MRC is coming out with wireless prodigy walkaround for 600 bucks.does anybody know when and if it will have computer interface???
The MRC print ads in MRR and RMC certainly indicate a computer interface. They say nothing about when, if it is included or the price.
thx for the reply.I wish folks would talk about MRC a little more. I have had MRC power packs sincs 1975 so when they came out with DCC I figured it would be the same quality.b4 I got prodigy advanced I tryed Digitrax and talked to them but bought the progidy. Now MRC decoders are crap thats for sure,but I did buy an SD45-t and it has an MRC decoder and it fine.
So Im wondering about the computer interfac cuz that is my next step and was thinking about going to digitrax or NCE .apparnetly this new wireless will adapt to an existing prodigy system. anyway thx again
I looked at the MRC website - Not too much information other than wireless ‘programming’. So it appears that this will be a full duplex wireless system with maybe feedback to read CV’s, and on-line programming. No mention of a computer interface, but that has got to be high on the list as NCE is full duplex wireless and has said that they will be doing a computer interface on the PowerCab series of low end starter systems.
A computer interface may seem to be a ‘high end’ feature, but users find that things are so much easier to program with a computer interface.
Jim
Hey SD. Do you mind if I ask why the MRC decoders are crap? I’m looking at the PA system too. Maybe you could give me some pros and cons since you have one. What decoders do you use? It’s just for a single user 8x15 layout running 2-3 trains at once. Any advise would be great.
I contacted MRC a little while ago. They will definitely be releasing a PC connector, although no news on a release date.
Their site does not indicate when the wireless throttles will be available, but Tony’s is already taking orders and I didn’t see an indication as to when they are shipping.
Randy
Loathar,
Most people with a Digitrax, or Lenz like to rag on the PA for not being
a real DCC system, but I have one and think it gives you the most "bang
for the buck" but I will agree that the MRC decoders are trash.
They have a bad habit of forgeting their address, and losing control for no reason.
Also have a high failure rate, as in it worked last week, but now its just totally dead.
Give me your info and I will send you one to see how long you can keep it working.
My new favorite decoder is the Lenz Gold JST.
loathar,
I’ve had a Prodigy Advance system now for almost 2 years. I find that at this price point at the time I bought it was the best bang for the buck going anywhere for DCC. My only complaint is that the user manual, at that time, left a lot to be desired. The system is easy enough to figure out for me and I have had great success with it.
I have ONE MRC decoder and that is a Sound and DCC Decoder I installed in a Bachman Spectrum 4-8-2. I did this for my Grand Son. He likes it, but we now seldom run that unit. He would rather run the Thomas HO stuff or my BIG Dash 8’s.
Most of my decoders are either Factory Silver Series by Atlas in their DCC equipt Locos like the GP40’s. QSI Decoders with sound by either Atlas or Proto 2000, or NCE decoders for the rest. I try and use as many NCE decoders because they are local to me and I like to spend my money in town with folks like this. Can’t get better tech support than in nearly your own backyard!
I think for a layout your size, you may want to go with an MRC Power boorst to bring thing up closer to 5 AMP when you are running 3 Trains. On my 4x8 layout, I’ve run up to 3 with sound and no problems. When I rebuild and expand this year, I will probably add the booster myself.
Chris
MRC has had more than one false start in DCC. The systems that were released prior to the PA were not expandable and perhaps worse, not in any way compatible with the their newer product. MRC did not offer much in the way of expansion for the PA system either; no wireless, no PC interface etc. It really looked for a long time that MRC were not serious about DCC and that they really did not know what they were doing. It has only been in the last few weeks and months that it has become apparent that new features and options are coming. It is now clear that the MRC systems are expandable in similar ways to Digitrax, NCE and Lenz. So as recently as last year when you purchased an MRC DCC you were getting what you purchased with little expectation of expansion. This lack of features, lack of expansion and the track record of replacing older models with no upgrade path, coupled with decoders that are widely regarded as awful, is why MRC always came out badly in comparison.
Having said all that, if advertising is to be believed, it looks like MRC has really decided to take DCC seriously and that very soon they will be equal with or ahead in some cases of the more established DCC manufacturers. I think you will see MRC being taken much more seriously by all.
MRC’s web site does have it listed as a product coming in 2007. It doesn’t say a lot. Here’s the link:
http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=6454
Apparently there will also be a conversion kit for thosw with existing PA systems as well. Price, $289.98. Check it out here:
http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=7741
Ron