Dear friends,
I’ve seen, remaining surprised, that few on-line shops, as the VERY GOOD Tony’s Train one, have, regarding Athearn Genesis F Units price, three price levels. The price difference is not so great (for example, between price level 2 and 3). On the other hand, however, I’d like to know the reason for offering these three price levels. What’s the differences between two F7 locos belonging to two different price’s class?
I (always) say thank you for attention…
Paolo
Some have decoders and sound and others do not. That could be part of it.
Here is a guess. I haven’t looked on them.
The cheapest one is DC.
The middle one have DCC.
The most expensive have DCC and sound.
Thats how it is with a lot of other modells anyway.
Magnus
My guess would be price 1 ($115) is for units that have been in production longer, price 2 ($125) is for newer ones, and price 3 ($130) is for licensed ones. But that’s only a guess. I don’t know for sure if that’s right.
The differences I see when looking at Tony’s web site is that the cheaper ones are DC; the middle range have DCC; and the top priced ones have DCC and sound – but the DCC and DCC with sound versions use a decoder and sound system that has not received very favorable comments from users.
A lot of people have commented that you’re better off getting the DC version and adding your own decoder and sound instead of paying for the one that comes in the Genesis models and then having to take it out and throw it away.
Ok I will bite, what is wrong with the dcc decoders with sound from Athern?
In a word - MRC. They are have the MRC brand DCC electronics. Just do a forum search on something like “DCC Genesis”, or “DCC MRC”. You will find all sorts of stories about how they misbehave, are hard to program, etc. Sometimes they work just great but other times not. Then there is the quality issue of how quickly they fail. Once again not always true, I’ve got original MRCs that are 10 years old and have served without problems or failures, but there is no way I would buy another one.
Then when you get to the sound there is the quality issue. Even on the lowest setting they blare the sound out. To some people’s ears loud is good. But personally I don’t like how loud they are nor do I like the generic sounds they produce. It is not clear and precise, let alone being proper for the specific locomotive. Unfortunately this is not unique to MRC, I have some QSI with the same “wrong sounds” for the locomotive issue.
I’m interested in Genesis Rio Grande F3 A/B, which, as I can see on CZ Virtual Museum website, can be adequately coupled to California Zephyr cars for '50s service… (am I wrong?).
Consulting Athearn website, I’ve seen that this Rio Grande F3 was announced on 10/29/2003 and, now, discontinued, whereas new Genesis F3 models, announced on 11/03/2006, are to be delivered, or already in the shops.
In this forum, someone told new Genesis mechanics and engines are better than old ones. So, I ask you: did Athearn improve “old” 2003 F3 mechanics and engines too, or the only way to have a better performing locomotive is that of purchasing the 2006 re-run?
Excuse me…
I refer to Genesis Rio Grande SILVER/YELLOW 5 STRIPES F3 A/B, to be placed in the fifties…
I explain better my problem.
I’d like to buy a Genesis F3 A/B. Obviously, having heard your opinions about “old” Athearn drive, I should go for a Genesis F3 equipped with latest drive type, which, in another thread, someone has talked about, declaring as more reliable.
Now, I don’t know how recognizing a “new” drive model from “old” ones. F3 A/B I’ve seen is Rio Grande 4 stripes yellow/silver one, announced by Athearn (on its website) on 10/29/2003 and now discontinued. However, some shops have still one in stock. Has it “new” drive, in your opinion? Otherwise, is it possible to state this late 2003/early 2004 F3 has “new” drive by analizing its Athearn Code Number? In this case, Athearn item code number for this model is ATHG2521. Can you help me?
Thanks