This title only refers to part of a decision I am trying to make. I am about to purchase three of the new run Athearn Genesis GP38 2 in MKT. I have in the last five years been happy with the on board Tsunami's as it is about 30 to 40 dollars cheaper to buy sound than non. However I can notice how the sounds on the Loksound and TCS Wow are a little better particularly the horns.
The question I have is how much better? I calculated the easiest route to buy non sound and put in the WOW genesis board, 21 pin sound decoder and speaker would be a $90.00 more difference plus my time and labor. The Loksound would be about 40.00 more plus time and labor.
I have not heard the non turbo 645 from TCS or Lok yet. So, what is your opinion of them? I have not had a problem with the soundtraxx 645 other than the horn is a little weak. This is where knowing something about Soundtraxx future plans would be a big help. Also I alway try to keep it simple with my decoder installs. I hate the resistor lights math class which is one of the reasons I love the board technology in Genesis locomotives over the loksound select complete hardwire route.
Opinions gladly welcome,
Steve B
Steve,
I had one SoundTraxx decoder. I found the horn more than "a little weak"; it was anemic. The motor-control (far more important to me than sound) was okay but - even with tweaking - I couldn't get the start up speed less than 3sMPH. With Loksound or TCS - I can always get 1sMPH or < right out of the box.
I can't speak for the WOW decoder from personal experience but the Loksound decoders - besides the motor-control - have very good sounds; the bell and horn being very crisp and audible. I've only heard the WOW decoders at a train show but liked what I heard.
If $$$ is an issue then I would go with the Loksound over WOW and definitely over SoundTraxx.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The LokSound Select sound samples on the webpage give a pretty good indication of sound quality if you play it through a stereo vs the laptop.
I am very biased toward the Selects but have not tried WowSound. I haven't had a sound file yet that I did not like, including for GP9, RS1, RS2, E units (dual motor!), PA, Erie Built, SD7, SD50, SD60, Dash-9, etc. ANd the motor control is terrific. I replaced a Tsunami (and speaker) in my Genesis GP9 and was very pleased with the improvement.
I've converted many of the above items from DC as it was easy to get some preferred UP DC locos on EBay such as LifeLike and Kato that may not be offerred currently. I enjoy the projects so if it were me if looking at Genesis diesels (which are nice) for me I'd easily choose DC and add a Select, LEDs and sugarcubes (milling the frame if needed to improve speaker arrangement).
I usually take out light boards, hard wire a Select ($80), add 2-4 sugarcube speakers ($2 each) and LED lights. For the LEDs I just add a 1k resistor and have not optimized whether another higher value would be a perfect starting point. The LED brightness can be adjusted to an extent with the LokSounds.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Hi, Steve
I just installed Loksound Select Direct boards in a pair of Genesis SDP-45s. The direct boards already come with resistors for LEDs and if you want to use incandescent lamps you can jumper two pads on the board to bypass the resistors then add your own if you are keeping the stock Athearn poor excuse of a lamp.
There is a slug that comes out of the frame so you can add a 28mm speaker or devise your own sugar cube speaker.
I use Loksound decoders for about 90% of my diesels and have also tried out the WOWsound decoders as well. My only minor complaint with the WOW is the "clicking" I hear between throttle notches. To me it is an irritation but maybe not so much for others.
I don't exactly follow your cost breakdown but whichever route you go it is usually a little less expensive to have the factory (Soundtraxx) installed, then probably the Loksound Direct ($90 street + $10-15 for a speaker) and maybe a bit more for WOWsound.
I have the Lokprogrammer so downloading new sound files is no problem for me. I used the 16-645-E3 Turbo. (I don't believe ESU has the 20 cylinder which the SDP-45 would have used.)
Good Luck, Ed
Wow I did not knw about the Loksound Select Direct. This might be the way to go.
Does anyone offer LEDS that will fit in the Genesis body light headlight holes?
I am a little off on the WOW figure. It would be 75.00 more. But the Loksound at only 25.00 more might be worth it.
blabrideDoes anyone offer LEDS that will fit in the Genesis body light headlight holes?
I have used Big Al Mayo's Monster LED kits:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WARM-WHITE-MONSTER-LEDs-BY-AL-MAYO-LED-HO-ENGINE-UPGRADE-KIT-MONSTER-MODELS-INC-/172130701492?hash=item2813ca10b4:g:E4cAAOSwv-NWZ67~
He offers several combinations so if you don't need ditch lights you can just get the headlight ones for less money. Contact Al for a "custom kit" with headlight only LEDs.
If you Google him you will find discussions at the Atlas Rescue Forum and Youtube showing how the kits can be used and what you have to do to install them.
I bought some 3mm fiber optic and heat shrink tubing but by the time you do the work it can be more convenient to pay the price and have them already made up.
Just one suggestion, there are others...
Regards, Ed
Sounds in locos is a very subjective thing, rather like buying speakers for a decent stereo. The sound produced by the loco also depends speaker choice and effectiveness of the install. And your own opinion depends on your experiences, expectations, and perceptions. It's probably worth finding someone who uses the decoders you're interested in and listening, if possible.
There also a couple of other factors at work. One is the "nothing but the best" theme, which is closely connected to conspicuous consumption as a general obsession of modern living for some, where if one isn't driving this year's model car, have the latest cellphone, or some other aspect of "keeping up with the Jones'" you're just not that serious. Well, most of us drive last year's model or older cars, some people still don't see the point in owning cellphones (beyond that the do make a thrifty radio throttle), and the Jones' can do their own thing and I'll do mine.
The other is what is different and better worth the additional expense? This is especially so when you can get a deal on a bundled package, but have to pay top-dollar to up-grade to the latest and greatest. Only you can decide if the difference is worth paying the freight. And people who do tend to defend the decision as a good use of their money, which is reasonable, but it's also the effects of marketing hype to some degree. What you have to decide is whether it's a good use of your money.
One aspect of the horns on the Tsunami is that the board does have an equalizer. It operates globally on the sound output, so you can't just use it on a horn you like, although it is possible to adjust and do better than the default settings. Steam users of the Tsunami typically don't complain about the whistles, but we tend to muddle around in the equalizer as a matter of course. I don't know if the diesel horns are really all that some say is deficient or if they haven't noticed the sound can be changed with the equalizer? IIRC, the Wow and maybe other recently released alternatives tend to have more options than the Tsunami, so that can be a factor depending on your needs.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Try the new Econami by SoundTraxx- Small decoder with some new sounds.
The price is good too. $ 80.00 MSRP but if you shop around I am sure you can do better.