Any word on when the Tsunami will be available?

[AntonioFP45]

Hi Trainnut,

Thanks for your response. It didn't dawn on me that QSI's systems are very complex.

Good thought that if Soundtraxx did engage in a business "hookup" using the Tsuanmi with some manufacturers, we would benefit all the way around.

One company that I would like to see this type of partnership occur with would be Athearn! Both the RTR and Genesis lines. The new RTR SD45T-2 and the Genesis F7 seem to be a couple of good candidates, especially since owners report that the F7 runs quietly. [;)]

10-4!

[robengland]

The other wildcard is Surroundtraxx.

Yes they are in big trouble due to RTR sound-equipped locos and if they don't negotiate a deal with Athearn or someone they will be relegated to a niche in the sound-decoder business.

If they can make Surroundtraxx work then they flank everyone and open up other markets such as N and Z scale. If I were them I'd *** the torpedos and launch Tsunami while swinging ALL the R&D into Surroundtraxx

[simon1966]

On the Digitrax Yahoo group there is discussion that Digitrax has sound decoders in the works. If this is true, then the problems only get worse for Soundtraxx

[simon1966]

http://www.soundsliketrains.com/

Looks like QSI are going to start to market after market versions of their Sound decoders thru this spin off company. I don't know about any TCS involvement.

[WilmJunc]

I have had very good luck with Digitrax products and have been waiting for them to jump into the sound market.

My prediction: Within the next five years, you'll only need decoders (sound and silent) for upgrading older locos to DCC. I believe all the major manufacturers will have locos like BLI that will operate on DC or DCC and will come with the sound systems installed.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by WilmJunc

Has there been any word as to the cost of the Tsuami once it is released? If it's a significant increase over their current decoders and approaches $200, it's going to be tough to justify purchasing an aftermarket sound decoder.

Most after market sound will cost more than if you buy the package as offered in the unit. That is just a fact of marketing that if you buy more, some kind of discount is in order.

The Tsuami will be worth the wait and money it if you want all of the options they are listing and are willing to pay for it when it is available. The sound offered in most of the present models is so generic that it is toy like in many cases, but not all are like that. None of the steam offers cylinder***sounds on starting or drifting sounds or almost quiet when moving slowly in a yard without a load. The turbo generator is really poor in most of the offerings to date also. This is what I love to hear around a stream locomotive. My Genesis Challenger yells out Board evertime I hit Function 6. I would like to see better standards of functions with all of the new locomotives on the market.

I plan on getting at least two of the Tsuamis, but have cancelled my orders for the time being, since I have already waited two years. After the unit is on the market and the evaluations are in, that is the time to make up your mind on the product versus price.

No way this is going to speed up the delivery of the new Tsuami.

[cacole]

The latest missive I saw indicates that ThrottleUp! has decided to release no information at all about Tsunami progress because every time they did people began jumping all over them about the delays. They seem to be taking the "No News is Good News" approach.

This approach is likely to backfire on them because QSI has just announced that their sound system is going to be marketed as an after-market product for do-it-yourself installations. If QSI gets their product to market before the Tsunami, that's likely to doom ThrottleUp!, especially if the QSI and Tsunami are priced equally or close thereto.

[jfugate]

Bruce of Litchfield Station is a beta tester and he has posted to his Yahoo list that he got his test Tsunami decoder last week.

So there is a real product that's in the final stages of testing. But it depends on the bugs that are found (if any) and how long they take to fix, so it could be many months yet before this product sees the light of day ... or a few weeks. It all depends on how the testing goes.

[AntonioFP45]

Hi Crew,

Here's the August 2005 update so far.

According to the Litchfield Station Yahoo forum, Soundtraxx is building Tsunami "sub assemblies" and ironing out part numbers. We can expect to see units soon.

Bruce had a customer test the Tsunami. The customer found pros and cons but affiremed that the Tsunami's advantages were superior to QSI. He did state that the QSI's coupler clank was better and the system offers audio feedback for CVS. However the Tsunami's sound was much more "crisp" and lifelike. It has a "Fuller Sound". Plus the added feature of choosing between 3 whistles. Also states that the background sounds were "Phenomenal".

There's more, but that's the jist of it. [;)]

[Anonymous]

Antonio,

They will have a BEMF feature but they won't call it BEMF.

[AntonioFP45]

Hmmmmm.

O.K! I can only guess that it's a way to avoid the "tentacles" of MTH's litigation octopus.

Roger that!

