Large Scale Central

Airwire or Revolution?

General Discussion
#61

Michael Kirrene said:

todd whittier said:

Michael, If you go with Airwire,you could go with a Tsunami sound decoder or TCS WOW sound board. I run Airwire and that’s the route I have gone. I feel some of the other sound system companies are offering more than the Phoenix systems do. I can get a Wow sound or Tsunami sound decoder for around $100. It comes already loaded With options Phoenix doesn’t offer. The only down fall is they aren’t as loud as the Phoenix can get. That works for me.I have Phoenix systems in several locos with Airwire also. They work well together.

Todd I just checked out the TCS WOW, and you’re right - Phoenix isn’t the only game in town. Their EMD 567 and 645 16-bit diesel sounds are right up my alley for my Geeps, FA/B and NW-2 engines. Seems like their products cater more to the HO guys, which is understandable. Too bad the TCS WOW isn’t loud, though, like the Phoenix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjKhzUFFSFM

The TCS WOW501 has 2 speaker outputs. The outputs are optimized to drive 8ohm speakers.

If my WOW501 was any louder, it would become very annoying. The sound is fantastic!

Tom

#62

John Caughey said:

Michael Kirrene said:

John, a lotta you guys that have been around a long time use the same thing you started out with. What are you using to run your trains out there amongst the Rattlesnakes?

But Sir, you requested I not post in your OP.

Huh? I requested that you not post in my Original Poster? You probably have me confused with Greg…

#63

You know, this is the damndest board for responding to quotes. It’s hit or miss to get replies OUTSIDE the box containing the original quote. What’s the secret? I never have this issue in other forums.

#64

Tom Stephens said:

Michael Kirrene said:

todd whittier said:

Michael, If you go with Airwire,you could go with a Tsunami sound decoder or TCS WOW sound board. I run Airwire and that’s the route I have gone. I feel some of the other sound system companies are offering more than the Phoenix systems do. I can get a Wow sound or Tsunami sound decoder for around $100. It comes already loaded With options Phoenix doesn’t offer. The only down fall is they aren’t as loud as the Phoenix can get. That works for me.I have Phoenix systems in several locos with Airwire also. They work well together.

Todd I just checked out the TCS WOW, and you’re right - Phoenix isn’t the only game in town. Their EMD 567 and 645 16-bit diesel sounds are right up my alley for my Geeps, FA/B and NW-2 engines. Seems like their products cater more to the HO guys, which is understandable. Too bad the TCS WOW isn’t loud, though, like the Phoenix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjKhzUFFSFM

The TCS WOW501 has 2 speaker outputs. The outputs are optimized to drive 8ohm speakers.

If my WOW501 was any louder, it would become very annoying. The sound is fantastic!

Tom

Yeah, the sound in that Alco S4 in the video can be heard across the yard!

#65

Michael Kirrene said:

John Caughey said:

Michael Kirrene said:

John, a lotta you guys that have been around a long time use the same thing you started out with. What are you using to run your trains out there amongst the Rattlesnakes?

But Sir, you requested I not post in your OP.

Huh? I requested that you not post in my Original Poster? You probably have me confused with Greg…

Drop your cursor down in the left hand corner and scroll down. Keep clicking (left finger) until cursor moves left of the column above.

I dunno not having either of your choices;

"Options for me are:

  1. Airwire T-5000 transmitter, drop-in decoder, Phoenix P8 sound card and battery. Costly.

  2. Revolution transmitter, receiver board (w/built in sound), battery. Much less costly than the Airwire. Caveat here is the limited amount of diesel files available (one or two generic ones) so adding a Phoenix sound card with it’s large diesel sound library may be necessary. The cost then goes way back up."

I felt it prudent not to speak up and Greg will tell you I never tuck tail and run, so as the thread ran it’s course, I was content to keep out of it.

#66

PS maybe OP also stands for Original Post.

#67

John Caughey said:

PS maybe OP also stands for Original Post.

#68

Michael Kirrene said:

John Caughey said:

PS maybe OP also stands for Original Post.

Yeah, it does.

#69

Eff it. I give up. I’m taking up valuable real estate.

#70

All in good sport Michael… you have gotten a lot of good info in this thread, now the weight of your decision is on your shoulders. Either way will give you good results.

