BRAKIE Let's look at it realistically. Would you buy a Bachmann Sound value GP40 for $119.00 or a Athearn RTR GP40-2 with DCC/ Sound for $129.00 street?
Let's look at it realistically.
Would you buy a Bachmann Sound value GP40 for $119.00 or a Athearn RTR GP40-2 with DCC/ Sound for $129.00 street?
But the RTR SD40 with sound won't go for $129 so what Bachmann loco should we compare it to? I'm guessing it will be more like $149 or more street based on other Athearn MSRP/Discount prices. his topic IS about the SD40.
The Genesis GP40-2 would be for those that wants 100% accuracy while the RTR GP40-2 will hit the low end spectrum of DCC/Sound..
I'd argue that the Athearn SD40 will be for those who want accuracy too - it should have near Genesis accuracy like the RTR SD45T-2 and SD40T-2. And here lies the rub for the Athearn RTR SD40 - IMO it charts new territory. Definitely a win win, but maybe for a different hobby demographic than the Bachmann crowd IMO. I'm not sure if the xtra cost will draw in most of the Bachmann crowd. I'm the wrong person to ask since I don't own any Bachman at all. However, IMO, the folks interested in fidelity and accuracy will be more interested in the SD40 than the Bachmann customers. I'm still not a big fan of sound so maybe that clouds my judgement on this topic - and causes me to be miopic. Please pray for me!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Jim,The SD40 with DCC/Sound is $184.98 and based on Genesis street prices for DCC ready at the same or close to that $184.98 MSRP price you're looking around $130-135.00 street.
Closest I can find for Bachmann was their GP7 $148.99 MSRP or $119.99 street.
Judging the two locomotives Athearn is the better deal for $10-15.00 more..
If Athearn continues the low end DCC/Sound locomotives then they will win the market since Athearn products is well received.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BRAKIE riogrande5761 As for the Athearn SD40 competing against the economic Bachmann sound diesel line, that doesn't really make total sense to me, or it certainly isn't that simple at the outset. Why? Because the Athearn SD40 is a newly tooled HO diesel meant to have features that match many prototype diesels. Most of Bachmanns diesels with sound are based on the old generic diesel bodies that have been around for many years AFAIK. They may be suitable for some folks, especially in a few cases where the bodies are reasonable close to a few prototypes, but otherwise the Athearn SD40 should be a "near genesis" model in terms of the body and detail, the main differences being the motor is not Genesis. Jim,Heres the rub..Bachmann GP7 with DCC/Sound is $119.00 street vs.Athearn's Genesis DCC/Sound GP7 at $199.99 street. The majority of the modelers will grab two Bachmann sound equipped GP7s over 1 Genesis GP7s which is still plentiful and can be had for $99.00 DCC ready and still getting dust covered. Both GP7s sound alike Bachmann has a limited(3 ?) horn choices whereas Genesis has several.Both has Rule 17 and bell speed selection(Bachmann IIRC has 2) not sure on the Genesis. As far as detail its no contest and not worth mentioning except in the DCC ready Geeps then for a few bucks more Genesis GP7 is the best choice.In fact I've seen both at the same price $99.00. Let's return to the RTR sound..Athearn is wise in their decision to embrace the low end sound market given a choice I'm sure Athearn RTR sound locomotives would be a clear winner. Atlas should enter the low end sound market as well.. Turning up the heat..Bachmann has announced a DCC/Sound GP40-a direct competitor to the Atlas and Athearn GP40-2 DCC/Sound equipped locomotive-street price should be around $120.00 for the Bachmann GP40-2. But,Larry those are generic models!!! True,very true but,lower end DCC/Sound generic locomotive may be a cash cow since the majority doesn't care that much about the finer details especially on a low cost DCC/Sound locomotive vs. the higher price DCC/Sound locomotives which may be above the average modeler means in today's busted up economy and higher costs of just surviving from paycheck to paycheck.. Look how you can enter the world of DCC for around $130.00 street..Less if you use Bachmann's E-Z DCC system.
riogrande5761 As for the Athearn SD40 competing against the economic Bachmann sound diesel line, that doesn't really make total sense to me, or it certainly isn't that simple at the outset. Why? Because the Athearn SD40 is a newly tooled HO diesel meant to have features that match many prototype diesels. Most of Bachmanns diesels with sound are based on the old generic diesel bodies that have been around for many years AFAIK. They may be suitable for some folks, especially in a few cases where the bodies are reasonable close to a few prototypes, but otherwise the Athearn SD40 should be a "near genesis" model in terms of the body and detail, the main differences being the motor is not Genesis.
