Who’s decoder is in the Athearn Challenger? Is it the same decoder that is in the Big Boy? Or is a driffrent verson but still made by MRC?
Cuda Ken
Repeat after me…
Athearn…
MRC…
Athearn…
MRC…
David B
All Athearn engines that are DCC or sound equipped use an MRC decoder. That’s the brand for which they have contracted.
MRC
Both the Challenger and the Big Boy use the MRC decoder, but the Big Boy has an upgraded version with 18 whistle selections. The orginal Challenger only had one whistle and it was not even close to the UP steamboat type sounding whistle. The Big Boy also has the articulated chuff, but it is not great. I have replaced the MRC’s with Sountraxx’s and have used the Zimo drive to create some of the best running models that you can image. The MRC DCC sound and drive needs to be upgraded.
A proper installed Zimo drive decoder allows the Genesis line to run as slow as the Trix.
Cheers
Saw and heard an Athearn BB at the LHS a month ago and yes as been said before it is the MRC made one but as stated has muliple whistles. The one I heard had a something like 8 different whistles some better than others but no where as good as the Tsunami, is what I’ll be putting in my Challenger in the near future as the Challenger derserves far better than what MRC has to offer. Sorry if I’ve offended but I’ve put up with the MRC hokieness long enough.
Fergie