|
Squeaky's ratings are based on a scale
of 1 to 4 stars. Four stars corresponds
to the quality of most of the current
Atlas and Kato production items.
But, in the case of an exceptional
product they might get more than 4!!!
|
Life-Like
GP20
Squeaky's Evaluation
| Mechanical: |
|
|
|
|
|
noise level - |
|
|
|
|
|
- slow speed |
3 1/2
|
quite |
|
|
- normal |
3 1/2
|
quite |
|
|
- high speed |
3
|
acceptable to most modelers |
|
|
|
|
|
| Operation: |
|
|
|
|
|
starting speed |
4
|
very good |
|
|
top speed |
3
|
high but not objectionable |
|
|
smoothness - |
|
|
|
|
|
- crawl |
4
|
very smooth* |
|
|
- low speed |
4
|
very smooth* |
|
|
- high speed |
4
|
very smooth* |
|
pulling power |
--
|
** |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Appearance: |
|
|
|
|
|
fidelity to prototype |
3 1/2
|
looks 'right' |
|
|
workmanship |
3 1/2
|
good |
|
|
detail |
3 1/2
|
good |
|
|
painting & lettering |
3 1/2
|
good |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mechanical |
3 1/2
|
|
|
|
| Operation |
3 1/2
|
|
|
|
| Appearance |
3 1/2
|
|
|
|
| Overall Rating |
3 1/2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * |
The smoothness of the mechanism is comparable to other
recent Like-Like releases. FA's, C-Liners, GP60's etc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ** |
Squeaky hasn't had a chance to test |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Athearn
SD70
Squeaky's Evaluation
| Mechanical: |
|
|
|
|
|
noise level - |
|
|
|
|
|
- slow speed |
3 1/2
|
quite |
|
|
- normal |
3
|
acceptable to most modelers |
|
|
- high speed |
3
|
acceptable to most modelers |
|
|
|
|
|
| Operation: |
|
|
|
|
|
starting speed |
3
|
good |
|
|
top speed |
3
|
high but not objectionable |
|
|
smoothness - |
|
|
|
|
|
- crawl |
3
|
smooth* |
|
|
- low speed |
3
|
smooth* |
|
|
- high speed |
3
|
smooth* |
|
pulling power |
--
|
** |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Appearance: |
|
|
|
|
|
fidelity to prototype |
3 1/2
|
looks 'right' |
|
|
workmanship |
3 1/2
|
good |
|
|
detail |
3 1/2
|
good |
|
|
painting & lettering |
3 1/2
|
good |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mechanical |
3
|
|
|
|
| Operation |
3
|
|
|
|
| Appearance |
3 1/2
|
|
|
|
| Overall Rating |
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * |
The smoothness of the mechanism is unexpected with the
three pole motor that Athearn uses. BUT, contrary to wide spread
belief - a good quality 3-pole can be better than a medium quality 5-pole. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ** |
Squeaky hasn't had a chance to test |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life-Like
GP60
Squeaky's Evaluation
| Mechanical: |
|
|
|
|
|
noise level - |
|
|
|
|
|
- slow speed |
3 1/2
|
quite |
|
|
- normal |
3 1/2
|
quite |
|
|
- high speed |
3
|
acceptable to most modelers |
|
|
|
|
|
| Operation: |
|
|
|
|
|
starting speed |
4
|
very good |
|
|
top speed |
3
|
high but not objectionable |
|
|
smoothness - |
|
|
|
|
|
- crawl |
4
|
very smooth* |
|
|
- low speed |
4
|
very smooth* |
|
|
- high speed |
4
|
very smooth* |
|
pulling power |
--
|
** |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Appearance: |
|
|
|
|
|
fidelity to prototype |
3 1/2
|
looks 'right' |
|
|
workmanship |
3 1/2
|
good |
|
|
detail |
3 1/2
|
good |
|
|
painting & lettering |
3 1/2
|
good |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mechanical |
3 1/2
|
|
|
|
| Operation |
3 1/2
|
|
|
|
| Appearance |
3 1/2
|
|
|
|
| Overall Rating |
3 1/2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * |
The smoothness of the mechanism is comparable to other
recent Like-Like releases. FA's, C-Liners, GP20's etc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ** |
Squeaky hasn't had a chance to test |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
This web site © 2000-2003
by Challenger N-Scale and Stevens Pass Publishing
© 2004 by Challenger N-Scale
© 2005 by Challenger N-Scale
and Stevens Pass Publishing
This page updated 11 April 2005 |
