Since I’m just starting out, I was wondering, is it possible to upgrade an MRC Prodigy Express to the features of a Prodigy Advance down the road by adding the Advance walkaround controller and any other necessary components? Or is it even possible to upgrade the Express at all?
Thanks!
If you can believe Model Rectifier’s advertising claims, read the back page of the January 2006 issue of Model Railroader, upper right-hand corner.
Might be wort while to check out MRC’s website to see if they have the correct answers. Do a Google search on Model Rectifier Corp. I understand the Express can be upgraded to handle more power by the addition of a booster. The Advance handheld controller has some features that obviously cannot be added. I’ve had the Express for just over a week now, seems to work OK so far. Since I do my modeling on modules it will probably be enough for me.
Bob Boudreau
me i can’t decide between Prodigy Express and digi trax help please
gentlemen, I researched digitrax and Prodigy advance.I went with PA.now My friends who use digitrax are coming to me to program there locos.PA is very easy and you can program all your cv(configuration variable) with a few button pushs.you can set volume on all your sound locos for each sound.you can program on the main or a program track .PA s display is much better than digitrax. you can throw turnouts with your PA with accesory decoders.You can run 3 or 4 trains at once and go back and forth from your handheld to each one.Its just amazing!!you can change polarity easily with cv 29.
you can do routing,fast clock .this is the ticket lads.
I have the PE and love it. According to the instructions, the PE can be “upgraded” to PA capability (except for the power output) by getting the PA cab. I haven’t yet gotten a PA cab so I can’t comment if it is true or not, but I have no reason to believe it is not. I’ve seen the PA cab advertised for about $70.00.
ramoutandabout,
I had the same problem a few months ago. (To be honest it is really not a problem, the fact that there are so many good choices out there is a good thing). I was looking at the PE, the PA, Zepher and Lenz 90/100. Let’s face it, they are all good systems with numerous loyal users. Again, this is a good thing. Based on price I narrowed by choice to the Zepher and PE.
I went with the PE because of (1) walkaround, (2) number of functions supported, (3) price and (4) cost to add another cab. Yes, the PE has some limitations. It doesn’t have a way to link to a computer, but that is a limitation I can live with. The Prodigy has more functions (20 vices 13), but that wasn’t all that important to me as I see no need for that many functions right now. According to Tony’s website, the Prodigy does not have feedback (still not sure what that is). The Zepher has 2.5 amp output which is more than the PE’s 1.6 amps. The PE doesn’t not have CV readback capability, but the addition of the PA cab will allow this. The PE/PA does not have wireless capability, but again that is something I can live with.
My down the road plans include getting a PA cab and some form of booster. Throw in some expansion panels and I see myself having a pretty capable two cab system for less than $300.00. For a “starting” price of about $120 (I’ve seen the PE offered for as low as $99.00 plus shipping) I’m pretty happy.
Digitrax can do that.
Digitrax can do that, too…
…and that.
That’s subjective. Define “better” .
Yup, Digitrax can do that.
Not sure I’d want to try to keep track of what 3 or 4 trains are all doing at one time on my layout. Two at once (one on each half of my DT400’s) is plenty. But yes, the DT400 can save and recall active locos, on both the left and right throttles.
You mean Analog vs. DCC operation? That’s a decoder function. But according to the doc, the PA doesn’t support Analog operation. Digitrax does.
Yeah, Digitrax also has routes and a fast clock.
Plus, Digitrax has feedback and transponding, which the PA doesn’t. And a computer interface that the PA seems to be lacking. That adds another whole dimension to DCC: Dispatching, signalling, layout automation, easily programming decoders and saving the definitions for backup or fleet programming use, etc, etc, etc
As for your comparison of Digitrax vs the Prodigy Advance, you’re right on all those points, however… According to an article on Tony’s Trains from Oct 2005, " Tony’s Off the Cuff DCC Comparison", if you compare the Digitrax Zephyr to the Prodigy Advance:
No. of Cabs:
Zephyr-- 10
PA-- 99
No. of Locos/Consists
Zephyr-- 10
PA-- Unlimited
No. of Loco Addresses
Zephyr-- 9000
PA-- 9999
Function Capability
Zephyr-- 10
PA-- 20
Price
Zephyr-- $159.99
PA-- $229.99
Now, if you upgrade to the next Digitrax starter set, the Super Empire Builder, the stats are as follows:
No. of Cabs
SEB-- 22
PA-- 99
No. of Locos/Consists
SEB-- 22
PA-- Unlimited
No. of Loco Addresses
SEB-- 9000
PA-- 9999
No. of Functions
SEB-- 14
PA-- 20
Price
SEB-- $274.99
PA-- $229.99
Not to mention, according to Tony’s site regarding the SEB: “PLEASE NOTE: If you are planning to use Sound decoders, do Consisting or use Helper Services or Install Decoders yourself, we strongly recommend you consider the SUPER CHIEF which has the important Decoder Read-Back capability on the Program Track Circuit that is lacking on the Super Empire Builder. This feature allows you to READ the settings in the decoder so that you are not 'programming in the dark. It also allows you to test your Decoder Installation without putting the Decoder at RISK.” All of that is available on the PA, for $120 less than the Super Chief ($349.99).
