Thank you for the kind words, albeit you risk bloating my already swollen ego. Don't sell yourself short, though: watching your video as I type and you have a fantastic voice combined with a meticulous and unique presentation style. Something to put to work into your favour!
I actually like the ESU loksound 5 decoders I have in my Gp9's. They sound waaay better then Tsunami decoders I was running prior and I feel they perform better as well. For steam though, TCS WOW decoders cannot be beat. Stupid easy to install, they perform and sound great to boot. Admittedly, I don't do too much consisting, nor do I do the deep dive into the level of programing you explained very well. To me. It's like reading ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Rapido has some quality control hiccups for sure. I had to get both of my RS18's re-motored under warranty and my CPR Budd car did have the proper light boards installed for the gyro lights at both ends. All of which have been fixed by Rapido with no hassle from them at all. Fingers crossed that the CPR D10 steamer I pre-ordered arrives without any issues.
Thank you for your feedback! I took the liberty of looking at all your videos and your TCS WOW steamer really lives up to the name of the decoder. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your feedback. ESU decoders work great out of the box and do have fantastic motor control but it does seem that when you want to get close and intimate with configuring those CVs you are up for a long and frustrating night. My Rapido SW1200RS went back to the shop to replace a dying motor and a possible decoder swap, and I am dreading reconfiguring it all to mate with the M420. A small price to pay for enjoying consisted engines. #FirstWorldProblems
I think the standard now is to use JMRI but I find it lacks the precision I want. If you do a quick RUclips search you’ll see all kinds of approaches, from the approximate to the anal retentive. Perhaps time to show how I do mine, analogue style.
ESU use indexed CV values, so to change some CV's you might need to flag a bit in another one. Doing this outside of JMRI or LokProgrammer apps and your exploring some rocky territory !
This is quite true! I do have a video in the works with my experience using an NCE and Digitrax sprogs that I borrowed and JMRI has made certain aspects significantly easier. As both my M420 and SW1200RS had to go back to Rapido shop (that's another video!) I will probably use JMRI for most of the leg work. I am still finding manually matching speed steps to be the most precise. Thanks for the feedback!
You know scenery is not as tough as yo7 think. One good think bad thing you have going for you is patients. It a good thing because you can start small sand slowly move around and ensure you get the detail you want. The bad thing is you might just be putting and taking up the scenery a lot until you get what you like. That’s the key though, You need to get the scenery that is to Your liking. Good luck. There are plenty of people to help
One of the things I learnt the hard way is to never try something new in the layout itself first. Perhaps those spare pieces of foam may be good candidates for a trial run. Thanks for the advice!
Fair. I had three ESU equipped locos. Then two. Then one. Now zero. Had those models actually worked and were not sent back I probably would have invested in a LokProgrammer.
I think you will find that Rapido models all have a similar trend: they’re impossible to open and all need to go back to Rapido at least once due to the shoddy manufacturing process. After that things work for the most part. Except for the SW1200RS. That’s been back four times since 2018 and is currently still with them waiting to be fixed…
@@SouthDown wow I guess detail does not necessarily mean quality. Thanks for the info! I subbed to your channel btw, looking forward to the scenery, which is kind of my favorite part. I have a good video for scenery on my channel if you’re interested.
From what I’m being told from various other YouTubbers I am meeting, if you’re looking for reliability Rapido isn’t where you’d go. I’m subscribed to your channel! Going to get caught up but please feel free to tell me what to watch. I am finishing my first structure as we speak and I’m looking forward to showing off this hilarious attempt.
@@SouthDown thanks for the sub! I need to edit and post a video of my first scratch built structure. I made at least 5 major mistakes, but was still able to save it at the end of the day.
With my SW1200RS going back a third time to Rapido, you just gave me an idea for a rant. A loving rant, that is as I do love Rapido, but perhaps something that needs to be said.
@@SouthDown Indeed. A friend of mine had the problems with his SW1200, sending it again... They make very nice stuff, it is the mechanics and sometimes the electronics that are frustrating.
The M420 is amazing. The problem really comes down if you are being a crazy nerd like me that needs to make this thing crawl at stupidly low speeds. Despite all the nit-picking I have with the ESU decoder's manual, it is a superbly running model. Rapido makes amazing products.
I'm currently playing around with JMRI--I'll follow up with this adventure soon--but a LokProgrammer may be for down the road. I'm currently four engines in, three with ESU. Thank you for the feedback!
