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Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#1 Posted : 13 October 2017 16:47:59(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
Hi everyone,

I hate to post a public price-shopping thread, but I need to purchase about 20 ESU decoders, and potentially a lot of related hardware for conversions (I'm taking most of my fleet digital!) so I'm wondering who you all find to be the most competitive on ESU pricing?

Any tips are appreciated!
-John
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Offline RayF  
#2 Posted : 13 October 2017 18:47:37(UTC)
RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,838
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
I get good prices from Lokshop, but there are good deals available on eBay too for both ESU and Marklin decoder and motor kits.

Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#3 Posted : 13 October 2017 20:58:08(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
Thanks Ray.

Last year I bought a few, and the exchange rate was so much better I should have bought a mass amount. I think I was paying $35 for the ESU lokpilot + magnet conversion kits, which run about $50 today in the US. Not a lot of money, but then again a lot of the locos I'm converting are only worth $50-100!
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Offline RayF  
#4 Posted : 13 October 2017 23:07:50(UTC)
RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,838
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Go to Quoted Post
Thanks Ray.

Last year I bought a few, and the exchange rate was so much better I should have bought a mass amount. I think I was paying $35 for the ESU lokpilot + magnet conversion kits, which run about $50 today in the US. Not a lot of money, but then again a lot of the locos I'm converting are only worth $50-100!


I know what you mean, John.

I have some cheaper locos which at present have Delta and 6080 decoders handed down from locos I've converted with better decoders. I hope to eventually convert all to the better standard, but it's difficult to justify when the decoder is worth more than the loco!

Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by RayF
Offline xxup  
#5 Posted : 14 October 2017 01:15:03(UTC)
xxup

Australia   
Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
Posts: 9,458
Location: Australia
Originally Posted by: RayF Go to Quoted Post
Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Go to Quoted Post
Thanks Ray.

Last year I bought a few, and the exchange rate was so much better I should have bought a mass amount. I think I was paying $35 for the ESU lokpilot + magnet conversion kits, which run about $50 today in the US. Not a lot of money, but then again a lot of the locos I'm converting are only worth $50-100!


I know what you mean, John.

I have some cheaper locos which at present have Delta and 6080 decoders handed down from locos I've converted with better decoders. I hope to eventually convert all to the better standard, but it's difficult to justify when the decoder is worth more than the loco!



That's a fair statement, but another way to look at it is to consider the price of a new loco of the same model.. Throwing $50 into an older version of a loco is a good alternative for someone, who cannot afford the latest $700 model.
Adrian
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Australia flag by abFlags.com
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Offline TEEWolf  
#6 Posted : 14 October 2017 02:09:20(UTC)
TEEWolf


Joined: 01/06/2016(UTC)
Posts: 2,465
Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Go to Quoted Post
Thanks Ray.

Last year I bought a few, and the exchange rate was so much better I should have bought a mass amount. I think I was paying $35 for the ESU lokpilot + magnet conversion kits, which run about $50 today in the US. Not a lot of money, but then again a lot of the locos I'm converting are only worth $50-100!


Why not the new Maerklin msD3 decoders?

http://www.ajckids.com/T...dcc&submeenuheader=0

I got one in my 103.1 long insider loco. This one is unbelievable good running. And I enjyo everyday the mfx format. No problem with the digital address and registration to a layout. Saving plenty of work for 20 locos.BigGrin

Meanwhile it looks like that a good manual for these decoders and much more is also available from Maerklin. It is only a joke, that I get here in Germany the English version of the Maerklin digital book for the CS 3 and their surroundigs,

http://joes-modellbahnla...15f08b03b/Products/03092

https://www.modellbahnsh...-de-p-0/ein_produkt.html

but not yet in the USA!Crying

http://www.ajckids.com/t...r=Marklin&item=03092

Very strange.Cursing
Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#7 Posted : 14 October 2017 03:26:36(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
Originally Posted by: TEEWolf Go to Quoted Post
Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Go to Quoted Post
Thanks Ray.



