Best Value G scale decoders?

[Slawman]

Are you *sure* you only need 1 Amp? - Really need to consider stall-current, not just day-to-day running..

No I am not sure about how the stall would be managed by an HO decoder (not as well as the G scale I would Hazard) A few of the HO models I have looked at state they have motor "overload" protection although no further description is given.

There are risks in going for a "value" option and I would think this is one of them. My efforts to save a few bob may well end up costing however I measure my efforts in this space by swings and roundabouts.

The way I look at it I could save around $700 going this way for 10 locos. That would pay for another 14 decoders if one or two blow up I am still ahead.

I love an excuse to pull my locos apart.....

 

[PhilP]

I love an excuse the pull my locos apart.....

Who needs an excuse?

 

[AustrianNG]

Good logic Slawman.
Let us know how you get on.

 

[JeffofSpace]

Digtrax DH465 is made for HO and O but it takes up to 4amps and 6amp surges. I use it in Stainz and Playmobile after seeing it in another forum. Works fantastic so far and has all the features you are after with option to add more

 

[Ralphmp]

I guess Massoth and Digitrax pricing must be different in the US. Quick check in UK shows Massoth L £50 and Digitrax between £46 and £53. Not sure I’d want to experiment at these prices when I know the Massoth decoder works fine in my Stainzes (is that the correct plural? Doesn’t look right!) and any cost saving is minimal.

 

[JeffofSpace]

Sure, a good point. Stick with what you know, and all I’ve known is digitrax for nscale and now into gscale.

 

[PhilP]

My guess, is the Digitrax (imported) from the US, may well be a cheaper option than the Massoth (from Germany/EU)??

I use a Digitrax CS on my programming track. - Lower voltage, so 'kinder' to the kit when things are not as they should be..
But have no experience of their decoders..

 

[1to3]

I agree most folks on Massoth... If you wanted sound I would say piko /Soundtraxx, which has more goodies in it.
But if you don't want sound the Massoth you are already using and works well.

 

[JeffofSpace]

Well, as soon as I write about the digitrax...literally not a day later, they blew Ah, to trust random websites on the interwebs. I’ve ordered the digitrax gscale specific...easier to find here than massoth. What a flub

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Digitrax has a poor reputation for decoders in G scale. They are slow to improve.

 

[JeffofSpace]

Digitrax has a poor reputation for decoders in G scale. They are slow to improve.

Ugh...well will utilize the warranty I suppose. I could’ve waited until you replied, but of course had to just rush

 

[Dan]

Most smaller-scale decoders will not tolerate our track-voltage!

The Zimo MX645 HO decoder is a 30 volt rated unit and has lots of features and sells for less than the 55021 or 55027 LGB units.
I use these in all my LGB single motor engines and these have 3 watt audio and can be programmed for auto uncoupling with a servo.
Basic unit comes with 2 diesel selections and 6 steam selections.

 

[Slawman]

I went with a few ESU 53611 (LokPilot Standard). No problems so far.....

 

[stockers]

The Zimo MX645 HO decoder is a 30 volt rated unit and has lots of features and sells for less than the 55021 or 55027 LGB units.
I use these in all my LGB single motor engines and these have 3 watt audio and can be programmed for auto uncoupling with a servo.
Basic unit comes with 2 diesel selections and 6 steam selections.

What do you mean by 2 diesel and 6 steam - are these not digital recordings of originals?

 

[65 1057]

Hi All,
I want to DCC the rest of my locos (about 10) and I am looking for the best value options for the most basic DCC capability.
(...)
Are there better options to consider?

Just to show you some potential alternatives in €. I don't know whether all brands are easily available in your country...

ca. 40 € Massoth 8154501 eMOTION M (w/o SUSI)

ca. 48 € - I'm pretty happy with UHLENBROCK 77500 - 5 Amps max / SUSI / Pendulum-Automatic build-in etc., and
ca. 43 € UHLENBROCK 77100 - 3 Amps max. / SUSI etc. for my Bachmann-LYN.

ca. 35 € TAMS LD-G-34 incl. some basic sounds (bell / whistle etc.) . TAMS provides also a "Decoder advisor" with more alternatives

as of > 30 € Doehler&Haass - see the Decoder advisor , I think the smallest DCC decoder for 30V is the DH 10C-3

Andreas

 

[idlemarvel]

Very useful Andreas.
Just to clarify you can have SUSI connection on Massoth M you just need some fine soldering skills to attach plug/socket to the relevant pins on the underside of the decoder. Not saying it is easy nor have I done it. See section 3.5 of the installation manual.

 

[Zerogee]

The Zimo MX645 HO decoder is a 30 volt rated unit and has lots of features and sells for less than the 55021 or 55027 LGB units.
I use these in all my LGB single motor engines and these have 3 watt audio and can be programmed for auto uncoupling with a servo.
Basic unit comes with 2 diesel selections and 6 steam selections.

Very useful info, Dan - can you tell me what sort of sounds the pre-programmed selections are? Are they typical generic sound files for small and large locos? Are they Euro or US style sounds, or a mix of both?

Thanks in advance,
Jon.

 

[Zerogee]

The Zimo MX645 HO decoder is a 30 volt rated unit and has lots of features and sells for less than the 55021 or 55027 LGB units.
I use these in all my LGB single motor engines and these have 3 watt audio and can be programmed for auto uncoupling with a servo.
Basic unit comes with 2 diesel selections and 6 steam selections.

Dan, I've just dropped you a "conversation" about the Zimo decoders - but I will also ask the questions here in case anyone else wants to chip in (no pun intended...), and also because I think any answers may well be useful to other members.....

Working on the above recommendation, I've just received one of these decoders - an MX645 - that I ordered a couple of days ago, so I can give it a try in a single-motor loco (probably in a Stainz for testing purposes).
I've downloaded the English version of Zimo's manual, but it is just one big file for pretty much every decoder that they make - and at first glance it's about as daunting as War and Peace! I've found the basics that I need, like the wiring connection diagram,
but I wondered if anyone could offer any shortcuts to finding things like how to select which of the pre-loaded sound files to use? I can't find a listing of what the sound options are, possibly I haven't looked deeply enough yet.
I don't have one of Zimo's programmers, I will be doing all set-up with my Massoth Dimax system, I really just need to know how to select the different sound files on the decoder.

Anything in plain English, as opposed to "Manual-ese", would be great......

Any help and advice that anyone here can offer based on personal experiences of installing these in G scale locos would be very gratefully received.
Greg? I know you're a big Zimo fan, have you used any of these particular decoders in small locos, or do you stick to the bigger ones?

Jon.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Yep, but I have specific sound files loaded, have not played with the "pre-stored" sound files...

645 in this one:

645 is under the seat:

4 speakers in the underside of the roof:

The prototype is still operational in Colorado, the name of this railbus is "Casey Jones" - really

 

[Zerogee]

Yep, but I have specific sound files loaded, have not played with the "pre-stored" sound files...

645 in this one:
...........
645 is under the seat:


4 speakers in the underside of the roof:

The prototype is still operational in Colorado, the name of this railbus is "Casey Jones" - really

Nice 'bus, Greg - couple of questions, what is the motor/gearbox unit in it, and any particular reason why you went for a four-speaker setup?

Jon.