Like some other commenters,I don't like ESU Decoders.The manuals are like a maze.If I buy a Loco with ESU I replace it with Tsunami 2.The sound quality is better,and also has an equaliser.Adjusting CVs is easier and can be done without a computer or programmer,and in Ops mode just fine.And CVs are numbered in a logical sequence.There is the DDE and Braking,all adjustable.Spent a lot of time 'adjusting' ESU Decoders with little results.ESU?? No thanks.
It's interesting to read this: when I walked into the hobby it seemed like ESU decoders were _the_ standard for decoders, but the more modellers I meet the more varied the opinion becomes. I appreciate your feedback and would love to see what you're doing with your Australian model railway!
@@SouthDown Hello again.As I said,I have tried ESU Decoders,so my decision is experienced based.If anyone can show me different,I will listen.I do Australian prototype modeling,but have long been a USA modeler,from blue box to now Genesis.The choice and quality of the Australian models is probably better and with more detail than anything else I've seen,even the Genesis range.The Locos have very tidy Motherboards(21) pin,with plug in lighting onto the board,unlike the mess on Genesis Locos,(don't pick up by the Dyn Brake cover)Still all my USA locos are Genesis.Look forward to more action on your Layout.
ESU decoders are the best. Hands down. I have replaced all decoders from other brands in my collection (I own nearly 200 locomotives) for ESU decoders. But if you want to program them easily you need to use the Lokprogrammer. ESU decoders are not for those who want a decoder-for-dummies or do not like to read a well detailed handbook.
You missed the most important thing about ESU decoders. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EASY TO PROGRAM. As you found out yourself, a lot of the internal stuff is proprietary and does not line up with NMRA standards, unlike every other decoder brand in existence. They are literally designed in such a way to force you into buying their fancy expensive 'programmer' if you don't want your life to be shown as a textbook example of masochism. For some reason not only are all the ESU fan boys OK with this, they trash all the other brands for not having a programmer of their own. They say 'oh, look at all these fancy custom things I can make and download on my decoders!', seemingly blind to the fact that if their 'favorite' decoders were actually better than the competition in the first place, they would not need to rewrite them to get something half decent out of them. I didn't used to be picky about decoders but I will never use ESU decoders again. They sound like crap, their motor control is nothing special, and I have far better things to do than spend hundreds of my hard earned dollars on their stupid programmer, and then have to create my own software and audio files to replace the garbage ESU ships them out with.
The fancy expensive 'programmer' is to load the sound files, which is not a capability for other brand decoders. You can still program ESU with JMRI no problems, just use a SPROG or your favorite PC interface for your DCC system. People love Loksound because you can have the same set of locomotives with all unique variances in sound where as if you did that with say Tsunami brand ones they all blend together and it does not sound realistic in a consist. You've obviously been misinformed about ESU.
Thank you for both your opinions! Haven't looked into the LokProgrammer yet now that I have JMRI working. I was, at the very least, able to modify the settings I was interested in. Haven't dived into sounds yet, but that may be a bridge I'll cross at some point.
@@KingTrump2024 that's actually not true with Tsunami2 decoders. A few minor adjustments to prime mover audio levels, (playing with the pitch, bass and treble levels) adjust the ramp up and attack times and within 10-15 minutes you have have the same decoder in two locomotives and sound like two unique locomotives.
The Tsunami 2 definitely has better sound.Most of mine can be at 100 to 150 out of 255.The ESU will be maxed out.Have had Australian Outline Diesels that can barely be heard,and when I swap to T2 it's a big difference.
Хобби
These videos are so good, and you're very good at presenting and speaking, I'm surprised you don't have thousands of subscribers yet!
Thank you for the kind words, albeit you risk bloating my already swollen ego. Don't sell yourself short, though: watching your video as I type and you have a fantastic voice combined with a meticulous and unique presentation style. Something to put to work into your favour!
I actually like the ESU loksound 5 decoders I have in my Gp9's. They sound waaay better then Tsunami decoders I was running prior and I feel they perform better as well. For steam though, TCS WOW decoders cannot be beat. Stupid easy to install, they perform and sound great to boot. Admittedly, I don't do too much consisting, nor do I do the deep dive into the level of programing you explained very well. To me. It's like reading ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Rapido has some quality control hiccups for sure. I had to get both of my RS18's re-motored under warranty and my CPR Budd car did have the proper light boards installed for the gyro lights at both ends. All of which have been fixed by Rapido with no hassle from them at all. Fingers crossed that the CPR D10 steamer I pre-ordered arrives without any issues.