Greg

#71

Yeah, well Greg, I’m still interested in what everybody is using here. Out of so many members here, I’m a little surprised that just a few are forthcoming about what electronics they’re using to run their trains. Is it a sore subject? Controversial? Maybe I’ll change my profile to say “Michelle” instead of “Michael” and guys will probably knock the doors down volunteering information. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

#72

Michael Kirrene said:

I’m a little surprised that just a few are forthcoming about what electronics they’re using to run their trains. Is it a sore subject? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

Because a good part of the time it leads to someone (often the same person) telling everyone they are wrong if the aren’t using X, x and XX to run their trains. Most people have been thru it enough they just don’t want to get involved anymore.

#73

I agree with Chris… the implementations and choices can be pretty polarizing. Also a lot of the choice is personal preferences.

#74

Go Revo! (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#75

Chris Kieffer said:

Michael Kirrene said:

I’m a little surprised that just a few are forthcoming about what electronics they’re using to run their trains. Is it a sore subject? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

Because a good part of the time it leads to someone (often the same person) telling everyone they are wrong if the aren’t using X, x and XX to run their trains. Most people have been thru it enough they just don’t want to get involved anymore.

Very true. Many will never post in a forum because of this. I always felt that I could get a more rational opinion if I talked to someone in person; then someone might actually tell you their real likes and dislikes as well as get a chance to see it in operation.

#76

That’s really unfortunate. I thought one of the main reasons for a forum was to share information, not be intimidated by its members.

#77

I’m coming into this debate a few days late, but for what it’s worth…

If realistic sound is your paramount concern, then quite frankly the answer is “none of the above.” The Revolution, Revolution/Phoenix, and Airwire/Phoenix combinations pale in comparison to the alternatives available via the latest generation DCC decoders from Zimo, ESU, Soundtraxx and TCS. It’s been probably 4 or 5 years since I installed a Phoenix board in any of my locos.

To control these DCC decoders with wireless battery power, you have a few options:

Airwire throttle via either the Airwire “Convertr” receiver or Tam Valley Depot receiver (My current preferred set-up for both 1:20.3 and On30)

Revolution DCC (which I have not had the opportunity to try)

There are also some systems soon to be released commercially which will allow you to use your phone as a transmitter. I intend to play with these as they come available.

The end result is that you have wireless, battery control of some seriously kick-butt sound and motor control boards.

I’ve used (and still use) both Revolution and Airwire controllers in conjunction with Phoenix sound systems. They work very well. But while you can “tune” the Phoenix boards to respond to the acceleration and deceleration of a locomotive, it’s just not the same thing as the decoder reading how hard the locomotive is working and adjusting the sounds in kind. Note: the Phoenix SM-18 (their new sound/motor decoder) does not integrate the sounds with the motor as the other manufacturers’ decoders do. It’s essentially a motor decoder paralleled with the standard Phoenix sound decoder. Again, if proper sound is your driving force, you owe it to yourself to test drive the latest sound/motor decoders.

Later,

K

#78

For American locos Phoenix has great sounds, but for realistic operations it is the european decoders that look at the motor BackEMF for making the sounds match the load on the motor like the real trains.

And the features in these all-in-one decoders are awesome like servo control, SUSI bus, different light configurations, ditch lights tied to the horn, Voltage control/sources. And for a small engine Zimo has a decoder for less than $100 that does all this.

I have set up 10 engines now with remote uncoupling via Kadees and my Zimo decoder controlling the servos.

#79

Michael Kirrene said:

That’s really unfortunate. I thought one of the main reasons for a forum was to share information, not be intimidated by its members.

If you really want opinions, you might solicit another way other than stating:

I’m only interested in comparing the Airwire and Revolution systems (especially the ‘newer’ upgraded Revo II system) at this time.

As Kevin stated, none of the above might be the best choice…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

#80

Michael Kirrene said:

Bill Barnwell said:

Michael, I hope you were not referring to me derailing threads because at then beginning of your post your comment stated “your thoughts on R/C systems” and that is what I was doing, besides in a later post by Greg Elmassian he stated “might want to expand your choices” and that is exactly what I was doing, besides when the thread is about Revolution, airwire, zimo what is 1 more going to hurt? Bill

Bill - I thought I was already clear in my initial post. All I care about is comparing Airwire and Revolution ‘II’ and getting opinions from users who have had experience with one or both of those particular systems. That’s it! I have no interest in “expanding choices” or investigating other R/C systems. I deal with RLD, Reindeer Pass, and a local guy in the Bay Area when I need parts. Bill, I gave you a direct and detailed response on another thread with your question regarding the Phoenix P8 board. But I see now what you meant by “G Scale Graphics”. Thanks to Sean for clarifying.

Please explain how your statement above allows for others to chime in.

I get my R/C from the Graphics guy.

Now you are bemoaning the results of us OBEYING you.

Kinda Funny to me.