Jim,Heres the rub..Bachmann GP7 with DCC/Sound is $119.00 street vs.Athearn's Genesis DCC/Sound GP7 at $199.99 street.
The majority of the modelers will grab two Bachmann sound equipped GP7s over 1 Genesis GP7s which is still plentiful and can be had for $99.00 DCC ready and still getting dust covered.
Both GP7s sound alike Bachmann has a limited(3 ?) horn choices whereas Genesis has several.Both has Rule 17 and bell speed selection(Bachmann IIRC has 2) not sure on the Genesis.
As far as detail its no contest and not worth mentioning except in the DCC ready Geeps then for a few bucks more Genesis GP7 is the best choice.In fact I've seen both at the same price $99.00.
Let's return to the RTR sound..Athearn is wise in their decision to embrace the low end sound market given a choice I'm sure Athearn RTR sound locomotives would be a clear winner.
Atlas should enter the low end sound market as well..
Turning up the heat..Bachmann has announced a DCC/Sound GP40-a direct competitor to the Atlas and Athearn GP40-2 DCC/Sound equipped locomotive-street price should be around $120.00 for the Bachmann GP40-2.
But,Larry those are generic models!!!
True,very true but,lower end DCC/Sound generic locomotive may be a cash cow since the majority doesn't care that much about the finer details especially on a low cost DCC/Sound locomotive vs. the higher price DCC/Sound locomotives which may be above the average modeler means in today's busted up economy and higher costs of just surviving from paycheck to paycheck..
Look how you can enter the world of DCC for around $130.00 street..Less if you use Bachmann's E-Z DCC system.
I have an Athearn RTR GP38-2 and GP40-2 which are a few years old and have very limited detail. I also have a newer Athearn RTR SD40-2 and SW1500. I can defiantly tell the difference between the different levels is detail. The biggest difference is that the newer higher detail locomotives have MU cables and the SD40-2 has a snowplow vs the two GPs that don't. The fan details on the top are very noticeably nicer on the newer high detail locomotives. I still love my GPs, but the new SD40-2 and SW1500 have become the preferred units. I am on a tight budget, but I prefer spending a bit extra on the nicer RTR units. It is a $30 so it is the difference of a nice car, I think it's worth it. Save money by buying Accurail kits. The locomotive is the star of the train. The rolling stock doesn't have to be as detailed.
I have seen photos of the cheaper Bachmann DCC locomotives and I think they have a cheap quality about them.
KyleI have seen photos of the cheaper Bachmann DCC locomotives and I think they have a cheap quality about them.
I agree..
However,those DCC on Board Bachmann locomotives is selling around $39.95-$99.00 depending on where you look and seems to be popular with the low end DCC users-nothing wrong about that..
However.
The Bachmann's Sound Value Locomotives are very popular.I have the S4 and its as smooth and quiet as my Atlas/Roco S4s when the sound is turned off.Lacks the grabs whereas my Atlas/Roco S4 has molded on grabs which IMHO beats none.
Athearn has the right idea-entering the lower end DCC/Sound market..I hope they decide to keep the RTR DCC/Sound coming.
Looking throgh e-Bay last night I found several DCC on Board GP7s for $79.95 BIN..Several pages later I found some Genesis DCC ready GP9s for $89.95 BIN-no contest between the two.
Now then.
I have 2 of Athearn RTR SW1500 and they are superior to my older BB SW1500.I have added DCC to one and will the other-maybe with sound. I'm currently eyeballing a Chicago Short Line SW1500 to go with my collection of IHB and BRC locomotives.
My Athearn RTR GP35s GP38-2s and GP40-2s has the grabs installed as does my CF7s, GP60Ms and SD38.No complaints here since all are smooth runners.
Sorry,didn't mean to prattle off topic..