Anybody share with me that BLI must eliminate the messy BlueLine, and go back to the traditional DCC&sound system? This should avoid -for us- the confused compatibilization between decoders, and thousand of mails to and from their customer support. I prefer to pay $ 30.- more, and to have “all factory inclusive”. Thanks.
I would like to see BLI return to QSI but that is unlikely to happen. There was some bad blood regarding how much QSI was charging BLI for the license to use their system and BLI had had enough and the two companies went their separate ways when BLI neared completion of the development of their own sound system.
There are those who will certainly rise to the defense of BLI and claim that they’re impressed and susequently satisfied with the performance of their Blueline locos compared to the previous Paragon line, but I wonder, do they really know what they’re talking about? Am I the only one that has compared their proprietary sound to QSI and other onboard sound systems for that matter and find it to be inferior to all of them?
And then there’s the issue of supposed decoder incompatability, a subject that I cannot contribute input on at this time. I know that there are compatable function decoders that will work in the bluelines, however, I just don’t know which ones they are.
BLI and QSI are kaput as far as Im concerned.
I keep my maintaince of CV’s very simple by sticking to just QSI decoders at this time. Everything else? Well… it will either wait for a aftermarket QSI decoder or get produced with it.
Just about all of thier engines are a re-run of past QSI products but with thier own sound Blueline put in. I personally dont have any problem with the engines themselves but refuse to participate in a half-frankenstine system somewhere between DC and DCC.
Everyone is intitaled to thier own opinion. I have had no problems with my M1. I would buy more if I had the money. The sound is great compared with other more affordable decoders. Dont forget they originaly set these up to run on DC. Just be glad they put the plug in for a decoder.
I wish they would come out with a PRR H9s or H10s
Pete
I picked up a BLI Blueline C30-7 today to go along with the two QSI units I have. So far I have 4 Blueline and 4 Broadway Limited QSI units. I also have 8 Atlas Gold QSI units. I prefer the QSIs but I am getting used to the Blueline units. They are a bit different to setup and I have heard others complain about problems with certain DCC systems but most of my problems were created by not reading the entire manual and trying to program a Blueline like a QSI. It doens’t work for me.
Good luck consisting your Bluelines with your QSIs if you plan on running them in RTC. The only way to do this is to run the QSI equipped locos in STC which isn’t prototypical.
Most of us that use DCC would prefer the package be complete, especially after we read about all of the problems involved with the two decoders working together, or not working. The BLI forum is full of questions about how to program the units with various decoders and none seem to be that good.
I believe they would be better off to add a decent decoder of their choice and solve many of the programming type problems and still offer a version without the decoder.
The contract with BLI is over and was the reason that PCM was formed in the first place. It allowed them to contract with Loksound decoder, which has a really great DCC drive and loud clear sounds. The problem with Loksound is they are not correct in many cases. Who knows why the sound file for the Big Boy was recorded at a merry go round.
Cheers
I have a Blue Line GE AC 6000 UP that sounds and pulls great. Has a DN163 decoder installed by the LHS K-10 Trains.
At $120.00 it is a great way for a DC owner to get there feet wet with sound plus the cost of the box for DC sound.
Reason I went with the $30.00 decoder was because it was the only one K-10 Trains had that would fit at the time. Next one will be a $16.00 decoder I hope.
I have 4 steam BLI’s with QSI and the sound of the 6000 is ever bit as good. I all so have a PCM Y6b with the LOK decoder and like it as well. Quiter than the QSI Steamers but make great random sounds, just turn down the other steamers and they work great with each other.
I my self would like the option to buy a complete DCC ready Blue Line, but sticking a Decoder in is not that big of a deal.
Cuda Ken
I got a couple of the Blueline AC 6000’s and they run and sound fine. For the price ( I pre-ordered at $99 a piece) they are a good deal.
What’s wrong with having a reasonably priced sound loco? If one wants the QSI sound, put it in, no problem. Not everybody requires things to be “just so”.
Tilden
No…From what I seen of these engines at both HO clubs they are good runners and have good sounds…I like the steam sounds better.
Also BLI is to be commended for having affordable DC sound/DCC ready locomotives since these can be found for $120.00 discount.
Now,I suspect Atlas and Athearn will follow up with DC sound and DCC ready line of locomotives.
So far I haven’t had any problems. I’ve been using Digitrax DZ143PS decoders in the Bluelines.