I am really leaning toward the Advanced model. I have the regular Prodidgy now but I have outgrown it and the system I have is a loaner. From what I have read and studied, the Advanced It has all the features and then some I like and want.
But I have thought I had good deals in the past and got burned [banghead] so i am looking for personal opinions of those have have it, or had it. What you liked and didnt like. Is it what they say, or is not whats its cracked up to be. Thanks for all your input.
well, by now probably everyone knows how I feel about the prodigy advance. So Ill keep it short. Im not going to go over all the problems again but personally I refuse to run my trains on an MRC prodigy or prodigy advance.
There’s another thread here somewhere about MRC and DCC, I think there are better deals out there for something you can upgrade as you need or want. Digitrax or Lenz Or NCE ( NCE is quite expensive I believe) are all expandable systems.
My toss up was Digitrax Zephyr or Lenz Compact, the compact turned out to be the basics (I bought one) so I’ve upgraded to Set 100 and LH90 cab. If I didn’t have a local dealer for Lenz I would be Digitrax all the way!!!
Well actually, I dont know why you dont like it JPM. I have great service from my Prodigy. I have been running a couple of RTR’s with Digitraxx decoder, along with BLI Cab foward. Not counting the limited functions Prodigy supports, it has been flawless.
I admit I am gun shy about the NCE systems. My modular club uses it and the one time I ran my engines on it (short version here) 2 of my 4 engines devolped seriuos problems [:(!] after running on it. One engine went deadinthe tracks after runnig 2 laps. The BLI started making LOUD noises that no man should ever his 450.00 engine make.
I not sure how much expanding I would want to do as far as extras. I wont be doing signals or blocks. I have no plans to tie it into the computer. Are the other issues of “exspansion” that I missing and will be left out if I get the MRC PA?
The Prodigy Advanced is only a 3.5 Amp system. The other top-end systems are 5.0 Amps. To me, that’s a significant drawback for the PA, so I’m looking most seriously at the Lenz 100. In terms of supported functions, readback capability, etc., the specs on the PA otherwise look pretty good.
I also had the original prodigy system and was happy with it. I only changed to the advanced since my loco roster grew well beyond the 32 numbers avail on the prodigy. If you have been happy with the prodigy, you will really like the advanced system. Never had any problems with it and it has suited my needs totally. No compatability issues, works all the features on my BLI engines, and no regrets in purchasing it.
The advanced system can handle all functions which was a factor in my moving up to it also. I cannot speak of other systems since I have had the prodigy since day one of switching to DCC. For my layout, the only possible need for expansion would be in a power booster someday if I get permission to make it bigger. But I believe all systems would need extra power at some point of expansion.
I researched the different systems for a few months before I made my decision as well. The features that I needed for my home layout were all available via the Prodigy Advanced. I have never used any of the other systems, but I looked at the handhelds that they had, and in my opinion the PA and the NCE ProCab were the most user friendly. I really like the knob speed control and to access a sound function on my BLI Class A is very easy. It is also very easy to toggle through a list of locomotives in the recall stack or to add a new locomotive. It only took about 5 minutes to set up and have loco’s running which I really liked.
The only drawback that I have seen so far is that I cannot connect it to my computer to program loco’s using Decoder Pro. That is not a necessity obviously, but it would have been a nice to have. Most people complain about the cost of expanding the Prodigy Advance as a reason not to buy it, but I don’t think that is accurate. I have bought 3 extension plates to place around my layout and you can get them for only $18 including the cables to connect them to the command station from Micro-Mark. They daisy-chain together with no additional parts needed (unless you want more than 6- then you have to get the extension plate with external power supply). I also got a second handheld (for any visitors to my layout) for $56 and the 8 amp power booster for $95 from Micro Mark. So all told I have spent $380 for my system (I bought the system from Tony’s Train Exchange for $185), and I do not think I will ever need to add anything else as far as DCC for my layout again. A lot of people originally were saying negative things about the MRC system because the previous one (Prodigy) was not as capable, but I do not think that they spent the time to look into it. All told I have spent $380 for an 8 Amp system with program and read capabilities for my layout.
The only other thing that I may add for DCC is the PowerPax Programming booster. The PA has read capabilities but
I see there still is come confusion ovr Prodigy vs Prodigy Advanced. I think MRC did themselves a disservice by using the similar names, as by all accounts the Prodigy Advanced is light years beyond the original Prodigy.
People are also getting hung up on total amps. 3.5 is plenty for a smaller layout, or even a big one if there’s only a couple of trains running. And what scale? 3.5 amps in N goes a lot further than 3.5 amps in HO, unless all you have are Stewrt HO switchers witht he Canon motors (testing on DC before decoder install, my DS4-4-1000 pulled a whopping .12 amps at 12v while running…). I’m have 8 locos running at the same time with my ‘tiny’ 3.5 amp Zephyr. No, it wouldn’t have worked if all 8 were BLIs, but with 2-3 trains to run, 3.5 amps in HO or smaller scales is probably plenty. And you can always add extra boosters if you find you do need more power.
I am running a pair of BLI E-7’s and a Steward FT consist as follows: three powered units with Digitax decoders and a B unit that is all sound with a Soundtraxx decoder, a capacitor, 2 woofers , and a tweeter. This freight lashup is awesome and I run them all on 2 separate trains at the same time with my Prodigy Advance. It does almost everything the big guys do at half the price. I also have on order a BLI NW2 switcher for the yard. We’ll see if it handles it all, eh?
Well, all right. This is waht I was hopeing for. Expeirence fromfolks who have it, and used and abused it. Thanks for the feed back everyone. Look foward to more.
Hope everyone had a good Friday and is ready for the weekend.
MSRP is $179.95, but if you buy it through Tony’s Train Exchange it’s only $139.95!!! I hear that Tony’s Train Exchange is a very good place to purchase products, especially DCC products. I’m thinking about getting this system. I hear that NCE is one of the best in DCC.
Yes only 1 amp though, and no provisions for more than one cab. At least you will still be able to use it as a programming/test station at the bench once you go to a full-blown Powerhouse system and use it as a cab there.
I was looking at the MRC Advance and asked Tonys’ Train about any issues they had with the system. They wrote me back and suggested I wait and see how I like the NCE power cab. But listening to you all makes me think the MRC is the better deal. after you buy the NCE system and the 3 amp power supply I think you have about the same money. WOW…I hope operating my new DCC system is easier than deciding which one to buy.
True words written FireChief. Which one… which one
Well, the NCE startes set sound sok, but I want to have more cabs. The MRC PA atleast you run 4 right out of the box, which all I have room for anyways
I think you will find a lot more expansion capability with NCE. Once you add the real command station the sky is the limit. You are dealing with one of the most experienced companies in DCC which will go further in the long run.
Don’t use the base cost of the system as a guide as to what it will cost - you’ll spend heaps more on decoders.
Me - I’m a very satisfied NCE user and still haven’t experienced a better system…
Not to degrade what I said above, but I am in a quandary, too! I love the PA which I use at home, however i am getting into Free-mo and they specify Digitrax. Now I am also experienced with the NCE pro-cab, and if I had the money I would definitely prefer that. Solution, I will buy the necessary Digitrax connections and a UT-4 throttle so my modules comply. I will continue to use my PA at home thanks to alligator clips, eh? If I ever win the lottery I will get a home with a full basement and go NCE. Problem solved, now lets do some switching over a cold one!