New Kato plug-n-play decoders made by ZIMO!

[peteski]

I just got an email from DM-Toys listing a batch of new products they received and one of the items mentioned is Kato plug-n-play decoder series.  There is a photo of the decoders with a ZIMO logo. The description also mentions that the decoders are Railcom capable.  But the decoders shown on that photo look just like the old Kato decoders made by Digitrax, or whoever made them for Kato.  So I contacted DM-Toys and asked if those Kato decoders were really made by ZIMO and they answered:

Dear Sir,
yes it´s ZIMO with Railcom and better running abilities!
Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Kind regards / Cordialement / Saludos / Met vriendelijke groet

Daniel Mrugalski
- Inhaber / Owner -

That is a great news! And the price is quite reasonable too!

So Kato USA uses ESU decoders for the custom installs, and Kato Japan just contracted ZIMO for those decoders - nice!

UPDATE: I did more research and found out that these are joint effort by Lemke and ZIMO (under Kato name).  Lemke and Kato have a long relationship. That means they will probably not be widely distributed in USA.  But it is easy to get them from DM-Toys.

[tehachapifan]

Sound decoders too?

[peteski]

Sound decoders too?

No, they are non-sound small plug-n-play decoders that Kato uses on some of their models.  If you click on the link in my initial post you can see what they look like.

[carlso]

Pete,

I know I am a babbling idiot and very intimidated by all you experts when it comes to DCC.

What link, in your initial post, are you talking about ? ?

Curious minds, dontcha know,
Carl

[RBrodzinsky]

I found it: https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Kato_10950-D1.html

Yeah, the photo looks like the old Kato-Digitrax decoders

[peteski]

I found it: https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Kato_10950-D1.html

Yeah, the photo looks like the old Kato-Digitrax decoders

Wow!  I'm losing it - I thought I posted the link last night.    Thanks!

[nightmare0331]

replacements for the EM13 and FL12.

Zimo is also working on a sound decoder for the Kato European ICE trains.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[peteski]

replacements for the EM13 and FL12.

Zimo is also working on a sound decoder for the Kato European ICE trains.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

That's awesome! Even thought it appears to be a Kato/Lemke/ZIMO venture, hopefully this partnership will eventually trickle down to include Kato USA.  Not that there is anything wrong with ESU decoders you use for those custom installs - the other venture seems more "official".  I Also understand that ZIMO lags behind in with support of U.S. prototype sounds.Heck, I wouldn't be unhappy if ESU produced plug-n-play sound and non-sound decoders to fit Kato's American models.  To be honest, I don't know why they haven't yet.  At least a drop-in decoder for the cab-type models (all the wide-body diesels).  There is a quite a range of models those would fit into.  Maybe a lack of space for a speaker is the reason for not making those decoders?