The Atlas Quantum Engineer is the exact same Quantum Engineer sold by Walthers/P2K and BLI. It will control any of the QSI decoders regardless of whose loco it is installed in. On the older QSI decoders that BLI sold the Sidekick for, it will do what the Sidekick did, but not all the functions of the QE will work with the older QSI decoders.
It is NOT a DCC controller, it actually implements a protocol of DC polarity reversals and so forth that activate functions. ESU has their own system for the Loksound decoders since QSI has patented their system. Thus the DCMaster unit. That hasn't stopped QSI from suing ESU however.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Brakie, It is not my intention to turn this into a barroom brawl. I am attempting to point out how I am buying new RTR engines in HO scale across several manufactors who have all different sound systems in thier Dual Mode engines. It was not until this morning when I realized that I am buying control systems to run each of the different sounds and they are being added to the Workbench DC power pack side by side on the same two wires to the track. Im up to 3 systems now and where does it end?? The value total money spent on these sound control unit approaches that of a nice Zephyr.
I dont have a problem with installing a decoder and/or sound into a ANALOG engine like my Atlas Classic Series B&O RS-1's if only they make such a set up "Plug in" or even a entire RTR Dual Mode with sound of these engines.
I am just one customer who strongly prefers RTR engines that are dual mode at the factory. Because not everyone has DCC. The Modular Club here in Arkansas has not embraced DCC while another did embrace it.
But to buy a sound equippted engine that works only on DC? Humm... I think it will be nice but I think something is fishy and I cannot put a finger on why I have a problem with that. Perhaps it's the need to add a decoder that will cost who knows how much and require research time. Wading into a sea of Decoder serial part numbers, wattages, amps, capabilities etc etc etc makes my head hurt.
I hope this clarifies some of my previously poorly written semi-rant.
Safety Valve,There is NO way I will buy this new system and its locomotives.I also prefer my Atlas engines to be duel mode or at least DCC ready.However..Before I would buy another DCC system just for sound like I did before I would use the Atlas QE instead or a cheaper DCC system.Yeah,I went full throttle because of sound..
We agree something is fishy about a SOUND equipped DC loco since they have their version of Atlas's QE as does Walthers.IMHO it sounds like BLI is cutting their throats in sales of their DCC/Sound equipped engines and their QE..
Again,this new system doesn't make sense IMHO.
PS..Heres why I think the Atlas QE is superior.Again straight from Atlas.
================================================
The Quantum Engineer will only operate sound locomotives that include the latest QSI technology. This technology is included in all Atlas, Life-Like/Proto 2000 and Hobbycraft Canada sound-equipped locomotives. The more recent locomotive releases from Broadway Limited Imports (BLI) can also be operated; this includes the PRR K-4, EMD E-series passenger units, EMD SD40-2, C&O T-1, EMD switchers, etc. BLI locomotive releases previous to these, as well as the Lionel Challenger and Turbine will not operate with the Quantum Engineer.
===============================================================
That covers just about every RTR sound equipped locomotives except Athearn.
BRAKIE wrote: Safety Valve,There is NO way I will buy this new system and its locomotives.I also prefer my Atlas engines to be duel mode or at least DCC ready.However..Before I would buy another DCC system just for sound like I did before I would use the Atlas QE instead or a cheaper DCC system.Yeah,I went full throttle because of sound..We agree something is fishy about a SOUND equipped DC loco since they have their version of Atlas's QE as does Walthers.IMHO it sounds like BLI is cutting their throats in sales of their DCC/Sound equipped engines and their QE..Again,this new system doesn't make sense IMHO. PS..Heres why I think the Atlas QE is superior.Again straight from Atlas.================================================The Quantum Engineer will only operate sound locomotives that include the latest QSI technology. This technology is included in all Atlas, Life-Like/Proto 2000 and Hobbycraft Canada sound-equipped locomotives. The more recent locomotive releases from Broadway Limited Imports (BLI) can also be operated; this includes the PRR K-4, EMD E-series passenger units, EMD SD40-2, C&O T-1, EMD switchers, etc. BLI locomotive releases previous to these, as well as the Lionel Challenger and Turbine will not operate with the Quantum Engineer.===============================================================That covers just about every RTR sound equipped locomotives except Athearn.
It does not cover the new RTR's from Roundhouse like the 4-4-0 and I am hearing about 2-6-0's and who knows what else (BOXCABS!? I wish.) coming out of Roundhouse.
I find it mildly interesting that Atlas proclaims that they cover new QSI engines that have the ability to do these wonderful things. However, Im seeing different sound systems coming out competing with QSI. Where does that leave Atlas? Just one sound control system in a sea that is breeding new sound control systems several times a year.
I entertain myself with the idea that the engines mentioned by Atlas in the quote provided above will all eventually be not availible and maybe require a limited run TBD sometime in a future that is uncertain. Except maybe for the switchers, we all need switchers.
