I'd like to buy an SD70ACe or SD70M-2 model (DC/DCC ready). I know both Athearn and MTH have these engines. I also searched a little bit for the comparisons. It seems that Athearn did a better job in the details, especially the realistic-looking ditchlights. But the problem is that Athearn only offers BNSF and UP painting schemes, but I prefer FEC which is offered by MTH. Anyone has suggestions?
Help: Athearn or MTH
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Good point!
And I also checked out that Athearn's FEC painting scheme will be on-the-shelf in late July, and CSX is coming late September.
What's the price difference between these two? For DC, I know Athearn is asking for $189, how about MTH?
Thanks! I run DC, so I'm more care about the details. How's detail of MTH?
Wait a minute here, you care more about the looks, than the way it runs? What about LEDs, which MTH has, and the Athearn doesn't.
Am I missing something here, where are the engineers/conductors on the Athearn?
I can't see spending the same amount of cash for an Athearn, just to have to replace the lights with LEDs.
btw, all my locos have LEDs, can't live without now... LOL
This is the MTH, the detail is pretty darn good if you ask me.
Thanks!
So what's the performance difference between LED and bulb?
Another thing is that MTH version has front headlight, while Athearn version has nose headlight. Which one is the main stream in real SD70ACe?
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lmackattack
old school
I am not a new diesel fan but when I saw both mfg next to each other the Athern had more details. IIRC the cooling fan covers on the athern were to scale where the MTH was very over scaled.
I have also heard that the MTH dcs electronics have caused people that run DCC a few headaches.
I have also heard that the MTH dcs electronics have caused people that run DCC a few headaches.
supergreenman
Member
Soaking it in a little pinesol will take that UP or BNSF paint right off.
After that your only trouble would be finding the right paint colors and decals to do the model the way you want it.
Of course you may need to get an air brush to paint it with, but the way I see it, if you like doing it yourself the first time the air brush is a good investment and you will find a multitude of railroad uses for it.
After that your only trouble would be finding the right paint colors and decals to do the model the way you want it.
Of course you may need to get an air brush to paint it with, but the way I see it, if you like doing it yourself the first time the air brush is a good investment and you will find a multitude of railroad uses for it.
Dollie's Dad
Gandy Dancer
I can't make a like-for-like comparison on the SD70ACe; I only have general impressions of MTH vs. Athearn. The last Genesis loco I bought (FP7) needed repairs before I could put it on the tracks. The MTH was perfect, and ironically, it was an SD70ACe.
In speaking with others on the same subject, this generally mirrors their experiences, too. It is possible that the Athearn units have better detail, but the overall quality appears to be suspect these days. If true, I guess the answer is: If all you're going to do is stare at the engine, buy Athearn. If you're going to run it buy MTH.
Okay. I'm over-generalizing. I really don't think you can go wrong with either one.
In speaking with others on the same subject, this generally mirrors their experiences, too. It is possible that the Athearn units have better detail, but the overall quality appears to be suspect these days. If true, I guess the answer is: If all you're going to do is stare at the engine, buy Athearn. If you're going to run it buy MTH.
Okay. I'm over-generalizing. I really don't think you can go wrong with either one.
Good point!
And I also checked out that Athearn's FEC painting scheme will be on-the-shelf in late July, and CSX is coming late September.
Shoneburger
New Member
Who is has the best ???
Money is tight and ALL of the manufactures are fighting for your dollar . Both have their pro`s and con`s . You will be happy with either one !
Money is tight and ALL of the manufactures are fighting for your dollar . Both have their pro`s and con`s . You will be happy with either one !
What's the price difference between these two? For DC, I know Athearn is asking for $189, how about MTH?
Littlefoot14
Active Member
I have had 2 of the Athearn SD70ACe, one BNSF, and now one in KCS. Both were excellent right out of the box. Every time i pick it up i find something new in the details that really made an impression on me. I can only speak for the Athearn model, but it has me waiting to buy more. I cant wait for the CNW and DRGW heritage units to be released, as well as MRL version as well.
I think its really just your opinion. I only bought the Athearn because it was a good deal, and now im hooked. Off the top of my head. I believe FEC is in the next release, but i certainly could be wrong.
I think its really just your opinion. I only bought the Athearn because it was a good deal, and now im hooked. Off the top of my head. I believe FEC is in the next release, but i certainly could be wrong.
diburning
AlcoHaulic
Another forum member here told me about his experience with MTH. His engine started running erratically so he sent it to MTH. MTH sent it back to him after breaking both of the sunshades and told him that theres no problem with it. MTH also only warrants the engines for one year. After one year, they won't help you period.
A member of the club I belong to had one that burnt out the ProtoSound board. He called MTH and MTH told him that it's over a year old, tough luck, get a new one. He took it to an MTH authorized service center where they ordered the board for him and replaced it. It cost him $180 just for the board (labor was free since it's a plug-in replacement)
Athearn's ACes are OK. There was a problem with the initial run where the speakers had leaks so that the sound was too soft.
Some people will say that the Athearn locos are too light. The SD70ACe weighs the same as the SD70MACs, SD70Ms, etc. that Athearn made in the past. The MTH simply weighs more than the Athearn one. The Athearn is not underweight.
The details on the Athearn are indeed better.
