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MRC’s Prodigy Advance Squared and Drop-in Sound Decoders
I did get a chance to hear the sound quality, and to say the least. It sounds much better than the LOK in the tower 55 modles. And that is all I need to say. The sound quality speaks for itself.
The N scale drop in decoders look like quality pieces. I think products such as these fill a gap as a large number of us own great locos that unfortunately were purchased a few years ago without sound. I tried a couple of MRC Brilliance decoders but found the reliability and soldering quality of the wire harness very poor. They both now sit on my work bench instead of in a tender making noise. At $80+ a pop, I will not try another and am waiting for a quality product to arrive for HO.
Would either of these decoders work with the Kato SD80MAC?
It is very impressive that they managed to fit all this into N gauge drop-in chips. I have bought one of each and found them both easy to install although the AC4400 did require some “plastic surgery” to the shell under the radiator before it would fit again. Apart from the fact that the sounds are not recorded from these locomotives which will trouble some railfans, they do add a new dimension to the layout. There was no problem with the volume of the P42 chip and in fact it needed to be quietened down as the default CV settings meant my wife could hear it in the next room! The AC4400 speaker however is a bit too small and once the locomotive gets moving, is drowned out by the noise of the motor. The horn is also a bit feable and does not give the locomotive “presence” when it needs to be noticed! It may be worth MRC considering a second version with a larger speaker for the AC4400/SD70 for those who would be happy to dremel a space into the fuel tanks (I would) or even offering a larger speaker as a seperate option that can be added later. Overall though, a great new development for N gauge at a reasonable price, great fun for the layout and and popular with kids of all ages! some plastic to be removed under the radiator and a shim of plastic inside just below the exhaust so that the shell would fit back on There is a big diference in the volume though between chips for the P42 and the AC4400.
I hope they expand quickly especially to second generation diesels !! Fantastic development
Does MRC plan on making HO scale 28 function decoders? Thanks.
Great improvements to a good system. A shame that we in the UK have to return units to the States for upgrade (it can take weeks for return). I have an ‘N’ gauge AC4400 and will be looking to see how much it costs here in UK. Most items are usually GB pound for US Dollar. Direct exchange price makes the new sound decoders the cheapest around.
MRC has leapfrogged technically, encompassing the width & breadth of DCC’s future by landing square in the middle of ergonomic model railroading!
I am so thrilled to hear more and more DCC with Sound is coming to “N” Scale. Just moved into a new home, and wife said I could use one bedroom for a layout (about 11 ft x 8 ft table). Being a life long collector for both HO & N Scale, I had to make a choice. I decided to go with N Scale, since I could do so much more, but was a bit upset at the fact that HO has so much more detail with it’s DCC Sound units. N Scale had only a few units that actually had sound. But I had faith manufactures would see a market in N Scale sound, and now I see HO has come out with Ditchlights that stay solid or wig-wag back and forth. I assume this may be a DCC feature for N Scale down the road? Thank you MRC for keeping my hope alive! I’m sure there are pleanty of other N scale RR’ers out there happy for this news. Please keep the new products coming!!!
I am new to DCC and am very pleased with my Prodigy Advance 2. Everything is very easy to set up. I will be buying more MRC decoders and the wireless conversion
On paragraph 4 of thr MRC Prodigy advance Square information, it states that the Prodigy advance cab can be upgradee to 28 functions by sending it to MRC. What is the cost for this upgrade from 20 to 28 functions. Any info is appreciated.
that is awesome, but i wish there was a GE prime mover.