Does anybody have any experience with this system? Lookig for an inexpensive system and have seen this sytem on Ebay for about $110.00. Just need a system to run two trains on a 10x22 foot shelf layout. Any help appreciated. Thank you.
Its a good system if you dont want to consist or have multiple people operating.
David B
Here is where I will sound ignorant but, what exactly is consisting?
You may want to do a search on the forum for opinions concerning the PE. I would also suggest perhaps also search for what people have said about the Bachmann system, Digitrax, NCE etc etc. Like all of the systems out there, the PE has many pluses, but also has drawbacks. I think it be worth spending some time deciding what features you need, features you want, features you may want to have later and what features you don’t think you’ll need. Then spend some time doing some research.
BTW: The PE does consisting and can support multiple operators with the addition of another throttle and expansion plate.
What exactly is consisting. I am new to the hobby and don’t quite get the lingo yet
I am working on a review of the MRC Prodigy Express, so I have one in
hand right now. I also own an NCE system, and I am a prior owner of an
EasyDCC system and a Lenz system. I’ve been using DCC for almost 15 years.
To put things in perspective, I though it would be useful to compare the PE to its
nearest competitor in form factor and price – the NCE Powercab. Here’s a summary comparison.
Tonys Train Exchange’s prices:
MRC Prodigy Express: $139
NCE PowerCab: $150
Features:
Maximum current
NCE: 1.7 amps MRC: 1.6 amps
Read decoder values on the Programming track?
NCE: Yes MRC: No
Decoder-based consisting?
NCE: Yes MRC: Yes
Command-station consisting?
NCE: Yes MRC: No
Yard-mode throttle?
NCE: Yes MRC: No
Built-in fast clock?
NCE: Yes MRC: No
Handle accessory decoders?
NCE: Yes MRC: No
Maximum Function keys
NCE: 12 MRC: 16
Comments: The MRC Prodigy Express DCC system is a low-level DCC
starter system with basic DCC fuctionality, but is quite limited when
compared with the likes of the NCE PowerCab system. For an extra $11,
you get a full-featured system in the NCE PowerCab.
Also, even though the “specs” for the MRC system says it will handle
up to 20 cabs, the system as delivered will only handle one additional
cab (same for the NCE PowerCab), and with regard to capacity, both
systems will handle 3-5 locos (assuming a max current draw of 0.3 -
0.5 amps per loco).
Not being able to read back decoder values with the PE system is a major
shortcoming. The first time you need to debug a problem, you will want to
know what the CV (configuration variable) values are in the decoder. With
the PE system, you’re stuck – you can’t read them.
Another shortcoming with the PE
Ok… just some more MRC bashing I guess.
The Prodigy Express should be fine for what you need. Here is a detailed review:
http://tonystrains.com/technews/mrc-prodigye-review.htm
Also, it isn’t just an $11 difference. If you can get it for $110, then that’s different than $150 or even $135 for a Powercab.
Hope this helps
I use one and i love it,yes it is a low end unit but it works fine for me.I only paid $99.00 for mine at a train show comes with everything you need.
I have the Prodigy Advance model which is more money but about the same controller. Ithas been easy to use and trouble free so far (1 year on). and consisting is using multiple locomotives “lashed”(hooked) together as one unit. Hope that helps and welcome to the forum. J.R.
If it were me? I would hunt around for a good deal on a Prodigy Advance. Bit more money, but more features. Even the brand new PA2’s are only going for $199 and you can upgrade those to wireless later if you want.
Consisting is getting two or more powered locos to run together pulling a train. With the more advanced DCC systems you can electronically tweak a slower loco to run at a faster speed or visa versa so all the locos run at the same speed and start and stop at the same time.
Thank you to all for such a warm welcome to the forums and all of the great info. Much o think about. Again thnak you.
Joe,
Slight correction. The newer Power Cabs (with the newer chip) come with 28 functions.
Tom
Consisting is when two or more locomotives are coupled together to move one train, and they are set up to operate together as a unit. It’s like MU-ing on the prototype.
There is a difference from what is written in manuals and what works in real life. As the DCC person at my LTS, I can assure you without a shadow of a doubt that the MRC Express is NOT able to handle more than ONE cab even with the addition of the expansion plate. We tried multiple combinations with different throttles including 2 MRC PE throttles, 1 PE and 1 PA throttle, 1 PE and 1 PAW throttle to NO avail. We could NOT get 2 throttles up and running at the same time. Nope. So as it stands I can only sell to my customers the PE system as one that will NOT support multiple cabs.
I am NOT MRC bashing (MRC has some great systems out there…save the PE and the MRC 2000), but rather speaking from direct DAILY experience with the full line of MRC DCC systems.
David B
Dave:
Sorry to hear the cheaper MRC DCC options truly seem to bear out the full meaning of the word “cheap”. I know their earlier decoders have been pretty poor, almost what I would call “junk” level. One Master Model Railroader that I know in Australia was given 8 MRC sound decoders for free, and he installed them in 8 locos and took them to a weekend show to run. By the end of the two day show, ALL EIGHT MRC sound decoders had failed. He emailed me and said in his opinion the best application for MRC decoders was to apply a sledge hammer to them!
Unfortunately, this shows MRC has tried to hit the low end of the DCC market and probably aimed too low. I’ve noticed MRC’s more recent DCC offerings cost more, and hopefully they’ve learned their lesson. It appears the Prodigy Advanced system, for example, is a much better system, but then you will pay more for it.
Yes, the PA system I find is pretty solid. We actually had 6 wireless throttles going at once on the store DCC layout. It worked out very well!
David B
It isn’t a matter of when the system was released so much as the level of the system. I bought the PA within 6 months of it original release and have had it for over 2 years and I love it. It does not have the same limitations as the PE which was released later. The only shortcoming of the original PA that I see is the lack of a computer interface–an issue which MRC continually promises to resolve but has not yet to my knowledge. I consist effectively with my PA and I run about N scale locomotives on a 17’ X 17’ layout using 3 throttles–1 tethered and 2 of the new wireless upgrades. Frankly, the PA and the updated PA2 are great systems with full features–though one will need power boosters for larger HO layouts–for several dollars less than truly comparable systems. The PE was released as a lower end “starter” system and should be evaluated as such, but I think MRC has done well with the evolution of the PA ans PWireless systems.
Ron
…my only wish is that they would have followed Digitrax’s lead and made everything pnp-compatable. Seriously, in this day and age of computers, this should have been a no-brainer.
David B
David-Since you’ve been trying the PA, maybe you could answer a question. If I bought a PA2, and then bought the wireless upgrade later, would I end up with 2 working controllers? (1 wired, 1 wireless?)In other words, Does the wireless upgrade come with a new controller?
The conversion unit comes with a Wireless throttle, cable and Radio dongle (that hangs from your PA console). Essentially you plug in the dongle and turn on the throttle (assuming you have a sufficient charge from the factory…all the ones we have recieved at the store have had some charge…enough to turn it on and test). It doesnt matter which cab you plug the dongle or the wired controller into. So, YES you will have 2 working throttles.
Hope this helps.
David B