TheRailwire

General Discussion => Product Discussion => Topic started by: C855B on January 17, 2025, 09:26:16 PM

Title: Is ESU actually shipping anything these days?
Post by: C855B on January 17, 2025, 09:26:16 PM: With my pending order of ScaleTrains GP30As and Bs soon to arrive, it dawned on me that I ought to be ready with decoders on my bench since I ordered DC/DCC-ready. So I go to my usual source, and the E24 LokPilot Nanos are out-of-stock. Backup source, out-of-stock. Fortunately my backup-backup had enough to populate the incoming fleet.

It was at that point where it dawned on me that both my usual sources were out-of-stock or backorder on almost every decoder, and it has been that way for several months.

So it begs the question whether ESU is still in the US market. Anybody know anything?
Title: Re: Is ESU actually shipping anything these days?
Post by: Mark5 on January 17, 2025, 10:28:31 PM: They used to have an office in Pennsylvania, but apparently moved to Colorado last year:

https://www.esu.eu/en/news/read-news-entry/article/esu-usa-buero-umgezogen/57/
Title: Re: Is ESU actually shipping anything these days?
Post by: davefoxx on January 17, 2025, 11:53:19 PM: While I’m much more in the know on HO scale offerings than N scale these days, ESU is definitely still in the U.S. market, just considering model manufacturers shipping their locomotives with factory LokSound decoders, e.g., Atlas, Rapido, and ScaleTrains. While supply and even quality issues haunted ESU post-COVID, my beloved ESU LokSound V5.0DCC 21-pin decoder is now currently available without any rumors of shortages or defects. I don’t believe that ESU is leaving the North American market any time soon.

DFF
Title: Re: Is ESU actually shipping anything these days?
Post by: davefoxx on January 17, 2025, 11:58:46 PM: Quote from: Mark5 on January 17, 2025, 10:28:31 PM
They used to have an office in Pennsylvania, but apparently moved to Colorado last year:

https://www.esu.eu/en/news/read-news-entry/article/esu-usa-buero-umgezogen/57/

I’m speculating, but that move probably has something to do with Matt Herman and ESU parting ways about two years ago.

DFF
Title: Re: Is ESU actually shipping anything these days?
Post by: peteski on January 18, 2025, 12:43:52 AM: I don't believe the shortage is due to Matt Herman leaving ESU, or the U.S. office moving to Colorado. It is likely due to some issue (like component shortage) at the factory. ESU has their decoders made in China. Another batch will arrive when they are manufactured. Just my 5-cents.

IIRC, the initial E24 LokPilot nano decoders was producted and sold quite a bit after Matt's departure and office move. ESU probably underestimated the demand for the "silent" version. After all, the nano LokPilot is simply "neutered" LokSound nano (same PC board). In my experience all ESU electronics are delivered in batches.
Title: Re: Is ESU actually shipping anything these days?
Post by: Maletrain on January 19, 2025, 10:50:50 AM: Just hoping the next batch doesn't have a 100% tariff imposed on it (us). That fear might be why they suddenly sold out.