MRC Prodigy Advance vs. Digitrax Zephyr

[2021]

I was convinced to go with the Zephyr and then read an article on Prodigy Advance (not the starter set Prodigy). It seems to have everything I need and wonder if anyone uses one or has compared the Advance to the Zephyr? One of these days I'm going to bite the bullet and buy a unit.
Ron K.

[Anonymous]

Ron, now you did it! You're going to get a bazillion answers now. [:D] It's a never ending debate between the two systems so hopefully it won't raise its head here in this thread. The two systems compete for the same market share.

I just picked up a Zephyr 3 days ago to be used in an N-scale layout. I've done a fair amount of reading and comparing before I bought it and even spoke to a very knowledgeable guy at the LHS.

Here's your answer: both are good and both have features that the other does not. You need to compare these features which are specific to each one and ask yourself if these features are important to your or not.

I went with the Zephyr becasue Digitrax is a well known DCC company and you can upgrade and expand later one. With the Prodigy Advance the jury is still out as MRC doesn't have a good history of making DCC equipment backwards or forwards compatible.

Expansion aside, the Zephyr has features that the Prodigy Advance doesn't have that are important to me. You can run DC locos as well as DCC locals at the same time. This will allow you to take your time and money to convert your existing fleet. There's no ru***o DCC everything in sight.

The Zephyr also has two Jump Ports that allows you to hook up to two normal DC power packs (even the starter set buzz packs) as throttles. There is a limitation in that these Jump Port throttles can only be for direction and speed control. This is perfect for me as I plan on sharing my layout with my 3 year son. He doesn't need anything more than direction and speed at this time. I don't have to spend a ton of money for another true throttle and this gets me and him in the water cheap.

Later on, if his (or my) needs changes I can always get a true Digitrax throttle and plug it into the Zephyr. With the Prodigy Advance, I need to run out and get another throttle (around $100?) in order for my son to work his logo.

There are some other differences too but these were what sent me over the fence to the Zephyr side. Your requirements may be different. Just remember either sets are quite adequet for a beginning DCC system.

[simon1966]

Hi Ron,

I did the Zephyr thing as well, for very similar reasons to mktrains. I have hooked up 2 jump throttles, picked up a DT400 cheap on e-bay and added a PC interface. I really like the expandibility of the system.

Good luck with the selection process. If you can, try and use both the systems to help develop your own preference.

[2021]

Thanks for the information. It makes a lot of sense. Looks like every time I compare, it makes sense to go to Digitrax especially the reliability and compatibility issues. Like almost everyone I have some DC locos that I haven't changed over and may not because they were special gifts. Being able to run several using the Jump ports is a real advantage.
Thanks again, Ron K.

[johncolley]

Additional throttles for Prodigy Advance are $75, not $100. I am very happy with the intuitive operation and the handheld unit. The only thing i don't care for is that you can't read existing CV settings, so if you don't know, or remember, you know which way to change it if desired. I hope that MRC will make future changes compatible.

[rrinker]

This last is the only thing that really concerns me about the Prodigy Advanced. Disregarding the fact that it does not have CV readback (I did not know that until now), the fact that every previous MRC DCC system has NOT been compatible with the next system released raises a similar concern about the PA. When the next big thing comes along, will they upgrade the PA, or offer a completely new system that is not compatible with the PA? Yes this is just speculation, but all we have to go on is their previous track record. Otherwise, the PA looks to be a very fine system. But I would still buy my Zephyr if I was starting over again.

--Randy

[n2mopac]

I believe we need to take into consideration that previous MRC systems were basic systems, not full function DCC systems. Each system (Command, Prodigy, Prodigy Advance) are different level. Prodigy Advance was the only one of these systems made to be truly expandable. I trust MRC when they say that expansion components will be available. I think the featrues of PA work very well with the one exception of CV readback and I like the handheld throttle much better than Digitrax handheld. This is not to be negative toward Digitrax, they have set great standards in DCC. I believe, however, that this new MRC system will make a good name for itself as people buy and use it.

Ron

[Anonymous]

I just bought a "P A" system. I will let you know what I think of it when I get it set up. You guys just answer a lot of questions I wish I knew before I bought it. I guess I posted my questions in the wrong forum.

