I have some questions regarding decoders.
- MRC sheer Briliance…any good?
- I will be running the Bachmann EZ Command DCC unit, are there some decoders I need to stay away from due to compatibility issues?
thank you
Kevin
Posted over on the EasyDCC Yahoo forum recently …
So the short answer is no, MRC sound decoders are mostly toy-like junk – in the long run you are better off to invest in a Soundtrax, Digitrax, or LokSound decoder and avoid MRC decoders all together.
I agree with jfugate, and not because of what was posted. Personal experience. I have one in a Genesis 4-6-6-4 it sounds really bad, won’t take programming, and support for non-normal problems (like a simple reset) is almost nonexistant. This is one DCC product I have no problem telling people to avoid.
Generally, not if you are buying decoders currently in production. Some really old ones could require the command unit to be set to 14 speed steps in order to work properly.
The only issue I can think of would be if you got a decoder that requires use of f11 or f12 which I don’t believe the EZ Command can deal with.
On a side note, does this mean Doug Geiger has gone to DCC!?
Yep, he’s been happily using wireless EasyDCC for several years now.
Ah ha! Now I know why my friends don’t use MRC decoders. I’ve heard people say that they’re junk, but when J. Fugate says it, it’s pretty much official. I won’t be getting any of those. I’ll stick to NCE and Digitrax for now for basic fubction decoders.
I am so glad I asked here 1st. I guess i will pass on the MRC briliance.
Thank you all.
Now I need to figure out what ones to get
I also have a bachmann spectrum 0-6-0 tank that is “DCC Ready” looking at what i need to do, i think its semi ready, it sure isnt plug n play…but still doable.
any how, I was hoping to have sound in that one too…The Loksound web site has a micro sound decoder, that one fit you guys think?
Kevin
I can’t answer your question as I would like to find a nice sound decoder with only chuff, bell and whistle for my use. This should reduce the price and size somewhat; but no luck finding one. On a side note; I have a Roundhouse 4-4-0 with MRC decoder (factory installed) that has worked acceptably well. If I were going to buy a full function decoder to install in an HO engine; I would not buy the MRC though. I do have a Prodigy Advance DCC system and am perfectly happy with it; the MRC “problems” are apparently limited to the decoders.
A soundtraxx Tsunami is a great steam decoder, the best available right now. But it could be considered overkill since you are running a very basic command system. The tsunami has tons of fine-tuning options via the CVs and I dont belive the Bachmann system can accsess all of them. If you can take it somewhere to get it programmed it will work great.
I totally agree that you should stay clear of MRC. I have been an MRC “basher” since i got my first MRC decoder a couple years ago. I have either owned or known people that owned about a dozen MRC sound decoders and none of them lasted more than four months. The shortest life span was one of mine, all of 15 minutes it worked. Even when they do work they sound terrible, are loud, dont program properly and tend to stop listening to your commands and just go do what they like. The MRC decoders factory installed in Genesis locos at least last, but they still do not program properly or sound good.
Agreed … while the MRC decoders are clearly “junk”, the DCC systems are not. However, for about the same money as an MRC Prodigy Express system ($139 at Tony’s Trains), you can get a starter system from NCE ($140 at Tony’s Trains for a PowerCab starter system) or Digitrax ($160 for a Zephyr starter system) and you won’t be in a dead-end DCC system. You will be able to add a computer interface later for using the really powerful and free DecoderPro software to program decoders, and you will be able to expand to whatever layout size you desire.
MRC DCC systems are certainly way more reliable than their decoders (thank goodness), but the MRC DCC systems are still “small layout/train set” level somewhat, since they really limit your expansion possibilities. And I’d never recommed an MRC Prodigy Advanced to someone looking to get into DCC, since for the money ($250 at Tony’s Trains) you can do much better with one of the big four (Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, or EasyDCC) systems since you won’t be in a dead-end system with few expansion options.
The great thing about opinions is that everyone has at least one and they are all valid. The Prodigy Advance is , feature wise, a very good system. It is expandable with multiple throttles, boosters for many power districts and up-gradeable for future changes. A wireless option is announced and should be abailable soon (we will have to wait to see how it actually works) From the MRC site:
Prodigy Advance features…
- Tw
Have you looked at the Soundtraxx DSD-100LC decoders? There is a generic steam one that sells for about $50. I just looked at www.litchfieldstation.com and they say Soundtraxx is coming out with a DSD-101LC in late November, which is a little more advanced and comes in differing versions of steam (light, heavy, etc) as well as various diesel types. However, these decoders are not tiny (but not overly huge) and may not meet your needs if space is a major constraint.
Thanks for the info.
I had considered the DSD - 100LC. I heard several negative comments and Caboose Hobbies (my LHS) has it as a special order for some reason. I will certainly look at the new DSD -101LC when it comes out. My immediate need is for sound only to put in a baggage car that will be pulled by up to three different DCC (without sound) locos. $50 is OK with me; however $100 for a full function decoder is not. Thanks again.
SoundTraxx makes a sound only decoder, the DSX, that you could use if you don’t need motor control. Their LC series of decoders don’t have very good motor drive circuits, so a DSX together with another brand of motor control decoder is usually the best route if you have room for 2 separate decoders.
At Caboose Hobbies ( my LHS) the DSX series are $ 68 and special order. By the time that I got one installed, with speaker, the cost is around $75. This is really more than I want to pay of occasional sound. The new LC unit is cheaper and would probably work well for what I want. Thanks for the info though.
I wouldn’t consider Caboose Hobbies to be the place to shop for discounts on SoundTraxx products. Check Tony’s Train Exchange, Loy’s Toys, Litchfield Station, or one of the other DCC specialty mail-order places.
I use the DSX sound-only decoders in my G-scale steam engines.
Finally someone who admits using the DSX decoders.
Thanks for the admission - I think that I will order one (from your list above) and try it.
what about the soundtraxx DSD-B280LC?
I saw this on the http://www.gatewaynmra.org/dcc/engines/bach-280.htm link that looks easy and although the 2-8-0 is different from the 4-6-2, it might be close enough for me, i am not too picky, but that decoder looks very self contained.
Also the loksound micro, that should fit in anything HO including the spectrum 0-6-0 tank engine.
Kevin
I would not reccomend a Loksound Micro. They have been tested in HO engines and often cannot handle the demand of the motors, these are really N scale decoders. However, the Loksound V3.5 decoder is just a little longer than an “average” decoder (TCS T1, Digitrax DH163) and can fit just about anywhere. Loksound makes a great decoder, but they are more expensive than the tsunami and the tsunami is a little better.
As far as your 0-6-0, I remember a thread where somebody put one of the big DSD-100LCs into thier spectrum 0-6-0. It was a pretty involved installation but it just goes to show you that you can find a way to do just about anything. In a small loco like the 0-6-0 you could probably get away with using a Loksound micro.
Hmmm, It was just two years ago he bought most of what was left of my club’s Railcommand system. He was considering purchasing the wireless system too. I can’t believe its been that long since I’ve been up to one of his operating sessions. Time does fly.