A good NON-sound decoder that works great at low speed steps?

[Balevre]

As the title suggests, I am looking for a decoder that works phenomenally at low speed steps. For example, Soundtraxx decoders allow the locomotive to move at very low speeds out of the package and once installed. I have a situation where one of my locomotives has a Sountraxx decoder (4-4-0 steam), which performs very well at speed step one and I also have another 4-4-0 that I do not want to be sound enabled. The stock decoder that came with the non-sound loco does not start moving until the speed step is about 8-9, even after editing the CVs to accommodate. I would however like both of these locos to work in tandem for doubleheading. Therefore, what would be a good DCC decoder to use, that would allow the no-sound loco to run at very low speeds (moving very slowly at speed step one for example)? I would like to do this because I am not interested in matching the locos with CV values because sometimes I like to break the consists and run single engines. 

 

Thanks!! 

Brandon

 

[middleman]

Brandon:

The LokPilot series of decoders from ESU have great motor control:

http://www.esu.eu/en/products/lokpilot/

Mike

EDIT: The BLI Blueline Big Boys(DC from the factory,with sound already installed) in this video have LokPilot decoders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_2ebfm9cM

[cacole]

My choices would be a LokPilot, NCE D13SR, or TCS T1, in that order, with the choice between NCE and TCS being equal in preference.  IMHO, the LokPilot is the smoothest running low-speed decoder.

[mlehman]

I have a Lenz Silver series decoder I installed that has very impressive low speed control. It's like butter.

[Balevre]

middleman

Brandon:

The LokPilot series of decoders from ESU have great motor control:

http://www.esu.eu/en/products/lokpilot/

Mike

EDIT: The BLI Blueline Big Boys(DC from the factory,with sound already installed) in this video have LokPilot decoders:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_2ebfm9cM

 

Holy cow, that video does it justice. The control was impeccable!! I may go with LokPilot, do you have any suggestions as to what model decoder?

[Balevre]

mlehman

I have a Lenz Silver series decoder I installed that has very impressive low speed control. It's like butter.

 

 

I just looked at the Silver series, I am impressed with the selection. Do you know if the Silver Direct is any good?

 

Brandon

[CSX Robert]

Balevre

...I have a situation where one of my locomotives has a Sountraxx decoder (4-4-0 steam), which performs very well at speed step one and I also have another 4-4-0 that I do not want to be sound enabled...

Balevre

...I would however like both of these locos to work in tandem for doubleheading...

I've never tried one, but the consensus seems to be that you get the best low-speed motor control from the European decoder manufacturers(ESU, Lenz, Zimo..?); however, since you want to doublehead this engine with one that already has a Soundtraxx decoder in it the easiest thing to do might be to get a Soundtraxx non-sound decoder. 

[mlehman]

I'd expect it to be the equal of mine, which is a Lenz Silver 21-pin, as the specs are all the same, it just has a different plug:

http://www.lenzusa.com/products/decoders/currentdecoders/silver.htm

 That said, CSX_Robert has a good point about Soundtraxx non-sound decoders.

[middleman]

Brandon:

Those Big Boys have LokPilot v3.0's ,which are no longer made. If I were doing it today,I'd go with the LokPilot v4.0 DCC,which is an improved version. It also supports hooking up a "keep-alive" circuit (ESU calls theirs a "Power Pack"),which might be of great benefit to a small loco,such as your 4-4-0.

I don't have any Lenz decoders,but I've heard a lot of positive comments on them- I'll have to give one a try.

One other note,I programmed some momentum into the decoders in the video using cv's 3 and 4,but other than that,they're straight out of the box.

Mike

[jrbernier]

  You two things for good slow speed performance:

• A smooth running locomotive
• A decoder with excellent motor contro(ESU is very good)

  The above said, clean track/wheels helps!

Jim

[rrinker]

 I would put the TCS decoders about the NCE, simply because of the excellent self-adjusting BEMF. ESU, definitely top notch. Price no object, CT Elektronik or Zimo. Best for the price, probably the NCE D13SRJ, $12 each in 10 packs. No BEMF but they do have a very good motor control.

 I had one Tsunami loco, I paired it with another using a TCS decoder, and did absolutely no speed matching, they worked well together. Granted, they were basically the same, an FT A and B from Bowser, but one had the Tsunami sound and the other the TCS motor decoder. I use only TCS these days in all my locos that don;t have sound. I use only Loksound for sound, perhaps I should run Lokpilots for the non-sound, but I'm cheap, and they cost more than TCS.

 If your locos are Bachmann, they will run much better if you clip out the noise supression capacitors. Their DCC on-board motor only decoder is a poretty low end Lenz one that Lenz no longer even puts their own name on, just about ANYTHING would be an improvement.

               --Randy

[gmpullman]

I've recently installed a few TCS decoders with the keep alive built in. I used one in a brass switcher that only has pickup on one side of the three drivers and the other side from four tender wheels. I am truly impressed with the performance of this decoder! With the keep alive function this engine walks through any complex trackwork without a fuss or hesitation. Slow speed performance is excellent, too.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Products/Decoders/HO-Scale/KAT-Series/KAT-Series.htm

Take a look and see what you think... Ed

[LIRRs]

Hi Brandon.

I would go with a TCS decoder.  It sounds like you wish to install it in a Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 for which you could go with a DP2X or a T1 with an 8 pin NMRA plug.  Either one you can't go wrong.

All the best.

Reinhard 

[alexstan]

I'd recommend a TCS decoder too.

[UPinCT]

Put a TCS decoder in this sweet little number from Atlas.  I am really impressed with how it just can creep through the yard.  TCS website had a really nice and picture intense step by step install guide on its website.

Good luck Derek

[Balevre]

I want to thank everyone who replied, I have received some great information. In the end for the 4-4-0, I went with a Tsunami NON-sound. Originally I went with a Lokpilot, however it quickly became apparent that I need something else. I loved the Lokpilot but the low-speed control was too low. I should have seen that coming. Therefore, the Tsunami NON-sound was perfect, hardly ANY speed matching was required.

With regard to the Lokpilot, I have placed it in a switcher. It is PHENOMENAL; If I had the money, I would convert all my locos to LokPilot/sound. 

I intend to purcahse a Lenz Sliver just to utilize the "butter smooth" action. 

Thanks again!!!!

 

Brandon