Has anyone used the sprog 2 ? Is this basically like the pr 3 ? Advice/opinions would be appreciated . Randy
I've got a Sprog II and have seen a PR3 in operation. They are similar in some respects but each has its own unique capabilities.
PR3 will act as a stand alone programmer jaust as a the Sprog II does. Not sure about the PR3's power but my Sprog has successfully programmed every decoder I've ever tried. I would assume the same would be true of the PR3 in stand alone programmer mode.
PR3 will also connect to loconet and can be used in MS100 mode to monitor and operate with the command station. (just like a locobuffer)
Sprog II can not connect to loconet. It connects directly to the track and can't be used in conjunction with another DCC system.
PR3 can load Digitrax sound files into Digitrax sound decoders. These are proprietary files. Each of the other sound decoder manufacturers have taken the same proprietar path.
One additional mode that the Sprog II has is Command station mode. With the sprog in command station mode through JMRI, throttles can be used to actually run a small railroad. Sprog II can supply up to 1.5 amps as a command station and booster . That's plenty of power to test run an angine or a couple of engines.
I like my SprogII because it fits easily in my laptop bag along with a section of Kato unitrack. That and a 110 outlet are all I need to set up a program track. I also have a Locobuffer II which is used to connect that computer to my Digitrax system. PR3 was released two months after my Sprog II purchase but I'm still happy with it as I'm Nscale and have no need to load sound files into Digitrax sound decoders.
Martin Myers
SPROG: Standalone programmer, also has a low-power command station.booster capability so you can test run the loco you just programmed. Does not interface any DCC system to the computer, it's compeltely standalone
PR3: Standalone programmer, also Digitrax Loconet computer interface to connect any Digitrax system to the computer. Can also load sound files into Digitrax sound decoders. Does not run any trains by itself.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I know the PR3 may not run a layout but I have used it in stand alone mode to test an engine on my programming track after I've finished with it. I just open a JMRI throttle and away I go.