As the title suggests, I am looking for a decoder that works phenomenally at low speed steps. For example, Soundtraxx decoders allow the locomotive to move at very low speeds out of the package and once installed. I have a situation where one of my locomotives has a Sountraxx decoder (4-4-0 steam), which performs very well at speed step one and I also have another 4-4-0 that I do not want to be sound enabled. The stock decoder that came with the non-sound loco does not start moving until the speed step is about 8-9, even after editing the CVs to accommodate. I would however like both of these locos to work in tandem for doubleheading. Therefore, what would be a good DCC decoder to use, that would allow the no-sound loco to run at very low speeds (moving very slowly at speed step one for example)? I would like to do this because I am not interested in matching the locos with CV values because sometimes I like to break the consists and run single engines.
My choices would be a LokPilot, NCE D13SR, or TCS T1, in that order, with the choice between NCE and TCS being equal in preference. IMHO, the LokPilot is the smoothest running low-speed decoder.
I’ve never tried one, but the consensus seems to be that you get the best low-speed motor control from the European decoder manufacturers(ESU, Lenz, Zimo…?); however, since you want to doublehead this engine with one that already has a Soundtraxx decoder in it the easiest thing to do might be to get a Soundtraxx non-sound decoder.
Those Big Boys have LokPilot v3.0’s ,which are no longer made. If I were doing it today,I’d go with the LokPilot v4.0 DCC,which is an improved version. It also supports hooking up a “keep-alive” circuit (ESU calls theirs a “Power Pack”),which might be of great benefit to a small loco,such as your 4-4-0.
I don’t have any Lenz decoders,but I’ve heard a lot of positive comments on them- I’ll have to give one a try.
One other note,I programmed some momentum into the decoders in the video using cv’s 3 and 4,but other than that,they’re straight out of the box.
I would put the TCS decoders about the NCE, simply because of the excellent self-adjusting BEMF. ESU, definitely top notch. Price no object, CT Elektronik or Zimo. Best for the price, probably the NCE D13SRJ, $12 each in 10 packs. No BEMF but they do have a very good motor control.
I had one Tsunami loco, I paired it with another using a TCS decoder, and did absolutely no speed matching, they worked well together. Granted, they were basically the same, an FT A and B from Bowser, but one had the Tsunami sound and the other the TCS motor decoder. I use only TCS these days in all my locos that don;t have sound. I use only Loksound for sound, perhaps I should run Lokpilots for the non-sound, but I’m cheap, and they cost more than TCS.
If your locos are Bachmann, they will run much better if you clip out the noise supression capacitors. Their DCC on-board motor only decoder is a poretty low end Lenz one that Lenz no longer even puts their own name on, just about ANYTHING would be an improvement.
I’ve recently installed a few TCS decoders with the keep alive built in. I used one in a brass switcher that only has pickup on one side of the three drivers and the other side from four tender wheels. I am truly impressed with the performance of this decoder! With the keep alive function this engine walks through any complex trackwork without a fuss or hesitation. Slow speed performance is excellent, too.
I would go with a TCS decoder. It sounds like you wish to install it in a Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 for which you could go with a DP2X or a T1 with an 8 pin NMRA plug. Either one you can’t go wrong.
Put a TCS decoder in this sweet little number from Atlas. I am really impressed with how it just can creep through the yard. TCS website had a really nice and picture intense step by step install guide on its website.
I want to thank everyone who replied, I have received some great information. In the end for the 4-4-0, I went with a Tsunami NON-sound. Originally I went with a Lokpilot, however it quickly became apparent that I need something else. I loved the Lokpilot but the low-speed control was too low. I should have seen that coming. Therefore, the Tsunami NON-sound was perfect, hardly ANY speed matching was required.
With regard to the Lokpilot, I have placed it in a switcher. It is PHENOMENAL; If I had the money, I would convert all my locos to LokPilot/sound.
I intend to purcahse a Lenz Sliver just to utilize the “butter smooth” action.