Now… if we’re talking about buying a PE, and upgrading to a PA, the price for the PE is $119.99, and the PA cab is an additional $76.99 or $196.98 total. According to the notes on Tony’s site: " With MRC’s patented “Plug and Play” technology, components from both DCC systems can be interchanged with each other with full compatibility." and "Prodigy Express
I have had the PA since it came out. Updated from the original prodigy system. Has never failed me and does all I want it to do. Been a dependable and reliable system in my expiriences. Never used the Digitrax systems so why would I try to compare? All systems have good and bad points. The computer interface capability might be neat but did not need it here. I’m a one man railroad. Other than that, the PA is great. Never had a programming problem or compatability issue. All the extra function buttons come in handy for my BLI steamers.
As a PA user I recommend it all the time. Good luck in your decision making.
Well, that’s an important difference! I’m sure that everyone considering the Zephyr vs. the PA has a layout that requires between 11 and 99 folks to operate, each needing their own cab plugged in at the same time.
BZZTT! Wrong answer. Since you’re using Tony’s as your information source, look at his DCC Systems Comparison Chart (Updated December 2005). You’ll see that the Zephyr is also “Unlimited”.
Wrong again, on another very important point. According to the Zephyr manual, available on the Digitrax web site, the Zephyr handles up to 9983. But I’m sure that the difference of 16 is the deciding factor. After all, everyone has more than 9983 but less than 10,000 locos, don’t they?
C’mon, let’s be serious here. Re-read the post that I originally replied to. The poster seems to imply, to me at least, that the PA has all kinds of abilities that “digitrax” doesn’t have (without saying exactly which Digitrax set, if any, he’s referring to). I was only setting the record straight about the various Digitrax abilities.
On the other hand, you’re quoting “gee whiz” numbers about the Zephyr and PA that, given the limitations and intended audiences of both sets, make no practical difference whatsoever. Not to mention that at least some of your Zephyr numbers aren’t accurate anyway.
How about some meaningful comparisons, such as:
"The PA can accommodate 99 tethered throttles. The Zephyr can accommodate 10 throttles in any combination of tethered, InfraRed, or Radio. (Note: PA requires Extension Plates for more than 3 throttles. Zephyr r
I’m waiting for the system that can handle 200 cabs, 20,000 loco addresses and wireless internet connection. Anything less than that is junk.
Okay, you wait. I’ll go run some trains in the meantime.
You’re still waiting? Gee, I’m still running trains.
Well, not directly from the DCC manufacturers themselves, but it’s certainly within the realm of the hobbyist. Personally, I haven’t done more than connect multiple LAN-attached local computers to my layout so I could locate the dispatcher in a different room. But the ability is there to dispatch or control the layout from anywhere in the world with Internet access, wireless or otherwise.
See: http://jmri.sourceforge.net/hardware/LocoNetworking.html
All you have to do is plug your PA into your… Oops, never mind. You keep waiting. I’ll be in the layout room running trains, or maybe at a computer somewhere else, dispatching the layout. You know, sort of like the real railroads dispatch.
Yeah, you’re right. I’ve probably been mistaken all these years about just how good I really have it. I should just stop running trains, scrap it all, and wait.
Or not.
Steve
Steve,
Relax.
I believe Dave Kelly was just making an attempt at a little humor. I’m a Digitrax man
myself… but some folks aren’t. I also believe that no matter how much preaching is done by
any system’s loyal following, it’s not going to change anyone’s mind… not if they have made up
their mind to buy a particular system.
DCC’s a funny thing. It confuses the heck out of anyone trying to enter the hobby for the first
time. And to top it off, they have t
Thanks, Dave. I actually am relaxed, and was attempting a little sarcastic humor myself, sprinkled with a few facts to set the record straight. I guess my sense of humor is a bit dry, though, compared to some (most?) other folks.
