Hi, i am debating whether or not, to buy a BLI an undec Sd40-2 and paint it in CP Rail colors or if i should buy a kato Sd40-2 with soundtraxxs new tusnami sound decoder in it. I was wondering if anyone else owns a BLi Sd40-2 (if so, how does it run, and sound?) Also i was wanting to know if you can change the horn on the BLI Sd40-2 because the horn in bli website is completly wrong for CP Rail Sd40-2?
Secondly does anyone have a tusnami sound decoder for diesels? if so how does it sound and work? Does it compare to BLi or does it blow it out of the water?
The key thing i am looking for in a locomotive is, the horn, if it can mu, if it can run on both DC (i know that most features won’t work in dc, but can it still run) and DCC, and lastly and most important if you can program either one to change the volume/sound of the prime mover, as there is more pull on the locomotive?
As far as latest in goes, the Tsunami is notyet available.
Correct but the preprogramed sound comes from QSI. You cannot change the horn. For the sake of costs, BLI will use the same horn for an entire model line of locomotives. Though it would be nice, if they started “customizing” horns for locomotives, prices will have to climb.
AS indicated the Tsunami is not yet on the market.
Volume is adjustable on Soundtraxx and QSI systems.
A bunch of us are waiting for the Tsunami. Just have to hang in there. The QSI systems on the BLI units are impressive (inspite of the horns). These are the units that Soundtraxx’s Tsunami is going to be compared to. I hope that Soundtraxx gets it right!
Also, a “super decoder” by itself is not enough. A good baffling system, and quality components make a big difference in the delivery of sound.
webrer
I had posed this for the Tusnami subject early on today, but it is way down the list. I thought you might want to read the specifications.
Tsunami DSD Specifications: List Price $179.00, Delivery in Dec 2003.
Tony’s is now accepting orders and special pricing, in the Tony’s tradition, will be announced soon.
Tsu • na • mi (tsoo-nä’-mee) n. A huge wave of sound caused by SoundTraxx’s newest and slightly unpronounceable product (with apologies to Webster).
The Tsunami sound system is SoundTraxx’s new high-performance, on-board locomotive sound system. Like the DSD-150 it replaces, Tsunami integrates a full-featured sound system, four Hyperlight lighting effects, a motor controller and a DCC decoder into a single, integrated package and is compatible with the NMRA DCC standards and Recommended Practices. Unlike the DSD-150, the Tsunami sound system can also be used on ‘Analog’ layouts and controlled with a conventional power pack, hence its model designation now begins wi
Also, the Kato is about half the price of BLI., and you can add sound later after the prices fall.
Bob Hayes
Well I have heard and run the BLI units and the ones I ran were noisy. Others have reported theirs are quiet so we might have gotten a bad batch, it happens. I think the shell rendition is much nicer on the Kato unit. I even think the Athearn has a better shell. If it was me, I would buy a Soundtraxx unit and put it in a Kato. Also, the BLI locomotive has a generic sound chip in it. The problem will be finding a DSD150. They are getting hard to find. The LC Second Generation series would work too, plus you can get a DCC plug version which will be an easy install.
Ray,
You list some good opinions but there’s one that you have to consider. The BLI sound chips are not “Generic”. The sounds are from prototype locomotive recordings.
I would agree that the way QSI has been assigning diesel locomotive horns is rather “generic” with the “One horn fits all” approach to each model line. From what I’ve read this will change later this year with modelers being able to select which horn to select. But we must consider that BLI has to make “some compromises” to keep costs down, and their products affordable.
But let’s examine ourselves a bit. ( I had to after a friend pointed this out). Though onboard sound has been around for a number of years, it’s only been less than 5 years that the high quality, dynamic sound has been advanced to the point where even “Newbies” can jump into it. We’ve got the cake but suddenly we’re demanding more and more ice cream on top of it from the manufacturers. BUT they have to perform extensive marketing research, product development, tackle bugs and quality control issues, make costly investments and consider profit margins. Investment is no longer the "Hundred Thousand Dollar range…now
The big question is, will you be able to fit a SoundTraxx Tsunami into a Kato model without grinding away most of the frame?
My experience with the Kato NW-2 models is that the cast weight fills every available nook and cranny, and the only way a decoder could be installed was to mill a cavity for it. Even if the Kato SD40-2 is DCC Ready, it will still probably not have room for a speaker.
I’m eagerly awaiting the release of the Tsunami for steam engines, which should be a lot easier to install.
I wish Athearn would release their SD-40T-2 Tunnel Motors with a QSI system in them.
Cacole, I have a video that, for a few seconds, shows a trio of prototype Rio Grande SD40T-2s coming down a grade with a heavy freight. Those dynamic brakes are “Screaming”! Would be cool if that effect can be fully duplicated for our models.
— I checked the Litchfield Station website and saw the “size comparison photos” of the old DSD 150 and the new Tsunami. The Tsunami is MUCH flatter and slightly shorter.[C=:-)][tup] Hopefully this will help as I’ve noticed that my newer Atlas HO hood locomotives are also pretty cramped for space. This is why when I do “go for it” the first ones I’ll do will be cab units (E units, F units, and Cowls)
I see what you mean. When the time comes, my grinders will be ready!
