My friend Garry, who recently had two Massoth XLS decoders that would shutdown prior to Mohammed's excellent guidance to work around the shutdown issue (I still do not know why they were shutting down, but the immediate problem is now overcome), has purchased a Massoth 'LS' decoder plus small 28mm speaker.
Well, to start with the Massoth supplied speaker did not work out of the box. Garry removed the speaker leads/connection and fitted to a cheaper China sourced speaker and sound was heard. When the newly purchased 'LS' decoder was fitted to the locomotive there was absolutely no control over the chuff rate (this is the generic narrow gauge steam sound software supplied by Massoth). The chuff would sound only every few seconds. The decoder was purchased new last Saturday morning and yet the decoder was version 2.2 and the German language (no English language instructions) instructions were dated August, 2008.
Garry, having a Massoth programmer, upgraded the software to version 2.7, but alas chuff rate could still not be altered. He then downloaded the Stainz sound software from Massoth and was able to adjust the chuff rate correctly.
Now my point is that after originally receiving a faulty decoder (no motor control in reverse direction) from the dealer and then a used replacement decoder as a warranty replacement and then the two weeks of aggravation until the 'XLS' decoder shutdown issues were resolved, Garry still purchases Massoth decoders and still has quality control issues. What really irks me is that to purchase Massoth decoders in this country from a local dealer results in receiving older (up to several years old) and non-upgraded software. This coupled with the quality of the received items leaves me feeling very out in the cold as regards what performance I may expect.
Fortunately, Garry outlayed for a Massoth programmer (this also was a replacement as the original failed straight out of the box) and is able to correct most of his issues by software upgrades or sound software replacement or with excellent advice from forum members. For the average modeller who simply wants to install a Massoth decoder and run trains, Garry's tale of woes is not very helpful. Local technical support is basically non-existent. The dealer has no DCC knowledge and the brandname supplier does not even upgrade decoders. Thus one is left purchasing new decoders that are basically several years old with three year old software installation.
I will install Massoth decoders as I am not prepared to suffer the hurdle of playing with the better quality Zimo product line, but know that I will also have to purchase a Massoth programmer to correct any issues found. One would have thought that after so many years of productuion that the issues Garry has encountered would have been eliminated years ago. It seems also that when 'professionally' installed decoders are fitted by the brandname supplier, no CV adjustments are made. The decoder installation is supplied with direct factory settings. Thus, even if one has a Massoth approved installation, one has to alter CV's to get the loco to work to satisfaction. In a recent installation I assisted Garry with CV alterations on a Mallet/XLS installation. We basically altered every CV that could be changed. When questioned, the approved installer said that only the address CV (CV1) would need to be changed. It really is a DCC backwater out here.
Further to above, the newly acquired decoder was loose in the opened packaging, not even in a plastic bag. It was simply moving around in the box with no protective foam or packaging. Was it new, used, played with, who knows? A circuit board is something that idle hands do not play with. One electrostatic discharge from mishandling could easily damage the circuitry. I come from a lifetime in aircraft engineering and electrostatic discharge damage is not uncommon. Avionics personnel are required to bond themselves to structure before touching any electronic device.
Well, to start with the Massoth supplied speaker did not work out of the box. Garry removed the speaker leads/connection and fitted to a cheaper China sourced speaker and sound was heard. When the newly purchased 'LS' decoder was fitted to the locomotive there was absolutely no control over the chuff rate (this is the generic narrow gauge steam sound software supplied by Massoth). The chuff would sound only every few seconds. The decoder was purchased new last Saturday morning and yet the decoder was version 2.2 and the German language (no English language instructions) instructions were dated August, 2008.
Garry, having a Massoth programmer, upgraded the software to version 2.7, but alas chuff rate could still not be altered. He then downloaded the Stainz sound software from Massoth and was able to adjust the chuff rate correctly.
Now my point is that after originally receiving a faulty decoder (no motor control in reverse direction) from the dealer and then a used replacement decoder as a warranty replacement and then the two weeks of aggravation until the 'XLS' decoder shutdown issues were resolved, Garry still purchases Massoth decoders and still has quality control issues. What really irks me is that to purchase Massoth decoders in this country from a local dealer results in receiving older (up to several years old) and non-upgraded software. This coupled with the quality of the received items leaves me feeling very out in the cold as regards what performance I may expect.
Fortunately, Garry outlayed for a Massoth programmer (this also was a replacement as the original failed straight out of the box) and is able to correct most of his issues by software upgrades or sound software replacement or with excellent advice from forum members. For the average modeller who simply wants to install a Massoth decoder and run trains, Garry's tale of woes is not very helpful. Local technical support is basically non-existent. The dealer has no DCC knowledge and the brandname supplier does not even upgrade decoders. Thus one is left purchasing new decoders that are basically several years old with three year old software installation.
I will install Massoth decoders as I am not prepared to suffer the hurdle of playing with the better quality Zimo product line, but know that I will also have to purchase a Massoth programmer to correct any issues found. One would have thought that after so many years of productuion that the issues Garry has encountered would have been eliminated years ago. It seems also that when 'professionally' installed decoders are fitted by the brandname supplier, no CV adjustments are made. The decoder installation is supplied with direct factory settings. Thus, even if one has a Massoth approved installation, one has to alter CV's to get the loco to work to satisfaction. In a recent installation I assisted Garry with CV alterations on a Mallet/XLS installation. We basically altered every CV that could be changed. When questioned, the approved installer said that only the address CV (CV1) would need to be changed. It really is a DCC backwater out here.
Further to above, the newly acquired decoder was loose in the opened packaging, not even in a plastic bag. It was simply moving around in the box with no protective foam or packaging. Was it new, used, played with, who knows? A circuit board is something that idle hands do not play with. One electrostatic discharge from mishandling could easily damage the circuitry. I come from a lifetime in aircraft engineering and electrostatic discharge damage is not uncommon. Avionics personnel are required to bond themselves to structure before touching any electronic device.
