Any word on when the Tsunami will be available?

[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]

[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]

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

[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]

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

[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.

[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.

[AntonioFP45]

Hmmmmm.

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

Roger that!

[Anonymous]

Antonio,

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

[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. [;)]

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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

[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!

[Anonymous]

Antonio,

Oddly enough I also agree with most of what Simon and others are saying.....I think Soundtraxx may be in a deep hole here, but I prefer to be more optimistic.......

I think as Joe F. points out by not selling the top of line anymore they have limited options for everyone who wants a Soundtraxx decoder. There is the LC option or DSX (which means two decoders). Hanging over the top of this there is the tantalizing promise of something much better just around the corner.....

I don't think that it will hurt them as badly as everyone says, but you have to admit that QSI has taken quite a chunk out of the market. But they have done that by being the only game in town and by keeping prices pretty low. Besides I'm not sure that all those people who bought BLI won't also buy Tsunami when it comes out. If Soundtraxx can get some loco manufacturer tie-ins like P2ki/BLI/QSI they may do just fine.....

If the decoder is as good as early reports make it out to be then it will be up to QSI and whoever else enters the market to better the Tsunami. That type of competition would be good for all of us modelers.

The QSI decoder is the one I was suggesting approaches the complexity of the Tsunami...It had BEMF (before MTH days) and does have lots of function modes, runs quite well on DC as well as DCC, has basic command functions in DC mode and will even talk to you during programming in DC mode!!! Of course it is not available as a stand alone item, but I think it is the main competition for the Tsunami....

Soundtraxx have also started another company which is bringing in some RTR narrow guage Tsunami Equipped locos some time this year??? They may be spread quite thin at this point....

[dave9999]

I haven't read what everyone else has had to say. But, myself, I'm about to
give up on it. I remember when I first posted a topic about it... that had to be
way more than a year ago and still no sign of it. I guess I'll still equip the Alley
with the Tsunami, if they ever release it. Good luck, Dave

[AntonioFP45]

Trainnut1250 and Simon 1966,

Amazing how even though your points are virtually opposing, they both make sense, however, I still lean more towards Simon's view and Digital Griffins post above.

BTW: Trainnut, which decoder are you referring to that's almost as intiricate as the Tsunami?

[DigitalGriffin]

Trainnut,

What about all the venders that have thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars on backorder waiting for Tsunami?

Scenario of how this is harmful to Throttle-Up/SoundTraxx
1. Customer orders train with Tsunami which is limited production
2. There's all kinds of waiting. (six months?)
3. QSI version of train Announced.
4. Order changed, and Soundtraxx looses money.

Now if Throttle up lets us know what's going on this is more likely:
1. Throttle up tells us Tsunami in January 2006 (FIRM)
2. We look at Silent Decoder + DSX as replacement
3. Throttle-up get's money from purchase
4. Train ships out. All is good. New announcment of QSI loco doesn't matter.

Another potential scenario for vendors:
1. Customer orders train with Tsunami which is limited production
2. Vendor/Installer places train aside waiting for Tsunami
3. Half year later, customer sees same train with QSI coming out. Cancels order
4. Vendor is stuck with older train that might be harder to sell.

I'm looking at several purchasing decisions right now.
Get a P2K 0-8-0 and Berkshire with Tsunami OR
Preorder now, and wait till December January for the QSI versions which are listed for coming out.

With all these delays and no feedback, it might be the prudent choice for me to preorder the QSI version. If Soundtraxx now says, "December 2005" I might not believe them because there have been so many set backs. That's the problem of crying wolf.

This is why it is in Soundtraxx best interest to at least give us a heads up. And why can't they release a reduced version of the Tsunami that offers no fancy EQ, Reverb, or Back EMF? Just good sound (which they already have) and a silent decoder. I'm sure it would sell.

BTW: I will second the opinion that Soundtraxx service is top notch. And as a company I give them two big thumbs up for it.

Unfortunately their older products are quickly becoming outdated and as a result their current decoder drawbacks are starting to outweigh the benefits of excellent sound from their current products.

RULE OF SUCCESSFUL BUSNIESS: Don't make release date quotes you can't back keep! You will be hung out to dry.

