Detailed Review: HO Scale Broadway Limited Paragon 4 General Electric ES44AC with Sound and Smoke
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
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Title: Brazil Samba
Music: www.bensound.com
Genre: World
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Just FYI. BLI, BLI and Walthers don’t make road specific bodies, they use the same body to all. Just note that various railroads use nose doors on the right or left sides of nose.
Actually, that great to know for everybody who might not be as familiar with these. Thank you for taking the time to post this (and for watching)!
the smoke unit is definitely something I like. as many problems BLI has that has me buying them anyway
I feel kindof the same way.. At least they repair them if something goes bad
The speakers on my ho scale BLI Paragon 4 ES44AC CSX 1976 are choppy staticy do you think it would be put new speakers in myself or should I try sending it back to BLI
Good video im debating between Broadway ES44AC Vs scaletrains
You have good experience to program broadway-limited paragon 4 decoders on esu lokprogrammer?
Like long addresses and get the sound lower.
Big fat NO for the BLI from me all because of the Paragon decoder. I own a ScaleTrains Rivet Counter ES44AC and it’s easily the top dog, although Intermountain and Athearn are up there
I’m just not sure why BLI continues to insist on doing their own electronics as they’ve generally always been the weak link in their models.
@@DoctorHobby if BLI continued offering Blue Line (DCC ready with sound) and/or Stealth (DCC ready without sound) models, they would probably be making serious bank as opposed to forcing the end user to use their own OEM Paragon decoder design. MTH HO PS3 decoders were pretty crap but they at least deserve some credit for offering DCC ready options on their diesels so modelers can install their choice of Loksound or Tsunami
This has been a common sentiment among BLI commentors for quite some time. Given how little BLI actually spends on these decoders, my guess is that they gave a much greater profit potential in pre-outfitted units and have just decided to go completely in that direction.
What is that thing called for speed test at 14:31
Hi from england I've subscribed because your very professional i really enjoyed this video
Thank you so much for subscribing and i really really appreciate the kind and encouraging words. I'll have more from your country in the near future, I'm sure!
I think scaletrains, athearn g2 and probably rapido are top of the heap for north american stuff. Problem is all that finely detailed stuff falls off with repeated handling, the paint will rub off too, and all the tiny reproduced labelling is only legible with magnification. And from 2 ft away I can no longer really tell ... So while I like and maybe buy the faux realism. It's a flimsy reality I'm getting... Unless I just stash it away in a box and never actually run it....
Regarding ES44Ac models, Scaletrains is my favorite, but I am not fan of the way that almost totally enclose the speaker.
Intermountain is my second best. However, I don’t like the way that Intermountain glues everything. For instance, in order to separate the cab from the body, you may end up braking some part of handrail because it is glued to it. The speaker in this model is low quality, too.
Third place goes to Tower 55. Yes, this model was made almost 20 years ago, but the body detailing still pretty good. The underbody and truck detailing is a bit meh for today standards.
Forth palace Athearn.
Not particularly bad, but just average of bunch model in terms of detailing. Limited Econami decoder, cheap speaker.
Fifth and sixth place. I would say BLI models. They both use an universal body. Which means they both don’t make railroad specific locomotives. They just slap the railroad paint. The
sound decoder on these are much worse that Loksound and Tsunami equipped ones. They both also suffer of not reliable electronics.
Seventh place. Walthers, it has very poor detailing. Grabiron, steps and eyebolts are simply molded in the body. Looks extremely cheap in this day and age.
I might pick up a Scaletrains here in a minute as I'm curious.. and they offer a locomotive that I want. And, yeah, Intermountain's stuff looks good, but they make some quirky decisions.. and.. doggone.. their handrails never stay put! Blagh!
So better to chose athearn genesis over bli?
I definitely would make that choice in the future
I have had issues with my BLI stuff. And TBH their stuff is too expensive for the issues…. However, I will say their service department has taken care of me on stuff… So, at least they care.
This has been my experience and my general take on the company, overall. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me/us on this.
back EMF is the big question I have, di you set it up, and if you have a 9 level helix should you set it higher
I don't mess with the back EMF on my BLI locomotives.. Whatever they're set for at the factory is what they stay at
Sounds are better also on the ho mth ge es44 ac I own one and it is my favorite loco
That smoke has me intrigued. Is there a way to fit in another decoder like a loksound and still have the smoke?
Esu is coming out with an adapter board for p3&4 models
@@YeOldeGeezer Any Idea on the ETA? I'm elated to hear this though. I've got a pretty substantial investment in BLI.
@@docuzzie check ESU’s main site
@@YeOldeGeezer Additionally, I have the BLI ES44AC's not the steam locomotives. The Locos tend to have the decoder in the Tender. The ES44AC doesn't have a tender because it's a diesel.
@@docuzzie might have to wait then until they make one. For now it’s steam only
Great video Bruce. Just saw a beautiful BNSF freight consist going up the Cajon Pass earlier today on the way to a backpacking trip in the eastern sierras. Take care.
Oh, that must have been really great! Would love to get back out west to trainspot soon! Thank you for your kind words! Take care over there!
Great video, but I definitely steer clear of BLI...... way too many issues
Can totally understand that--a lot of people have similar sentiments, I think.
Detail wise yes overthrows the bli
Anyone know what the best brands are for DC/DCC Steam locomotives? Ive been looking into getting a few and Im trying to get the best brands. As in like best sound quality, least number of problems, best details, etc. Thanks
What country and time period are you looking to model?
@@DoctorHobby in steam, basically 20th century USA. Right around 1930s to 1960s to be more exact, if thats what you mean
If you want new, then really only BLI is doing any work there and you'll have to decide if the quirks and quality control problems are something you can stomach. Otherwise you'll have to start going used and it'll be on a bit of a model -by-model basis then. So many manufacturers have gotten out of steam lately
@@DoctorHobby it sucks that manufacturers are doing that. What mind of quirks and quality control problems are common in BLI? Im not that familiar with BLI sadly😂or if I were to go used, what brands would generally be best, since i know it can depend on the condition and other factors
For BLI quirks, you'll need to scroll back to my videos to see what fun they can be. Part of the issue is that American manufacturers started getting out of steam around the time DCC started to become popular. BLI Paragon 2 or earlier seem to be better than 3 and 4, however
I love ur videos
hey bruce i have been having problems with my broadway limiteds ive had 3 engines stop working do you know whats wrong? thanks!
Yikes! That's really painful! Can you tell me a bit more about your situation? DC? DCC? Do you get anything on them?
@@DoctorHobby i have dcc and also, no i do not get anything on them and also i have paragon 3
You've for some pretty big problems, then.... Sounds like you've potentially got three decoders out. Can you test them in analog?
@@DoctorHobby how can I test them in analog
It looks like the screw is there just something on top of it
You might be right .i was running short on time and had to rush a little too much to look at it super closely
Mth
Mth is definitely better
Keep up the good work
Wish I can afford it
Thank you so very much for the encouragement! I'll keep trying to make the best videos i can!