Why not the new Maerklin msD3 decoders?



I don't think they make a non-sound one? And either way I'd need to buy the magnet. I've been impressed by the esu kit with magnet/decoder, just trying to find a better price than my usual online sources since I am buying so many.
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Offline Bigdaddynz  
#8 Posted : 14 October 2017 03:40:22(UTC)
Bigdaddynz

New Zealand   
Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 18,661
Location: New Zealand
Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Go to Quoted Post
I don't think they make a non-sound one?


Yes they do, it's called the mLD3 - item 60972
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Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#9 Posted : 14 October 2017 14:56:57(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
Good tip! Although for the price I think I prefer ESU.

Its too bad the only affordable kit (the 60760) isn't made in variants for the other LFCT SFCM motor types.

Thanks all!
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Offline RayF  
#10 Posted : 14 October 2017 20:36:17(UTC)
RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,838
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Go to Quoted Post
Good tip! Although for the price I think I prefer ESU.

Its too bad the only affordable kit (the 60760) isn't made in variants for the other LFCT SFCM motor types.

Thanks all!


You're right John. It's a shame really. For the FCM motors I usually get either the Lokpilot kit with the magnet or I get a 60943 or 60944 motor kit and a 60972 decoder, but that's a more expensive option.
Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by RayF
Offline sjbartels  
#11 Posted : 15 October 2017 06:37:07(UTC)
sjbartels

United States   
Joined: 11/08/2015(UTC)
Posts: 1,091
Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Go to Quoted Post
Hi everyone,

I hate to post a public price-shopping thread, but I need to purchase about 20 ESU decoders, and potentially a lot of related hardware for conversions (I'm taking most of my fleet digital!) so I'm wondering who you all find to be the most competitive on ESU pricing?

Any tips are appreciated!
-John


Try AJCKids in Wichita Falls, Texas. Guy tries to be pretty competitive. Best to call after 3pm CST and ask for Belle - (940) 763-2525
American by Geography, Australian by Birth. I am an original Ameristraylian
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Offline chrisisrang  
#12 Posted : 15 October 2017 23:35:34(UTC)
chrisisrang


Joined: 24/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 173
Location: Hong Kong
I recently bought 5 x LokSound V4 M4 decoders from Thrilling Toyz in Singapore. His pricing was the most competitive. I am in the process of upgrading my HAG Re 460s and Re 6/6s with the new light kits with full sound features. A little expensive project but worth every cent!

Chris
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Offline sudibarba  
#13 Posted : 17 October 2017 01:40:14(UTC)
sudibarba

United States   
Joined: 28/07/2006(UTC)
Posts: 880
Location: Augusta, GA USA
Check Eurolokshop.com

ESU 54641 & 54612 $29.63

Magnets $10.91 or $7.79 depending on armature.

If buying in quantity I would call or email to see if a deal can be had.

Eric
Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#14 Posted : 17 October 2017 15:15:38(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
Originally Posted by: sudibarba Go to Quoted Post
Check Eurolokshop.com

ESU 54641 & 54612 $29.63

Magnets $10.91 or $7.79 depending on armature.

If buying in quantity I would call or email to see if a deal can be had.

Eric


Good call- I forgot they were an ESU dealer! I wish they had an actual shop as I live less than 5 miles away...
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Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#15 Posted : 18 October 2017 16:19:25(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
Hi all, I found a source. FYI it paid off to call around to American (non marklin store) DCC dealers and do a special order.

Looking forward to updating the forum on conversion progress!
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Online PMPeter  
#16 Posted : 18 October 2017 16:39:14(UTC)
PMPeter

Canada   
Joined: 04/04/2013(UTC)
Posts: 1,273
Location: Port Moody, BC
Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Go to Quoted Post
Hi all, I found a source. FYI it paid off to call around to American (non marklin store) DCC dealers and do a special order.

Looking forward to updating the forum on conversion progress!


And the source is?
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