BLI Decides to go “Stealth”

[mike_lawyer]

I watched the video last night.  I'm a little bummed that the MSRP for N scale steam is only $50 less.  It will be interesting to see how that translates to actual market prices from retailers.  My suspicion is they are going to be surprised at how many people purchase the stealth version of locomotives to be able to install their decoder of choice.  I know I certainly will.

[peteski]

I watched the video last night.  I'm a little bummed that the MSRP for N scale steam is only $50 less.  It will be interesting to see how that translates to actual market prices from retailers.  My suspicion is they are going to be surprised at how many people purchase the stealth version of locomotives to be able to install their decoder of choice.  I know I certainly will.

Well, that just shows you what their wonderful Paragon sound decoder is worth.   
Before someone jumps on me, I know that the cost of the PC board they will install in place of the decoder hass to be considered in that $50 price reduction.  PC boards don't just grow on trees. 

[peteski]

Why would someone down-vote mine and Mike's posts about ZIMO?  What's the problem!?  WTF?!?! I really wish I had a way to see who the down-voter is so I could ask them what the problem is (and maybe give them a dope-slap).  Come on stealth down-voter. What's not to like about ZIMO decoders being mentioned?  We have some really weird members here.  Grow up! 

[oakcreekco]

This "Stealth" marketing campaign makes me chuckle.

DDC Ready has been standard in the majority of model locos for decades.

Someone has been "asleep at the wheel" about offering this.

Stealth is now "Stealth."

[daniel_leavitt2000]

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

Yep. Two are fully complete. One is missing a fuel tank and BLI has no spares. Obviously the engines do not sound totally right; there is no HEP in the sound file. But at lease these engines are not used with other equipment so compatibility isn't that important. The AC6000CW will never be on point (no cab signals), so only engine noises would be used anyway.

But these are edge cases. All of my Conrail equipment needs to be ESU for the sake of compatibility and my sanity.

Even with MBTA trains, I need compatibility. The trains would often combine at the end of rush hour so one could deadhead back for the morning commute.

[nstars]

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?

The maximum width for Next18 decoders is 9.5 mm. It used to be 10.5 for the sound version of the Next18 but they changed that a couple of years ago. If they can get a Next18 sound decoder with speaker in a British class 8 loco, any US switcher should work.

Marc

[bbussey]

Yep. Two are fully complete. One is missing a fuel tank and BLI has no spares. Obviously the engines do not sound totally right; there is no HEP in the sound file. Nut at lease these engines are not used with other equipment so compatibility isn't that important. The AC6000CW will never be on point (no cab signals), so only engine noises would be used anyway.

But these are edge cases. All of my Conrail equipment needs to be ESU for the sake of compatibility and my sanity.

Even with MBTA trains, I need compatibility. The trains would often combine at the end of rush hour so one could deadhead back for the morning commute.

I have the Overland decorated brass units.  They still are analog at this point.  I'll worry about digitizing them after I have a full consist to pull.  In the meantime the excursion-era K-4 is standing in as motive power for the two finished cars I have.

[EspeeGoldenState]

Nothing for the N scale version. But BLI has put the 21 pin version of the Stealth board on the Support section of the site.

If the 21 pin version is any idication of the the 6 pin coming for N scale. I would almost gander that it would be better off with a hard wire or complete board replacement.

[Jbub]

So I've been looking at their pricing schedule for the new "Stealth" loco's. I'm really curious if many people will buy them because the full sound version isn't that much more and Scaletrains is a cheaper alternative that IMO is a better overall product.

This is based off the HO scale GP30 from Scaletrains and BLI's HO SD40 (their only listed stealth unit) since they are both new to the market.

Scaletrains Full sound DCC rivet counter MSRP 361.99 Retail 289.99
BLI Paragon 4                                       MSRP 399.99 Retail 320.99 (assumed with normal 20% discount from MSRP)

Scaletrains DCC ready rivet counter       MSRP 279.99 Retail 194.99
BLI Stealth                                          MSRP 349.99  Retail 279.99 (assumed with normal 20% discount from MSRP)

BLI does have a following but they really need to look at their pricing compared to other manufactures offerings. I really think they want the stealth to fail so they can say their sound products are more popular. Of course it's going to be when you only pay 50 bucks for sound vs 100 for the competitors decoder.

[C855B]

I'll take the 50 bucks off versus the current situation where I pay full fare and toss their decoder into the trash.

[peteski]

So I've been looking at their pricing schedule for the new "Stealth" loco's. I'm really curious if many people will buy them because the full sound version isn't that much more and Scaletrains is a cheaper alternative that IMO is a better overall product.

This is based off the HO scale GP30 from Scaletrains and BLI's HO SD40 (their only listed stealth unit) since they are both new to the market.

Scaletrains Full sound DCC rivet counter MSRP 361.99 Retail 289.99
BLI Paragon 4                                       MSRP 399.99 Retail 320.99 (assumed with normal 20% discount from MSRP)

Scaletrains DCC ready rivet counter       MSRP 279.99 Retail 194.99
BLI Stealth                                          MSRP 349.99  Retail 279.99 (assumed with normal 20% discount from MSRP)

BLI does have a following but they really need to look at their pricing compared to other manufactures offerings. I really think they want the stealth to fail so they can say their sound products are more popular. Of course it's going to be when you only pay 50 bucks for sound vs 100 for the competitors decoder.

Problem is  that Scale Trains has no N scale steam loco offerings, where BLI has lots of useful and even unique N scale steam.

[Jbub]

Problem is  that Scale Trains has no N scale steam loco offerings, where BLI has lots of useful and even unique N scale steam.

True, but the majority of their sales are HO and with only a 50 dollar difference in price for the diesels, most people will buy the sound version unless they do not want sound. The steam will be 100 less for HO and that makes it more palatable of a difference so you can choose whichever decoder you wish.
It's 50 buck regardless of steam or diesel in N scale (unless it has smoke) so my bet is the majority of people will still either buy it with sound or not at all. The exception would be for one offs like rare steamers and diesels. I would buy a stealth RSD-15, but not an ES44 or SD70 or SD40. I can get those elsewhere for A LOT less expensive. For the price of their stealth units, I can buy an Operator Scaletrains loco and drop an ESU in it for the same price as just the stealth loco from BLI. Even cheaper if I buy a Kato.

[mike_lawyer]

On BLI's website, they show the PRR T1 in stealth.  The MSRP is $349, while the standard DCC T1 has a $449 MSRP.  So it looks like the stealth versions will indeed be $100 less. 

[Jbub]

On BLI's website, they show the PRR T1 in stealth.  The MSRP is $349, while the standard DCC T1 has a $449 MSRP.  So it looks like the stealth versions will indeed be $100 less.

That is good news, I looked at the Reading T1 and they list the P4 version at 499.99 MSRP and Stealth at 349.99 MSRP so 150 less. With usual "discounts" you should be able to pick up a DCC ready Reading T1 for around 280 bucks. With that said though, the F units are msrp of 209 for the stealth. That puts them around 165-170 for a dcc ready loco.

[CBQ Fan]

So close, so so so close but not quite there on the F units. Stealth AB units only????  No ABA or ABB options. I would love to upgrade my NP Intermountain units but not a fan mu’ing DCC on a DC layout.