Prodigy Advance

[hwolf]

Good Morning.
I am going to upgrade my MRC Prodigy AD150 as it is giving me a problem. I am thinking of going to the MRC Prodigy Advance based on price ($199 online) and the features. Amps,etc. What I would like to hear from you guys who are using it is how you like it and if you had had any problems? Any other suggestions in that price range?

[Anonymous]

I have the MRC Prodigy Advance. It so far is working just fine. There are a lot of members in this forum that think that the MRC Prodigy Advance is at the bottom of the scale when going DCC. I don't have $500.00 to dump into my DCC system. That's why I went with the MRC Prodigy Advance system.
The Decoders from MRC are a lot cheaper also. There again, many members are saying that they are having problems with them. So far, I have not experienced any of these problems. I buy the decoders with sound (they come with the speaker), why bother without sound (like taking a shower with a rain coat on).
I mabye just lucky or they are unlucky when it come to the decoders.
The MRC Prodigy Advance system does not have the ability to connect up with my computer.
It was very easy to learn how to use (it was my first DCC).
Like I said my MRC Prodigy Advance is working great for me. I want to run and play with my trains, not my computer.
ennout

[Anonymous]

I've used one for about a year. I bought it to replace the older Prodigy. (which I sold to a friend and he continues to use) Both ran without a hitch, but I am especially pleased with the Prodigy Advance. It has the features I've needed and I've never encountered any sort of problems.
Richard Patterson

[Stevert]

QUOTE: Originally posted by hwolf

Good Morning.
I am going to upgrade my MRC Prodigy AD150 as it is giving me a problem.

Doesn't that raise a red flag already, when it comes to getting another Prodigy system? First, the one you have is giving you problems. And second, you basically have to throw it out in order to upgrade even to a product that's made by the same manufacturer!

QUOTE:
I am thinking of going to the MRC Prodigy Advance

No, no, no! Get the Digitrax Zephyr. You'll be much happier in the long run.

QUOTE:
Any other suggestions in that price range?

The Zephyr is $160 at Tony's Trains and at Loy's Toys (Those were the only two places I looked, you might be able to do better), so it certainly doesn't take the $500 that somebody mentioned. It doesn't even take the $199 that you were going to waste spend on the Prodigy!

And, should you ever decide to upgrade/expand/whatever, you can just plug in additional boosters, throttles, or whatever you need, without having to throw the Zephyr away.

There are many folks who have bought a Zephyr when it was all they needed, and now use it as an additional booster/throttle for their yard, or even on their workbench.

Steve

[knewsom]

I have had my Prodigy Advance since Sept 04. I have not had a problem with it at all. The only thing that I would have liked that it did not have was the ability to connect to my computer. It is very easy to use and I have expanded mine to 8 amps using the MRC Power Station 8 (which I have also had no problems with). I think that for your money it is a very good system.

In relation to the negative posts that you may read about the PA, I am sure there are some MRC systems/decoders that have problems, just like there are some Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, etc that have problems. I have had two decoders that I have had a problem with. One was an MRC 1627 sound decoder and the other was a Digitrax DZ123 PS. I sent both of them back to the manufacturer and they were replaced with no problems, so the customer support for MRC seems to be on par with the other systems.

[Anonymous]

I don't think we are comparing apples to apples here between the PA and the Zephyr!
Check out the what they are saying about the Digitrax Zephyr in http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=52924. or
"How to run more than 2 locos on one track using Digitrax Zephyr" and see if you would want to go that way with your DCC.
I happen to like the all the features that come with the PA.
Add up all the costs of the additional parts need to make more than one train run and see what that will cost in compartison to the PA can do.
Please do go to Tony's Trains and do a comparison, I chose the Prodigy Advance and I a still a Happy Camper!

