Right-click on the gif and save it to your hard drive. Upload it to a hosting site (I use photobucket.com). Go into your profile on this forum and go to the signature box. On the hosting site click the IMG line for the gif and copy it into your browser. Now paste it into your signature box. Do the same with the rest of the gif’s so they look like this: [ IMG]image[ /IMG][ IMG]image[ /IMG][ IMG]image[ /IMG]. It’s as simple as that.
Sorry, Dan. RS-232 is what I meant [:I]
Tom
In my humble opinion. Driline must be joking or uninformed. The throttle for the NCE Power Cab is larger due to the fact that it is the control and booster and therefore more uncomfortable in the hand (also has hefty wt.) in comparison. The wheel control is subject to failure from wear so NCE has used the knob on the Cab 04 and 05 so this must not be an issue. The only functions where the buttons are dedicated and marked on the Power Cab have nothing to do with sound which have the same Function number requirements as the Prodigy. l yield to his expert testimony on the quality of plastic for either one, not an issue that I would dwell on.
Don
Tstage,
Your review was sometime in February. Can you give an update on how you like it and/or what you have found to be a problem over time?
Have you used the consist feature and does it work ok?
I read a post from someone stating that some of the ‘upgrades’ for a Power Cab have not come to fruition. Can anyone respond to that?
Very good review for a beginner too, btw. I wish I could see a similar review for the Digitrax and a couple of the other big hitters as well.
Mike/Nightshade
Thanks, guys
Rember, I want to keep the price ranges around $120.
Thanks, unionpacific4
Dude…pony up the extra $14 dollars for a QUALITY system, Digitrax or NCE. Roll some kid for his lunch money if you have to…[:)]
I respectfully disagree totally and unequivocally. What wheel failure? Plus you’ve got two pushbuttons on either side for speed control, which is what I use. The NCE was designed ergonomically and therefore for me anyway is very comfortable in your hands. I held the Prodigy, and it was not as comfortable to hold. There are two sound labled buttons. HORN and BELL. Plus an OPTION button that you don’t get on the MRC unit. MRC sound decoders are crap ergo their controller as well.
I reject your reality and insert my own[soapbox]
.
Wow a lotta work but hey it looks cool. I’ve got a photobucket account.
Driline,
I have about seven pages of Avitars you can download to that photobucket account if you want. Email me and I’ll give you the address to my photobucket page.
LOL, no not midwest trains, although they are the best local hobby store. I went to Thunder Road Hobbies near the airport in Milan.
Did you go to Hobby Haven in Des Moines? I’ve been there several times. They moved a few years ago to a new store/location. Its very nice. Unfortunatley they sell at RETAIL price. Can you beleive it? A hobby store selling train stuff at retail price? Are they nuts? Nobody pays retail price except the uneducated and uninformed. Our hobby stores sell 20% off retail ALWAYS to compete with the internet stores. That includes both Midwest Trains and Thunder Road.
cool…I’ll take you up on your offer…
You should have it now!
Mike,
I afraid I don’t have much to update on a few of the issues that were mentioned in the Power Cab review. And, no, I haven’t had the opportunity to use the consisting feature either. I do, however, like the Power Cab very much and am glad I got it. I still need to call Tony @ Tony’s Train Exchange to chat with him about a couple of things. As soon as I do, I’ll report what I find out.
On “upgrades”. NCE is notorious for failing to reach self-imposed deadlines on it’s releases. It seems that they often are several months behind schedule. In one sense, it can be a source of frustration. In another sense, it’s a comfort. NCE is very meticulous about making sure that all the bugs have been worked out of there products before they ship. They are a fairly small enterprise so fixing glitches on pre-released product might sometimes take time.
Mike, I’m glad that you found the review helpful. Thanks for the encouragement.
Tom
Older computers have an interface (RS-232) in the back of the computer that you can use to connect other devices to the computer. Digitrax sold a device called an MS-100 which connects the RS-232 port on the computer to the Digitrax system. I have one and it works great. Most of the new computers do not have RS-232 ports but use USB ports. To connect a Digitrax system to the computer you would need a Loco Buffer USB.
JIM
Also known as a Serial Port… I know my way around computers enough to have figured it out(as far as the computer end). I was just asking more to be sure that I wasn’t confusing computer ports and a specialized/poprietary DCC System port - similar to how Digitrax uses 6-pin phone connectors(RJ-12 I think…) for their Loconet.
As for “older” it depends on how far back “old” starts… my 2-year old computer still has an RS-232 port on it (granted, I build my own, so I can get motherboards that have a lot of legacy stuff, as opposed to what Dell/HP/whoever force on their customers).
Back to the DCC debate though… we all forgot about the 5-DCC system, as advertised in the April MR… I bet that’d fall under the sub-$120 category…does anyone still have the video ad?[:)]
I remember that one, Dan. [(-D] I was particularly amused by it. I think that’s the one that comes with a RJ-232 interface…[swg]
Tom
I don’t mind the extra $14, I just want to keep it around the price range.
Where would you get these systems online besides Ebay?
unionpacific4
Randy mentioned a good one: Empire Northern Models. Tim’s prices are very competitive and some of the best around. Tony’s Train Exchange would be another one.
Tom
There are litterally dozens of debates, discussions, reviews etc on the forums concerning the different DCC systems out there. I don’t think there are any “bad” systems out there. Just systems that don’t meet the individual’s needs or wants. Read the past threads. Lot’s of useful info. After reading several threads you’ll be able to sort the wheat from the chaff. Don’t rush this decision. Take some time and do research. On the good side, seems like the vast majority of folks out there are very happy with the system they choosed. I love mine!
Well said, Dave. Dave, you’re probably one of the best examples of a someone who methodically did his homework, researched the topic, and chose the DCC system that best met his needs. If memory serves me correctly, you took upwards of a year to finally narrow down your choice to the Prodigy Express.
Tom