Thank you for your feedback! I took the liberty of looking at all your videos and your TCS WOW steamer really lives up to the name of the decoder. Thanks for sharing!
I thought I was the only one to have problems with ESU, the way everyone talks them up. Great video.
Thank you for your feedback. ESU decoders work great out of the box and do have fantastic motor control but it does seem that when you want to get close and intimate with configuring those CVs you are up for a long and frustrating night. My Rapido SW1200RS went back to the shop to replace a dying motor and a possible decoder swap, and I am dreading reconfiguring it all to mate with the M420. A small price to pay for enjoying consisted engines. #FirstWorldProblems
You said nobody is using a controller to speematch anymore? What do they use? I have locomotives I want to speedmatch, but just dunno how?
I think the standard now is to use JMRI but I find it lacks the precision I want. If you do a quick RUclips search you’ll see all kinds of approaches, from the approximate to the anal retentive. Perhaps time to show how I do mine, analogue style.
Thanks for your Toy Train Technology
👍
ESU use indexed CV values, so to change some CV's you might need to flag a bit in another one. Doing this outside of JMRI or LokProgrammer apps and your exploring some rocky territory !
This is quite true! I do have a video in the works with my experience using an NCE and Digitrax sprogs that I borrowed and JMRI has made certain aspects significantly easier. As both my M420 and SW1200RS had to go back to Rapido shop (that's another video!) I will probably use JMRI for most of the leg work. I am still finding manually matching speed steps to be the most precise. Thanks for the feedback!
You know scenery is not as tough as yo7 think. One good think bad thing you have going for you is patients. It a good thing because you can start small sand slowly move around and ensure you get the detail you want. The bad thing is you might just be putting and taking up the scenery a lot until you get what you like. That’s the key though, You need to get the scenery that is to Your liking. Good luck. There are plenty of people to help
One of the things I learnt the hard way is to never try something new in the layout itself first. Perhaps those spare pieces of foam may be good candidates for a trial run. Thanks for the advice!
I have many LokSound equipped locos. I program them with LokProgrammer. I would not even try to program them manually.
Fair. I had three ESU equipped locos. Then two. Then one. Now zero. Had those models actually worked and were not sent back I probably would have invested in a LokProgrammer.
Interesting. Both my B36-7 locos had to go back for warranty repair - bad motors. They run fine now.
I think you will find that Rapido models all have a similar trend: they’re impossible to open and all need to go back to Rapido at least once due to the shoddy manufacturing process. After that things work for the most part. Except for the SW1200RS. That’s been back four times since 2018 and is currently still with them waiting to be fixed…
@@SouthDown wow I guess detail does not necessarily mean quality. Thanks for the info! I subbed to your channel btw, looking forward to the scenery, which is kind of my favorite part. I have a good video for scenery on my channel if you’re interested.
From what I’m being told from various other YouTubbers I am meeting, if you’re looking for reliability Rapido isn’t where you’d go.
I’m subscribed to your channel! Going to get caught up but please feel free to tell me what to watch. I am finishing my first structure as we speak and I’m looking forward to showing off this hilarious attempt.
@@SouthDown thanks for the sub! I need to edit and post a video of my first scratch built structure. I made at least 5 major mistakes, but was still able to save it at the end of the day.
@@SouthDown my video on modeling plowed fields goes into my scenery methods. It’s all about layers.
Hmmm! Problems with my M420 was the "mechanic" part of it, namely warped trucks. Ya rapido fixed it. They had too for the $$$. Interesting video
With my SW1200RS going back a third time to Rapido, you just gave me an idea for a rant. A loving rant, that is as I do love Rapido, but perhaps something that needs to be said.
@@SouthDown Indeed. A friend of mine had the problems with his SW1200, sending it again... They make very nice stuff, it is the mechanics and sometimes the electronics that are frustrating.
This video made me do a facepalm but I really like that M420. I'll buy one.
The M420 is amazing. The problem really comes down if you are being a crazy nerd like me that needs to make this thing crawl at stupidly low speeds. Despite all the nit-picking I have with the ESU decoder's manual, it is a superbly running model. Rapido makes amazing products.
Use the ESU programmer and it will be easy
I'm currently playing around with JMRI--I'll follow up with this adventure soon--but a LokProgrammer may be for down the road. I'm currently four engines in, three with ESU. Thank you for the feedback!
