I’m thinking of replacing my MRC Prodigy Advance with a completely new DCC system and I’d like some recommendations on which system you guys think is best as far as reliability, user friendly, and features. I have a relatively small layout and probably would not be running more than four locos at once. Wireless would be nice but not a necessity and I want one capable of handling the new 28 accessory functions standard. I’m not ruling out MRC - just looking for some alternatives and there is a wealth of experience on this forum and mine is very limited. I’d appreciate any comments both pro and con.
Dadret,
Before someone jumps in and tells you that Digitrax will solve all your problems and cure your cold, I’d like to ask a question first. What is wrong or what don’t you like about your current system?
Also what 28 accessory functions standard are you referring? I was unaware that a function (button|key) standard exists.
Since the topic is relevant, I’ve a poll on my blog about DCC Buyer’s selection criteria. Might take a look at it and see what people like you and me say is most important in making these kinds of decisions.
http://wwwjoe-daddy.blogspot.com/2007/01/dcc-buyer-selection-criteria.html
Joe
Check out Joe Fugates clinic.
There’s really nothing wrong with my current MRC - I was thinking of upgrading it to Prodigy Advance2 or the new wireless one both of which have 28 accessory functions (standard was the wrong word to use). Also I noticed that Digitrax is a 5 amp system whil the MRC is only slightly over 3.- thinking of furture expansion more than current operation.
Digitrax also offers a 8 amp system.
The typical HO SOUND locomotive with DCC draws less than .25 amps. The BIG current draw on a layout is lighted (incandescent) passenger cars. A string of lighted cars can easily pull an amp.
Sound locomotives sitting idle on a layout pull very little. With a lighted passenger train and 6 or 8 DCC QSI sound locomotives on my layout, my RRamp never goes above 2 amps.
I’d suggest your next purchase be the RRamp meter which is a fundamental requirement in my opinion and would be something that will work when and IF you ever find a need to upgrade.
My Lenz has 12 function keys. I’ve read where those systems with more have some kind of occassional wierdness associated with the extra keys. I’d check that out carefully before I jumped there.
my 2 cents!
Joe
The number of available functions is overkill – how many do you think you can remember without having to look at a manual? Even sound decoders don’t support that many functions yet, and even if they did most of the sounds would be things that you would probably never use.
I agree. Yes, there are a few sound decoders that are taking advantage of these functions to key a variety of sound effects. Realistically, though, things like the conductor saying “All aboard!” are gimmicks, and are really not worth upgrading a whole DCC system for.
If you are planning to upgrade for some other reason, then go for the extra functions as part of the upgrade. On the other hand, if you are going to replace your current system to get a capability that you won’t use for at least a year or two, why not wait? In another year, you will have more options, and probably better and cheaper options as well.
dadret, can’t you get a booster for the MRC? I don’t know their product line really well, but my understanding is that you can add to your system. I would drop MRC an e-mail, tell them what type of expansion you want and let them give you some pointers. Report back, because the issue of expansion with MRC has always been a bit of a question mark.
Dadret,
To get back to answering the question you posed. Since you are already using a MRC PA and are used to the throttle interface, and you’ve stated that reliability, user friendliness, and that ability to handle the new 28 functions, for all intents and purposes you are left with 2 options to consider. The first is to continue with MRC and explore whether the PA squared will provide you the options you’re looking for. The second option would to go with NCE’s Powercab, or if you want more power then the PowerHouse Pro system. The Powercab/Procab used by NCE is very similar to the PA. In fact, MRC’s design is largely based in the ProCab design. The ProCab is a very user friendly throttle. It is very easy to operate with, to program decoders and to consist with. The NCE system is extremely reliable. Both the PowerCab and PHP are completely upgradeable. For a small cost, the last one was $20, NCE will send you a new EPROM with the new software on it. It takes about 15 minutes to open the case, remove the old chip, install the new chip and close the case. Both NCE systems can access up to F28.
None of the current Digitrax systems have the ability to access up to F28. Most stop at F12. Also, since you’ve been using the MRC PA
I agree with Joe Daddy on the usefullness of your current system. The basic PA system will handle 19 functions and the base unit can be sent into MRC for an upgrade to access all 28 functions( I believe there is a $50 charge for the upgrade). Also, the basic PA has a power supply of between 2.5 amps (for some of the early units) and 3.5 amps (most units). However the system will take 4 amps, which is a lot for even a medium sized layout.
Yesterday I had over thirty units idling on my layout with maybe eight or so sound units on. I still pulled just under 1 amp and only 1.05 amps with a non sound unit running. MRC does have 3.5 and 8 amp boosters, so future power needs shouldn’t pose a problem.
