Thanks to all for the positive comments about the TCS decoders. I'm convinced and will make the purchase. Ed Davis
--- On Fri, 4/19/13, vito4cal <[email protected]> wrote: From: vito4cal <[email protected]> Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: TCS decoders To: [email protected] Date: Friday, April 19, 2013, 10:00 AM I did the testing at the request of Ed L. I also used SHS engines and new and older brass RR models [SP Mike & GP9]. Even took photos and made some draft write ups for an article. Maybe someday . . . TCS T1 is an outstanding motor control decoder. Best value too of the motor control decoders out there - cheaper than the other brands and better warranty (free repair even if you smoke it -- who said there isn't such a thing as a free lunch!) The Zimo will give you slightly better motor control, but I would guess the majority of decoder users would not notice the difference or find the improvement worth the additional cost [2x the T1]. FWIW, for motor control I use Zimo decoders in my steamers and TCS in my diesels with sound provided by a Tsunami. Cheers, John Gibson Rocklin, CA S Scale SIG Secretary/Treasurer sscale.org BASS bayareasscalers.org --- In [email protected], "Ed" <Loizeaux@...> wrote: > > > Anyone have experience with TCS decoders? > > Ed Davis > > A local train buddy and fellow member of BASS has conducted controlled > testing to compare various brands of decoders to each other. The focus of > this testing was primarily on slow smooth starts and stops. I believe he used > AM diesels and SWM steamers for his tests. While I do not recall the exact > methodology of testing, measuring, and so forth, I do recall the end results > and have my own opinions as follows: > > 1. TCS has the best motor control performance of any American made decoder. > Zimo decoders, made in Austria, were very slightly better in the motor > control department. Simply put, TCS BEMF is better than the rest especially > when it comes to multiple-unit lashups and the like. If slow smooth jerk-free > starts are your desire, TCS will make you a happy camper. Compared to > Tsunami, the TCS motor control is clearly superior. > > 2. It is a quality product and is the favorite non-sound decoder for most of > the HO guys that hang out around here. > > 3. TCS has announced steam sound decoders which will become available this > summer. > > 4. All TCS products are made in Pennsylvania. > > 5. My personal favorite decoder is Zimo for all the reasons as detailed in > the S SIG forum at http://sscale.org/ Zimo now has sound decoders available > and the variety is expanding. > > Hope this helps........Ed Loizeaux >
