[barrymx5]

As a newbie to sound DCC I visited Howes in Oxford at the weekend. Extremely helpful and gave me a brief demo of a 9F, WC Pacific and Black 5 - all fitted by them with Loksound. Also a new factory fitted Hornby Duchess. The 9F sound was superb. The WC and Black 5 equally good but not as good as the 9F. The Duchess was mediocre by comparison - but the total cost was less.
Of course this is all subjective but was illustrative enough for me to grit my teeth and ask Howes to DCC sound equip my City of Wells (which I just happened to have with me!). It will be my first sound equipped loco but will enable me to judge whether it is worth going further down this rather expensive path and give me a benchmark as of January 2009. Report over. Hope it helps others.

 

[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.

 

[barrymx5]

QUOTE As their website is showning currently soldout for the ESU sound deocders & has been like that for some days now.

Yes Barnowl they did warn me they were awaiting delivery so it might be 2 weeks but there was a distinct possibility the workshop might have the odd one (or 2) for personal shoppers having them fitted.

Interestingly the Unrebult WC is UKP 10 cheaper than rebuilt (easier to fit in all that casing). My Padstow may have to wait a bit.

 

[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.

 

[barrymx5]

QUOTE I have an Unrebuilt WC Watersmeet & was thinking of adding a sound chip & like you

Just received my City of Wells back from Howes with Loksound 3.5 fitted and it sounds FANTASTIC! (Delay because of chips out of stock, weather etc.) Barnowl you have got to do it! Watersmeet deserves it. Save your pennies like I did; it is even worth forgoing a bottle of wine or 2.

 

[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.