Alright, I have seen this new system, and i’ve been researching into it as a low end entry into DCC. Has anybody used it or has experience with it? I’m looking for as much input as possible!
Search the forums for “Prodigy”. You’ll get lots of hits.
Some people love 'em, and some don’t. My personal opinion is that their long-range limitations outweigh their short-term low price, so I wouldn’t buy one. As someone else mentioned in another thread, they fall into the class of DCC systems the “power pack” folks tend to buy.
Steve
if you’re never going to use a computer with Decoder Pro to program decoder CV’s then the MRC system will probably do everything you will need it to do
i haven’t used the MRC , but i don’t remember any other feature it doesn’t have . it’s supposed to be very easy to use and those people here who have one seem very happy with it
I love my PE (I said this on purpose Steve, because I know you love when I say it! :)).
I can live without the computer interface, but I can see how having such a feature would be a benefit for someone that likes to tweak the CV’s and/or has a lot of locomotives. There are many people here that see the computer interface as the break or make it factor - and depending on what a person wants his/her system to do I can see their point.
The PE also doesn’t have CV readback. This can be an inconvenience, but at the time, I saw the sacrifice of CV readback worth it to get a walkaround system at a price I could afford and then have money left over for decoders. Using a PA throttle, however, will allow CV readback, and I intend to add a PA throttle for my second cab.
Like Steve pointed out. Do a forum search for “prodigy” and you should find several threads and lots of posts. Just keep in mind that the PE/PA is a different beast than the original prodigy and is not compatable.
I do notice that MRC’s website talks about a wireless PA system coming out soon. Although wireless is not on my current “needs” list and I don’t see wanting it in the foreseeable future, I am interested to see if it will include a way to update current PA/PE systems.
Yeah, Dave, you’re the one I had in mind when I said some folks love 'em! [:D] [:D]
Dave, keep in mind that a computer interface can be used for MUCH MORE than just “tweaking CV’s”. Just ask the C/MRI folks, who have been using computers with their layouts for years before DCC was even around. They just use an RS485 buss instead of a DCC buss. And there are a number of folks who use both, since JMRI (for example) integrates them nicely: http://jmri.sourceforge.net/apps/PanelPro/Panels-Cornwall/CornwallRunning.html
It really opens up a huge wndow into layout control and automation. And notice that I said layout control and automation, not “train” control and automation. Signals, layout sounds, lights, animation, can all tied into your DCC system, either under your direct control or with the computer actually controlling events based on inputs gathered from the layout.
For example, I have a JMRI script set up to set all my turnouts to pre-defined positions at layout startup, firing them in a staggered sequence based on which stationary decoder they’re attached to so as to not hit a single decoder multiple times in a row. And, I was recently playing with having sounds triggered by layout events. I can assure you that I am NOT a programmer, by any stretch of the imagination. Anyone can do this stuff.
There was also a recent thread in the JMRI user’s group concerning the
Sorry Steve i am with Dave, I to love my PE because it fit’s my needs & pocket book and was wright for me. It is very user friendly the handheld is perfect for me & easy to use. Alot of fok’s believe it is better to spend alot of $$ up front to get started rather than being able to expand as or if needed. If you spend more for what you do not need you will be upset as if you spend to little and do not get things you need you will be upset. The best advice I can give as I was given, do your homework first, find the one that is wright for YOU & your layout then enjoy it & have lots of fun, i am. If you have any more ?? about the PE just ask. DCC is a whole neat world.
Larry
Larry, I wasn’t disputing that Dave loves his PE, or whether it’s the right system for him. I’m very happy to know he made the right decision for his situation.
However, he seriously short-changed the utility of a computer interface into a DCC system. As you said, you have to do your homework before you choose a system, and if you aren’t fully aware of what a specific feature or function can do for you, you really can’t make a valid decision regarding it.
Steve
I can’t speak for the PE but I have a Prodigy Advance and really like it. Like Larry says, do your homework then make a decision about what will be your needs.
I went with the PA for the larger power booster and features.
(ps Larry: it’s right not wright [:)] )
Okay, I don’t mean to sound uninformed, because I’ve been reading up on DCC for about a year…but what the heck is CV readback or whatever it is? What does it do, and what are the benefits of it? And how much power comes with the PE system?
Derrick,
CV readback gives you the ability to see what a particular CV setting is BEFORE you change it. (Handy if you are wanting to tweak the number up or down just a little but don’t know what the setting is.) Mines only available when using it in programming mode.
Tom
The CV readback can be very useful if you screw something up. (I know from personal experience) The PE has an output of 1.6 amp. The PA is 3.5 amps. An 8 amp booster is available.
The PE website is here: http://www.modelrectifier.com/train-controls/dcc-prodigy.asp
CV readback can also be used to keep a record of all your CV settings on your various locos. Two situations where that comes in handy: If you buy another similar loco/decoder combination, you can easily copy the saved CV values to the new loco instead of having to start from scratch and do it one by one. Also, if you have to replace a defective decoder, you can easily re-program the replacement with the original’s values (again, without having to start from scratch or doing one CV at a time).
And in keeping with the earlier spirit of this thread [;)], I have to point out that all this recording, copying, saving, and re-loading of CV values is very easily done on a DCC system with a computer interface and software such as JMRI’s free DecoderPro:
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/index.html
Steve,
I totally forgot about the other aspects that a computer interface gives a person. Didn’t mean to minimize the use of interface, it is just it is the first thing that comes to mind. I can only imagine the endless possibilities that are out there (some of which we probably haven’t even imagined yet) by using the power of the PC. Given that, I purposesly didn’t write “the only thing the PC interface does is to tweak CV’s” - I think to do so would have been totally irreponsible on my part.
I’m glad you pointed out the other uses of a PC interface - uses that are probably not that widely known, but need to be.
C/MRI still fascinates me many years after Bruce Chubb (it was him wasn’t it?) introduced it years and years ago. I remember when the series first came out many people thought that it bordered on useless given that you had to have a PC to operate the thing with. I wanna think that he used a 286 system for his SV layout. Given the price that one can get outdated puters for, the cost of C/MRI should probably be significantly lower than back then. Although this isn’t something that I think I would want on my layout, I would be very interested in seeing (in person that is) how this system has evolved and is being used today.
And I apologize if I resonded too strongly. Must’ve caught me at a bad moment.
Hey, look, we agree on something![:D][:D][:D] Yes, many folks have computers that sit idle a lot of the time, or an old one they can’t get rid of . An old doorstop like that is really all you need.
Yes, Dr. Chubb and C/MRI are still going strong. Saw a couple of his clinics at a regional NMRA convention about 18 months ago or so. Really fascinating!
As far as the cost of a suitable computer, they’re free or nearly so in this neck of the woods. I upgraded my main PC a
Quote: Larry, I wasn’t disputing that Dave loves his PE, or whether it’s the right system for him. I’m very happy to know he made the right decision for his situation.
Steve I did not mean it to sound like that. I just meant you found someone else that love his PE.
Stuinstra (ps Larry: it’s right not wright ) Sorry slip of the tongue. I need to proof read better.
Larry