Also, the MRC wirless upgrade is quite nice and doesn’t require any modification to the base unit to use. (One little change with the wireless. When accessing functions above F9, you have a seperate shift button and have to input the whole digit, ie 10,11,12. With the the current PA handhelds you hit shift and 0, or 1, or two,etc)
I agree with Cacole on the usability of 28 functions. As I mentioned, a PA will access 19 functions and at this time, I think even MRC sound decoders, which have a lot of sounds, only have 19 functions. So, what are you upgrading to? At this time, nothing.
Also, as mentioned, remembering becomes a problem. I use sound decoders from several different manufacturers and with the exception of bell and horn (that’s two!!!) The sound functions are not the same so I have to pause and think which function does what? Is it five for dynamic brakes on this one or six? Oops, this one doesn’t have dynamics I just throttled down the unit climbing a grade.
The Ramp meter is a good idea. It will keep track of the system voltage as well as current draw.
Good luck with your choice.
Tilden
I converted to DCC last December and am happy to have done so. My current system is MRC’s Prodigy Advanced, but I have just acquired the MRC Prodigy Wireless, although it is not installed yet.
MRC is straighforward and easy to use. Programming can be done on the main or on a programming track. Consisting is easy. I do wish there was a backspace button that would allow correcting input errors rather than having to start a sequence over again.
With any DCC system, one frustration is when a locomotive causes a short, usually when passing over a switch. That difficulty seems more of a problem with steam locomotives than diesels.
SPBDaylight98
Thanks for all your input - my current MRC all of a sudden looks pretty good and I think I’ll just keep things as is - maybe I’ll update to wireless later.
Sounds like MRC’s new duplex wireless works very well and could be a nice future upgrade for you. Not sure how it works for a large group of operators but for typical home use it sounds very good.
MRC doesn’t seem to handle consisting as well as some other systems but if it works okay for you then staying with MRC could be the best way to go.
There was another thread recently about how “you” liked your radio/wireless DCC throttle. A couple of us chimed in and were extremely impressed with the PA2 Wireless. You don’t even have to buy the whole thing - just the conversion kit if you want. And you can continue to get 3.5 or 8amp boosters from MRC (though, I understand that other companies boosters might also work). I’m extremely happy with my Prodigy. I started with the PA Express, and have since made a couple of upgrades. The upgrade path is fairly easy to follow, and the equipment appears to be extemely solid.
Reports so far do seem to suggest that MRC have done a fine job with the duplex wireless. There continues to be some doubt as to how well the NCE wireless actually works. Having read Joe Furgate’s review of his implementation it seems that he is not as happy with it as I think he thought he would be when he went down that route. Since I use Digitrax I have more than a passing interest in the impending release of the new Digitrax duplex system, I am rather hoping that it will be closer to MRC in performance than NCE.
Joe Fugate’s layout is relatively large with lot’s of people in the room. So, is the NCE problem one of room size, room design, too many bodies, or what? I’ve read other reports of NCE radio working well with good response, but the responders didn’t define their environment.
So far the MRC reports seem to be from smaller operations. How about Digitrax? Do they encounter problems with lots of bodies, etc.? Joe used to have EasyDCC and it sounds as though it worked quite well in the same room.
Radio is such a desireable option that I hope all of the manufacturers can continue with improvements that will overcome any current difficulties or drawbacks. Everyone will be eagerly watching for the new Digitrax offering. When trying to run a railroad, there is nothing more unfun than pressing a button with no, or very slow response.
The range on the MRC wireless seems to be OK. I can go into the family room with it and controlthe trains without problemsand that’s putting a dining room and bathroom between meand the layout. I’d say 20 feet or so straight line between the wireless control and the receiver with two or three walls in between. I’ll go upstairs tonight.
Tilden
Jerry, I suspect that Joe’s issues are not related to the number of bodies attenuating or blocking signal, but more to do with band width and too many throttles polling and trying to access the band width simultaneously. I am holding off on Radio for the time being with Digitrax because I feel there are real shortcomings in the current simplex solution. I know from first hand experience that it works well and responds quickly on very large layouts, but I am not crazy about the notion of plugging in to acquire. I have been using the cheap IR solution for a couple of years (it requires plug in as well) and will be quite happy to move to a duplex solution when released. I will be one of the first to put down my $ when the time comes.
Is it a short, or is it a dropout for just that engine? If all the engines on your layout (or more specifically, in that power district, if you have more than one) shut down, even momentarily, then it’s a short. If just the engine crossing the turnout shuts down, then it’s a power dropout on that engine.
Shorts are often caused by wide wheels bridging the gap at the point of the turnout frog. This is most pronounced with Peco turnouts. You can often fix this by putting a layer of clear nail polish over just that small gap to insulate it.
Dropouts happen when none of the pickup wheels on one side or the other are in contact with a powered rail. This should only happen with short, 4-wheel engines, or engines where some of the wheels don’t have power pickups. Here, it might just be unlucky geometry aligning the dead zones with the wheels, or it may be poor connectivity between parts of the turnout. Jumpers can sometimes fix this, but the first thing to try is cleaning the rails and the wheels to get better contact.