Sigh.. New Lokprogrammer and decoder tester I suppose too..

Why? It is a plug on a board with the ability to talk through an interface. Nothing magic about these "tester" products. Simply locos laid out flat. You do not need new locos because a new decoder comes out.

He was also talking about the decoder tester, which he figured would need to be replaced, but I don't think so as they will still be plug compatable with the existing decoder arrangements.

Same for the Lokprogrammer, a software update should sort them.

Still nothing on the ESU webpage

Interesting to note that both the standard and micro versions all come with a small 11x15mm speaker, rather than a larger speaker for the standard (H0) size decoders.

I was looking at ordering a loksound micro 4 with its 16x25mm speaker which will only just fit.
It might be worth paying a bit more for the v5 decoders smaller 11x15 speaker if ESU consider it good enough to include the same for the H0 decoder.

Website from ESU:



The LokSound 5 is the most important member of the LokSound family. Due to the combination of the digital decoder and the sound module on one circuit board we achieve the smallest possible dimensions of 30 mm x 15.5 mm. Therefore it fits into almost any H0 or 0 gauge locomotive.

LokSound 5 decoders are available with all popular interface types and are supplied with a sugar cube speaker (11 mm x 15 mm) and a sound enclosure.
Operating modes

Like all products of the LokSound family the LokSound 5 is a true multi protocol decoder. It supports DCC as well as Motorola®, Selectrix® and M4. Of course it supports 14 through to 128 speed steps as well as 2 and 4 digit addresses in DCC format and up to 32 functions. Thanks to RailComPlus® the decoders register themselves fully automatically on suitable command stations.

This decoder supports all DCC programming modes and thanks to RailCom® you may read out the CV values on the main, provided you have a command station supporting RailCom®. There are utility registers for command stations that only facilitate programming of CVs ranging from 1 to 255.

Motorola® users benefit from up to 28 speed steps for 255 addresses. Three additional Motorola® addresses facilitate triggering of 16 functions. An integral programming mode even allows programming with the good old Central Unit 6021.

The M4 protocol supports the automatic registration on mfx® compatible central units.

The LokSound 5 decoder supports the Märklin® braking sections just as well as the ZIMO® HLU braking commands or the Lenz® ABC system. Braking with DCC brake generators or with DC is also possible. Furthermore the locomotive with a LokSound will come to a halt when a Selectrix® braking diode is switched into the circuit. The ABC push-pull feature enables the automatic commuting between two stations.

The LokSound 5 decoder is also suitable for analogue DC and AC (!) layouts.
Sound

The LokSound 5 decoder can reproduce up to 10 channels simultaneously. Each channel offers up to 16 Bit / 31250 kHz and thus we have finally achieved hi-fi sound quality on your layout. For all practical purposes one cannot detect any difference to the original. A class D audio power amplifier with up to 3W output power feeds the speakers with a permitted impedance of 4 – 32 Ohms. The huge 128 MBit sound memory assures sufficient storage capacity.

The volume of all individual sound fragments may be adjusted separately. The outstandingly flexible sound engine without a rigid flow chart facilitates a prototypical simulation of all conceivable rail vehicles. Three separately adjustable braking functions and two alternative load scenarios provide you with maximum control of your vehicles.

Functions

We are quite aware that you want your locomotives to be as realistic as possible. Therefore we have packed many function outputs into it. Subject to the type of interface every LokSound 5 has at least 10 amplified outputs. The decoders with PluX22 or 21MTC interface have an additional 4 outputs for controlling servos or as logic outputs. Of course, all important lighting functions are supported. The brightness of each output may be adjusted separately. The decoder supports the automatic push and pull movements – known as the coupler waltz - required for reliable operation of digital couplers such as the ones by ROCO® and Krois® as well as Telex® couplers.

Motor control

Motor control of the LokSound 5 has been further improved. A variable PWM pulse frequency ranging from 10 kHz to 50 kHz assures perfect silent operation, particularly for coreless motors. Thus the typical hum is a thing of the past. Load control can now be adjusted with up to 10 separate CVs and thus will manage even the most difficult cases. The unique “Auto Tune” function facilitates the automatic calibration of the decoder to perfectly match the motor. The LokSound 5 decoder supplies up to 1.5A motor current, which is quite sufficient even for older motor types.
Ordering information
Art.No. Description Delivery
NEW! 58410 LokSound 5 DCC/MM/SX/M4 "blank decoder", 8-pin NEM652, with Speaker 11x15mm, gauge: 0, H0 available week 4/2019
NEW! 58412 LokSound 5 DCC/MM/SX/M4 "blank decoder", PluX22, with speaker 11x15mm, gauge: 0, H0 available week 8/2019
NEW! 58416 LokSound 5 DCC/MM/SX/M4 "BlankDecoder", 6-pin NEM651, with Speaker 11x15mm, gauge: 0, H0 available week 4/2019
NEW! 58419 LokSound 5 DCC/MM/SX/M4 "blank decoder", 21MTC NEM6660, with speaker 11x15mm, gauge: 0, H0 available week 4/2019
NEW! 58449 LokSound 5 DCC/MM/SX/M4 "blank decoder", 21MTC "MKL" (Multiprotocol), gauge: 0, H0 available week 8/2019