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ennout

I don't think we are comparing apples to apples here between the PA and the Zephyr!
Check out the what they are saying about the Digitrax Zephyr in http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=52924. or
"How to run more than 2 locos on one track using Digitrax Zephyr" and see if you would want to go that way with your DCC.
I happen to like the all the features that come with the PA.
Add up all the costs of the additional parts need to make more than one train run and see what that will cost in compartison to the PA can do.
Please do go to Tony's Trains and do a comparison, I chose the Prodigy Advance and I a still a Happy Camper!

you may have misread that thread . all that is required for running 2 locos on a zephyr equipped (probably any dcc equiped) layout is the starter set and 2 locos with decoders . everything else discussed on the thread was optional and was there because the original poster was asking about automatic running of three or more trains

i think a lot of people here dislike the MRC PA because they had one of their earlier dcc systems (i think there were 2 , prodigy and command 2000) and were dissapointed when none of the newer systems were compatible with any of the older ones . hopefully MRC has figured out that's not the way to do dcc . it looks like it , their new Prodigy Express system is compatible with the PA

another feature many here want in a dcc system is a (optional) computer interface mainly so they can use software to set the CV's of each decoder , some people also want more advanced computer control of trains , signals , etc. none of the MRC systems have the option of a computer interface . since this is a computer forum it's not surprising that many of the people here want to use their computers with their model railroads . in fact the lack of computer interface was the main reason i bought the zephyr instead of the PA , i really liked the handheld throttle rather than the base-unit style the zephyr has .

i'm sure once you've compared the features and made a decision either the zephyr or the prodigy advance will give you years of happy railroading

[knewsom]

ereimer,

I have a question about the Zephyr and the computer interface. Is it built in on the Zephyr or do you need to but a Locobuffer to connect it? In addition to my PA, I have a DB150 (and locobuffer2) that I use to connect my computer to program decoders. I have thought about selling this set up and getting the NCE PowerCab or Zephyr so that I can have read back capabilities. If I were to get the Zephyr would I need to keep the locobuffer 2?

[aartlib]

Prodigy is a good one. Never argue with a Digitax guy.
They really think the metal used in their little machine is "gold".
It isn't.
It is much more difficult to use than thePA.
It has far fewer/less capabilities than the PA.
Really.

[Stevert]

QUOTE: Originally posted by knewsom

ereimer,

If I were to get the Zephyr would I need to keep the locobuffer 2?

Yes.

Steve

[davekelly]

I have the Prodigy Express and love it. I've seen it advertised for 99.00 in RMC. Add a PA cab and a booster from Tony's (I forget the brand) and I think you have a very very capable two cab, 5 amp system for around $200. Pretty good in my book.

[Anonymous]

I am torn between the PA and the new NCE Power Cab that is supposed to be released this month. The majority of PA reviews have been favorable. The NCE unit is starting under $200.00 and is expandable. However, there have been no reviews of product. Decisions, Decisions.
.

[davekelly]

Larry,

I understand where you are coming from!! I went through the same thing before buying my PE. Digitrax? Lenz? NCE? MRC? I read every thread I could find on this forum. Went to Tony's, Lichfield, Loys etc. I summarized my thought process in a earlier thread on the general forum. I went with the PE for the reasons I outlined there.

Of course, I do really believe that each system has its pluses and minuses. It is a good sign that each system has folks that are loyal to it . . . .it's a sign that there actually is a very good variety to choose from.

Let us know on your decision!

[Anonymous]

Go with the prodigy advanced.I have a friend who has the zepher and he brought a sound loco over for me to program beacuse his zepher could not.Hes throwing away his zepher and getting PA.When I was deciding on DCC I went with PA hands down.I can program any cv.for instance on sound engines program cv 49 to 0 the primary index for the horn .set cv 52 to 0 to 15 for your sound volume.I can do that in 10 seconds on any broadway limited or any sound loco with PA.Press shift and f 10 and the loco will speak out its scale speed.it goes on and on.I can run 3 trains and go to any train at any time by typing in the address or scroll thru the address's.I can program start voltage decel,accel and top voltage in seconds.I can lash 3 or 4 sound locos and
run them in consist.I can control routes and switch machines with my PA handheld.I can use the dial or buttons for speed control.I tried the digitrax ,its to much of a headache and there handheld has the sorry display and the cheap chinese buttons.
so if you want to program your sound locos it is very important to be able to program your cv's (configuration variable) Prodigy advance makes it very fast and easy.