This is and interesting device. I guess I don't understand if this thing would actually be necessary. At $70.00 discounted price. I'd have to know the thing was worth the investment. My Digitrax Zephyr is pretty easy to use. What do you think?
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
This look like a decoder tester, at $70.00 it is too expensive. You can have one from NCE for $20.00.
Jack W.
I have the NCE decoder tester (DTK) as well.
If you want a decoder tester to test sound, there is the ESU decoder tester for around $45 to $50.
Rich
Alton Junction
My Digitrax system cam with a decoder tester, too. I'm not looking for one of those, I am only interested in what people think of the MRC Decoder Dr.
According to their site, this not not just a decoder tester, but also a programmer that allows you to read and write decoders as well.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
I guess I just don;t understand the point. But then BLI sold out those address programmer things pretty quick, too.
A $20 decoder tester, plus my existing DCC system, gets me all the functionality of this Decoder Doctor thing and then some, becauyse the NCE decoder tester has more than just an 8 pin connection. The ESU one is even MORE complete, with a speaker for sound, 8 pin, wires, and the new 21 pin connection.
One question, which may be their justification for this thing - do MRC DCC systems shut down the main track when programming, like NCE, or can you program (on the program track) and run trains at the same time like Digitrax?
--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 have found that MRC products are a risky investment! I have no further interest in this product.
However, I now wonder if the guy in the ad for MRC's sound decoders isn't the one and only Sheldon Cooper?
Owners of a Bachmann E-Z Command Control Center who wish to keep the simple operation that system has it seems now have another option to obtain that DCC system important missing capabilities.
Hi Randy.
The MRC Prodigy Advanced 2 system allows you to program on the main and run trains simultaniously.
All the best.
Reinhard
Joe F
One place where the Decoder Doc could be useful is for those running DCC/sound decoder equipped locos that are dual mode compatible on DC. Generally, you either have to live with the factory settings on these when you operate them on DC only or you have to take the locos to the LHS or a friend and have them program it if you don't have a DCC system available. I presume the Decoder Dr provides this missing functionality for DC users, but a decoder tester wouldn't?
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Good point Mike!
This would be useful in some scenarios;
1 You're at the local club and someone is already using your loco address.
2 You want to check an engine before buying.
3 Your home VCR is still flashing 12:00 and you don't have JMRI or a computer...
I love my Raspberry Pi & JMRI!
Hello All,
I recently purchased said MRC Decoder Dr. It is much more than a decoder tester.
With this unit I can pre-program decoders equipped with an NMRA 8-pin plug directly from this unit, read and set CV's and test headlight functions.
If the decoder is installed in a loco this unit will test the motor functions, read the current address; 2- or 4-digit, program said addresses, read and write CV's, reset the installed decoder to factory parameters and test run the loco at reduced voltage. All on a separate programming track.
My programming track is two pieces of snaptrack with a re-railer in the middle attached to a length of board. Works for me!
I use the Bachmann Dynamis DCC system and rather than ponying up for the ProBox at about $500.00 (retail) I bought a MRC Decoder Dr. to perform many of the same functions.
The only drawback is that this unit draws it's power (15v DC) from the track with the included power lead. I bought a separate transformer to make this system stand alone. Coming from the unit there are two wires with an inline disconnect that attaches to the programming track. For my needs it's perfect.
For those of you that have systems that already perform these functions on a programming track this unit won't make sense to you- -no matter the manufacturer of the DCC system your using.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I bought Decoder Dr and I can assure you it is easier to use then your current throttle/programmer. Simple instructions are on the back of the unit and most adjustments/changes only require three steps. These easy instructions are what I like, invariably even if I've used my Digitrax 400 to change CV's etc, I end up having to review from time to time in the manual. In three steps you can program a 4 digit address, change CV's etc.
I bought a seperate 15 volt DC adapter and added alligator clips so I can take it to friend's layouts to help them out if they are in trouble.
The "simple instructions" are for the simple things. It's no more steps on a DT400.
Press Program button. Dial CV # on left knob. Dial value on right knob. Press enter. You've just programmed any CV you want. For address, first turn of the left knob shows AD2, click if you want a 4 digit address. Dial or key in th address, press enter. Pres Y to confirm 4 digit addressing. You just programmed the address.
Pretty sure what I typed will fit in a size that could be stuck to the back of a DT400, although the MRC throttles are significantly larger so it can be in a bigger type.
This is why I don't bother to use JMRI all that much either - it's just that simple to program a CV.