I have an MRC prodigy DCC system and I would like to update to something a little better. A few members on this forum have said they really like their Prodigy Express and I was wondering what it is that you like about the system and what you don’t like. I also have a few questions. I am concerned about the number of cabs, it looks like only 1 can be used, is this right? How many N scale locos would I be able to run without buying a booster? Will Digitrax decoders work with this system? Does it have enough power for a 13x8’ N scale layout? Sorry for all the questions but I just gotta know! [:D]
May I suggest you get away from MRC? Personally I have the Digitrax Zephyr, you can expand it however much you like and have as many cabs as you like via loconet. Any decoders will work with any DCC system thanks to the standards the NMRA set up when DCC was first getting started. I’m not sure how many N scale locos you can run on the zephyr, but I can tell you that I have run 8 HO scale locos on mine with no problem, and 3 of them had sound. This is with no booster. The amount of power you need is much more dependant on the number of engines you are running than the size of your layout.
Now, MRC… The reason I suggest you go with Digitrax or something other (Lenz, NCE) is because of my experiences with MRC. I have used an old prodigy like you have, and it works just fine, but is extremely limited. For what it is though it is OK. The prodigy advance however is another story. We got one for the modular club a while ago and immediately had problems. Sometimes it would stop a loco that is running and refuse to move it again. The lights on the loco would still be on but we couldnt control it. Other times it would send out random commands, this was especially obvious on sound locos. And sometimes it would just give up altogether and not do anything.
We figured we got a bad system so we sent it all back and recieved a replacement. Same problems. When we were displaying in the George Bush library we were running all sound locos. Suddenly they all stopped and the horn or whistle started blasting on all of them. The only way we could get the horns to turn off was reset the system.
I wont get started on MRC decoders, its common knowledge that they are junk.
So if you want years of reliable operation, MRC is not for you.
You can use any decoders - this is what the NMRA compatibility is all about. In fact - I would recommend ANYTHING but MRC decoders. For N scale it is a bit tougher than HO, since so many decoders are specific fits to certain locos. It will always be easier to use that specific decoder, if there is one. It will not matter if said decoder is made by Digitrax or NCE or Lenz, they will all work with your system.
Physical size of the layout is not the primary factor in how big a system you need. It’s somewhat related - usually with a larger layout you have more operators and run more trains, but it’s not an absolute - there are plenty of basement-size one-man empires, and there are small room size-layouts that host a dozen operators. What really matters is how many trains you intend to have running at the same time, and how many people you expect to be controlling trains. Scale matters, as a general rule of thumb, HO locos draw more power than N scale locos, so you cna run more N scale locos than HO with the same system.
I have the Prodigy Advanced and I have really liked it this far. I have been using it for about a year. I do not have a booster at this point, but I am getting ready to add one. I can run 5 HO scale loco’s on it without any problems. I like it because it is easy to program and has been very reliable. I did not go with the Digitrax system because everyone that I knew seemed to be having problems with programing and getting their system to operate. I eventually would like to upgrade to a Digitrx system because of the added features that they offer over a Prodigy, such as computer interfacing. I think that either system would work well provided you take the time to really learn the system.
I came very close to buying MRC Prodigy Advanced… but eventually went Digitrax. Why? One reason only: Digitrax allows operation of analog (that’s non-DCC) locomotives using address 0. MRC Prodigy does not. Now, if you only plan on purchasing DCC-equipped locomotives, that’s not a problem. I just wasn’t ready to convert my entire fleet to DCC right away (money, not desire!).
Thanks for the help.
I knew I was going to get an earful about how I should forget MRC and go with digitrax but I’m on a tight budget and I don’t have $200+ to drop on a DCC system. I could go with the Digitrax zephyr but I really like the idea of a walk around throttle. What’s so bad about the MRC systems any way?
