Has anyone purchased and tested the Athearn F units with DCC/sound with DCC? They have the same bodies and paint as the non-sound units but the sound is incredably loud.[:)][:
There are volume controls on sound decoders. Nearly all of them come from the factory with the sound set too loud and need adjustment.
I have experience only with QSI (Broadway Limited) and SoundTraxx decoders, so I can’t give any opinion about the Athearn sound decoder.
Does anyone know if it is possible to remove the shell from one of the new DCC/DC sound F7’s and replace it with the shell from one of Athearn’s “blue box” F7’s? Athearn does not make their sound units in the road name I use on my layout, but would like to get a sound unit and swap shells. Thanks!
NewUserName,
Be aware though that if you’re into detailing accuracy, the old Athearn Blue Box F7s have quite a few detailing discrepancies, with the oversized windshields being the most obvious.
What railroad name did you want on the F unit? Have you considered stripping the shell and repainting it? From my understanding the Genesis F7s use the HighLiner bodies, which are a major improvement from the Blue Box version. I’ve seen them up close at my LHS and they indeed are beauties!
I saw a set running last week at a show and they are very nice looking loco’s. I think a set might be a nice Christmas present to myself.
These ‘Sound/DCC’ engines are part of the ‘Genesis’ line, not the ‘Blue box’ line of products. Not use if you can just ‘swap’ shells…
They have the new MRC sound units in them. I saw a demo at the National Train Show, but between the could noise an large arena I did not really get to evaluate the sound very well. What I can say is that the sound does ‘rev up’ nice; a vast improvement over the old MRC ‘on/off’ sound modules.
Jim Bernier
I have had one on order since August, but there is no release date yet.
Sent Email to Tony Train Exchange and they haven’t receive a release date.
John
I’m interested in getting the new Santa Fe F3 sound units. So I went to my local hobby store and they had an SP F7 A and B on display. The owner test ran it for me and what an awesome unit. The sound is great…although a bit loud. This is easily fixed. I saw it on DCC so not sure how it works on DC. The horn was nice, and both the A and B unit have sound. You’ll have to program them for MUing though as the horn will sound from both if run on the same default 03 number.
They are super expensive, so I may only get an A and B instead of a full ABBA.
I have heard the new F units with sound. For those of you with QSI sound units, these will be a disappointment. The horns and bell are synthesized, not digital samples of the prototype. For DCC, there are only three step levels to adjust the volume. Soundtraxx and Loksound installations in Factory non-sound units will have better overall sound. I encourage all to go to a LHS or a nearby club to judge for yourself.
Carl in Tampa
Who knows how to fix it, I was at a buddys hobby shop yesterday and he had an F unit and it was so LOUD!!! You couldnt be near it. If someone gets word on how to turn it down I want to know too.
Waiting dillengently for a C&O release. I saw a pair of these running friday night, they have the best EMD sound I’ve ever heard.
Carl.
Thanks for the heads up!
These DCC/Sound equipt engines are NOT BLUE Box…These are the GENESIS line.the GENESIS line of F units is a new design and tooling.The older BB F7s will NOT fit the Genesis drive
http://www.athearn.com/Articles/HobbyWire.aspx
For more information
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG16041
Did some checking. They are expensive. Hopefully the price will come down eventually.
Interesting situation when it comes to choices here for F units:
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Athearn highly detailed body, but the sound is potentially mediocre compared to a typical BLI unit.
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BLI high quality sound unit. (Will the drive and body match the Genesis body?).
Looks like we’ll have to stay tuned for BLI’s F7 and then make the “shopper’s comparison”.
The biggest problem with BLI is there past diesel track record isn’t the best considering there diesels are generic design with mismatch details.
Do any know if it is possible to run a BLI cab forward together (helper ) with a Athearn F7 sound in DC ? In other words, do Athearn also start moving at 8,5 volts?
I agree with you Brakie, but seems like BLI has gotten a lot better with their diesel line.
I admit though that the SD40-2 didn’t sound quite like the 645 powered EMD’s I was used to hearing.
They did a pretty sweet job with the SW AC6000CW and C30-7 as well as the the E7, E8, and F7 sounds. The prime mover sounds seem to match the prototypes.
I just received my Athearn Genesis F7AB in the PRR livery with sound! Very nice, and yes very loud as set at the factory. The sound seems fine to me, but then I’m not an expert on what the F units should sound like. The one disappointment is that, in DCC, there appears to be no master volume setting. You have to set the volume of each sound separately. This can take some time given that there are about 10 different sounds. I have only setup the A-unit so far. When I’m alone in the house next time, I’ll set up the B-unit. They are just so loud at the factory settings, I don’t want to scare the kids.
I havent heard the sound, but I just installed decoders in a couple of non-sound units and the shells are BEATIFUL. The Highliner shells have great detail, and the silver on these Santa Fe units is actually shiny. They look great, but in typical Genesis fashion have a rather noisy drive. Perhaps this is the reason for the loud sound?
JPM,
I thought that the Genesis F units came with a Kato or Kato “clone” type of motor and drive which are reputed to be quiet. Does your unit have the same motor as the RTR?