Like some other commenters,I don't like ESU Decoders.The manuals are like a maze.If I buy a Loco with ESU I replace it with Tsunami 2.The sound quality is better,and also has an equaliser.Adjusting CVs is easier and can be done without a computer or programmer,and in Ops mode just fine.And CVs are numbered in a logical sequence.There is the DDE and Braking,all adjustable.Spent a lot of time 'adjusting' ESU Decoders with little results.ESU?? No thanks.
It's interesting to read this: when I walked into the hobby it seemed like ESU decoders were _the_ standard for decoders, but the more modellers I meet the more varied the opinion becomes. I appreciate your feedback and would love to see what you're doing with your Australian model railway!
@@SouthDown Hello again.As I said,I have tried ESU Decoders,so my decision is experienced based.If anyone can show me different,I will listen.I do Australian prototype modeling,but have long been a USA modeler,from blue box to now Genesis.The choice and quality of the Australian models is probably better and with more detail than anything else I've seen,even the Genesis range.The Locos have very tidy Motherboards(21) pin,with plug in lighting onto the board,unlike the mess on Genesis Locos,(don't pick up by the Dyn Brake cover)Still all my USA locos are Genesis.Look forward to more action on your Layout.
These M240 models are like the real ones made by Bombardier, they look amazing, but have electric issues... Ironic eh?
That's pretty funny. I guess this makes the model very realistic! Thank you for your feedback.
Oh also, I'd love to see someone review the old BC rail GF6Fs!
ESU decoders are the best. Hands down. I have replaced all decoders from other brands in my collection (I own nearly 200 locomotives) for ESU decoders. But if you want to program them easily you need to use the Lokprogrammer. ESU decoders are not for those who want a decoder-for-dummies or do not like to read a well detailed handbook.
Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback and alternative point of view.
My sw1200rs runs like butter with a c424 the has a esu in it
When they run, they run like butter, except when they don’t! Thanks for the feedback!
@@SouthDown hm my esus didnt have problems
The problem isn’t the decoder. My argument was about the documentation. The decoders are great. The manual? Not so much.
Esus are good but their picky on dirty track
Thank you for your feedback! I think that any decoder will operate poorly on dirty track!
You missed the most important thing about ESU decoders. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EASY TO PROGRAM. As you found out yourself, a lot of the internal stuff is proprietary and does not line up with NMRA standards, unlike every other decoder brand in existence. They are literally designed in such a way to force you into buying their fancy expensive 'programmer' if you don't want your life to be shown as a textbook example of masochism. For some reason not only are all the ESU fan boys OK with this, they trash all the other brands for not having a programmer of their own. They say 'oh, look at all these fancy custom things I can make and download on my decoders!', seemingly blind to the fact that if their 'favorite' decoders were actually better than the competition in the first place, they would not need to rewrite them to get something half decent out of them. I didn't used to be picky about decoders but I will never use ESU decoders again. They sound like crap, their motor control is nothing special, and I have far better things to do than spend hundreds of my hard earned dollars on their stupid programmer, and then have to create my own software and audio files to replace the garbage ESU ships them out with.
The fancy expensive 'programmer' is to load the sound files, which is not a capability for other brand decoders. You can still program ESU with JMRI no problems, just use a SPROG or your favorite PC interface for your DCC system. People love Loksound because you can have the same set of locomotives with all unique variances in sound where as if you did that with say Tsunami brand ones they all blend together and it does not sound realistic in a consist. You've obviously been misinformed about ESU.
Thank you for both your opinions! Haven't looked into the LokProgrammer yet now that I have JMRI working. I was, at the very least, able to modify the settings I was interested in. Haven't dived into sounds yet, but that may be a bridge I'll cross at some point.
@@KingTrump2024 that's actually not true with Tsunami2 decoders. A few minor adjustments to prime mover audio levels, (playing with the pitch, bass and treble levels) adjust the ramp up and attack times and within 10-15 minutes you have have the same decoder in two locomotives and sound like two unique locomotives.
The Tsunami 2 definitely has better sound.Most of mine can be at 100 to 150 out of 255.The ESU will be maxed out.Have had Australian Outline Diesels that can barely be heard,and when I swap to T2 it's a big difference.
JMRI exists so no, you do not need the expensive programmer unless you want to load sound files which the other decoders cannot do.