Hello, from new user in Bangkok Thailand
I need to help…I buying a MRC Prodigy Express in few a day. I’ve some question about it.
The The MRC Prodigy Express is support Digitrax DZ123 decoder or not?
The MRC Prodigy Express is support non-dcc loco or not?
Thank you so much
MRC Prodigy Express should be compatible with just about any decoder especially a newer one.
Not sure about running a non-DCC loco though, my question is why would you want to if you have DCC? Some decoders are really cheap throw one in your non-DCC loco if possible.
Now I playing in analog system. I need to play in 2 system (analog & DCC) in one layout. I not have a decoder now because I buy controller before and I need to install decoder for some loco only. I need to buy a DZ123 but I not sure for support with MRC prodigy express.
The PE will support all manufacturers decoders.
The PE will not support a DC loco (analog loco).
The PE has no computer interface.
The PE has no “yet” wireless ability
Also with the PE you can’t MU locomotives back to back, only elephant style mu is supported.
Thank you so much Mr.Jalajoie for good suggestion to me.Did you used PE?
No I don’t use the PE, but I looked into it seriously when purchasing my DCC system. I finally opted for Digitrax Zephyr.
I use the MRC PE on my HO layout without problems and most of my locos have Digitrax DH123 decoders. They operate without any isssues at all. I like the PE except for what was mentioned above about them not running MU’d locos elephant style. The documentation that comes with the PE is very vague about this feature and from what I read, it sounded like it would be supported. I don’t consist all that much so it’s not a huge issue but they should update their documentation so that it is correct.
If it’s like most other systems, they need to be set so the are moving the same direction before MUing. Example - select the first loco, make sure it’s going forward (we’ll say cab front, moving right to left.). Now select the second loco, and make sure it’s moving right to left (should be reverse direction of the first one). Now MU them together, when the consist is set to FORWARD, loco 1 will run right to left with the cab in front, loco 2 will run right to left with the cab at the rear, and vice-versa. If you start out with both locos in forward, they would pull away from one another.
–Randy
I have personal experience with MRC’s Prodigy Advance and the DZ123. About a year ago MR published an article in DCC Corner on installing a Z scale decoder in an N scale Life Like SW1200. I owned that same loco and wanted to convert it to DCC for use on my new layout. I chose to do so using the DZ123. Instalation went great, I programmed the decoder, ran it on my layout for about an hour and blew the decoder. I sent it back to Digitrax who replaced it with an identical decoder. I installed and programmed the decoder, ran it for about 2 hours and blew it again. I cannot specifically connect this to the PA system, buy my suspicions are that the output on PA is somehow too high for the Z scale decoder. I ran the loco and decoder very carefully bothe times and could find no evidence of a short. This is certainly not proof, but I personally am shying away from Z scale decoders with my PA.
Ron
Sorry Randy, while this will be ok with the PA it will not work with the PE. Contrary to the documentation, there is no way to MU locos back to back with the PE, unless you reverse the direction of the loco with CV29, this however is not very practical.
Ouch! Another strike against MRC. So basically if you run multiple diesels in a prototypical fashion, you can’t do it with the PE. I’m guessing the Bachmann can’t do this either since it has no consisting whatsoever other than using the same address for more than 1 loco - and there’s no way to even change CV29 with Bachmann.
More and more, the only ‘starter’ systems that even make sense are the Zephyr and PowerCab.
–Randy
You should look into MRC’s Prodigy Advance. It will MU with no problems and overcomes many other shortfalls of the lower-end PE. I’ve had it for about a year and a half and love it.
Ron