[;)]
Antonio, I DID contact BLI early and often directly and through my contacts with QSI. (They are in Beaverton, OR not far from where I live.) I have heard my share of SD40-2’s too. The fact is that the shell rendition on the BLI model is bad, sorry but it is. I tried to get BLI to fix it and they ignored my feedback. (I sent pic’s too.) I also DID test the 4 SD40-2’s we had and they were all noisy. The motor noise was louder than the sound system after they got to their upper mid-range speed. One was so loud it drowned out the sound, now I’m sorry but that’s loud! Also, the sound chip is a generic chip. I do think it sounds pretty good though, when the motor isn’t drowning out the sound. If you only care about the sound and aren’t so picky about the shell details go with the BLI model. You will be happy. If you want an accurate shell go with a Kato or an Athearn. BTW - The new Athearns are just as smooth running as any Kato. All of mine also had a lower starting voltage than the Kato units too. I was very impressed with their performance. Unforutunately they can still have that characteristic Athearn whine but I have had some that were extremely quiet too. (I have 10 of them.) If you go with Athearn have it tested at your LHS and get a quiet one.
Hey Ray!
Don’t apologize! That’s what we need here. Straight, down to earth input. That’s how we all help each other with “Pro” and “Con” feedback on products. As I said on another thread, I sincerely believe that once Soundtraxx’s Tsunami is released, IF IT IS AS GOOD AS THE HYPE WE’VE BEEN READING, then BLI / QSI is going to have some very tough competition in the HO and N diesel sound arena.
When you think about it if a modeler is not satisfied with a BLI diesel’s appearance, then he can easily purchase a competitor’s more detailed version like a P2K and equip it with Tsunami sound.
thanks guys for all the great info. I am going to wait for the new tusnami decoders, and buy some kato sd40-2’s while i wait. Although the BLI Sd40-2 with QSI sound is tempting, i’d rather wait for the tusnami decoder and get all the sounds right!
Hey Webrer,
I just visited the Suncoast Model Railroad club and got to see and “hear” a BLI SD40-2 in action. It was nice! This Union Pacific SD40-2 was the lead unit in a freight train with 4 other locomotives. The owner was really enjoying running her. He had the volume set just to the point where one could barely hear the horn blowing when it reached the other end of the huge layout.
It’s one thing to see a test run on a store shelf, and a totally neat experience to see a BLI diesel pulling a train on a layout. Was enjoyable![:)][:D][8D][;)]
Don’t worry about the opinons on here, including mine. If you want this unit, go for it. Even when the Tsunami does become available, I’d like a few QSI equipped BLI units. The Tsunami will still need to be installed so costs would exceed that of buying a BLI unit if you’re not going to install it yourself.
Hopefully Atlas and Life Like will be smart and get Tsunami’s installed on some of their units!
10-4![;)]
I’m not much into sound for my locos even though I believe the BLI, especially steam, sound fantastic. The T1s and cab forwards have unbelievable resonance and volume w/ little or no distortion. Now for the SD-40s, the sound is good and has decent volume. Of the (5) SD-40s that I heard run, 2 had very noisy drives. One was so bad that it has to be returned( continued running to break-in only ran worse and noise became louder. BLI may have good sound but the quality of the drive and shell detail leaves much to be desired. The SD-40 handrails seem distorted the end platform rails are horible w/ the drop step floating as part of the handrails. Even early P2K GP-18s had a better step, as clunky as it seems today. One of the units was ordered by a fellow club member as an undec. This one is on it’s way back to BLI also. Who ever primers an undec loco. all the details were applied- grabs etc, and the primer was very heavy and uneven. Also the truck air piping protrudes from the sideframe almost to the point of interfering w/ the jack pad on the side sill. I don’t have any explanation for this and don’t want to speculate, but BLI needs to get with the program, at least w/ the SD-40 go figure, the SW-7 is clean, decent and runs good. Some complain that it doesn’t pull
Robert Knapp,
Modelers like you giving clear, unbiased feedback to the manufacturers, help our hobby. Hopefully BLI will take the good feedback to heart and make an effort to pay more careful attention to body detailing on their diesels.
Apparently, BLI may have decided to spend “only so much” for body detailing as they invest a lot in developing a new locomotive model. However, they should have realized by now that as far as body detailing, Athearn (Genesis), Life LIke (P2K), and Atlas have raised the bar considerably so HO modelers are expecting a certain level of detail quality for the money that they’re spending on a model diesel.
Hopefully the upcoming F7, AC60, and other units will have detailing comparable to the lines mentioned above.
I really would not like to see BLI slide downwards, especially now since the MTH vs. QSI lawsuit is still festering in the courts.
In the past, BLI’s QSI soudn has been roughly 45 times better than soundtraxx, or at least that’s my opinion. Anyway, you probably can’t change the sound of either. Also, the computer sound byte doesn’t sound like the real thing, don’t understand why, maybe its because of the different speaker size on a computer and in a loco. BLI can MU, and will run in DC or DCC. You actually still have a lot of sound control in DC, if you put BLI’s control inline with your transformer wiring. The volume is adjustable on QSI’s sound chip. If you do decide to add a chip rather than purchase a loco with one already installed, consider putting it in a dummy and running it in the consist, as there isn’t much room to work with, especially in KATO’s. However, there is some room to put more weight in your powered loco, so really you get two advantages that way.
Hope this helps,
Greg
Here’s what you do. First, you wait until the leftover BLI SD40’s go on clearance at Standard or Train World for less than the cost of a Sountraxx decoder setup. Such as the $139 price on PRR M-1’s right now. Then you take the sound board and speakers and install in a different model with a more detailed shell. Or update the driveline with some NWSL parts and fit a nicer shell to the BLI chassis.
–Randy