Author Topic: Arnold ETR 610 Frecciargento  (Read 937 times)

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nickelplate759

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Arnold ETR 610 Frecciargento
« on: June 01, 2021, 01:34:31 PM »
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Hornby/Arnold has announced Frecciargento sets in N scale.  For some reason I really want one, but don't really know whether it's worth the $125-ish extra for the sound decoder.  Then again, even a plain DCC decoder would add a good $40.

These are new schemes on Arnold's  existing ETR 610 - anyone have any experience with these, and especially the sound decoder?
« Last Edit: June 01, 2021, 06:58:27 PM by nickelplate759 »
George
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I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

peteski

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Re: Arnold ETR 610 Frecciargento
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2021, 07:19:07 PM »
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Any links to the photos/specs?
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nickelplate759

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Re: Arnold ETR 610 Frecciargento
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2021, 07:34:41 PM »
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Not of the decoder. Here's a link to Hornby/Arnold's announcement page.  A little light on details:  https://uk.arnoldmodel.com/products/arnold-n-1160-fs-4-unit-base-set-emu-class-etr-610-frecciargento-livery-period-vi-dcc-sound-decoder-hn2474s
George
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I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

peteski

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Re: Arnold ETR 610 Frecciargento
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2021, 08:27:03 PM »
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Ah, thanks George.  So it is a modern electric high-speed train set.  IMO, sound in models of electric vehicles is even less exciting than Diesel.  To me steam locos get the most benefit from being equipped with sound.

Not sure what brand decoder Arnold uses.  I have a Kato/Lemke ICE 4 set with factory installed (ZIMO) sound.  It's cute. Most useful are the horns.  Then there is the traction motor hum, cooling fans, the cutesy station announcements, and conductor's whistle.  Is it worth the extra cost over non-sound decoder?  I guess if you have the funds and like sound then yes.  Forty dollars  for a non-sound decoder seems reasonable too. It would probably cost you about that much to buy a Next18 decoder and install it yourself.

I do hope that Arnold uses good quality decoders.  I have a Fleischmann steam loco with factory installed ZIMO decoder, and Minitrix seems to use Doehler & Haass decoder hardware.  That is a good decoder, almost unknown in USA.

EDIT: corrected spelling
« Last Edit: June 02, 2021, 04:33:47 AM by peteski »
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keeper

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Re: Arnold ETR 610 Frecciargento
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2021, 03:56:50 AM »
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... and Minitrix seems to use Dohler & Haas (spelling?) decoder hardware.  That is a good decoder, almost unknown in USA.

I would think so. You often get Doehler & Haass decoder in the combination DCC and Selectrix. And the nano decoder is really small.

Thomas
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nstars

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Re: Arnold ETR 610 Frecciargento
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2021, 09:42:18 AM »
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I can tell you D&H decoders are on par with Zimo concerning motor control. The sound decoders are also good, but you have to search the net for good sound files. I have a Farish 8F with a Locoman sound file and that one is really good.

The relation with Selectrix is also quite easy as D&H is the developer of Selectrix. Trix became the distributor of the Selectrix system.

Marc

nickelplate759

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Re: Arnold ETR 610 Frecciargento
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2021, 12:35:50 PM »
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I've convinced myself to get one - and splurge for the full sound setup (incremental cost is about $70 more than just installing DCC myself in the base model).  Next question is how.  Hornby/Arnold will let you pre-order in their UK website - so that's one option assuming they will ship to the US.  There are other sellers in Europe that take pre-orders as well, but I have no experience with any of them.  Reynaulds in the US handles Arnold, but I don't see any way to pre-order.  The Frecciargento doesn't show on their website.

[edit] a place called tee-usa / Eurolokshop  is taking pre-orders in the US, and a decent price point.  Anyone have experience with them?
https://www.tee-usa.com/
« Last Edit: June 03, 2021, 01:22:50 PM by nickelplate759 »
George
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I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

peteski

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Re: Arnold ETR 610 Frecciargento
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2021, 04:04:51 PM »
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[edit] a place called tee-usa / Eurolokshop  is taking pre-orders in the US, and a decent price point.  Anyone have experience with them?
https://www.tee-usa.com/

Yes, I've dealt with them many times - old school business (not very Web-friendly), but they are good to deal with.  Recommended.

I'm glad that you are going for it!
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