Does the ESU 58731 Board Fit the Kato N GS-4 (Latest Run)?

[reinhardtjh]

I'm not sure if there are any Canadien dealers for ZIMO or ESU.

At one time the only North American distributor for Zimo was in Canada - Art Luescher (I think)  He passed the baton on to someone else a couple years ago but I don't remember if they were in the US or Canada.

[peteski]

Yes, Art still participates in the ZIMO group ( https://groups.io/g/ZIMO-DCC ). I believe he passed the distributorship to https://www.trainli.com/ in Reno, NV, USA.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Streamlined Backshop quickly responded to my email enquiry, and clarified that they do indeed have the Zimo sound decoder for the GS4 (I guess I was looking at the wrong thing as being ‘sold out’). 

He said that there was no GS4 sound file per se, but he attached a link to all the available files.  I studied the American steam options, but hoo boy, I replied that I could really use some guidance/recommendation on what might be the most suitable for the GS4. 

Also, I don’t have the capability to download sound files to decoders, but presumably Streamlined Backshop must occasionally pre-load sounds for purchasers, correct?  I’ve never purchased/installed a sound decoder up ‘til now … just the non-sound predecessors.  Waiting to hear back from the shop, but looking forward to getting on with this little project.

[peteski]

Dwight,
Yes, Streamlined backstop does upload the sound files for customers.  It is all done during the online ordering phase.

While I do like ZIMO decoders, as I mentioned, their American steam loco sound selection is fairly limited.  If I were you, I would wait a bit longer, until the ESU decoder is back in stock as ESU has the appropriate sound file available.

I also want to mention that if you want to jump into ownership of the advanced sound decoders (which use downloadable sound files), things will be a bit more complicated than when using the simpler sound decoders which come with a small range of permanently preloaded sound selections.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Thanks, Peteski, for continuing to check in on this thread, and for guiding me towards the less twisty, convoluted path … much appreciated.  I’ll await availability of the ESU version of the decoder.

As an aside - I do have DecoderPro - I realize that I can’t load sound files with it, but I assume it can access Zimo decoders much like any other, no?  Just curious.

[reinhardtjh]

As an aside - I do have DecoderPro - I realize that I can’t load sound files with it, but I assume it can access Zimo decoders much like any other, no?  Just curious.

That's correct.  The configuration portion - the CV setting JMRI/DecoderPro can do just like any other decoder.

[peteski]

That's correct.  The configuration portion - the CV setting JMRI/DecoderPro can do just like any other decoder.

The list of CVs for ZIMO sound decoders is available at http://www.zimo.at/web2010/documents/cvliste_5.2021_EN.pdf

I checked the SBS website and you weren't mistaken:  the recently released 16-bit sound decoder MS560 is out of stock, but the previous 8-bit version, MX605 is in stock.  To be honest I really don't think that with the tiny speakers we use in N scale, 16 bit will sound all that different than the 8-bit version.

The full decoder manuals are available too.
For the MX (8-bit decoders): http://www.zimo.at/web2010/documents/MX-small-decoders_EN.pdf
And for the new MS (16-bit decoders): http://www.zimo.at/web2010/documents/MS-Sound-Decoders_EN.pdf

For some reason the MX manual does not include the MX605, but between the MS and MX manual, you should be able to get all the info you need.  Plus the decoder packaging includes a paper insert with all the basic info about the decoder.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Thanks so much for the links to the Zimo info … there’s a lot of poop there!
You suggested that I wait or search for the ESU version, for which there is a GS4 sound file, and I think I can gather up the patience for that! 

[peteski]

Thanks so much for the links to the Zimo info … there’s a lot of poop there!
You suggested that I wait or search for the ESU version, for which there is a GS4 sound file, and I think I can gather up the patience for that!

You won't regret it!  ESU sound decoders are even more complex that ZIMO, but that is at the sound file programming level (when you use the LokProgrammer to actually create or customize sound files), but at an end-user level (as in accessing just CV registers) they are about the same as any sound decoder.  Using JMRI DecoderPro is helpful (again, that goes for any sound decoder due to the extensive number of CVs in them compared to non-sound decoders).