Hi, I have seen that MRC make a drop-in decoder for the Athearn HO RS-3, and I am wondering if anyone can comment on quality.
The item is: “MRC #1820 Ver2 HO Scale DCC DC* Drop-in,1.5 Amp 28 Function Sound Decoder for Athearn RS-3 Locomotives”.
I would be grateful for your comments / advice,
Bill
Most members will tell you to avoid MRC decoders. And so will I but with a qualification: if this is your first foray into adding dcc or experimenting with sound they are ok.
The advantage being that MRC decoders are inexpensive, which makes them good for practice and experiments.
What I did: I wasn't sure if sound was going to be a factor for me, since sound equipped locos are pricey I didn't want to drop a ton of money for something that wasn't worth it. So I took a spare and cheap loco, added a cheap MRC decoder and tried it. It ran, poorly but wether due to the cheap loco or the decoder I don't know. Probably both. The decodr didn't last long ( or maybe the loco fried it) But having sound was found to be a whole new world and somthing I've decided to add to my fleet. Mostly in new purchases. My investment ws about $50 for this experiment vs say $200 for a RTR loco.
That said, I don't think I'd buy MRC decoders for my other DCC installs. But like I said, for experimenting/learing curve they are a good option.
Modeling the Cleveland and Pittsburgh during the PennCentral era starting on the Cleveland lakefront and ending in Mingo junction
Yes, I bought one, because I found one on ebay for half price. I don't like to be negative about something I haven't personally tried (see what I go through for you people? )
Don't waste your money. Motor control is so-so, well below what I usually expect (I use TCS decoders in all my non-sound locos, and my other sound locos are ESU Loksound - so I typically have locos that run EXTREMELY well). Sounds are - well, it makes noise. Doesn;t sound much like an Alco, and even switching the prime mover to the included two options for EMD, don't sound a lot like EMD. I questioned including EMD sounds in a decoder specifically made for an Alco loco, but I suppose if you model one of the re-engined ones... The horns, well, I guess the best I can say is they are louder than Tsunami horns. Not terribly clear, even when the volume is dialed back, and the bigger problem - they give you a whole bunch, but even MRC Tech Support cannot tell you which type of horn is which value for the horn selector CV. Their response to me "We don;t keep track of that". So you have to try them all and see if you can pick out the right one for your loco.
Just get the Loksound Select with their newest Alco recordings and you won't look back. Also, make sure your loco runs well BEFORE installing the decoder - I had to get two of these before I had one that ran well, and that's AFTER adding extra pickup wires to the first one - it STILL has power pickup issues. the second one was fine out of the box, but I will still add the extra pickup wires.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I had 2 of them given to me as presents. The sound was Ok, motor controll so so. I have since replaced them both. They are now dust collecters in my spare stuff box. Joe
I have no experience with what MRC claims to be their "new and improved" decoders, because the first and only MRC sound decoder I ever purchased is kept as a reminder to never make that mistake again. It initially would only make a clicking noise every few seconds. MRC offered to "waive" their normal $25 service fee (how generous of them to honor a warranty!) but it is now in worse shape than when I sent it in. I'll never install it because, although it now makes 'noise', it gets too hot to touch within just a few seconds.
Their repair looks like a kindergarten child's work.
A club member who moved here from Chicago brought several new Athearn Genesis locomotives with MRC sound that he had purchased, but had never ran because he didn't have a layout. We have had to replace every one of them because of their horrible motor control or because they didn't work at all.
I have one MRC sound decoder - the one for the Atlas Genset - it does sound good(like a genset cycling its 3 prime movers), and the motor control is fine - I am waiting for it to go 'south' - I really do not 'trust' these decoders. I got this one on a 'deal', and I have installed several others for friends. Lots of them were 'DOA' - They got them at train shows from dealer they will never see again. I have looked at them and the soldering work is just terrible. The genset decoder I got replaces the Atlas 'light board' and the construction quality is much better. Maybe some of the new ones are a step up from the older ones.
Another issue is the actual 'sound' - IIRC, a lot of the Alco sound decoders have the 539(switcher) or 251(Century) sound package in them, and not the classic 244 'RS' sound we remember from the 50's - Beware of what you buy.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Hi Bill.
I have added this very decoder in an Athearn RS-3. The sound leaves much to be desired as does the motor control. You only have 3 sound levels: loud, louder and most loud; unbearable. This was my first decoder install and it was very easy and straight forward. The locomotive is in my closet at present and I plan to replace the decoder in the near future with a non-sound TCS. Hope this helps.
All the best.
Reinhard
Joe F