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Post by Tiest van Gool on Apr 3, 2024 8:50:16 GMT -5
Hi DCC-ers,
In a separate thread, I raised a question for Zmodell’s Alex whether he would be interested in developing digital decoders for AZL’s SD70AC or ES44AC locos. He responded that he currently focuses on the niches that main stay vendors like TCS and Digitrax do not fill.
Why I understand that approach, I would love to see his boards to become available for these new runs of SD70AC or ES44AC. While his boards come at a premium — you get what you pay for - I would purchase these superior boards.
I am interested in understanding if I am alone in this…
Thanks in advance for your response!
-Tiest
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Post by dazed on Apr 3, 2024 10:39:03 GMT -5
I simply don't have enough information to answer the question right now.
I have purchased the SW1500 decoder, but never installed it because I was anxious about damaging the loco due to the breaking shell issue...and now I've sold off all the SW1500's I had. (still have the decoder, I'll eventually buy another SW1500 likely)
I have purchased two of the SD40-2 decoders, but just got them in a few days ago and haven't had a chance to install them yet.
I love Alex's transparency with all of the vast amount of information about his products that he has posted here. It's quite amazing. I have great faith in the products based on that. But I just need to get some mileage logged before I would go "whole hog" with Zmodell.
So when you ask do I want a Zmodell board for the SD70s/ES44s, I'd say my answer *right now* would be No. I would rather see him focus on the tiny decoder, and possibly an add-on keep alive board for it or a variation of it. (or a "less-tiny decoder" that has the keep alive built in...essentially a non-SD40-2 specific version of the SD40-2 decoder) THEN, we could use it for just about any loco other than the SW1500.
I would like to have the keep alive function for Geeps....GP7's and GP30's/GP38-2's since their shorter wheelbase and 1/3 fewer wheels are much more of a candidate for the help offered by the caps. (don't get me wrong, I see value for the six-axles too...especially if a helix is involved...every ounce of help you can garner is beneficial)
Having said all of that... With the new run ES44's, brand new C44-9W's, and brand new AC4400's all using the same mech (presumedly) it would not be a bad commercial decision to create one.
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Post by tjdreams on Apr 3, 2024 12:22:37 GMT -5
I voted NO for a couple reasons.
1 I already have a small stockpile of spare Digitraxx and TCS drop in style decoders on hand.
2 While I agree having a keep alive on board would be nice option to have, I don't feel it would be worth the extra $$ a small manufacture like Zmodell would have to charge.
3 I don't think it would be a good business decision for Alex.
A Their are already 2 established competitors who are selling a similar product at a lower price point than he could.
B AZL's New locos are using a newer screw in style decoder, only the older loco's and re-runs will continue to use the drop in style decoder. Which tells me the demand for that style decoder is on the way down. combined with the existing competition, Its doubt full he could sell enough decoders to cover his cost in research and development much less make a profit.
C Like Doug I would rather see him spend his time making new decoders for the newer models that currently don't have one
David
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Post by scanrail on Apr 3, 2024 14:50:49 GMT -5
David, Doug - I completely agree with all your arguments.
Yes, exactly - given the fact that actually I'm a "one man show", my production capabilities are much more limited than ones of bigger manufacturers - that's why it's better for me to concentrate my efforts on more demanded or unique projects. This is also an obvious reason why I can't offer the same low price for my products.
Doug, regarding that tiny decoder - you guessed it right. I will indeed deliver it soon. The reason why it was delayed is that I gave SD40-2 decoder higher priority. Furthermore, I will indeed deliver an accompanying energy storage module, too. But please, give me a bit more time to bring everything to fruition, at least due to the reason I mentioned in the beginning.
More about hypothetical universal decoder for AZL locos: the board fits into many different types of locomotives, many of which have totally different dimensions and totally different available space inside. While adding such a distinguishing feature as built-in energy storage module will bring benefits to the models that have enough space for it inside, it may become the reason why the same decoder won't fit in different smaller models. Thus, versatility of such a decoder will then be limited. This fact may become confusing to many customers; I don't want such an outcome.
Yes, although I can bet such my decoder will have better driving characteristics and smoothness in comparison to competitive products, all this is still not enough for me to start a new development which is always a subject of huge investments of time, effort and money.
And please also don't forget that I serve many European models of locomotives with my developments. Actually, I'm already 'booked' for many years ahead, and I'm not exaggerating here at all. Honestly, I forgot when I really played with my own trains.
Regards,
Alex
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Post by modelwarships on Apr 4, 2024 22:56:45 GMT -5
I'd give it a go to see if there were fewer bugs than I have had with the other two. Thank you for prioritizing the new SD40-2's, I've got 3 on the way. I hope you have enough success to expand your line even more.
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Post by rgs455 on Apr 5, 2024 1:34:39 GMT -5
Hi.
I voted no.
As stated, Alex' Decoders for the SD40's are Top Notch.
The StayAlive brigdes any rough spots and lets the engine run for about 1-1,5 cm. This is more than ample.
They also get along well with other decoders brands in a consist.
That's what counts for me. So having 2 Locos with Alex' Decoder will smooth out any consist.I tried this yesterday and there was little " back snd forth" movement between the engines.
The secret seems to be that the BEMF CV's are set so that speed control is only active at low speeds.
Sure I'd love to see a variant from Alex for my AZL Geeps and SD45's but lets face it, there are drop-in boards available from 2 manufacturers. And I fully understand Alex decision.
Of course motor control CV's of Digitrax and TCS are not as sophisticated compared to to Alex Decoders, but you get an operational engine. And not to forget that there are years between those and Alex' new decoder.
I found that Digitrax Decoders are a bit more tolerant when faced with pickup problems than others, so I get by without a StayAlive
On the Geeps , they seem to " stick" better to track than the SD's.
I replaced the wheels with traction tires on all my AZL Geeps with plain wheels, this has basically eliminated most pickup problems on them. The SD's seem to be somewhat " stiffer" due to the wheelbase. I will also convert my SD45's to plain wheels and use them with an SD40-2.
BR Boris
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Post by Curn on Apr 5, 2024 2:12:00 GMT -5
Another challenge is that the Digitrax decoder is $34.40. So you have to some how keep the price down or be so much better that people are willing to pay the difference for the premium product.
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Post by ednadolski on Apr 5, 2024 10:01:29 GMT -5
I replaced the wheels with traction tires on all my AZL Geeps with plain wheels, this has basically eliminated most pickup problems on them. The SD's seem to be somewhat " stiffer" due to the wheelbase. I will also convert my SD45's to plain wheels and use them with an SD40-2.
Where do you get the replacement wheels?
TIA, Ed
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Post by rgs455 on Apr 6, 2024 10:03:25 GMT -5
I replaced the wheels with traction tires on all my AZL Geeps with plain wheels, this has basically eliminated most pickup problems on them. The SD's seem to be somewhat " stiffer" due to the wheelbase. I will also convert my SD45's to plain wheels and use them with an SD40-2.
Where do you get the replacement wheels?
TIA, Ed
I have had the luck of obtaining 2 "Maerklin"AZL GP's which had damaged shells from a failed repainting attempt, but fully functional drives. BR Boris |
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Post by zscalehobo on Apr 6, 2024 11:55:03 GMT -5
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Post by sjl on Apr 6, 2024 12:16:03 GMT -5
So this is going to reveal how much I just run stuff "off the shelf," without much thought, but is there a reason why the wheels under the traction tires can't be used? I've certainly had tires break in the past, and I simply pick out the bits and resume normal operations... have I committed a horrible faux pas? (beyond using French on the board).
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