I was wondering what your opinions are on Soundtraxx mobile (non-sound) decoders...?Like how do they compare to say TCS/NCE? I'm curious about trying a couple out. The price seems right.
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
I use the Soundtraxx sound decoders and like both the motor control and sound. I would suspect that the motor control would be the same and close to TCS or NCE. I use TCS decoders in my N scale locos at the club and really like them better.
You should be able to download the instructions etc for them and check out the functions and what the CV's control and see how they compare to the others.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I've used a few of the SoundTraxx MC1H102P8 Mobile decoders into models with extremely limited space, and cannot tell much difference between one of them and a TCS or NCE decoder as far a light functions and motor control are concerned. None of the ones I have ran have given me any problems.
For some inexplicable reason, SoundTraxx still does not incorporate CVs 5 and 6, Mid- and Max-Voltage adjustment, into any of their decoders, so if you need to adjust those parameters you'll have to find another way.
The idea was to have identical sound and non-sound motor drives, so the locos will theoretically run together better, but my TCS equipped locos run fin with my Tsunami, the TCS self-adjusting BEMF goes a long way.
The lack of CV5 and 6 in Tsunamis and their motor decoders is almost enough right there to keep me away. JMRI or no JMRI, speed tables are a pain, and I've never had a problem getting any of my locos to run well together just using CV2, 5, and 6 to adjust the running speeds.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
They have F11 braking which is nice if you like to run a train similar to prototype beyond just momentum. I use JMRI to set up the speed curves so, low, mid and max CVs are not used anyway.
I really like TCS chips, but the F11 braking is great too.
Richard
I have yet to meet a Soundtraxx decoder that I liked...as far as motor control is concerned, that is. I would go with either TCS, NCE, or Lenz for superior motor control. The Lenz Silver and Gold series decoders are amazing in that regard.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
My personal preference for smooth motor control is a LokPilot or LokSound. The LokPilot will even self-adjust its BEMF to match any LokSound to which it is consisted.
I believe the new TCS WOW! sound decoder claims that they can self-adjust BEMF, too, but I haven't installed one to know for sure.
TCS has had a self-adjusting BEMF for a while. It's just automatic, first few feet of runnign a new install it seems a bit rough but then it figures it out and after that, great running, creep or fast.