Dh165a0

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NYC_George

NYC_George

Well-Known Member
I just ordered six of the new DH165A0 decoders for my old Atlas locos. I like my consists running smooth so I run Atlas with Atlas and Life Like with Life Like etc. I don’t like trying to mix and match different decoders and engines because there’re always problems in getting the speed just right. This way everything runs perfectly. Now that I ‘m going to have all these DH165A0 decoders I was wondering if I should install some sound bugs in a few units. I know the sound bug plugs right in to this decoder. Does anyone have any experience with these sound bugs? How good is the sound? Are they loud enough? Does any one have one installed?

NYC_George
 
I have several DH165AOs and Soundbugs and like them a lot. The 165's are easy to fit in a lot of different locos, the front and rear light outputs are already regulated for using LEDs without resistors, and of course you just plug in the Soundbugs when you want to add sound. Programming is easy as the two units are completely compatible on the same loco address.

The sound will vary depending upon speaker size and location. Most of mine are just fine but a couple are a little quiet, but that's okay for me as I don't like my sound too loud.

The Soundbug comes preloaded with a generic steam or diesel sound. If you want to change the sound you will need a Digitrax PR2 or PR3 in order to download other loco sounds from the Digitrax website, or maybe your LHS will do this for you.

Whether or not these sounds are as good as some of the more expensive sound decoders I don't know, but they work well for me and are fairly economical.

Jerry
 
Back ordered DH165A0

Thanks for the info Jerry. One more question though. My hobby shop just called and said they had to be put on back order so I canceled. Where did you buy yours?

NYC_George
 


Thanks for the help Jim and Jerry. I used MB Klein because I have used them in the past but I only bought three. I know this is unusual but I don’t have a credit card and I only had $80.00 in the debit card account I use to buy things on the internet for safety reasons. They can only get me for what I have in there. I was paying cash at the hobby store. I’ll now have two three engines consists with all new decoders installed. The other consist has Lenz’s installed. The third consist I’ll get going later. I know Josh doesn’t believe me but the trains run much better with the Back EMF decoders installed.

NYC_George
 
George, you should rethink the credit card vs. debit card. You're right, in the unlikely event someone was able to use your debit card, they could only get the $80 you have in your account. OTOH, a fraudulent credit card transaction can only cost a maximum of $50 and most likely won't cost you anything. I've been using credit cards for years over the net and had one fraudulent transaction. My CC company refunded the money in full. The only other time I've had my credit card information stolen was when I was in a restaurant and a waiter took my card to pay the bill. He or another employee stole the data and ran up about $800 in charges before my CC company's fraud department called. They cancelled all the charges and issued me a new card. At least most CC companies do have fraud departments that monitor credit card use and notify if something doesn't look right. Your bank could care less about how your debit card is used. Just think of the number of scruffy looking people you hand over your credit card to in a week and they disappear for a couple of minutes, just long enough to get your information. That's a much more likely form of fraud than having the information stolen on the net.
 
Retirement vs work

Jim you’re probably right. I guess I planned on getting one when I retired and for all I know I may be retired now. I’m not going to work this winter. It’s going to be mostly model railroading in the coming months with lots of projects to get done. After that I may go back and maybe not.

NYC_George
 
Here's an Athearn SD40T-2 with a Soundbug.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEGM1ifphZU

What I liked:
Easy install. Digitrax decoder gives excellent motor control.
At least Digitrax now says it's okay to use 8 ohm speakers, instead of the 16 ohm they used to want.

What I didn't like:
I thought it a bit quiet. Sounds are "too generic" to suit me. Sure, If I wanted to spend the money on a programmer, I could change the sounds. But I'm not.
Horn is recorded as a "long" blast. I find it nearly impossible to do a short.

Click on my name (steve5520) on Utube. There are some other clips to listen to.

I have several QSI, some factory installed, one Quantum Revolution (so far). I fully intend on buying the QSI programmer as it will allow me to program sounds and manage CVs. It will also work with JMRI Decoder Pro, so I can manage CVs on ANY decoder with it.

Speaker selection and how it's enclosed or baffled it critical in ANY installation. If not done right, no decoder will sound good. Some may be a bit louder, but not sound right if not mounted properly. In a nutshell, use the biggest speaker that you can figure out how to get inside the loco.
 
Sound bug

Thanks Steve I watched a few of your videos. The sound bug seemed loud enough. I don’t what to mix my consist of old Atlas GP-40’s with one of the newer factory installed sound units. I already have a dummy unit within each consist with a DSX Soundtraxx decoder installed which work great. I just thought I could easily add a little more sound to my three consists without causing any decoder speed matching trouble.

NYC_George
 


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