tpatrick but why can't you buy a Tsunami (or QSI or Lok-Sound for that matter) and just hard wire it in?
Personally, I agree with a prior poster. Anyone who did any research before buying a sound equipped Genesis knew what they were buying. There is no excuse. There is no reason to expect Athearn to provide Tsunami upgrades for free. If they feel generous I would expect them to offer upgrades at slightly over their cost which might be higher than people think. I already upgraded my 4-6-6-4 and boycotted Athearn for about three years (until this Tsunami announcent) because of it.
tpatrick I don't own an Athearn locomotive, so forgive me for my ignorance, but why can't you buy a Tsunami (or QSI or Lok-Sound for that matter) and just hard wire it in? Is there something different about Athearn locos that makes it more difficult? It's pretty easy on Atlas or P2K, so I can't imagine that it is that different with Athearn. Someone enlighten me, please.
I don't own an Athearn locomotive, so forgive me for my ignorance, but why can't you buy a Tsunami (or QSI or Lok-Sound for that matter) and just hard wire it in? Is there something different about Athearn locos that makes it more difficult? It's pretty easy on Atlas or P2K, so I can't imagine that it is that different with Athearn. Someone enlighten me, please.
Probably could, but I think the idea is to trade the MRC decoder for a Tsunami, possibly in a style similar to Bachmann's replacement policy. (Small fee, engine goes in)
-Morgan
I bought a Roundhouse 4-4-0 when they first came out. yes, the decoder was not the best. Right away I got some Cheese to go with my Whine and everything was ok. I bought a Micro-Tsunami and removed the MRC. No big deal. Just stopped texting on my cell phone for the extra cash. There is always a way to get the cash. Did not have to waste bandwidth Ranting on MR forums.
My two 2-6-0s and one 2-8-0 were DCC ready. Both got the Micro. Cannot see any reason for all the Rants. Raises blood pressure but makes the Ranter feel better I guess.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
sparkyjay31Not to be a pain in the neck but why only Genesis? What about the rest of us? Are we left out in the cold? I have a MRC / Athearn Roundhouse 4-4-0 that I bought only a year ago. Maybe I didn't spend the $300 or so for a Genesis, but are the rest of us simply screwed? I did spend $150 on my 4-4-0. I've got the same issues on my small 4-4-0 that the rest of you have in your Big Boys and Challengers. What the heck?
You bought a Roundhouse 4-4-0 with sound for $150.00 - Where did you get such a great deal É
Guys,
Not trying to sound like a rusty door hinge on a newer model automobile...................but is expecting a "free upgrade" from Athearn reasonable? If I'm not mistaken, the cost to Athearn could amount to one thick chunk of change.
Just putting the thought out and am not saying I'm right but let's think about this.
1. For the many modelers that are forum members, including this one, it has been common knowledge that there have been ongoing issues with MRC Sound decoders. Post after post after post on the MRR, Atlas, Yahoo, and other forums have pointed this out. Yet, knowledgeable modelers chose to purchase MRC equipped Genesis units anyway. Some of you probably remember the thread I posted in which my LHS cancelled a $3,000 order to Horizon for sound equipped Genesis units.. The MRC's infamous reputation continued gaining momentum.
For those customers that were not aware of the MRC sound decoder issues, but encountered the frustrating problems; there was still the option of returning the locomotive and acquiring a "non-sound" version.
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Having had a management type position before, I'm trying to look at it as if I were an Athearn manager.
Let's see:
I was obligated by contract (courtesy of Horizon) to market and sell Genesis locomotives equpped with MRC sound systems, knowing that many of these units were headaches waiting to occur not long after the customers put the locomotives on the track and cracked open the throttle. .
Now my small company, Athearn, has reached the end of its contract with MRC. We're happily rid of those migraines. I instructed my marketing sales rep to share the wonderful news online and in the hobby magazines, expecting customers to be happy and to see a sudden increase in sales. However, I am now being contacted by previous customers. I'm now being expected to provide profit gouging upgrades even though the customers that bought the models with the inferior system had the simple option of returning the product and get one without the inferior system.
Am I seeing this picture incorrectly?.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Sure, I could use a few free Tsunami decoders. Don't forget MRC decoders were installed in Roundhouse engines as well as Genesis steam and diesels.
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.