I am looking to by a number of these engines: Kato N ES44AC GEVO - Kobo equipped with TCS Decoder K1D4 I was told this engine is NOT sound equipped. My understanding was the Kobo element was the sound decoder. Am I right in my belief or was what I was told right and these Kobo equipped with TCS decoders re not sound equipped? If the later is correct, what is the Kobo element? Searching Kobo Decoders suggests that they are an ESU Loksound decoder, which is what I have always thought. I don't want to pay out a heap of dollars on something that I believe is sound equipped if it isn't.
The TCS K1D4 is not a sound decoder. The "Kobo" versions of Kato N scale locos that I have seen have not been sound equipped, just a special limited release. Looks like Kato does offer some Kobo HO models with sound.
Kato Kobo has offered a few locos, such as the E5, with sound (ESU), but most Kobo are usually special paint schemes and non-sound decoders installed.
Darn and thanks gents. Looks like I'll have to buy them and then the Sound Decoders and have someone put them in for me. I know this is a "personal preference" type of question but what sound decoders would you suggest. I believe the Locksound are good BUT having to download the sounds can be a pain the rear not to mention the need to buy additional hardware.
Tony - you can get the sounds pre-loaded into a LokSound; you do not need to load them. Most installers (if you are going to have it done) will have that ability. The LokSound decoders are great. I've installed many of them in my fleet (and others).
Rick, Thank you and I do like the LokSound stuff. I don't think I have heard a bad word about them other than personal preference things. I believe they are solid and have the most realistic sounds. I'll see how much they are and will most likely buy 4 of them.
You might be able to put one of the new ESU long/skinny "drop in" decoders into the GEVO. It will still require wires be run to the motor, speaker, lights, etc. Or just hardwire in a LokSound Select Micro. Looks like there is plenty of room at the rear for a speaker and some keep-alive caps. One nice aspect of the new drop-in board; there are enough physical outputs to wire in alternating ditch lights for both directions. You have 4 of the GEVOs? Or just thinking about other installs, too?
Rick, Right now I have 2 X GEVO's and 2 X P42 Amtracks. One of each has a TCS decoder in them, done by me and not too well either. My intention is to get 2 more GEVO's at this point.
Just been looking at Loksound and it doesn't appear as though they have many N Scale decoders. All the ones I saw, bar a few, were all HO.
There is the LokSound Select Micro, the LokSound V4 Micro, and the two new "drop in" boards. That is it. From there, it is up to the installer. If you have trouble installing a true drop-in TCS, i would not recommend attempting an ESU.
Rick, I did have problems with the TCS (K1D4) install. I bought two of them, one for each engine, and gave up after I attempted the first. I still have the second decoder still unopened in its packet. The same applies for the 2 P42's as well, one attempted and one still in its packet.
