AlanVSparks Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I have noticed the rising prices since the V4 Loksound arrived so what is the cheapest way to obtain one? Buy a Bargain Bachmann DS loco and sell the loco on ebay? Bargains are rare now Sound decoder will need a re blow I expect or Buy from a shop such Olivias and hope the sound files are good? or from the USA but expect to pay duty or does someone else have a bright idea because this is getting expensive? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed-farms Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Buying a loco to remove the chip and then sell it on Ebay can be hit and miss, Most sound locos are approx £150 (although there is a green 24 on Hattons for £129 at the moment) with South West Digital Chips retailing at approx £95. This means you need to earn £50+ to make it cheaper for the loco option, if you want it reblowing you will need to add another £20 to the target sale price. Also all Bachmann locos have a sticker over the sound chip saying "warranty void if removed" so you would not be covered for failures if anything goes wrong later on. Best method to me would be to buy the chips on their own and fit them to the loco of your choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLT 0109 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I would go for your second option. If I am paying £100 or more for a sound chip, I would rather pay the retailer another £25 to fit it than risk doing damage myself. If the professional does damage, he is responsible for fixing it free of charge. If you are buying on the internet, you are covered by the distance selling regulations that oblige the retailer to take back the goods if you are not happy with them (because you have not had the opportunity to examine them - in this case to listen to them). I have found retailers of sound locos to be entirely happy to refund in these circumstances. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverlink Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Buying sound equipped loco's or sound decoders secondhand could be problematic, as said earlier its a bit hit & miss with removing decoders & selling the locos on. Likewise you could end up with a faulty decoder if buying secondhand. I would stongly recommend buying from one of the specialist retailers as at least that way you do have some comeback should there be a problem. My personal choice is Olivias Trains, Neil Bishop the owner is very helpful & has available great expertise through his knowledgeable staff who work on site. The other thing with Olivias is they will re-blow their own decoders for free! plus I think at the moment price is £98 inc postage. Give Neil a call and have a chat with him I'm sure he will sort you out. silverlink Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaffsOatcake Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I have been quite lucky with buying a second hand sound fitted nearly blue (2 months old) BR Blue Bachmann Class 20. I paid £75 for it, it will need a reblow as the standard blown sounds are in my opinion 'clipped' at the top end. Why was it so cheap?? The previous owner was changing scale and The cab windows had fallen in the cab. Now that was a job and a half to get the cab off to put the glazing back in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggy1953 Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I have been quite lucky with buying a second hand sound fitted nearly blue (2 months old) BR Blue Bachmann Class 20. I paid £75 for it, it will need a reblow as the standard blown sounds are in my opinion 'clipped' at the top end. Why was it so cheap?? The previous owner was changing scale and The cab windows had fallen in the cab. Now that was a job and a half to get the cab off to put the glazing back in. Slightly off-topic, but i have had the same problem with a window on my sound class 20. Couldn't refit the window so changed the body.I wonder if this is a common problem ? Back on-topic, i always believed the price of sound chips would come down once they became popular. To date this just has not happened. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Slightly off-topic, but i have had the same problem with a window on my sound class 20. Couldn't refit the window so changed the body.I wonder if this is a common problem ? Back on-topic, i always believed the price of sound chips would come down once they became popular. To date this just has not happened. Know you feeling over the price supply and demand says that as they become more available price should come down but not apearing to happen various reasons given by suppliers just what you would expect. This has been discused before and it seem supliers are right. i wonder when times are hard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
signalmaintainer Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 I really wish Soundtraxx would step up to the plate and offer a wider array of programming for their excellent Tsunami decoders. Competitor ESU has "crossed the pond" as it were and offers sounds for North American steam and diesel locomotives. Time for Soundtraxx to reciprocate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRDBLUE17 Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I would probably suggest one of the main suppliers as a good port of call although I have a mixture from SWD, Howes and Charlie at DC kits also has a great range and good prices too at around £100 - he has some of legomanbiffos sounds as well which are excellent and add further variety. My best buy to date though was a Bachmann 47 bought second hand with the loco sold on worked out at £35 but I did buy this from a very reputable retailer. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.