[Anonymous]

I think the days of "install it yourself" sound will soon be over - with the BLI, Atlas, and now LL P2K offerings (Kato and Athearn are soon to follow the leaders, I bet!) most folk will just buy the sound loco that they want - usually as part of a upgrade in loco detail and drive system over their older models (why add sound to an inferior model when you can buy a sound-equipped better one ???).

Soundtraxx IS in big trouble - as is BLI if they don't continue to improve their diesel MODELS and quit relying on just the SOUND for sales. The most recent offerings by BLI seem to show that they know this and are getting their act together.

[simon1966]

Guy, your points are valid, but I think you understimate the importance of marketing and communication with the customer base in the equation. As has been pointed out, Soundtraxx is a small company. TheTsunami development has I am sure been a big financial gamble fo r them. With the onslaught of QSI equipped decoders appearing in locomotives from most of the main manufacturers, Soundtraxx must not only be under pressure from reduced sales from existing product, but also must be facing a signigifcantly reduced market for the Tsunami when and if it comes out. I am in the process of making a decision right now that will have an impact on Soundtraxx business. I have a P2K E7. I am deciding if I should purchase a Soundtraxx drop in solution for $120.00 where I am not sure if I will get great sound quality, or spend $160 on a QSI equipped BLI E7 and sell my P2K on Ebay. There really is not a lot of difference in price in these 2 solutions and there is a lot more risk in the Soundtraxx solution. This is one modeller making one decision. Multiply this by thousands and it is easy to see that Soundtraxx is in real trouble. The only good thing I can say, is that the market for sound must have grown exponentially, so there is surely a place for Soundtraxx if they can get it right. If I were in Soundtraxx shoes, I would be communicating with the market as much as possible to provide compelling reasons for modellers to delay these decisions.

[Anonymous]

Hey guys,

I think that you all need to lighten up here a bit. I know that the wait is frustrating. There are lots of examples in the hobby of products taking a lot longer than advertised to come out. This product is extremely complicated and Soundtraxx wants to get it right. I need to remind folks that there is one other decoder approaching the complexity of the Tsunami out there and I not super impressed with it myself. You all want it to work correctly with your stuff, be easy to program and be reliable right???? They could be like lots of technology companies I could name and release an inferior product and fix it with “upgrades” later, but they have chosen to take the time to get it right.

These guys are not Ford or Microsoft. They are a small company trying to do something big. They are just people…Put yourself in their shoes, this situation must be putting an enormous amount of pressure on them. The Tsunami has had numerous setbacks and delays for a variety of reasons already mentioned in this thread. I’m sure that they must get 100’s of e-mails each week asking them about the Tsunami. Add to this all the other business details that they have to deal with and I’m sure things are completely crazy over there right now. I think that if you look at priorities, you have to put the Tsunami inquiries at the bottom of the list after, product support for stuff that they have sold, sales of existing products, product development, etc…. I would rather that they spend the time working on it and taking care of business than answer the e-mails asking the same old question. What if they don’t know when it will be out? Do they post that on the site?? Will that really be helpful and make everyone feel better? When there is news they will post it.

I’m sure that one might make the argument that they should be more on top of communication, but really how bad is their communication? If you e-mailed them with a problem about something you bought that doesn’t work, How quick is that turnaround time? I bet they are taking care of that stuff and ignoring the “When is the Tsunami coming out” e-mails…

They are caught in a difficult spot, be patient and kind…….

Lastly…….

There is a “gotta have it now” mentality in the hobby sometimes that I find myself falling victim to occasionally. The Tsunami will come out. My shelves are full of products and kits that I had to “have right now” that are still not built. I’m sure everyone here has lots of stuff they could work on while they are waiting…..

My two cents,

[cacole]

The only price I have seen publicly released is $147 for a pre-order, but I don't recall if it was Tony's or Litchfield Station that has that price.

[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]

[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.

[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 ... [%-)]

[AntonioFP45]

Randy,

Thanks for that info!

If this is the situation, Soundtraxx should post something on their website, even it it's vague so as to not give the actual reason. Most of us can read "between the lines".

But while it may not be the intent, Soundtraxx's "silence" is not doing them any favors as far as Public Relations. Caution can easily be mistaken for apathy or even arrogance. "Customers will flock to buy the product once they 'hear' how good it is...." seems to be the unwritten credo that Soundtraxx is currently operating on.

I hope that they do get all of the legal pains worked out.