Next18 decoders

Post

Posted
Rating:
#249898 (In Topic #13758)
Avatar
Full Member
I must have been asleep for the last couple of years because I'd never heard of the Next18 decoder fitting.

From what I understand, it's a Bachmann development and I note several of their range have this type of socket.

I've never been a fan of model manufacturers decoders although I appreciate they are probably made by one of the mainstream decoder manufacturers.

Has anyone any experience of the Bachmann Next 18 decoder - i.e., are they any good ? 

I'm thinking of buying a loco with this socket and, if the decoders are OK, thought I might as well have one fitted with the loco purchase.

I think both Lenz and Zimo make compatible decoders but that would mean waiting for 2 deliveries and fitting it myself…………………..

'Petermac
Online now: No Back to the top

Post

Posted
Rating:
#249900
Ed
Avatar
Site staff
Ed is in the usergroup ‘Super-moderators’
I've got three Peter, one sound (I assume Bachmann) pre installed in an 009 Bachmann Baldwin, one Zimo MX659 sound project I installed in another Baldwin and another Bachmann one 36-567 (not sound) I've yet to install.


Both the ones I've tried worked fine with my old Digitrax Zephyr and the recently purchased NCE Powercab.


Had to use my magnifying visor to install the Zimo one though  :lol:







Ed



Online now: No Back to the top

Post

Posted
Rating:
#249901
Avatar
Full Member
Thanks Ed.

I'd love to get a Zimo sound one but I'm not sure funds will stretch that far just now so will either buy a separate Zimo or have the Bachmann one fitted as I buy the loco…………………….

'Petermac
Online now: No Back to the top

Post

Posted
Rating:
#249920
Avatar
Site staff
Barchester is in the usergroup ‘Super-moderators’
A bit more info via Hattons, Peter

https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?id=100

Cheers

Matt


Wasnie me, a big boy did it and ran away

"Why did you volunteer ? I didn't Sir, the other three stepped backwards"
Online now: No Back to the top

Post

Posted
Rating:
#249923
Avatar
Full Member
Thanks Matt.

It does look an interesting and simple installation with no wires to worry about. 

I do wonder how that Bachmann decoder performs.  I only have experience with 1 of their factory fitted decoders and didn't get on with it at all - it was quickly replaced by a Lenz.

I note Ed hasn't fitted his non-sound one yet.  I do have a Bachmann Class 25 with factory fitted sound but I recall they had a bad batch and sold them off at a discount.  Mine ought really to be re-blown mainly because the loco starts to move before the brakes come off !!!

My current feeling is to buy a separate decoder and fit it myself - as your link showed, it looks virtually fool (and Petermac) proof !!! 



'Petermac
Online now: No Back to the top

Post

Posted
Rating:
#249928
Avatar
Full Member
Bon chance Peter.

The Next18 plug/socket means the decoders are smaller, and the format was originally intended for N-scalers. UK RTR manufacturers are using the "new" standard in tight-fit OO locomotives. I did read somewhere that adapting plates are available (at a price), just like the 21 pin format. If a locomotive has the 622 interface you are going to be stuck with the decoders that use it unless you rip it all out and rewire it or use an adapter. NEM 622 covers the format, what is interesting is that the pins are "symmetrical" (1-9, 18-10), meaning there is no handedness. That is unless you want sound. Confused yet? Join the club. Still basically an 8/9 pin decoder with space for sound. If you have sound you loose a couple of functions (4 and 6 I think). That might be an issue for diesels with lots of lights, for steam locomotives probably not an issue. Sound versions are bigger than non-sound ones.

I looked at this, and given that I am unlikely to buy a RTR with a Next18 system I shall continue to use 8 or 21 pin systems.

 Nigel

Edit.: Sound uses pins 5 and 6.

For a less than complementary review see DCC plugs overview (they've gone crazy) | LocGeek


 

©Nigel C. Phillips
Online now: No Back to the top

Post

Posted
Rating:
#249929
Avatar
Full Member
[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:
Thanks Matt.

It does look an interesting and simple installation with no wires to worry about. 

I do wonder how that Bachmann decoder performs.  I only have experience with 1 of their factory fitted decoders and didn't get on with it at all - it was quickly replaced by a Lenz.

My current feeling is to buy a separate decoder and fit it myself - as your link showed, it looks virtually fool (and Petermac) proof !!! 


I agree…..thats what I would do…..its as close to plug and play as you can get!

 :cheers

John

John
Granby III
Lenz DCC,RR&Co Gold V10 A4 Windows 10
Online now: No Back to the top

Post

Posted
Rating:
#249931
Avatar
Full Member
Well that fell flat !!

I've ordered the loco - a Bachmann V3 with late crest - and asked Kernow to fit a Bachmann decoder for me.  The bargain price, given current exorbitant prices, seemed almost too good to be true - loco, decoder fitted and posted to a UK address for a whisker over £100.  Hopefully, onward postage from my daughter will still leave me in pocket against Kernow's offer of £22 delivery by courrier……………… :roll:

They only do the Bachmann Next 18 decoder and I couldn't find either a Zimo or Lenz in stock at any of the traders I usually deal with.  There was a German supplier who had one but, in the current hit and miss postal climate, I didn't feel happy dealing with a new organisation.

If the Bachmann one isn't up to much, I can always change it at a later date. 

My preferred loco was the Oxford Rail N7 with late crest but again, I couldn't find one …………only either the GER livery or the early crest version.

Nigel - thanks for your input and I'd concur absolutely with the sentiments in the link you posted.  Why, oh why can't they just standardise these things.  A bit like the NEM or not, sockets - they're all roughly in the right place i.e. 1 at the front and 1 at the back !!!!

'Petermac
Online now: No Back to the top

Post

Posted
Rating:
#249933
Full Member
Hi Peter,

The Next 18 is a standard, but this time a European originated one (MOROP rather than NMRA). It's been around for a long time, nothing to do with Bachmann except they have realised the utility such decoders provide. Basically, it's  a plug and play solution for N gauge and small 00 gauge models. These will be used in all future Graham Farish N gauge models when retooled, whilst for the main Bachmann range, PluX22, another, sensible, plug in type, superior to the obsolescent 21MTC seems to be the way they are headed, apart from certain small outline models eg.J72 where Next18 have been specified.

Although small in format, the MX659 ZIMO sound decoders pack a powerful enough punch. Because of the space restrictions in the model, I specified a MX659 for the factory fitted Minerva Manning Wardle K Class (for which I created the sound project). You can see it in action here, an EP model driven by Mrs Chetter.



The same decoder is the one fitted to the Bachmann 009 Baldwin:



and even a 009 Heljan M-W:



and an enthusiastic BRM review:




Bachmann Next18 and PluX22 decoders are made for them by ZIMO (it even says so on the packaging), so are they any good, you ask. A good as they get, I'd say. So don't worry, your Bachmann Next 18 decoder is a ZIMO!

I've got a couple of spare MX659 sound decoders, if you are interested, mail me. Obviously, you can have whichever sound project loaded that you wish. Don't confuse them with the LokSound one fitted to your Class 25,  or the even more dubious Soundtraxx rebadged decoders of earlier times.

My Next 18 J72 was featured in Hornby Magazine Issue 153, video here:



The Next18 format has a number of technical and practical advantages over the ancient 8 pin interface so they are very welcome in my workshop.

Hope you are all keeping well.

Best regards,

Paul

Online now: No Back to the top
1 guest and 0 members have just viewed this.