Given the pros and cons of both models, I'd say that both models aren't the best that they could be. However, I will most likely get the Athearn ones when they come out with the ones for NS due to the fact that the details are better. (NS has both ACes and M-2s)
A member of the club I belong to had one that burnt out the ProtoSound board. He called MTH and MTH told him that it's over a year old, tough luck, get a new one. He took it to an MTH authorized service center where they ordered the board for him and replaced it. It cost him $180 just for the board (labor was free since it's a plug-in replacement)
Athearn's ACes are OK. There was a problem with the initial run where the speakers had leaks so that the sound was too soft.
Some people will say that the Athearn locos are too light. The SD70ACe weighs the same as the SD70MACs, SD70Ms, etc. that Athearn made in the past. The MTH simply weighs more than the Athearn one. The Athearn is not underweight.
The details on the Athearn are indeed better.
Given the pros and cons of both models, I'd say that both models aren't the best that they could be. However, I will most likely get the Athearn ones when they come out with the ones for NS due to the fact that the details are better. (NS has both ACes and M-2s)
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Neither is perfect. They both have some flaws.
Biggest negatives to me for the Athearn is: lighter, it has bulbs vs MTH's LEDs, the sound issue (largely fixed now), and some of the details esp the handrails are flimsy.
Positives for Athearn: detail is very nice and accurate.
Negatives for MTH: PS3 version will not advance consist with other dcc engines, details not to accurate scale; some PS3s have had motor/gear stripping issue. DCC-Ready version has had shorts from being wired incorrectly and sound decoders are difficult to install/fit under the shell (read in the DCC on this forum my review of what I had to do to put a Tsunami Soundtraxx in).
MTH positives: They run well when every thing works though (What a concept!) Handrails are sturdy. LED lights have very long life.
Brad
Biggest negatives to me for the Athearn is: lighter, it has bulbs vs MTH's LEDs, the sound issue (largely fixed now), and some of the details esp the handrails are flimsy.
Positives for Athearn: detail is very nice and accurate.
Negatives for MTH: PS3 version will not advance consist with other dcc engines, details not to accurate scale; some PS3s have had motor/gear stripping issue. DCC-Ready version has had shorts from being wired incorrectly and sound decoders are difficult to install/fit under the shell (read in the DCC on this forum my review of what I had to do to put a Tsunami Soundtraxx in).
MTH positives: They run well when every thing works though (What a concept!) Handrails are sturdy. LED lights have very long life.
Brad
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diburning
AlcoHaulic
The handrails on the MTH are sturdy, but not prototypical.
Athearn uses the same handrails that all their other models used. From what I've seen, no one brought up the issue until they had the MTH to compare it to.
Athearn, Atlas, etc all use injection molded plastic handrails.
No one makes scale handrails out of metal maybe with the exception of Overland brass.
Athearn uses the same handrails that all their other models used. From what I've seen, no one brought up the issue until they had the MTH to compare it to.
Athearn, Atlas, etc all use injection molded plastic handrails.
No one makes scale handrails out of metal maybe with the exception of Overland brass.
markdeimling
Member
I have both and like the Athearn better mainly because the detail is nicer and it will consist with more than one loco. I did not like the front and rear railings on the Athearn, they were all mangled looking, not straight at all. So I made my own railing with .12 brass wire and some Smokey Valley stanchions. I also replaced the main lights with LED's and the ditch lights with Minatronics bulbs. Now it is a perfect model, no gripes from me. Now all I am waiting for is Cannon and Company etched steps for the ACe's.
Thanks! I run DC, so I'm more care about the details. How's detail of MTH?
diburning
AlcoHaulic
The detail of the MTH isn't as good as the Athearn, and the paint colors are a bit off, but otherwise, they're not bad.
What kind of LEDs did you put in there? Did you put in tower LEDs, or did you put in lenses and put the LEDs behind it?
Why did you put miniatronics bulbs in the ditch lights? I've found that miniatronics bulbs aren't as bright as the original Athearn ones.
I have both and like the Athearn better mainly because the detail is nicer and it will consist with more than one loco. I did not like the front and rear railings on the Athearn, they were all mangled looking, not straight at all. So I made my own railing with .12 brass wire and some Smokey Valley stanchions. I also replaced the main lights with LED's and the ditch lights with Minatronics bulbs. Now it is a perfect model, no gripes from me. Now all I am waiting for is Cannon and Company etched steps for the ACe's.
What kind of LEDs did you put in there? Did you put in tower LEDs, or did you put in lenses and put the LEDs behind it?
Why did you put miniatronics bulbs in the ditch lights? I've found that miniatronics bulbs aren't as bright as the original Athearn ones.
Motley
Active Member
Wait a minute here, you care more about the looks, than the way it runs? What about LEDs, which MTH has, and the Athearn doesn't.
Am I missing something here, where are the engineers/conductors on the Athearn?
I can't see spending the same amount of cash for an Athearn, just to have to replace the lights with LEDs.
btw, all my locos have LEDs, can't live without now... LOL
This is the MTH, the detail is pretty darn good if you ask me.
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Thanks!
So what's the performance difference between LED and bulb?
Another thing is that MTH version has front headlight, while Athearn version has nose headlight. Which one is the main stream in real SD70ACe?
diburning
AlcoHaulic
LEDs are brighter than bulbs and last longer, but make sure to get Yellowgo or warm white/sunny white LEDs or else you'll get a blue tinge (the trick is to dip them in Tamiya Clear Orange paint. Turns any white LED into an incandescent bulb color)
BNSF has both headlight styles. MTH didn't want to do both so they specifically chose the road numbers with the cab headlight while Athearn did both versions.
BNSF has both headlight styles. MTH didn't want to do both so they specifically chose the road numbers with the cab headlight while Athearn did both versions.
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