When it comes to sound, many of us are still children and need loud sound to impress others.
Many years ago at the Big E show, someone was selling a stand alone sound system and had to be told over the PA system to tone it down.
We are still boy, playing with toys.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
No idea on what after market decoders are. To my knowledge, decoders came first and then the loco manufactures quickly started including a decoder made to “their” specs. Bachmann, non sound, and Roundhouse, former MRC sound, are a good example of that. Roundhouse learned fast. Bachmann still has the old non sound but are now also selling with Tsunami technology.
Many Bachmann with onboard non sound are not very good compared to the decoder you buy and install yourself.
Some people sell their old decoders and newbies think they are getting a good deal. Same with DCC equipped locos.
The waters are quite muddy with old stock, modified stock, etc. Ebay is a good example where some newbies get stuck.
Let the buyer beware when it comes to DCC.
An occasional LHS might even pass of some old stuff to a newbie. With all the forums I belong to, I have seen that a couple times.
Many onboard sound decoders do not have all the features of a decoder you install yourself.
On board sound decoders are not available from the loco manufacture as far as I know right now.
Even one - after long enough - can get tiresome. Personally, I'd rather have a decoder with great motor control than one with great sound.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
dbduck cant teach an old dog new tricks I guess.. I do however love DCC.....still learning it though
cant teach an old dog new tricks I guess..
I do however love DCC.....still learning it though
I will say, too many sound locos turned up with high volume can become annoying after a while.
Richard
dbduck dont use sound decoders.. althought sound is a "coolness enhanser" I find it to become quite annoying after a short period of time. I guess we can blame that on not having sound for the last 40+ years of my MRR experience
dont use sound decoders..
althought sound is a "coolness enhanser" I find it to become quite annoying after a short period of time. I guess we can blame that on not having sound for the last 40+ years of my MRR experience
Yet it's the primary reason my son and some of his friends enjoy the hobby today. And I enjoy good sound locos too.
Also remember that not all Sound decoders come with speakers. So depending on what decoder you buy you may need to buy a speaker(s).
Basic decoders are typically very inexpensive, (as low as $12.00 - train show price), but most are at least $19.00-$35.00 retail. Figure out if you want sound up front, if you can.
If you later want to go to sound, most of the best sound systems are DCC decoders as well, meaning you will have to pull out the old decoder and throw it in a cigar box or another loco. While separate sound boards are available, they take up yet more space, whereas the better all in one sound decoders are a one-time fiddle.
Richard Hull
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
"NMRA compliant" decoders are much the same in terms of wiring and certain CV effects. But motor control and programming can be very different. I would check to make sure they work with well JMRI for instance. My personal preference is TCS and Soundtraxx.
In fact, most decoders are "aftermarket". OEM decoders are made by the aftermarket companies. Usually to a stripped down feature list to meet a low price point. Aftermarket will normally have more features built in.
Dual mode has been around from the beginning so yes you will find it in most aftermarket decoders.
Martin Myers
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Decoders are decoders so there is essentially no difference between the decoders that locomotive manufacturers buy and the ones that you and I purchase from our LHS or online. Most new decoders manufactured these days are dual-mode and don't require any sort of jumper to be moved to switch it from DC to DCC or vice versa. They detect it automatically and adjust accordingly.
I know that the decoders that come in DCC equipped locos will work on either DC or DCC but does the same hold true for the aftermarket decoders sold to be installed into DC locos?
Digitrax..etc