LokPilot micro v4.0 vs TCS EUN651 vs DZ146IN/DZ126IN for N Scale Atlas S2

[Upstate Gator]

I'm looking for decoder recommendations for the Atlas S2. I'm using an NCE PowerCab. I've used TCS, Digitrax, and NCE decoders, but haven't tried a LokPilot. I've seen some good testimonials for the ESU LokPilot. I will be using DecoderPro eventually.

I'm mainly interested in good motor control. I have not knowingly taken advantage of more than the basic headlight functions and I'm not sure what I would use additional functions for with that locomotive.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Ben
Fairport, NY

[jdcolombo]

I use the LokPilot exclusively these days for my non-sound units.  I tried a few TCS Z2's, and found them wanting.  They have a curious problem with a 3-point speed curve (CV's 2, 5 and 6) where they incorrectly interpolate the speed from step 2 to step 3 in 128-step mode and cause the engine to slow down.  This problem has been documented elsewhere; TCS has apparently admitted to a programming error, and may have fixed it by now.  But you also can't fine-tune the BEMF parameters on the TCS like you can with the ESU.  I can get almost anything to run superbly with the LokSound or LokPilot.  Not so with the TCS.

I abandoned Digitrax's mobile decoders years ago, so I can't comment on that comparison.  But another superb small non-sound decoder is the Zimo MX621 - it might be even better than the ESU at roughly the same price.  I used the Zimo to tame the new coreless motor in the Kato FEF - it performed a bit better in that situation than the LokPilot (although the LokPilot was excellent, too).

John C.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Ben,
I don't have an Atlas S2 but since it uses the same 6 pin decoder as Fox Valley Models locomotives I do have, I'll provide my experience on them. Between my sons and me, we have about a dozen FVM locomotives all with decoders....every one of the models you listed! The difference in operating characteristics is really amazing. When I first purchased locomotives, I only cared that they had a decoder, not really the brand. After trying to get my sons locomotives to operate together (the same FVM ES44AC, but different decoders), I decided to standardize on whichever performed the best. Easy enough to swap out these 6pin decoders! The winner in my household turned out to be the Zimo MX622N. I only had one that used the LokPilot and I didn't spend time tweaking it so it may be a great decoder, I just went with what worked for me with minimal work. Now all the locomotives operate at low speed and together.
Here's the link to where I've purchased mine:  http://store.sbs4dcc.com/ZimoMX622NMicroNMRADCCDecoderNEM6516-pinIntegralPlug.aspx
-Ryan

[peteski]

Here's the link to where I've purchased mine:  http://store.sbs4dcc.com/ZimoMX622NMicroNMRADCCDecoderNEM6516-pinIntegralPlug.aspx
-Ryan

Thanks for the link Ryan - I was looking for another good ZIMO dealer. I just ordered few items from them.

[jdcolombo]

I'll add one last comment.

As I noted above, I think Zimo's decoders are probably the best I've tried and highly recommend them.  But think a bit about where your modeling might take you before picking.  By this, I mean that if sound is in your future, the ESU LokSound has become the decoder of choice for both manufacturers and after-market installs.  (Zimo also makes a sound decoder, but sadly does not have the stable of excellent US prototype sound files that ESU does).  If you want to run a sound unit with an ESU LokSound in a multiple-unit lashup with non-sound units, it is going to be a lot easier to match speed and momentum effects if you stay with a single decoder brand.   I've learned this the hard way - I used to have a mix of LokSound, Lenz, and TCS; after a while, getting all these decoders to match speed curves and momentum effects got tedious, so I switched to the LokPilot for my non-sound units.  Since it uses the same motor control circuits as the LokSound, it is much easier to match settings among engines.

If it wasn't for my interest in sound, I'd have Zimo decoders in everything.  But with about a third of my diesels having ESU LokSound decoders, the LokPilot is an easier way to go for multiple-unit operations.

John C.

[Upstate Gator]

Thanks everyone!

John,
You've made a really good point about consisting sound and non-sound units. Until about a month ago, I had not seriously considered sound. Then I bought a BLI E6 set on sale, followed by a couple of BLI PAs at close-out prices. Now, I'm trying to decide if I want to wait for the GTW Atlas S2 sound version or grab the non-sound version before they disappear. I'm still a bit ambivalent about sound and not sure what I would do with my RS1s, unless I do the multiple under-the-layout speaker approach.

