I’m in the process of shopping for my first DCC system and the MRC Prodigy Advance looks to be a good choice. I have 15-20 locos, a good mix of Athearn, Atlas, P2K, and Walthers, and hope to run 2-3 trains at once, so I’m not worried about not getting enough power. However, if I expand the layout later, I would hate to be stuck with a limited use system (expansion would have 6-8 trains running at once)
Does anybody know anything about the Prodigy Advance? The MR review of it gave the system good marks and I based my ideas off that. It has a nice price as well. I’m pretty good with electronics, but know almost nothing about DCC itself, so I’m looking for an easy-to-use system.
I don’t believe the Prodigy Advance system has a computer interface.
That means you WILL NOT be able to take advantage of the far simpler decoder programming tools that are available like DecoderPro (free) or use any of the free JMRI DCC add ons.
With a computer interface, you can literally do point and click decoder programming using simple, intuitive check boxes, drop down options, and so on.
Otherwise, at least learning something about binary and hexadecimal will help you understand how to program decoder bit settings and how to alter decoder CV settings. And you will have to spend some time studying decoder manuals to figure out what CVs do what, and how setting various binary bit values change decoder function.
Once you’ve programmed decoders with a PC, you don’t ever want to go back to doing it the old way.
I had one for about a week just to play with. I really liked the handheld and easy to use menu systems. I didn’t like the lack of analog locomotive operation or universal consisting (Digitrax term), and the system seemed very close ended (no computer support). Also, MRC has a bad habit of bringing out new systems which are not compatible with their older ones… [xx(]
My opinion, buy a Digitrax Zephyr. The system affords all kinds of expansion and is compatible with all the other Digitrax products. You can run ten addresses simultaneously and use cheap power packs as additional throttles for kids/friends to use!
Good luck!
Also I believe the Prodigy Advance system (got this from reading the manuals) doesn’t have an “all throttles are equal” paradigm with walkaround throttles. The basic system has 4 throttle sockets and they have a pecking order.
In other words, plugging in throttles can alter who has the locomotive and a later throttle, if accidentally on the same loco address, can steal the loco from another throttle.
They also don’t address throttle bus wiring much in their documentation, which leads one to believe they intend the system to be used for smaller layouts under about 200 square feet in size.
Based on what I’ve seen on here, the Digitrax Zephyr is a better starter system, with more top-end expansion capabilities than MRC provides.
That is pretty cool for DCC newbies (like I will likely be within the next 6 months) with an MRC power pack or two lying around.
Our club in Kentucky is currently using a Prodigy system. We looked at the Prodigy Advance, but decided to go with the Digitrax system instead because of the expandability. MRC is on its 3rd DCC system with the Prodigy Advance and none are compatible with each other.
I got a demo of the PA at the National train show. I was more interested in hearing the new Brilliance line of decoders, but the rep insisted on showing me the PA. The menu system is very well implemented. In particular they have a nice simple way of scrolling thru the basic CV’s so that you can perform simple decoder programming. I would say that if you do not have a need or desire to get deep into programming decoders that it would meet your needs. Simple things like address are dead easy to change on the system.