QSI solutions has finally delivered on a long awaited product, and they don’t dissapoint.
Initial impressions
First off, the packaging is first class. It comes with a very user friendly (the author has a good sence of humor) 24 page manual, a 1" high quality speaker, a 1" high quality speaker baffel and, of course, the Quantum Revolution-A chip.
The QR-A chip is very clean. It only has 2 pairs of wires comming off of it, 1 pair for the speaker and 1 pair for the capacitor. It is to be noted that the capacitor is of a higher value than typical HO scale capacitors. It has a value of 330 uF, rather than the standard 220 uF. What does this mean? It means that this unit will love dirty track.
I chose to install this decoder into an Atlas CP Rail C424. The QER-A chip actually has a THINNER profile than the stock light board with DCC jumper. I removed all the wires going to the Atlas Board and then removed it. I snapped in the QER-A chip (in the same orientation) and it fit like a glove. I soldered the wires (rather than use the factory clips) where they needed to go. I used the same solder points except for the front 2 lights…one for the nose-mounted head light and the other for the numberboards. The 2 front lights were seperated (they were wired together from the factory) with the nose light going to the Front Light pads, and the number board lights to a seperate function pad. It is to be noted that the ‘extra function’ pads are small round circles, but they are very easy to tin, identify and to solder to.
I removed the rear weight for a decent 8 ohm rectangular speaker with baffel and wired it up to the speaker leads.
Now ,I asked QSI Solutions that the decoders were to be shipped blank. I did this on purpose so I could be interactive with my customers in choos
Thanks for the review David. Having been at the National Train Show in 2005 when this was being announced I am pleased to see that they stuck to their guns through all the aborted attempts and came out with something good.
You mentioned that you got this unprogrammed and then downloaded the sound files. Do they have a nice library of sound files or are you on your own to create these?
If Soundtraxx ever delivers on the Diesel Tsunamis, I am afraid they will be behind the curve…programmability is a big thing when it comes to sound decoders.
Thanks David for a factual and specific review. I can’t wait to get mine, supposed to be “in the mail”. I did not know about the lighting voltage options, neat.
I agree it certainly obsoletes the non delivered Diesel Tsunami.
The sound has to be great if you say it is better than LokSound.
David, thanks for posting your review. I found it to be very informative. I would like to hear someone critique the steam version because as it stands, I have to return my Riv Allegheny to either Loksound or to Hornby, not sure who, if I want to get my decoder cured of its improper sound files (Loksound 3.5). I’m thinkin’ it might be wiser to just rip out the Loksound and get a new generation QR if I can get a decent hooter and deep compound chuff out of it.
I just completed a Digitrax DH165/Soundbug installation and am pleased with it. But it sounds like the Quantum Revolution may be a superior product, and with a lot more sounds to choose from, but the decoders are a bit more expensive (roughly a $35 difference?).
I only have a Winows 98 computer in my train room but have an XP upstairs in my office. Would there be any way to use the Quantum with my current setup?
I just had a look at the link provided by Loathar. The way I read it, it can be used to program CVs on any decoder and readback NMRA standard CVs. It will only alter the sounds on Quantum decoders.
OK, if that programmer will alter CV’s on other decoders, does that mean you could change your decoder settings (sound volume, different bell/horn, speed settings etc…) and have those settings work on a Bach EZ DCC system? I’ve heard people say you can put a loco on a layout with a real DCC system, change the CV’s and have it work on the Bachmann. True/false??
I’m not talking about adding sound files. $100 for the decoder and $80 for the programmers not a bad price.(just thinking out loud…)
**Thinks about the movie Tron… (Bear with me here)
Im not picking on the Bachmann DCC controller. A decoder accepts program instructions and is ready to execute these instructions aka. Blow whistle, turn lights on off etc. on command from the master control.
It should not matter which DCC they are on unless it happens to be something like a Private build such as MTH’s own control system that does not enjoy full compatibility due to range of functions.
Some master controls are little more than smaller controls that dont enjoy a range of control over a mobile decoder.
In fact, I see the QSI technology very close to that of the computer world with the DCC controller being the keyboard.
From an e-mail I just got from Litchfield station it would appear that the Diesel Tsunami is being released this week at the NTS. Apparently will be shipping almost immediately. I guess the battle has begun.
I have become a huge fan of Loksound. The decoder quality, performance and motor control are superb, the configuration withthe programmer is excellent, and the sound selection and quality are also great.
It will be a tough job to unseat them as number one IMO.
I recently installed a Dixitrax 165/soundbug combo, and wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be. The 165 was not IMO on par with the Loksound control wise, and the sound bug sound was generic, to say the least. I do not have the Digitrax programmer, so I can’t modify all of the sound, and I guess for a $26 decoder and $43 sound add-on, you get what you pay for vs the $120 Loksound. Is the Digitrax default sound supposed to be a 567? If so it would be a cost effective way to equip a fleet of F units or GPs.
So unfortunately no, it couldn’t be used on a generic F-unit right out of the box. Although that would seem to make more sense to me, because you’d think the most common type of diesel loco on most layouts is an F-unit.
