[Barnowl]

Hi
I found your review of the Hornby Digital sound Duchess very interesting.
I received my Duchess at Christmas & I was impressed by the sound but not having actually heard the sound before I was interested to know how authentic the sound was & it was reasuring to hear that you believed that it sounds like the prototype.
I also felt that the chuffs too loco speed was not that syncho to the acceleration of the loco.i.e. the chuffs speeded up faster than the loco.
I played arround with most of the relevant CV`s & came to the conclusion that only the acceleration & deceleration cv`s were worth changing.
What cv`s settings did you find, give in your view the best result?

With regard to the whistle sound on F2 I found that when you activate the whistle (using an Elite controller). The whistle sounded ok but the very last note stayed on (& sounded awful) until you switched it off.

I found the best way to use this whistle was to switch it on & then off.Which then sounds like the short whistle but perhaps a second longer.
I would have thought that the F2 whistle should play through & come to its logical end?
What do you think?

I have only been train modelling for just over a year & completely DCC. The majority being Hornby locos & all steam.
And there is no doubt in my mind that the sound adds another dimension to a layout so I was pleased to see that Hornby are bringing out more steam sound locos.

When I started I was thinking of buying new & secondhand locos but I have to say that the detail of the locos that Hornby are producing are excellent & with them also producing locos with the decoder fittings in the tenders makes it easier to fit a sound decoder at a later date.
Trouble is I need a bigger wallet & layout.

 

[Barnowl]

With the Elite it just just switches a function on or off.
There is a seperate button which switches the last function button selected on/off.
So once selected you can vary the length of time the by using the on/off button twice.
That effectively switches the function on and then off. How long the whistle sounds for can be varied by the length of time between presses.
It only works on the last F button pressed though.

I have tried other cv`s i.e.57 to 60 but could not come up with an alternative so I put them back to the Hornby settings likewise for 3 & 4.
I would be interested in your settings.

 

[Barnowl]

Mike
The latest issue No.20 received mine through the post the other day.
My first issue as a subscriber & I am most impressed with the mag.

John
Re whistle the F9 Short whistle does just that but on my loco & with the Elite the F2 whistle stays on until you turn it off.
Is that the same for other owners of the loco & the Elite?

 

[Barnowl]

The ESU manual can be found at this link http://www.esu.eu/index.php?id=293&L=2 & select LokSound V3.5
which is the decoder Hornby use in the Duchess.

NOTE The default cv`s shown in the manual are ESU`s.
You will need to read the cv`s on your decoder first & record it before changing it.
Hornby have altered some of the cv`s to operate with their sound data/loco.

SO CHECK FIRST & RECORD VALUE BEFORE ALTERING.

 

[Barnowl]

Hi Richard
Interesting what you say as it makes you wonder why Hornby set the F2 whistle that way.
It sounds more compatable with non Hornby contollers.
Otherwise why put the loop in?
If you do?
Why not explain so in the Operating manual for users of Hornby Elite/Select owners (i.e. those supporting all Hornby products) as to the best way to operate the whistle.
Come on Hornby surely this is basic stuff.

I see you are from DCC Concepts are you/have you sound decoders for the new Hornby Schools & T9`s were they have the decoders in the tenders.
Makes it so much easier to add you own sound later.

I kown the decoders are expensive at the moment especially with the state of the pound but hopefully in time they will drop.

 

[Barnowl]

barrymx5 I`ve got a Super D decoder from Howes & that sound is also excellent.
Did they have the sound decoders in?
As their website is showning currently soldout for the ESU sound deocders & has been like that for some days now.

You are right it is rather an expensive path but I have to say it certainly adds another dimension to a layout.

Hornby are releasing another two sound fitted steam loco`s sometime this year ;
R2805XS LNER 4-6-2 Class A4 'Herring Gull' With DCC Sound
R2804XS BR 4-6-0 Class 5 with DCC Sound
I believe Hornby`s recommened price is about £250. but the likes of Hatton`s are showing a pre oder price of £193.

 

[Barnowl]

barrymx5
I have an Unrebuilt WC Watersmeet & was thinking of adding a sound chip & like you I also have a Padstow gets expensive even thinking about it.
I daren`t pay Howes a visit next time I am down that way like you if I hear the sounds I would be tempted.

 

[Barnowl]

Thanks for that Barrymx5
I was wondering how you were getting on.
Pleased to see you are `Over the Moon` with it. Sound certainly adds another dimension.
I see Howes site still shows as out of stock for all the ESU dsound decoders. It has been like that for some time if I recall back to when you dropped your loco off.
Surely there is not a problem with supply from ESU.
I shall be visiting Banbury within the next week so I shall pay a visit to Howes.
Shall I take my Watersmeet & Padstow with me?
Could be an expensive visit.