The Broadway Limited's website introduces the Blue Line series and stresses that we have a choice to install a DCC decoder into the engine. Also further stresses that they refuse to pay very high licensing fees. Who is getting these fees? QSI? and how much is it?
What happens when everyone decided to generate thier own sound, quits paying QSI the fees or whoever is providing the technology? We might as well go back to buying analog engines and adding our own decoder, sound units to them.
What happens if QSI engine availibility drops off so that no one runs QSI anymore forcing Atlas to consider stopping sales of the QE?
Me thinks that there has to be a clear distinction between DC engines and DCC engines. It is nice that Broadway is thinking of thier DC customers and that they encourage us to purchase the accessories needed to run this sound. Eventually the person will want to go into DCC.
What then is the situation when that person who goes into DCC fully and completely only to find that no one sells Dual mode engines RTR from the factory anymore? Except a handful that comes with extra stuff already packed in the box.
Athearn is an honored brand of engines, one that provided all wheel drive and flywheel equippted engines in a time of really bad trainset engines or deliberately designed "One Week" engines that needs to be replaced with another. I just dont see them as a leader with the Sound/DCC equippted engines and regard them the same as Roundhouse under the control of Horizion Hobbies who must now compete with BLI and others who are manuvering to get extra revenue from the DC user.
What happens when DC becomes irrevelant in... oh.. 15 years or less?
That could possibly be in the future but,by then there will be another control system to spend our money on. It only makes sense by the way sound keeps evolving.
The Atlas QE at the club will do the things Atlas says for those engines with QSI technology.
Now the other HO club I am a member of barred sound by majority of the vote and we don't have a QE and DCC was tabled as a motion after the 8th try by majority vote..
I think that was wrong headed to bar sound though...
Wow Brakie!
Your club voted to bar sound? Yipes! For me that is surprising to know of this. Most of the HO modelers that I've spoken with have the "once you hear sound, you just want to have it" attitude.
At the club I'm at membership has increased considerably over the past year. DCC and sound have been a very welcome addition to the club's atmosphere. Some of the very same guys that were anti-dcc/sound are now "gung-ho" about this technology. Sound has certainly added a very enjoyable flavor and mood.
My locomotives don't have sound yet (tight budget), but when I run them at the club I find it enjoyable that when my train is sitting at a station or siding, another train passes it and the engineer salutes me with a horn or whistle.......just like the prototype trains do.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
BRAKIE wrote: That could possibly be in the future but,by then there will be another control system to spend our money on. It only makes sense by the way sound keeps evolving.The Atlas QE at the club will do the things Atlas says for those engines with QSI technology.Now the other HO club I am a member of barred sound by majority of the vote and we don't have a QE and DCC was tabled as a motion after the 8th try by majority vote..I think that was wrong headed to bar sound though...
Brakie
Wow!
I have to agree with Antonio about the surprise of sound being barred on that club. Do they allow old models with loud motor or gear noise?? Are plastic wheels manditory on freight cars to cut down on noise?? I would guess a steam model with smoke would be banned and trashed.
Did they bar Kadee couplers and mandate the NMRA standard Hook Horn type?? I know of several clubs that do not want anything new.
Metal wheels also make noise. I can't image sound being that intrusive that it is banned. What is next?? Bright headlights and prototype looking windshields????
Probably one of those clubs that have strick rules on using wooden whistles and wearing engineer caps.
We all have our limits and it sounds like they reached theirs as a club.
CAZEPHYR
At present, Atlas, Walthers/Proto and BLI all buy their sound systems from QSI. BLI is now coming out with their own version. Sounds like instead of having a great number of operator-controlled sounds, it will basically just have the horn/whistle and bell, which probably will work on a reversing polarity basis like the QSI ones do??
I don't see why it's so hard to grasp the idea of a DC engine with a sound system?? Sound was around long before DCC after all. PFM had a steam sound system in the seventies, there have been diesel DC sound systems since at least the eighties. All BLI is doing is offering engines with their own sound system in engines that come from the factory set to run on DC, but with an eight-pin plug to allow "plug and play" installation of YOUR CHOICE of a DCC decoder. Can't get much simpler, I have seen nothing talking about "determining the correct wattages" or whatever??
SunsetLimited wrote:Antonio, are you a member of Suncoast also?
Yes. Have we met?
I rarely make the meeting nights because of my job. I fell behind in my dues but have been catching up and coming again. When I can, I prefer to go on Tuesday and Sunday afternoons.
Carl recently edited and uploaded a Leslie RS5T horn sound on his Lok Sound equipped Athearn SCL SD45T-2. He also added a much more realistic sounding "Air Pop off" which has a longer tail. The sounds are abolutely incredible! QSI and Soundtraxx have some very serious competition. I hope that if the club leadership decides to create a new online video, that this unit be included.
Again it amazes me that there may be clubs out there where sound equipped units are not welcome.