[AntonioFP45]

Forgot to mention to those not familiar:

A manufacturer undergoing "Alpha" testing on its product(s) is testing the item "in house".

The next step: Beta

In the "Beta" testing phase, the manufacturer selects a group of customers ( reputable dealers and technical professionals ) to test the product and provide detailed feedback to the manufacturer.

[selector]

If they are in Beta testing at this point, then a launch near Chtistmas is realistic. On the other hand, if the beta testers find very minor faults, they might do what so many manufacturers do and launch anyway, with promises of fixes, recalls, or warranty repairs, maybe even a low introductory price to get the product out there wowing everyone and carving out a chunk of the market.

[Anonymous]

I talked to Allan (customer service) yesaterday and he said they hoped the dealers at the national show will have them to sell. So that means shipping sometime in June. They are "Beta" testing at this time.

Bob

[Anonymous]

I can confirm that they are beta testing. I know someone with one running on his layout now!!! Too early for any reports back, but he does have the decoder and it appeears to work well.

[Anonymous]

In 10 billion years, the sun will burn out - that means that Soundtraxx will have to finish working on the Tsunami in the dark !!!

[WilmJunc]

This post has been out there about a month now, and things are sounding much more optimistic than when it started.

Any word on pricing. Are we still talking about $140?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate

One thing that bothers me is seeing a business stop selling its existing product line before the promised replacement arrives ... and the replacement just nevers seems to surface ...

I have to ask how they can keep the doors open doing that?

Makes me wonder if we'll *ever* see the Tsunami ... I hope so, but every day they delay with the old product line defunct as well doesn't look good for the company's health. Lack of any updates on the web site is not a good sign ... [%-)]

Well put Joe! Your statement gives a lot of credence to our wondering about this situation, especially since you are very familiar with the technology business.

Soundtraxx has made a major investment $$$$ into developing this new decoder. From what I understand in reading past Yahoo posts, Soundtraxx has a very small staff, so this is one of the reasons why they discontinued the DSD 150 to concentrate on the Tsunami. Also the same reason work was stopped on the new "SurroundTraxx" system. The owners are Steve(?) and Nancy Workman.

Just assuming, but it's likely that the sales of the DSX, the DSD "LC" decoders,and the Sierra System (for large scale trains) is what may be helping Soundtraxx stay afloat.

But the question persists:

Mr. and Mrs. Workman........What's going on? Can you please just post an answer on your website? Your customers are asking. Are we being unreasonable?

I have e-mailed this thread to [e-mail]

[AntonioFP45]

Hi, Crew!

Well,

We're in November. Anyone read or hear any word regarding the Tsunami yet?

[davekelly]

I've about given up on hearing anymore. How about the Digitrax sound system? Any word on that?

[Anonymous]

I have given up on these units.

Digitrax is on track according to my LHS owner. Looks like they will be one unit with decoder, sound and Speaker all in one.

I forgot all about this thread. Amazing what comes back to life on these forums from time to time.

[trainboyH16-44]

I want it so bad, why won't it come, I really want sound in my SD40-2s as opposed to buying a new BLI which would put pressure on my enginehouses....
Matthew

[AntonioFP45]

So far, my LHS will be getting Digitrax units in December (I think) and my friend reminded me that Lok Sound units are already available.

I am surprised that Soundtraxx has made no announcements on their website.

[davekelly]

I'm kinda thinking that Soundtraxx better move and move fast. Digitrax is coming along quickkly (I hope) Lok is out and BLI, Proto and others come with sound already installed. Without the DSD the only thing that folks have from Soundraxx is the LC's and they are being heavily discounted. Doesn't look good.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DigitalGriffin

"One delay factor with the Tsunami is the lawsuit by MTH."
I'll happily take a "disabled" back EMF decoder if that's what it takes until this whole mess is straightnend out.

It hasn't slowed down QSI sales, that's for sure.

That might be part of the delay, but if they lost their lead engineer on the Tsunami project about six months ago to Digitrak, that would slow you down also. Word is, they did lose their lead engineer and he has moved to Digitrax. I certainly hope they can raise a sufficient amount of money in their latest decoder sale to fund the completion of the Tsunanmi. The beta test results were excellent, but the unit was not finished and was not ready for production.

i have been waiting on this product for almost three years and cancelled my orginal orders about a year ago after many production dates were missed, but then I reordered some more recently hoping that if they had orders, they might fini***he project.