Technical Datas:

operatind under DCC with RailComPlus®, M4, Motorola® and Selectrix®
32 Funktionen (depending on your command station)
32-Bit-prozessor
Digitale Class-„D“-Booster mit up to 3 W Output (LokSound 5 XL: 13 W)
each channel with16-Bit- resolution and 31250 kHz Sample rate
Sound memory with 128 Mbit capacity
motor control with 50 kHz pulse frequency
RC-Servos and Susi-Module controllable
3 new, individual adjustable brake controller
two step heavy load-Simulation
updateable with ESU-LokProgrammer
LokSound 5
Universal-Sound-Decoder for Gauges H0 and Gauge 0
Motor current 1,5 A
all depends on the interface up to 12 increased function outputs for special functions (Total: up to 15 Outputs)
10 Sound channels simultaneously playable
from factory with 11x15-mm-"sugar cube"-Loudspeaker with interchangeable Sound capsule-Set
Power Pack - optional connectable
Dimensions: 30 mm x 15,5 mm, height depending on Interface
8-pin NEM 652
PluxX22
6-pin NEM 651
21MTC
21MTC MKL

John

I believe there is updated Lokprogrammer software available, came out rather soon after the first two locos were announced.

Thanks John. I presume it does not register with a CS3 if fitted to a Marklin loco (expecting rather a lot there lol) But the address can be selected and added manually with the Marklin controller. I only ask as I have not in the past used a ESU decoder.

Dave, I think you're right like ny foreign decoder you can change certain CV's but this is it. its the same with ZIMO decoders which are all installed into Roco locos.

John

The v5 description tldr.

What from a user perspective is better/different from the v4?
Smaller?

I edited my post about the opening of ESU prohect files of version prior to 5 with the Lokprogrammer software V5 as I opened them without problem...

David, as a rule one should stick to the same manufacturer for all your digital components, as I have done with ESU and got rid of all my Märklin 60901 decoders and bought ESu lokpilot decoders and even these re going out the door because I'm changing almost all my locos with sound decoders (around 200 = but a long way to go).

certain CV's can be programmed with the CS3 how many I don't know and if you are happy with the standard settings a Loksound decoder V 5.0 should be ok, its only when you start trying to change light effects, telex coupling, interior lights for coaches powered via the decoder that the programming becomes either impossible or you need an international computer technician certificate to make any changes.
although Märklin has improved over the years with a loco programmer for its newest decoders whereas ESU lokprogrammer goes back to version 1.0 lokpilots,
another difference is with ESU sound decoders especially select sound decoders for the American diesel loco market are different horn sound files and different lighting effects and you can add them like many other extras., with other words you've got more options if needed, instead of the generic sound files a company provides. under US air horns for instance there are 4 different brand names: Leslie, MISC air horns, Nathan and Wabco and each of these have at least 12 or more different options of air horns. and when it comes to bells there are about 21 different bell types., all in all ESU made a huge effort to please the American diesel/steam loco market enthusiasts with authentic sounds and with a vast variety.
Hopefully we may see more authentic steam/diesel/electric sounds with the introduction of the Loksound V 5.0 sound files and not using a mere generic sound, I think Zimo is ahead there where they use the actual sound of a particular loco or Leo sound lab sound decoders which co-operates with ESU sound decoders , you can either buy a sound decoder from them with a specific loco sound or you just buy the sound file.

John

Dave, the Loksound 4 and 5 decoders have mfx (ESU call it M4) as one of the available protocols (the others are MM and DCC) so the decoder will register with the CS3 using mfx.

They will register with an Ecos using either mfx or Railcom.

LokProgrammer v5.0 available here:

http://www.esu.eu/en/dow.../software/lokprogrammer/

I've just ordered a Loksound V4 from Lokshop, so will be interested to see what shows up!

Thanks for the replies above. Interesting that Dave says ESU will register with the CS3. which is a plus point.

As John says staying with Marklin is probably better for Marklin enthusiasts. I may give the new ESU decoder a try but as Marklin provide everything we need for our railway I prefer to give them the business as losing any of the others will make little difference to our hobby but some competition does no great harm.


.

I have seen at the youtube how rail fans change the sound decoder to ESU and provide better results.
I was planning to buy ESU new V 60 with the loksound V5 but decides to wait to see more test results at the youtube.

Well, your article is a long list of technical specs and functions, most of which are already provided by the LokSound v 4.
I was looking for "what would I want that makes me get a v5 vs the v4".

From the ESU videos at Nürnberg 2019, it seems the key improvement is the processor which allows audio files to be at a larger sample size, so sounds will have a better definition in playback. That won't, of course, solve the fundamental problem of reproducing any of the lower and mid frequency range within the small speakers one must fit to an H0 model locomotive.

One can send the v4 sound files to a v5 decoder, but you don't get a difference then, because the v4 sound recordings will sound the same as they are not going to magically get better audio sample resolution - one needs the newly digitized/encoded versions for the v5 to get the benefit.

There is also the ability to play more audio voices at once - so that would be playing multiple sounds at the same time - so a station announcement while the break squeal is running and maybe the loco is doing some sound like sanding, etc. Simultaneous sounds playing at once; we get more of those.


But beyond that audio fidelity and playback gain, what else is better than the V4? Im not sure I see a reason to upgrade from a V4 if its already installed.

Just the loksound as far as I can see.

the loksound downloads for V 5.0 decoders have now been released on the ESU website.