I have had the MRC PA for about 2 years now and I have never had a problem with it. I also have a NCE PowerCab system and I have had a Digitrax Empire Builder. I like the NCE and MRC PA systems for their user interface and user friendliness. The advantage of the NCE is that there is supposed to be a computer interface available for it at one time. If I was buying a DCC system today, I would probably still get the MRC PA. It had the right amount of power for my 19x14 foot HO layout, and the features that I wanted. If I had to get one for a smaller layout like my coffee table layout, I would probably still choose the PowerCab.
Well, since you asked… (he says as he puts on his flame-proof suit and waits for Dave Kelly to show up… [:D]) It basically boils down to two reasons:
MRC has a bad history of little or no upgrade path. That’s why you’re looking to REPLACE your Prodigy. It simply CAN’T be upgraded.
Limited ability. Sure, the PE and PA can be “expanded” with more throttles/throttle plates (although that will eventually slow it down due to it’s polled buss design). But what else can you do to expand it’s abilities? There is little or no support within MRC itself, and aftermarket support is a non-starter.
The Zephyr was suggested as an alternative. Let’s see how it stacks up in those two areas:
Practically unlimited upgrade path. Virtually ALL the throttles, boosters, and other LocoNet devices Digitrax has produced over the years will plug right in. And the Zephyr doesn’t become obsolete in the meantime. It becomes the perfect booster/stationary throttle for a yard, engine terminal, etc.
Practically unlimited ability. See the above reference to LocoNet devices. Computer interface possible but not necessary. LocoNet by design has huge capacity as compared to a polled system. Detection, signalling, etc. from same manufacturer. HUGE number of aftermarket add-ons (Team Digital, RR-CirKits, LRT, CML, and more).
Here is what I got.
I have the prodigy express base system, the unpowered extention plate, and a prodigy advance cab. I also use networking patch cable. I use the cat 5 patch caple that you would network computers with for the length for the cabs. it works well, and it is easy to replace if you break a plug off. you can just run down to walmart and get a new cable and get right back to running trains without the serching and shipping of a getting new cables for MRC or your hobby shop.
I cannot tell you the complete size of my layout. It is in the basement on three walls. Prolly all together about 35 feet by 30 inches wide. I do know that I have 250 feet of track spiked down and powered, and with two cabs, we can run at least four locos at once with no booster.
Here was some of our learning points when we installed it last month.
Make sure you have nice and tight connections on all track and wiring.
Some voltage drop will happen.
make sure if you have more than one cab, they all have unique addresses.
but all in all we are real pleased with the system.
with the express cab and advance cab you can do main track programming, consisting is a breeze
As said with before, the exrepss cab does not handle analog locos, but the advance cab does.
when you plug in an advance cab to an express system, it becomes an advanced system.
And we have found with all the voltage drips about two volts worth, and running all the locomotives there is less then a half volt drop then. Which for us this is good news cause we do not have a booster. Lowest voltage to our rails with everything running has been 11 volts.
I am very pleased.
This might not be for everyone, but Ebay has some great deals out there for new stuff.
We got the base system for 95 dollars new in box.
advance cabe for 65
and the extention plate for 24 dollars.
Both the Prodigy Express and the Zephyr look like pretty good systems. The thing I like about the PE is that it has a handheld cab with a digital display. I also like the zephyr for its expandability and unlike MRC, Digitrax has a huge product line. Is there a way I could just skip the Throttle/Command Station/Booster combo and buy the items separately with a walk around cab, or is it not worth it? That’s what I really want, the Zephyr with a walk around cab for less than $160. Is it possible?
Loconet uses 9 conductor phone cable. just like plugs into the wall for your telephone.
This really caught my attention and it tells me something about MRC quality control. The first PA we used at the modules pumped out 26-28 volts. OUCH![xx(] We got the new one and that ran at 15-16 volts. You say yours runs at 11-13?
One thing that would happen way too often is we would come in and only 1 or 2 engines would respond. That is not good on a display layout. People want to see trains run not people trying to figure out thier control system.