SDH104K1, SoundFX and LocoMotion Decoder for F40PH

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi guys!

I’m thinking of buying three Kato HO scale F40PH in Amtrak colors. But I don’t know if I’m going to buy them with the SDH104K1, SoundFX and LocoMotion Decoder from Digitrax already installed:

[link]http://www.katousa.com/Kobo/index.html[/link]

Or if I should buy them without sound and buy the QSI decoder when/if it will be available:

[link]http://www.qsisolutions.com/products/q-revolution.html[/link]

I already have three engines with QSI sound and I love them, but I have never heard the SDH104K1. I know that I can listen to it at digitrax website but the sound quality is so bad so I just can’t decide.

What do you guys think is the best to do?

2

It really depends on how cheap you can get the engines and decoders, Buying them seperatly i paid 160 per engine with the sound decoders so i saved around 45 bucks or so per unit. If you don’t want to install all the details on the F40 get the Kobo, the sound system really is cake to install though.

3

Thanks for the info. How does it sound?

4

I don’t know about the particular decoder you’re interested in, but I have recently purchased two Tower 55 HO scale AC4400 GEVO locomotives with Digitrax SoundFX decoders, and can say that they have excellent sound and running qualities.

5

I think they sound great, the horn is a tad flat but over all i am very pleased with them both!

6

…not to mention that the SFX is PROGRAMMABLE with the PR2. I use the Digitrax sound decoders and install my own sounds…:wink:

Cheers

David

7

David,

Could you provide us with the mouser.com part numbers of 32 ohm speakers that you recommend for installing in locomotives, or any other brand? This would save us a lot of testing on our own.

Thanks.

Don

8

AST-1732MR-R

Its a 32 ohm speaker from Projects Unlimited…17mm by 8mm(will fit any hood width)…pre-baffled and sounds great! So you install your decoder, then solder 2 wires to the leads…you dont even have to secure the speaker. With shipping to Western Canada it worked out to be 5 dollars per speaker. You can order it through Mouser.com

David B