"Next18" DCC decoders.

I've just received the first of this relatively new (to me at least) type of decoder, though I usually keep at least one of each of the more usual 8 and 21 pin versions 'in stock'. This new version has been bought for a purpose as I have one of the "Rails" Wainwright D Class 4-4-0 commissions (31574) on pre-order, anticipated either 3rd or 4th quarter of this year, so decided to get hold of the decoder in plenty of time in case any supply delays due to Covid-19 meant I'd have to wait. They're certainly small, even in comparison to many other decoders I've had, and this will be the first of my own loco's which take this type of decoder although I have come across one before when checking a loco for a friend. As usual, it's the 'LaisDCC' brand on which I've come to standardise for my non-sound fit loco's, cheap at under a 'tenner', and so far having fitted around 50+ have proved every bit as good and as versatile and controllable as the so called 'Premium brands'. Here it is compared to a UK 5 pence piece, so you get some idea of scale.
Keith.

 

As I understand it Toto, the design of the loco according to "Rails" is such that the smokebox door is removed and the wiring harness drawn out, remove DC plug, substitute Next18 decoder, push harness back into smokebox, refit door (Magnetic perhaps?) and that's it. So no faffing about finding tiny screws (and maybe risk losing them!) to enable body removal for decoder fitting, about time the likes of Hornby cottoned onto this idea which I first came across on DJModels/Kernow commissions, though they may not have been the first. Either way, it's a sensible idea in my opinion, though it may be nearer the year end before I receive the intended victim to fit the decoder, and I'll be happy to demonstrate when it arrives.
Keith.

 

These 18 pin decoders are a fairly recent development and I believe there is also a 22 pin decoder recently announced too Andy, though not personally heard of any models using it yet. I guess that with the increasing sophistication of models nowadays both sound and lighting-wise, the need is for additional pins to allow connection of these extra functions. Regarding the 6 pin decoders, I think some of the recent small '00' gauge shunting loco's use these so not limited to 'N' gauge stuff, Hornby also using what I believe is their own four pin version I gather, though I'm afraid that my experience of Hornby's decoders means that they would be my last choice, they're not particularly cheap and have limited functionality compared to most others so no reason in my opinion to choose theirs over other brands. When I returned to model railways around 7 years ago, I decided at the outset to go down the DCC route, and now having amassed a 'stable' of 120+ loco's, I've tried pretty much all the well known decoder brands. When "LaisDCC" became available, they didn't have official NRMA approval, and in fact I was criticised by a couple of YMRC forum members for using 'Chinese clone' unapproved decoders (not that it bothered me, it's a free choice!), but I always speak as I find, and when they became NRMA compliant shortly afterwards, I continued to use them and have honestly found them equal to the well known (and expensive!) brands. I'm not particularly 'tight' ('Careful' perhaps!) but I see no reason to spend £20 on a decoder when £10 will buy me one equal in performance, the only disadvantage presently is that Lais don't as far as I know, produce any sound decoders, though if and when they do, it will be competition for the likes of Zimo and ESU who not only have a captive market, but seem to have established an accepted price level around the £100 mark. As they say in Yorkshire, "Ow Much?????"
Keith.