I’ve seen a lot of negative comments in this forum concerning MRC detectors but with few specifics. Could someone provide some specifics? Are the negatives related only to their sound detectors? I’m trying to make a decision on which brand of detectors (sound and no sound) to buy and I don’t want to waste money on ones that are “dogs”. Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.
Joe
If you’re referring to decoders, avoid the MRC decoders. You’ll be much better of with Digitrax, NCE or any of the other well known brands. I use NCE decoders myself and am happy with them.
Joe,
I will also assume you are referring to “decoders”. Digitrax, NCE, TCS, and Lenz all make very fine decoders. Here’s a link from Tony’s Train Exchange web site where you can compare decoders with one another:
For sound decoders, Digitrax, ESU (LokSound), QSI, and Soundtraxx are the ones to buy. QSI has not been commerically available before but is expected to be released any day now. From those who have them, MRC sound decoders have been a disappointment.
Hope that’s a help…
Tom
A friend of mine with a basement filling layout went with the MRC decoders when he switched to DCC in the past year or two. He used MRC because on paper they were the cheapest. After getting a few locos with Soundtraxx and other decoders, the original MRC equipped ones do sound a lot more puny. MRC now has a “Brilliance” line of decoders; my friend has some engines (all diesels) equipped with them but I don’t know if they are up to the Soundtraxx ones. Heading to his layout for an operating session this evening, if I can remember I’ll ask him about the new MRCs.
I have two of the MRC sound decoders in two Athearn Genesis engines. They were bought new and came with the decoders already installed.
One is a Genesis F7 - A and B unit both are powered with sound. I haven’t used it more than to test run it. During the test run it worked fine. The sound quality is not any where near as good as the QSI I have in another F7 but I didn’t find any running defects.
The other Athearn Genesis is the Big Boy 4-8-8-4. I did have problems programming it. Even with a Power Pax to help with programming on my NCE Power Pro system it took three tries to get it to program properly. The sound cuts out periodically for no reason. I haven’t really had a chance to say whether it runs ok or not since I am in the middle of building a new layout. I have only test run each of these locos for a short period.
Others have said they have problems with MRC decoders dying on them. Hopefully that’s not the path these will take.
Personally, I would go with NCE, Digitrax or TCS decoders. I use them when I am installing my own.
Bill
OOPS, I did mean decoders. Thanks to all for the input. I will take your advice and steer clear of MRC until they get the bugs worked out. Meanwhile, I’ll look into the others that have been recommended.
Joe
I will not buy anymore MRC decoders. I had the MRC 315 and 350, I have since replaced them due to issues with having to reprogram them if they had not been ran in some time. I now use Lenz Silver decoders, they are excellent. I have also had good luck with Digitrax decoders.