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Kato DCC Sound Controllers?

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  • Member since
    December 2023
  • 5 posts
Posted by Deadeye1 on Friday, December 8, 2023 7:59 PM

I will Joe--man model railroading has come leaps and bounds since I was kid.  

  • Member since
    December 2023
  • 5 posts
Posted by Deadeye1 on Friday, December 8, 2023 5:58 PM

Thanks Joe--in that case, I would want the NCE Powerf Cab anyway.  NCE looks like a very good expandable system. I was just kind of in awe that Kato seems to be on the higher end of price/quality but didn't have their own DCC controller here in the US since they actualy sell DCC locs, but sometimes that's just the way a business goes. 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Friday, December 8, 2023 3:45 PM

Deadeye1

Thanks Joe--Ya, I have MRC's Tech 6 and their handheld controller on order--coupled together they allow me to control up to six loc on the same track and switch between running DCC and DC.  I am only runing a small Christmas layout for now, but I'll probably upgrade to NCE's Power Cab if I ever go full DCC on a bigger layout. I found a Kato DCC controller that's sold in Japan. At the present, I only have Kato in my N gauge lineup, and I thought it would be nice to stay with that brand since I have a couple DCC sound locs I want to run.

 You're welcome and a belated welcome to the forums. Let us know how your DCC experiences go.
 
Joe

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Friday, December 8, 2023 3:42 PM

MrMe

 

Thanks for the info. I guess that I'll have to broaden my horizons Embarrassed

 
JoeinPA

 that is probably why Kato doesn't market one of their own.  

 

 

Actually, they do. It's a rebadged Digitrax Zephyr. They just don't market it in the US:

https://japan-figure.com/products/hobby-center-kato-japan-d103-basic-set-dcc-controller?currency=USD&variant=42740203651230

But as you said, it's not necessary to get the Kato-branded device. Any modern DCC system will do.

 

  • Member since
    August 2020
  • 84 posts
Posted by MrMe on Friday, December 8, 2023 8:39 AM

JoeinPA

 that is probably why Kato doesn't market one of their own.  

Actually, they do. It's a rebadged Digitrax Zephyr. They just don't market it in the US:

https://japan-figure.com/products/hobby-center-kato-japan-d103-basic-set-dcc-controller?currency=USD&variant=42740203651230

But as you said, it's not necessary to get the Kato-branded device. Any modern DCC system will do.

  • Member since
    December 2023
  • 5 posts
Posted by Deadeye1 on Thursday, December 7, 2023 9:38 PM

Thank you York1, ya I have an MRC Tech 6 and accompanying handheld controller on order.  I just received two Kato Locs with DCC sound installed--can't wait to try them out.  I'm relativly new to model railroading--only ever had my MTH O gauge running around a Christmas tree.  I'm trying to post a couple short videos of what I have going, but it's proving to be a challenge on this site--probably my lack of experience here.

  • Member since
    December 2023
  • 5 posts
Posted by Deadeye1 on Thursday, December 7, 2023 9:31 PM

Thanks Joe--Ya, I have MRC's Tech 6 and their handheld controller on order--coupled together they allow me to control up to six loc on the same track and switch between running DCC and DC.  I am only runing a small Christmas layout for now, but I'll probably upgrade to NCE's Power Cab if I ever go full DCC on a bigger layout. I found a Kato DCC controller that's sold in Japan. At the present, I only have Kato in my N gauge lineup, and I thought it would be nice to stay with that brand since I have a couple DCC sound locs I want to run.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Thursday, December 7, 2023 5:01 PM

Deadeye1
Does anyone know where I can get a Kato DCC sound controller for their N Gauge locomotives? For the life of me, I can not understand why they sell DCC locs with sound but don't advertise a DCC controller anywhere.

 

Welcome to the forums, Deadeye!  I hope you continue to post and let us know your model railroad plans and progress.

As was stated, there isn't a need for any special Kato system.  The sound and locomotive will work with just about any DCC system.

I have N scale Kato locomotives with sound, and I run all of them with my NCE system.  It works well.

 

Welcome 

York1 John       

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Thursday, December 7, 2023 4:46 PM

You don't need a Kato-specific DCC controller for your loco. Any of the standard DCC controllers on the market will work and that is probably why Kato doesn't market one of their own. A DCC starter set from either NCE or Digitrax will get you started and provide a lot of enjoyment for you.

Joe 

  • Member since
    December 2023
  • 5 posts
Kato DCC Sound Controllers?
Posted by Deadeye1 on Thursday, December 7, 2023 11:19 AM

Does anyone know where I can get a Kato DCC sound controller for their N Gauge locomotives? For the life of me, I can not understand why they sell DCC locs with sound but don't advertise a DCC controller anywhere.

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