Lifelike has recently come out with a SW8/9 with sound. First of all, has anyone bought this and how is the sound quality?
Unfortunately, they are not producing it in the B&M minuteman color scheme, which leads me to the next two questions. 1) Can the shell of the older LL SW8/9 be swapped with the new version with sound, and 2) Has anyone installed a sound decoder in the older version?
I recently spoke with someone at Tony’s and he said that they couldn’t install sound in a LL SW/9. I’ve not considered buying a new one and switching the shells. I curious is someone out there has an answer on that front.
Thanks for the info on the older version. I thought it looked like it would be difficult to fit a speaker into the unit. Some how they figured out how to fit the speaker in the new version. I would like to hear if anyone has attempted swapping shells.
Look up Team Track Trader on Google and go to his web site. He installs decoders for a living (literally) and says he can put a decoder in any engine. He just finished putting a loksound in one of my BL2s and will be putting Tsunami TS 1000s (Santa was good to me) in my two Van Sweringen Berkshires.
I am away from my own 'puter so I don’t have his email handy but you can find him on google easily.
Jimbo
From what I’ve read, the speaker in the new sound-equipped LL switchers
is located in the fuel tank. Since the decoder already fits, you ought to be able
to swap shells. I’ve done this with the sound-equipped GP9. The only incompatible
thing I encountered was light rods in a different arrangement which interfered with
the sound drive when I placed an older shell on it. The switchers might have the
same issues-or not due to the different arrangements.
If they sound as good as the RS-27’s i’ll buy one for sure, and yes you sould be able to switch bodys, but if you wait they are going to do all the seem roads they did before.
swdave:
Where did you hear that LL was going to reproduce the same roads as the earlier version?
They do sound fantastic, yes the speaker is pointing down in the fuel tank. I haven’t tried to fit another shell on them cause I only have the pair!!
MR mag has a recent review with a pic with the shell off.
I found they are a little light ( they have traction tires) but I only want them for yard duties.
Ken.
I did a comparison thread on the LL SW8 w/sound and the new BLI SW-7 w/sound a month or so ago. My opinion having both is the LL sound is very tinny sounding and to me dissapointing. The BLI SW-7was 25 bucks cheaper and has an incredible sound. In particular the horn. The BLI is much heavier. I was so impressed with the BLI I just got in the other NYC rd # they had. So in my opinion save 25 bucks and get the BLI SW-7 or NW-2. The sound is head and shoulders above the LL…
Terry[8D]
but BLI don’t have N&W road numbers!!
Ken.
BLI also doesn’t have B&M or NH roads