Anyway, it’s nice to know there at least one other person who agrees that substance will beat “gee whiz” every time. No wonder you’re a Digitrax man!
Oops, there I go again… [:D][:D]
Steve
Yeah Steve, sometimes just because something is “shiny” doesn’t make
it better. [:)] I like Digitrax because it is what it is… a DCC system that
you can use and can grow as you need it to.
I bought the Zephyr and added a UT4. I have a DT400 on my list of things to
get… when I need it. Enjoy. Dave
Stevert,
Since you have done a lot of research on the cost comparisons can you answer this for me? How much would it cost to get an 8 amp DCC system with 6 (3 x 2 ports) remote plugin ports, full program capabilities on two throttles with LCD display, and full readback capability on CVs with Digitrax?
Steve,
I thought I would throw a few more points worth noting into mix to help people trying to make the PA vs. Zephyr decision. As many of you know from other posts, I am a Digitrax user, but after selling my Super Chief I purchased a PA and used it for several months just to see what was what. I ended up selling off the PA for a Zephyr and have been happily running trains ever since. Here are my thoughts on a couple of things I noticed that haven’t been mentioned in this post yet…
Running an analog locomotive: This omission is in my mind the biggest oversight in the PA product. I can’t count the number of time I just wanted to quickly run an analog (non decoder equipped) locomotive and couldn’t with the PA. Most of the research I’ve done on this topic points to a very slow buss speed and parsing scheme which prohibits the PA from doing this simple and often used task.
Universal consisting: This is the preferred method for consisting locomotives in my mind (and most others who have used it), and the fact the PA doesn’t support this feature properly was a real let down for me. Anyone who has used this method of consisting will find Advanced consisting a real pain in the butt. Keep in mind advanced consisting was developed to remove consist traffic from the system buss to prevent problems on systems with poor buss architecture from croaking when large amounts of locomotives are being controlled. This problem does not exist with Loconet as full analog and universal consisting support are included.
Programming on the main: While the PA supports OPS mode programming, it has no capability of reading back the CV values in this mode. Locomotives requiring adjustments must be placed on a programming track before the CV values can be read
Why not just get a Zephyr ($160) and a couple of UP5’s ($15.95 each) to go along with your DB150 and LocoBuffer? Then you’d have one LCD display (on the Zephyr), 7.5 amps, and everything else you asked for.
You could add a DT400 throttle ($139) if you really wanted the 2nd LCD, or a UT4 ($64.95) if you don’t. Remember, on Digitrax systems the programming/readback is done by the command station, not the throttles themselves, so that 2nd DT400 isn’t really necessary.
P.S. Prices mentioned are from Tony’s, simply as a point of reference. I suggest shopping around, if for no other reason than to feel comfortable with whoever you purchase from.
HTH,
Steve
Yup, just bring in a little humor into the situation. DCC is kinda like some software programs - I’ll never need to run 200 engines anymore than I’ll ever need to use the 400 chapter capability of my word processing program.
Jeff,
You bring up some good points. From what I’ve read, I do believe that the MRC system will run into some problems in running a club sized layout. I agree that in many situations the Digitrax system is superior to the MRC system. However, for my needs the PE with a PA cab was the best bang for the buck. Of course other systems, Digitrax, Lenz etc or even DC may be the best bang for the buck for someone else depending on their needs (layout size, signaling, love tweaking CV’s, lots of consiting, using your throttle at the club etc etc). The key is to determine what one’s needs and wants are, determining which systems meet those needs, factor in future plans and then go for it.
Dave,
Very well put, and please don’t take my remarks here as an indication that I thought the PA was a terrible system as that would be the farthest thing from truth. In fact, for a first time DCC user, there is a lot of stuff to like about the PA (I haven’t seen or used the PE but my guess is that it’s similar in concept). Unfortunately, I wasn’t a first time DCC user, and there were some things that I really missed after selling my Super Chief. Honestly, I think any DCC system is better than none, and I even think the ultra affordable Bachmann unit is a pretty good way to start for someone who just wants the basics.
The more I’ve used other systems, the more credit I give all the different manufacturers. I realize everyone if different, and different things are important to them, and I worry people get hung up on the “numbers” instead of looking deeper into the nuts and bolts of the system. But I don’t think MRC has anything to be ashamed of with the PA. It’s