[Anonymous]

I was under the impression the Advance can do read-back. It says so in the manual, and in speaking with MRC tech support, they didn't mention that it didn't.

This all leads to the fact that I can't do read-back with my Advance, so I have been assuming it is broken, and again, the MRC tech folk have stated to send in my unit to see what the problem is.

Where is the info that everyone is using to state that the Advance doesn't do read-back?

[rrinker]

The on-line manual is very sparse, but it mentions under the running a locomotive section that if you do not know the address of the locomotive you should put it on the programming track and read the address. So it sounds like it is supposed to be able to read at least the address.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Yup, the manual is lacking. In the manual, it states you can read the address and CV's on the programming track.

The following are my results:

Locomotives:

Atlas Master Series GP-38 with dual-mode decoder installed at the factory(decoder set to DCC)
Atlas GP-40 with Digitrax DH163A0 decoder installed by myself


When I attempt to read decoder settings on the program track, I get the following errors:
- For the GP-38 I get ERR ADR
- For the GP-40, the value returned is always 0 (for address, CV, etc)

I can program the decoder of both locomotives on the program track, I just can't read the settings.

[rrinker]

On some other systems, to read the Lenz decoders Atlas uses, you sometimes have to put an additional load in the form of a resistor across the programming track as these docoders do not provide a sufficient load when they do their acknowledgement pulses, although this also usually means you can not program those decoders, which is not happening in your case.
The Digitrax decoder should just work, that's one of the newer Series 3 decoders and aside from possibly being DOA, the program and read with no problems on other systems.
Not sure what the correct key sequences are, on a Digitrax system it's CV, key in the CV you want, hit CV again, and then CV-RD to read the value. Since you are getting an error message, I can only assume that you are hitting the correct key sequence to read a value. Since this is supposed to be a feature of the PA, I would say that yes, you do have a problem and the unit will need to go back for repair.

--Randy

[johncolley]

Watch out for the terminology, The PA will read the settings, but it will NOT provide them on the readout screen to let the operator know what they are. That is what I meant above. All in all I really like the system and at half the price of the big guys, it is a good way to get started with the possibility of expansion beyond three handhelds.

[rrinker]

If that's the case, then I have to ask, what's the point? If it can't show the value of the CV on the display, why bother reading them? That just doesn't sound right.

--Randy

[RedLeader]

I just bought a MRC PA also. I was atracted by its user friendly capabilities. I'm not into all that cv programing stuff. The handheld and LCD display is also very cool. MRC states that it is fully expandible. I trust MRC, not long ago it was the leading brand in power transformers for DC systems. Give 'em time and they'll get DCC as well. For now, all my upgraded locos and new ones run perfectly well with this system, and with all of their extra functions each decoder brings. Only con I find is that it doesn't allow you to run DC. But, hey, after trying DCC, I don't want to know about DC no more :). Besides, it's evolution of technology. PA is the first system to take out that function, sooner or later every system will also, DC has become obsolete.

[CFournier]

ARE' N'T WE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO RUN A DC ENGINE ON POSITION "0" of the dial???

[Anonymous]

I chose the Digitrack's Zepher because of the Jump Ports, ability to actually "Read" a decoder" and the thing that finally pushed it over for me was they include a function where if there is a short on the track... instead of the "Chirp that I am too deaf to hear it creates a set of spinning 0's on the display to visually shout "SHORT!"

I can always add a DT400 throttle and maybe a booster later.

[jrummell]

I have a Prodigy Advance, and initially it couldn't read back the CV values. Apparently some of the first models had software glitches. I had to send mine to MRC, and they upgraded it. It has no problems reading the CV values, but only on the programming track. And the values are displayed on the screen. I suspect some of the previous posters have a PA that has not been "upgraded". (see http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2004/093004.htm for more info).

And no, the PA doesn't support DC locomotives at addr 0. This wasn't a big deal for me, but it may be for others.

--- John

[ondrek]

I was all set on going after a P A, now i have second thoughts, as i know i will have one DC engine left over. hrmmm....

Kevin