More than likely the most posted question is about DCC and here is another one. I was looking at the Zepher by Digitrax and there higher end sets as well. Cost, well the zepher is in my prices range but not happy with the lack of F fuction not going over F-9, plus only 2.6 amps.
Then I came across the Prodigy 0001406. I know it is no longer made but I know where I can pick one up local NIB for $180.00.
Went to the MRC site and readed the drections and does seem to be pretty simple to use.
What I don’t like is it will not run DC engines like my Cheap Bachmann can. Plus it is a hobby shop that is around 40 miles from me, so no local support. My LHS is K-10 Trains and he only uses Digitrax and not a fan of MRC. Heck, I had a MRC 6200 new that went south, but the MRC thottles work great.
I like my PA. Got it a year and a half ago from Wholesale Trains I guess for 179.00.
Have had no problems with it. Ran four locos at once, no problems. Consists are
a little funky as you must clear consist number while the locos are on the track (I guess some information is stored in the DCC chip itself) or things get messed up a bit.
Would love to get the wireless conversion. The teather sucks. It is a hard ribbon wire and I would have preferred a coiled wire.
Not using sound currently or any advanced lighting so can vouch for that.
Hope this helps.
Peter
I’m a little confused. Are you talking about the pre Prodigy Advanced unit? (the old standard Prodigy?) If so, you can get the Advance unit for about the same price. ($180) If you shop around. That price isn’t that good if your talking about an older discontinued unit.
I don’t think they discontinued the PA yet, did they?
When I was picking out a system I looked at the long view, as well as the short view. For me it was looking at what I might “need” or want down the road. I chose the Digitrax route because I knew I could add additional throttles, boosters, computer interfaces, stationary controllers and other things without much worry about my original investment. I suspect that with almost any DCC starter system that is purchased, there will come a time to add on for whatever reason (more features, more power etc…). I would hesitate to think it is a one time purchase (hence the name Starter System that some manufacturers use). My opinion is that Digitrax will give you more flexibility, should you need to add on later but I’d suggest speaking with other Zeyphr users, if you have specific concerns. I personally went the Super Chief radio route. My logic was that the cost difference was just over the price of one sound locomotive. So if
I have this system. I got it shortly after it came out in 2005. At this price you can buy it and upgrade it in 2007 with the wireless conversion, having a tetherd throttle and a wireless throttle working, for less than you could buy the strictly wireless system with one throttle that is replacing it. As to performance, I love mine. The one drawback that is often quoted here, other than those who assume that it is low end simply because it is and MRC product, is that it has no computer interface for programming. I have heard rumors that the new system will have a computer interface and the it is an upgradable product. That notwithstanding, The system works great, programming is easy, the “intuitive” operation is easy to learn with instructions on the back of the throttle, and I like the throttle better than any I’ve used, including Digitrax. My personal opinion [2c] is buy it and upgrade it when the upgrad is available.
Just a word of caution here, when the PA first came on the market it was advertised as a 3.5 amps unit, however it was delivered by MRC with only a 2.5 amps power supply. Make sure you clarify this issue before buying.
As far as functions are concerned I myself never used any past F9 on my QSI equiped engines, that alone should not be a deal breaker.
And as I posted before I’ve run 8 locos on the mere 2.5 amps of the Zephyr, 4 of those were sound. Sounds impossible based on you needing that MRC 6200 but I really believe MRC overrates their power packs by a large margin. Or rather it’s a result of how they figure the output power - sort of like the difference between gross and net horsepower.
With the Digitgrax you get better expandability, more third party support, and, most of all, support from your local shop.
Ok, think it is the sickness again, wanting to buy for the sake of buying. Just ran 3 BLI’s with QSI sound and a Dash 8-40C with my Bachmann E-Z 1 amp power supply? That is 4 engines on the B-line, do I really need more?
I think I need to start working on the new section of bench. Buy foam, plaster, glue and track. But then again, setting the CV would be great.
This is the system that I have and I have no real beefs with it at all. Tony’s Train Exchange sells a power booster for this unit that will take add another 3.5 Amps to the system.
I have mostly NCE decoders and now I have 4 QSI Sound equipt engines, 2 that run stand alone and the new E8’s that once broken in, will be consisted together. I’ve had 2 QSI’s an two other engines running on my packed 4x8 layout and never had a problem. I really should have some extra feeders on the far side, but it’s been working now for over two years.
I forget what I paid for mine. I got a very good deal on it two years ago, I know it was under $200 and I have gotten that much out of it already so it’s a good deal to me.
If I have any problems, it the occasional loss of control to the QSI’s. Sometimes I’ll acquire the loco, set the speed step and bring up the lights, I’ll notch up the throttle and NOTHING, no extra engine noise or anything. I can’t pin point it to say it’s a “ME” problem or a PA problem. I usually turn the system off and then bring it back and in most cases thats all it takes. I’ve seen other operators on their layout have simular problems with NCE and Digitrax, so I feel that I’m not alone in this regard.
I got my PA about seven months ago- hasn’t really been used much, and the display is slowly fading away- I paid full price of about $360.00 from a full blown hobby store in Dallas.[][:I][oops][B)][banghead][X-)]
One of the many things to think about is not only functions, but FUNCTION. By this I mean ergonomics… do you like the handheld, etc? For example, one thing I like about NCE is that you can use it with one hand. MRC’s products require 2 hands (at least when I tried it out at a hobby store)… I recommend, if it has not already been said, testing out and HOLDING the throttles, because although options like computer control, interface, etc. will be talked about a lot (and are important), the MOST important thing IMHO is how the throttle feels and functions for you, since it (besides your wife) is something you will be spending a lot of time with! Hope this helps…
Yeah you should really look into NCE systems, they are really easy to use and work great. The wireless issues have been worked out and work great also. I have not had a decoder that my NCE system won’t program, including the dreaded MRC challengers and such from Athearn. They are also easily expandable if you want to start of small, i looked at several systems before i purchased and NCE came out of the pile with my money and i could not be happier with the product.
never buy a DCC product from MRC that has been discontinued , they have a history of coming out with new items that are not compatible with their older equipment . unlike digitrax nce etc. whose products are still usable in some way if you buy their latest stuff .
this is merely speculation , but i’d guess that MRC is coming out with a DCC unit that has a computer interface since that’s probably the biggest reason people didn’t buy their Prodigy Advance system (it was certainly my reason)
Some one grab a camera quick, we finally have it admitted in writing! [:)] He wasn’t saying it was unique to NCE, he was just using them as an example. Most of the throttles are made for one handed use.
And all the NCE users have the ‘Hammerhead’ stuck between their legs while switching or reading the manual - It’s all the same! The worst was the orginal MRC hand-held add-on cab with the ‘slider’ throttle controls!
It took me about 30 minutes to get used to the original Digitrax DT100 throttle, and only about 5 minutes to get a handle on a ‘Hammerhead’. The Digitrax DT400 throttle is quite nice. The MRC Prodigy throttles are really laid out nice and I am impressed. Just wish they had the computer interface and more expansion. From the announcement, this looks like what is happening. But for about $600 MSRP(what the product announcment said), there are several other choices out there…
No… wait on the camera, watch me plugging in my throttle to select a loco with my teeth because both hands are occupied holding the aforementioned manual and throttle.
][:I][oops][B)][banghead][X-)]