consists of SD40, SD40-2 and SD50.  I don't need for all of them to be powered because these units have plenty of power.

[cacole]

richg1998

LokSound is quite a lot more expensive but that is becasue they are made in the EU.

Rich

I purchased a LokSound Select recently that is MADE IN CHINA !

 

[richg1998]

Stevert

 

richg1998:

Digitrax and MRC are what some call Generic sounds.

 

I've never heard of Digitrax being called "generic sounds", especially considering they have no less than 26 individual sound schemes on their Web site that can be loaded into any of their sound decoders, and an entire Yahoo! group dedicated to creating and customizing even more sound schemes.

Actually, I've never heard of MRC being called "generic sounds" either.  Maybe "wrong", as in "not the same prime mover as advertised", and yes, their decoders tend to get called lots of other things, but usually not "generic".

  However, that said, the sound decoders from both Digitrax and MRC are in the lower end of the price range, although I'd certainly put a Digitrax decoder up against an MRC any day...

 

I belong to at least twenty model railroad forums and see the Generic word applied every so often. One of the reasons the MRC and Digitrax are much lower cost. Not to take away from the usefulness of the decoders.

There is a considerable amount of digital modification done with the more expensive decoders and a good programmer will not work for nothing. There is also on going improvement in the decoder lines for decoder companies. That cost money.

LokSound is quite a lot more expensive but that is becasue they are made in the EU.

As far as the chips, (IC's), go for these decoders, I have no idea if these chips are developed for the decoders or off the shelf chips for many different digital devices.

I know some MRC decoder users who tell me this but are satisfied with the sounds. You can count the rivets, just don't count all of them.

Kind of like comparing Spectrum locos with BLI or maybe Athearn locos. Many modelers will have nothing to do with Bachmann locos, not even the Spectrum's.

Remember, Bachmann and Athearn have been selling locos with the dumbed down Tsunami as an example of lower cost sound locos. That might change in the future. No idea on that issue.

Rich

[Stevert]

richg1998

Digitrax and MRC are what some call Generic sounds.

I've never heard of Digitrax being called "generic sounds", especially considering they have no less than 26 individual sound schemes on their Web site that can be loaded into any of their sound decoders, and an entire Yahoo! group dedicated to creating and customizing even more sound schemes.

Actually, I've never heard of MRC being called "generic sounds" either.  Maybe "wrong", as in "not the same prime mover as advertised", and yes, their decoders tend to get called lots of other things, but usually not "generic".

  However, that said, the sound decoders from both Digitrax and MRC are in the lower end of the price range, although I'd certainly put a Digitrax decoder up against an MRC any day...

 

[richg1998]

Sounds like you are new to DCC according to your post.

Look at the below site. Covers mostly the Tsunami but can apply to other brands. Curriculum has a lot of good info.

http://www.mrdccu.com/

Be advised, there are light board type decoders for diesels and shrink wrapped decoders for diesel and steam.

Ball park figures, Tsunami about $100.00 per loco. LokSound about $140.00. Digitrax, about $50.00.

Digitrax and MRC are what some call Generic sounds.

Actually all sound decoders use some digital modification of the sounds. I have a couple documents on this issue but that usually produces a lot of blah, blah, blah dicussions and almost flame wars at times.

Rich

 

[maxman]

soo800

I have a NCE Powercab system & am looking at adding DCC to my fleet of blue box Athern & AHM locos. The main reason I invested in DCC was for the sound & like the motor / sound decoders in one due to easy programing. So my question is what is a good sound/motor decoder for these older locos or am I best useing two different decoders for this job. 

Actually what needs to be determined is if it is your intent to equip all your locos with sound, or just every other (or every third).  Most of the people I know run multuple unit consists, but only one out of the set will have sound.  If that's what you want to do, you can spend some money to get a good quality sound decoder (Soundtraxx or QSI, for example), plus buy some good inexpensive decoders for the silent locos.  NCE, for example, sells 5-packs of decoders, where the price per decoder will be around $16.  (Note that you will have to know the current draw of your locos so that you get decoders with adequate amperage ratings)

[simon1966]

The term "fleet decoder" implies that you are looking for more of a budget solution, at least that is how I interpret it? 

There really are only 2 budget priced sound/motor decoders, MRC and Digitrax.   I own 1 MRC, which still works, but never again, I do not like the lack of control for the sound volume.  The volume has a range of loud to really loud.   I purchased it as a budget decoder and will not do it again.

So that leaves Digitrax or the much more expensive Tsunami, QSI or ESU Loksound.  I have just purchased a Digitrax http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?productid=2450096&cat=268&page=1 but have not installed it yet, so don't have an opinion, but I am hopeful that it will meet my needs,

[MisterBeasley]

How big is the fleet, and how big is your budget?  Are you in HO scale?

There's really only one low-priced sound-and-motor decoder, the Digitrax series.  I've never owned one, so I'll let those who have speak for specific models.  Don't buy the MRC ones - they have reliability issues.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, though, you'll be much happier with a Tsunami.

[soo800]

I have a NCE Powercab system & am looking at adding DCC to my fleet of blue box Athern & AHM locos. The main reason I invested in DCC was for the sound & like the motor / sound decoders in one due to easy programing. So my question is what is a good sound/motor decoder for these older locos or am I best useing two different decoders for this job.