Zimo MX61

[newport_rod]

What are people's opinion of the Zimo MX61? Is it old hat and the current products are considerably better or does it still cut the mustard? I'm thinking of putting one in a 4mm whitemetal tank loco and it'll be my first DCC installation. Comments appreciated.

[Nigelcliffe]

As its Zimo is probably decent, even though its at least seven years old. Zimo make some of the very best decoders you can buy. The newer ones will be a lot better, Zimo update the software on their decoders very regularly, and the newer ones are upgradable by the customer.

 

For practising installations, fine. But if the DCC control isn't near perfect, then plan to remove it and fit a newer chip.

 

For any installation; the loco needs to run properly under DC control first; DCC can't fix problems in pickups, gears and motors !

 

 

 

- Nigel (Zimo decoder user)

[Ron Ron Ron]

Have you already got one of these? If not, then you won't find one as they've been obsolete for some time.

However, Zimo have always had a good reputation for top of the line decoders.

 

The current Zimo line up is listed here...... Zimo 2010 decoders.

 

 

.

[newport_rod]

Thanks for your replies Nigel and Hank.

 

Nigel - the loco runs Ok on DC (and looks very like the one at the top of my Avatar), but you seem to think that using an older chip like the MX61 isn't the thing to do (if the newer ones are a lot better, then the older oned must be a lot worse).

 

Ron/Hank - there are a couple on eBay at the moment, described as "Compatable for MARKLIN FLEISCHMANN ROCO etc" but presumably perfectly OK a scratchbuilt chassis.

[Nigelcliffe]

Thanks for your replies Nigel and Hank.

 

Ron/Hank - there are a couple on eBay at the moment, described as "Compatable for MARKLIN FLEISCHMANN ROCO etc" but presumably perfectly OK a scratchbuilt chassis.

 

If its the one at £25 + £4 shipping "buy it now", then I'd suggest that rather than a seven year old chip, you could get a current Zimo MX630 chip for less than £34 (inc post) from a UK DCC specialist retailer.

 

 

- Nigel

[newport_rod]

Nigel, it appears to be £25 + £4 for two, working out at £14.50 each which makes it a bit more attractive.

Rod

[Ron Ron Ron]

It says "New Boxed", but look at the model number.

 

In Zimo speak, the "R" suffix indicates 8-pin NEM 652 plug.

 

From what I can see, the photo appears to show 6-pin NEM 651 plugs on both decoders. If so, the correct suffix should be "F".

 

Note that someone has added an "F" after the "R"

 

???????

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy a new one. :icon_thumbsup2:

 

.

[newport_rod]

OK Chaps, two MX630 Decoders ordered from Digitrains. Thaks for your help.

[craigwelsh]

Don't forget to download the manual http://www.zimo.at/web2007/pdf/MX620MX630MX640E.pdf as they normally only come in a little plastic box with just the wire colour guide on the back. Note though that you don't need to read much of it to have it working!

 

I have the older MX63 in a couple of locos and they really are superb and can do everything as well as offering very fine quality running.

[newport_rod]

Thank you Craig, I've downloaded the pdf and printed off the pages I (think that I) want.

 

Which brings me onto a whinge. In the old days of hardcopy instructions I could see why manufacturers combined the manuals for several different devices in one cover, but surely now with manuals being created and distributed electronically it wouldn’t be too difficult to provide separate manuals if not for each decoder then for each family. As it is I’m now wading through a tome that covers approx 30 different decoders and I’m constantly having to check what applies to my particular device. End of whinge. I feel better now.