01-09-2009, 10:48 PM
How about checking reviews? Have they been reviewed in MR/MRC or any others recently?
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I recall reading the review of the K-4 and viewed it as taking the position that if you had a better than 12V power source...and didn't mind the extra cost, it as probably the best K-4 on the market. Someone else on the old forum insisted that it was bad...he had one, plus BLIs and Spectrums...but didn't explain why it was inferior...other than he though MR's review was critical of it. I felt that MR's venom was mostly over the voltage issue and the DCS system. I loved the fact that the K-4 came with a steel driver set which gave it an impressive 2.2lb draw bar force (or something else that was awesome...I haven't read a review recently enough to recall what was good)...and a 10lb draw bar force with the rubber tire which was on an extra axle that could be dropped into place.
On the other hand, BLIs includes their proprietary DC sound system and you'll have to get a decoder separate. It sounds like the GS-4 is probably the engine...price aside...so long as the voltage thing isn't an issue.
Oh, one other thing, MTH has done some top secret things for acquiring whistle and exhaust sounds. I am not at liberty to say what, but by association I know what they did and when...and unless BLI did the same thing...their is no way that their sound could be as good (unless they have higher quality electronics) as MTH's.
I'd probably go with the BLI engine due to the price...but I don't care about the smoke...I don't care for the paint scheme...and I don't model either's stomping grounds. I've been very pleased in my dealings with BLI...and I've been very impressed about what I've heard from people whom have dealt with MTH on the non-consumer side (btw, MTH helped raise a bunch of money for at least one steam locomotive's restoration).
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I recall reading the review of the K-4 and viewed it as taking the position that if you had a better than 12V power source...and didn't mind the extra cost, it as probably the best K-4 on the market. Someone else on the old forum insisted that it was bad...he had one, plus BLIs and Spectrums...but didn't explain why it was inferior...other than he though MR's review was critical of it. I felt that MR's venom was mostly over the voltage issue and the DCS system. I loved the fact that the K-4 came with a steel driver set which gave it an impressive 2.2lb draw bar force (or something else that was awesome...I haven't read a review recently enough to recall what was good)...and a 10lb draw bar force with the rubber tire which was on an extra axle that could be dropped into place.
On the other hand, BLIs includes their proprietary DC sound system and you'll have to get a decoder separate. It sounds like the GS-4 is probably the engine...price aside...so long as the voltage thing isn't an issue.
Oh, one other thing, MTH has done some top secret things for acquiring whistle and exhaust sounds. I am not at liberty to say what, but by association I know what they did and when...and unless BLI did the same thing...their is no way that their sound could be as good (unless they have higher quality electronics) as MTH's.
I'd probably go with the BLI engine due to the price...but I don't care about the smoke...I don't care for the paint scheme...and I don't model either's stomping grounds. I've been very pleased in my dealings with BLI...and I've been very impressed about what I've heard from people whom have dealt with MTH on the non-consumer side (btw, MTH helped raise a bunch of money for at least one steam locomotive's restoration).
Michael
My primary goal is a large Oahu Railway layout in On3
My secondary interests are modeling the Denver, South Park, & Pacific in On3 and NKP in HO
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My primary goal is a large Oahu Railway layout in On3
My secondary interests are modeling the Denver, South Park, & Pacific in On3 and NKP in HO
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