[davekelly]

According to the Digitrax website, their sound units will start shipping in the middle of December. The price point on them seems totally attractive, the MSRP for a sound decoder is somewhere in the $60.00 which I am assuming will lead to about a $50.00 price point. If the sound qualilty is comparable to the Soundtraxx LC units, then prices are very close. If the sound quality is comparable to the DCD units, then Digitraxx, in my mind, will have a big winner.

What would be really attractive to both retailers and consumers, I think, is the ability to buy just one decoder and then download the sounds you need. Retailers will have to stock less, and the consumer will be able to, I hope, reprogram the sound decoder if they switch it to another locomotive. The possibilities are fascinating!

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bangert1


That might be part of the delay, but if they lost their lead engineer on the Tsunami project about six months ago to Digitrak, that would slow you down also. Word is, they did lose their lead engineer and he has moved to Digitrax. I certainly hope they can raise a sufficient amount of money in their latest decoder sale to fund the completion of the Tsunanmi. The beta test results were excellent, but the unit was not finished and was not ready for production.

i have been waiting on this product for almost three years and cancelled my orginal orders about a year ago after many production dates were missed, but then I reordered some more recently hoping that if they had orders, they might fini***he project.

Wow! Bangertt that is news! Losing a key person like that in a small business can indeed have a sledge-hammer impact. That had to be a big OUCH![B)] for Soundtraxx.
I'm with you in hoping that they still come up with the Tsunami. It wouldn't benefit anyone if Soundtraxx were to eventually go under.

Just guessing, but it looks like Digitrax may eventually be in the position of soaring like an eagle with sound with that kind of talent on their team.

If Soundtraxx can't produce a viable diesel Tsunami decoder, than hopefully they'll turn to upgrading their current offerings.

[Anonymous]

I think digitrax is likely to monopolize the DCC industry if they're not careful.

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

According to the Digitrax website, their sound units will start shipping in the middle of December. The price point on them seems totally attractive, the MSRP for a sound decoder is somewhere in the $60.00 which I am assuming will lead to about a $50.00 price point. If the sound qualilty is comparable to the Soundtraxx LC units, then prices are very close. If the sound quality is comparable to the DCD units, then Digitraxx, in my mind, will have a big winner.

What would be really attractive to both retailers and consumers, I think, is the ability to buy just one decoder and then download the sounds you need. Retailers will have to stock less, and the consumer will be able to, I hope, reprogram the sound decoder if they switch it to another locomotive. The possibilities are fascinating!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

QUOTE: Originally posted by bangert1

That might be part of the delay, but if they lost their lead engineer on the Tsunami project about six months ago to Digitrak, that would slow you down also. Word is, they did lose their lead engineer and he has moved to Digitrax. I certainly hope they can raise a sufficient amount of money in their latest decoder sale to fund the completion of the Tsunanmi. The beta test results were excellent, but the unit was not finished and was not ready for production.

i have been waiting on this product for almost three years and cancelled my orginal orders about a year ago after many production dates were missed, but then I reordered some more recently hoping that if they had orders, they might fini***he project.

Just guessing, but it looks like Digitrax may eventually be in the position of soaring like an eagle with sound with that kind of talent on their team.

If Soundtraxx can't produce a viable diesel Tsunami decoder, than hopefully they'll turn to upgrading their current offerings.

Antonio

Digitrax might be in the drivers seat if they offer new products that are comparible to the Soundtraxx modules. You can go on line at Digitrax and watch a video of the SoundFX Decoder Introduction at a recent show. Look under This Month's Product Spotlight and click on Watch a Video. The Video is 22mbytes, but I downloaded it since I only have dialup and it is not highspeed in any fashion.

http://www.digitrax.com/

The following is description for the new Digitrax. I have not heard the sound but would like to have feedback if anyone knows how they sound.

Easy-To-Install
Includes 28 mm Plug-In Speaker
Rated at One Amp-For use in all scales
Available for Steam, Diesel or Electric Locomotives
Downloadable Sound
Over twelve unique controllable Sounds
Supports Playable Whistle
Programmable on any DCC Programming
Track-No Special Equipment Needed


I did take advantage of the Soundtraxx half price sale recently and ordered a few of the older units for my Challengers and Big Boy's, but I would prefer the Tsumanami features at a higher price to get the right sounds.

The Soundtrax F unit sound is good, but might not the correct horn for all applications.

[WilmJunc]

Wow:

It's been almost seven months since I posted the original question. What a gigantic blunder by Soundtrax. I hope they get their act together and can get the unit out. Ideally we would have three or four manufacturers making decent sound decoders. Competion is good when it comes to product advancement and consumer prices.