BLI Decides to go “Stealth”

[peteski]

I suspect Paragon 4 models only, that they've done a straight-across replacement board with the same connectors, etc. Now whether it's all P4 models, well, that's what we're hanging out here waiting to hear about.

If that is what they are doing (using the same wire harnesses they used for the sound decoder), most of those wires will not need to be there.  What a waste. Only 6 wires would be needed for the 6-pin DCC connector. the other dozen or so wires will just sit there unused.

[packers#1]

If that is what they are doing (using the same wire harnesses they used for the sound decoder), most of those wires will not need to be there.  What a waste. Only 6 wires would be needed for the 6-pin DCC connector. the other dozen or so wires will just sit there unused.

Speaking from experiences Pete, from a manufacturing/WIP perspective it’s a whole lot more wasteful to set up a second process or have people build two products that are 95% similar with one just missing something. Much more expensive than those extra wires are going to be, both from an overhead carrying in WIP, and quality issues such as mixing up stock and having to rework, giving away speakers if those aren’t normally installed in the DC locos etc.

Good news is, that would theoretically make it even easier to install the sound decoder of your choice if the wires for speakers etc are already ran.

[peteski]

Sawyer,  I understand what you saying.  But you seem to have missed my point.

As we know BLI already produces models with multiple multi-pin connectors and a wire harness which connects to various functions and speaker in their models to their Paragon decoder.  Now they will add a stealth model to their line.  So yes, they will likely produce a brand new pc board to replace their Paragon decoder.  The new board will be plug-in compatible with the existing wire harness.

But think about it:  a brand new PC board. It will have access to all those functions available through the existing wire harness.  But they then go and use a 6-pin connector. If they used a Next18 connector on the newly designed adapter board, they could have allowed direct access (through the connector) to several more functions already available through the original wire harness. They could have touted that as an additional selling point. Functions such as number boards or cab lighting could have been accessible directly through the Next18 connector. And when designing that new board, the design cost would have been about the same regardless if they used a 6-pin, or Next18 connector. Just few more traces to lay out on the board for the Next18 connectivity. Do you catch my drift? To me that 6-pin connector seems to imply lack of any forethought by their engineering team.  Or maybe they are not even aware of the existence of Next18 interface?  Couldn't be.

Anyways, this is all strictly speculations as we really don't know how they'll implement the stealth mode.

[Teditor]

Anyways, this is all strictly speculations as we really don't know how they'll implement the stealth mode.
[/quote]

The first logical statement made yet and for some reason a down vote.

Ted (Teditor) Freeman
From the land down under.

[peteski]

Anyways, this is all strictly speculations as we really don't know how they'll implement the stealth mode.

The first logical statement made yet and for some reason a down vote.

It was probably "given" referring to the rest of that post.  I guess one cannot really show their train of thought without having someone using the voting system like this was Facebook.  The respect system is not meant to show whether someone agrees or disagrees with someone - it is supposed to be used to prevent members from being disrespectful, or up-votes to show respect.

I guess you fixed it - thanks!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I wonder if there would be a market for a NEXT18 adapter board like Alvin did with the Kato F engines a few years ago. I certainly would get a few - 3 for the BLI E8s, one for the AC6000CW.

[bbussey]

I wonder if there would be a market for a NEXT18 adapter board like Alvin did with the Kato F engines a few years ago. I certainly would get a few - 3 for the BLI E8s, one for the AC6000CW.

@daniel_leavitt2000 - what are you using the three E8s for, Conrail OCS?

[Jbub]

I was just listening to their Facebook Live feed about the direction of Stealth Locos. Basically, it's only moving forward with anything that is in production, unless they deem the model too small to put in an aftermarket board i.e. n scale switchers. They said the next18 board are too big for n scale and used the sw9 as proof    Initial loco's to go stealth are PRR T1, Reading T1 and the F units. Price is only 50 less on the MSRP for n scale and maybe 70 for the Big Boy because the smoke unit won't be included in stealth.
Personally, I'm glad they are moving this direction, but it seems they still think their DCC boards are superior to the aftermarket. Bob Grubba came across as a little misleading to me in regard to price point and ability of their models to accept a socket like next 18.

[C855B]

... They said the next18 board are too big for n scale ...

Total BS. I've been putting Next18 sockets in their RSD-15. This just goes to reinforce the notion they are simply deaf to the market and will remain so. 

[Jbub]

Total BS. I've been putting Next18 sockets in their RSD-15. This just goes to reinforce the notion they are simply deaf to the market and will remain so. 

They obviously don't study their competitors, Grubba pronounced E S U as EeeeSooo (maybe I'm the wrong one, but I've always heard it as E S U  ) and said the the smallest Zimo decoder MIGHT fit in the switcher but he didn't think they were easily available in the US if at all.
They kept referring to the survey, but it came across as cherry picking. I'm sure that's my biased ear though.

[Spruslayer]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[peteski]

. . .and said the the smallest Zimo decoder MIGHT fit in the switcher but he didn't think they were easily available in the US if at all.
They kept referring to the survey, but it came across as cherry picking. I'm sure that's my biased ear though.

That is such a load of poo!  ZIMO decoders are available in USA (just as easily as any other European brand like ESU). Smallest ZIMO sound decoder (MS500) is likely the smallest (16-bit) sound decoders available out there (by any manufacturer). 14 x 10 x 2.6mm.  Even their Next18 sound decoder (MS590) is 15 x 9.5 x 3.3mm. Maybe they are talking about the width?



It does appear that the BLI folks live in their own little world.

[mike_lawyer]

That is such a load of poo!  ZIMO decoders are available in USA (just as easily as any other European brand like ESU). Smallest ZIMO sound decoder (MS500) is likely the smallest (16-bit) sound decoders available out there (by any manufacturer). 14 x 10 x 2.6mm.  Even their Next18 sound decoder (MS590) is 15 x 9.5 x 3.3mm. Maybe they are talking about the width?



It does appear that the BLI folks live in their own little world.

My favorite decoders hands down are Zimo.  Best and smoothest motor control I have found for my steamers.

[mu26aeh]

Guess I'll file this announcement into the BFD file

[squirrelhunter]

I wonder if there would be a market for a NEXT18 adapter board like Alvin did with the Kato F engines a few years ago. I certainly would get a few - 3 for the BLI E8s, one for the AC6000CW.

I'd be interested in this for the USRA Mikes and Pacific's. I don't want the tender hardwired to the loco.