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59 reviews
A good inexpensive DCC sound decoder
Perhaps one of the least expensive DCC sound decoders on the market nevertheless offers some attractive features - besides the cost. Probably the best is the capability to change the sound files over and above the basic diesel and steam sound files that it comes with ( ref. Digitrax Sound Depot). Note: volume and quality of sound varies tremendously according to where and how the speaker is mounted - experimentation recommended. Finally, if failures do occur, Digitrax has a generous repair/replacement policy.
Motor and light (etc.) control is very good as well.
The only drawback to these units is that the sound is not as rich as some of the high-end decoders. But if you have to convert many DC locos to DCC with sound these really fit the budget. I have installed about 15 so far.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: choochoopeter57
How should I know?
You folks ask these questions all the time, and I am always puzzled. First of all, "is it durable?". I have had this item for one week, and my friend used it once. So I know it lasts one week. Ask me the same question two years from now and I may have an answer for you.
The second question is largely dependent on the answer to the first one.
And entertaining? What does that mean? It does what I want it to do, but entertaining is totally relative.
Ask me if it is easy to install, and I can tell you because I installed it. The answer is not very easy, due to unclear instructions. Ask me if I like the sound, and I will tell you that I installed it for someone else to use and he seems satisfied. My hearing is shot, so all sound decoders sound the same to me. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: jimstrns
"Very disappointing because of how few features you get"
This is the second one of these I've bought. The first one stopped working, and I sent it in under Digitrax "No Worries" Guarentee. Digitrax wrote me about it, but after telling me they'd look into it, I never heard another word. Forgetting this, I bought another one. The second one has lasted more than a few days, and now is working, but gives me poor choices of sounds (you have you choice of either diesel or steam), and very little choice of what to work with. I have to reset it often, but at least the lights work.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: ironplanethobbies
Decoder review
For the price, highly recommended. It is a great starter decoder and for sixty bucks you also get some good cv features with the decoder. The only bad thing that they have is the speakers don’t produce a lot of sound when the engine is idling, but I turned up the sound of the horn and the bell and they are loud. If you use the manual notching function, you can get the engine rpm to produce a louder sound but other than that, a great decoder.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: mountain_subdiv...
Small and compact
a nice small compact sound decoder for a reasonable price. the decoder is easy to install and set up and has great features. For me the only draw back was the speaker, i had to use a different style because of the small tender I was installing the decoder in.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: r.m.bowditch
A good start for a new commer to DCC
I found the product good from as a new user view of Dcc. Instructions for installations have to be up to the installer as every loco is different this is where imagination starts with the confined spaces available , I am now getting locomotives to work together time consuming but as a new comer it gets one used to to the system of programming. Bottom line I like the products from Digitrax which suit meRead full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: yankeedabbler
Exceptional Value
It makes loco-"ish" sounds that are realistic enough to be entertaining. At half the cost of other products, it is an exceptional value. Installation is no different than any other decoder, and programming is likewise similar to other controllers. If you are a "rivet counter" you may want to opt for a higher end model. Sound output is plenty sufficient at the preset level, with plenty of volune adjustment left up or down.
I installed the controller in a Riverossi 0-4-0 placing the controller on top of the weight, and the speaker facing down in side the firebox. This kept everything in the loco making wiring much easier than placing the speaker in the tender which can be necessary with other systems. It was a tight fit, but very doable. Almost like it was made for the application. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: midwestmodelrr1
Great decoder with pretty good sound, makes a 30+ Athearn Blue Box sound just like the newer more expensive trains
Cant think of any cons for this item. It works great and sounds great in the trains that everyone bashes and says there not worth the time cause of the motors and what you have to do to make them DCC. All I do to all my old blue box Athearns is cut motor prongs on bottom of motor and then isolate the motor from the frame after that its just soldering a few easy wires that are on the 9 pin harness to the train and your done. I use these Digitrax sound decoders and there economy decoder in them as well and both the decoders make them run really well. Engine is a lot smoother and in the ones with sound they have a nice setup with everything all in one good speaker and decoder would recommend this decoder in any train that your wanting to upgrade with sound.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: mountain_subdiv...
Fits well sounds great
Programming sound for it is a bit tricky. You don't get much help from Digitrax. All Digitrax decoders have CV that are similar. Like direction of travel is CV29. Not all decoders work with Digitrax so don't mix them.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: mountain_subdiv...
This review does not reflect on MODRLRRSUPPLY as they are are a reputable dealer
I can not write a good review because the instant I plugged this decoder in and set the engine on my program track, it went up in smoke. So it does not say much for Digitrax"s quality control, But then you get what you pay for. I do not recommend Digitrax FOR YOUR DCC SUPPLIER
STAY AWAY FROM DIGITRAXRead full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: mountain_subdiv...