Ryan,
I'm pretty  much where you were. I was happy to get pretty much any type of drop-in decoder, although my preference overall was TCS. I have a few RS1s and old GPs, so the CN and CN-GP made sense.

I've probably followed the path that many of us have--started with drop-in decoders, done a few CNs, CN-GPs, and I'm now ready to try some hardwired installs so I can fill out my c1957 Dearborn Station roster.

I may well end up standardizing decoders down the line, especially in consisted F units.
Ben

 

[peteski]

I have many European steam locos, so Zimo works for me in those.  That is how I actually discovered Zimo: it was factory installed in a Fleischmann steam loco.  I loved the smooth operation and all the sound effects.  That was also my first experience with a factory installed"sugar xube" speaker. Again, excellent results.

Zimo does have a sound download section with US prototype sounds and hopefully it will keep growing.  But ESU also does make excellent decoders with a wide range of sound files available.

[Upstate Gator]

I went with the Zimo MX622N for the Atlas S2. I thought I might need to clip the pins, but the cab weight just fits over the decoder.

The challenge of course was removing the shell. The cab was really tight. I was eventually able to slip a chisel blade between the cab and the frame and pop it up a bit. The rear cab handrails were a lot of fun as well. (I did manage to bend the horn a bit.)

The slow speed with the Zimo decoder is incredible. The loco was noisy on DC, but runs great on DCC Thanks for the recommendation and the link.
Ben

[peteski]

I went with the Zimo MX622N for the Atlas S2. I thought I might need to clip the pins, but the cab weight just fits over the decoder.

The slow speed with the Zimo decoder is incredible. The loco was noisy on DC, but runs great on DCC Thanks for the recommendation and the link.
Ben

Welcome aboard Ben.   
Be sure to download the manual from http://www.zimo.at/web2010/documents/MX-KleineDecoder_E.pdf to see the decoders full capabilities.

[C855B]

Anybody know of a dealer who has the MX622N in stock? MBK and SBS are both out.

[Upstate Gator]

I think I grabbed the last MX622N from SBS. 

The width is so tight in the cab on the Zimo that I wondered if I had made the wrong choice. It was a toss up to me whether I chose the ESU or the Zimo.

Incidentally, there's a blog post comparing one person's impressions of the MX622 and the LokPilot at https://nscaleblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/nem651-battle-royale-esu-lokpilot-micro-v4-vs-zimo-mx622n/
Ben

[Upstate Gator]

So, now that I have the Zimo MX622N decoder installed (although I have to import the decoder definition into JMRI tonight), do you have recommendations on configuration?
Ben

[peteski]

I think I grabbed the last MX622N from SBS. 

The width is so tight in the cab on the Zimo that I wondered if I had made the wrong choice. It was a toss up to me whether I chose the ESU or the Zimo.

Incidentally, there's a blog post comparing one person's impressions of the MX622 and the LokPilot at https://nscaleblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/nem651-battle-royale-esu-lokpilot-micro-v4-vs-zimo-mx622n/
Ben

Looking in the manual, the MX621 is a tiny bit smaller.

MX621 is 12 x 8.5 x 2.2 mm
MX622 is 14 x 9 x 2.5 mm

As far as recommended settings go, the ZIMO decoder manual is really helpful in giving you examples of what to use for motor control settings (for various types of motors and which values to experiment with).  There are lots of choices, plus you can experiment even further yourself.  But if as you say the slow speed in incredible and I assume the entire speed range is good, then I think you are all set.

I have a copy of the manual printed (double-sided on a color printer) and bound into a spiral binding fro easy reading.

[jdcolombo]

Echo Peteski.

The Zimo decoders are incredibly customizable with respect to their BEMF circuits and motor control.  But if the defaults are working great for you don't fix what ain't broken.

Where you probably would need to tweak the settings would be for "exotic" motors, like the new Kato coreless motor in the FEF steamer.  The Zimo MX621 I used for that simply worked better than anything else I tried, but it did require some tweaking of the motor control CV's.  With "standard" motors in split-frame diesels, however, the factory settings seem to work just dandy.

John C.

[rrjim1]

The biggest problem were I shop with Zimo and ESU is availability, 95% of the time there out of stock, or there might be 1 or 2 available.  So even if they are a great DCC decoder there still not worth anything if you can't purchase them in quantity.  I sure don't want to make 6 different orders, paying shipping for each one.