Considering purchasing a walthers proto sw1200 W/dcc & sound, new. I believe this is an older production as it has a QSI sound decoder. I'm interested in your thoughts on these models, especially the QSI decoder performance . How is loco performance and how is the sound performance. Thnx all.
Tophias,
This link to a preview, may be the one...it was made in 2013, with QSI decoder:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n8cHCkTOUI
Take Care!
Frank
Thnx Frank. I've watched several vids and I can't tell if the qsi decoder sounds like an emd 567 or not. they certainly sound different from Tsunamis and LokSounds. I have (my first ever sound loco when I still ran DC) an old LL P2K Gp9 (which also prototipically used a emd567) and it doesnt sound anything like the prototype. I'm hoping this newer model has an upgraded QSI decoder. My only interest possibly purchasing this it's the only sound equipped sw9/1200 in BN scheme.
I don't think older QSI versions replicate EMD prime mover sound very well. The QSI Titan is much more competitive with Tsunami and Loksound, IMO.
However, the biggest draw back for me would be the somewhat poor electrical pickup of that short wheel based switcher. Stalling over unpowered turnout frogs will be common. Especially if it is the first LL/Walthers run that used traction wheels on one axle to make up for the lightness of the locomotive. The pickup issue is not caused by the QSI decoder.
- Douglas
Thnx Doughless. From what I can gather, if I'm correct, I think this model was released in 2012. So, if that is correct, do you think this has an older qsi version or a qsi Titan? I'm not sure when the Titan version was released but the videos I've checked out that have Titan seem much better sound wise than my old LLP2K non-Titan qsi.
I'm not firsthand familiar with that newer vintage, although I think they have Proto's new truck design which should make electrical pickup better than the older version. Given its a short wheelbased switcher, the new design may not totally remove stalling issues from time to time.
As far as sound, Walthers also moved on to Soundtraxx Tsunami from QSI about that time too, so I have no idea what sound decoder would be in that loco, except to say it is likley not the older version of QSI that sounds terrible.
Try a google search for the loco and you might get the Walthers/exec page that will show noncurrent runs of products and the description might shed light on the brand of decoder used. I tried the search and that page won't load on my computer.
Thnx Doughless, I'll give that a try