Thoughts on Prodigy Advance

[BL2]

I see the Prodigy advance system is available from Trainworld at a rather good price but I don't know anyone around here that has one , I was hoping some owners or anyone with experience with this system could give me their thoughts, I'm thinking of buying one to start my DCC adventure

Thanks

Warren

[Mailman56701]

I see the Prodigy advance system is available from Trainworld at a rather good price but I don't know anyone around here that has one , I was hoping some owners or anyone with experience with this system could give me their thoughts, I'm thinking of buying one to start my DCC adventure

Thanks

Warren

  I have a PA and am very satisfied with it.  Extremely user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to setup.  Whether running or programming, very easy to do, and it was my first dcc system too.

  Using it with N scale. 

[jfallon]

    It is a very easy to use system, much more so than Digitrax. One problem with it is that if a brief short circuit occurs, such as a locomotive derailing at a turnout, the throttles will all blank out. The track power will come back on and the locomotives will continue to run, but you will need to unplug your throttle for a few seconds and plug it back in to regain control. MRC may be working on an upgrade to fix this.

[dbradley]

I have one Warren, and I've had good luck with it. User friendly, and fairly easy programming, maybe not as powerful or as sofisticated as others, but been good for my layout (11x16) and I think the controller is fairly comfortable to hold and use. They seem fairly inexpensive in Trainworld, (where I bought mine) and one of these days I'm going to pick up a wireless conversion. I can still use the tethered controller side by side with the wireless.

Den.

[jrbernier]

Warren,

  I do not have one(I have Digitrax), but I suspect they are not too bad.  I looked at the high end Prodigy Advance 2(squared).  The rather high price for only 3.5 amps surprised me.  And they still have not released a computer interface for it yet.

  I do not know how many 'features' or how many trains you are going to run, so it is only speculation what your layout needs are.  I Know Trainworld has good prices, but I would look at Tony's Trains web site.  I am sure the price is comparable, and he offers Digitrax and NCE as well.  He also knows what he is talking about.

  Another point to consider:  Folks who use DCC in your area - What system are they using?  Our club used Digitrax and everyone has a Digitrax DT400R throttle.  This works out if 'visiting', as you can take your throttle along to operate.  Most of the clubs or 'round robbin' groups seem to standardize on Digitrax or NCE systems.

  The last point is the 'computer' interface.  I know it may mean nothing to most folks when they get into DCC, but after a while they appreciate the keyboard programming via 'Decoder Pro' and never want to go back endlessly to pressing buttons on a throttle to program that new engine.

  Knowing what I know now, here are the 'features' I consider needed for any new DCC System:

• Computer Interface
• Full CV 'read back' capability 
• Full featured throttles
• Future Growth 'built in'

Jim Bernier

[johncolley]

Well, gee, I hate to be a wet blanket. I have had both good and bad experiences: I have run a pair of E-7's, no problems, even a four unit FT with one unit a dummy full of sound, the rest powered. My 2NW2's no problems or a pair of GP7's either with Loksound decoders... run and sound great. However, I have found on some of the newer BLI and other locos, such as the SD40-2's, RS3, MP15AC the lights work, the sounds follow the throttle, but they no move. Having tried the manual and the tips and tricks downloads with no results, I firmly believe I would gladly recommend the Prodigy Advance for a good sized N scale layout, but not for HO. And that's all I can contribute from two years's experience with it. jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA

[BL2]

thank you all, gives me some more things to consider before taking the plunge and yes, both NCE and Digitrax are very popular here amongst some I've spoken to.

[UpNorth]

 Knowing what I know now, here are the 'features' I consider needed for any new DCC System:

• Computer Interface
• Full CV 'read back' capability 
• Full featured throttles
• Future Growth 'built in'

Jim Bernier

... And the lowly little Zephyr has them all for 159$.

[ukrailroader]

Hi jfallon,

         I have tried 5 different DCC systems and settled on Digitrax 7 years ago. I was 59 years old at the time and found it to be easier than the rest. I recently tried out the two new Hornby systems and woudn't touch them even if I had to build my own controllers, and i'm no electronic expert.

ukrailroader

[djb39]

MRC rates the Prodigy advanced at 3.5 amps, but Tony's Trains says the Prodigy Advanced actually puts out 2.5 Amps.  Details here
http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/mrc-prodigya-note1006.htm

Some good reading on this subject:
http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/offthecuff.htm
http://www.tonystrains.com/products/mrc_components.htm
Many other links on DCC on the site also.

[Phoebe Vet]

Sorry, can't help you.  While I read a lot about other systems in here, everybody I know personally uses and swears by Digitrax.

[Tilden]

  I've used a PA for awhile now and enjoy it's easy of use, including programming and consisting.  I also have a wireless hand held which works as easily as the basic wired throttles. 

  Some earlier PA's had 2500ma transformers.  The newer ones have the 3.5 amp power supplies.  I'm using an original Prodigy power supply at 4 amps and have no problems.

Tilden

[Mailman56701]

  Whew........for a minute there, I thought I had misread the thread title................

[Phoebe Vet]

The rating on the power supply is the maximum it can deliver, not what it does deliver.  When you plug a lightbulb into a 12 amp outlet in your house it doesn't draw 12 amps.  It draws what it needs UP TO 12 amps.

Your DCS, not the power transformer determines what it can deliver.  I don't know what the rating is on the PA, so I cannot comment on that, but if it's a 2.5 amp system, putting a 4 amp power supply on it will not hurt it, but it also will not make it a 4 amp controller.

When reading the specs, you do not care what it draws from the power supply, you care what it can deliver to the track.  THAT is the number to check.

[fwright]

MRC rates the Prodigy advanced at 3.5 amps, but Tony's Trains says the Prodigy Advanced actually puts out 2.5 Amps.  Details here
http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/mrc-prodigya-note1006.htm

The link provided makes it clear that the Prodigy Advance is capable of 3.5 amps given the correct power supply.  In fact, the newer Prodigy Advance units come with the 3.5 amp supply.

I'm not sure whether the OP was getting a good price on the Advance or the Advance2.  The Advance has been superseded by the Advance2.  IIRC, the Advance can be upgraded for a modest fee, but both are compatible anyway.  The only reasons I can see for a non-geek to not buy the Prodigy Advance (or Advance2) for a home layout are

1) you prefer the ergonomics of the NCE "hammerhead" throttles.

2) you are going to use the jump ports on a Zephyr for add-on throttles for a while to come. 

2) you want a computer interface so you can use Decoder Pro and a computer to program your decoders.  There are work-arounds to the lack of a reasonably-priced computer interface for the Prodigy (the SPROG or similar), but these will take a little bit more than plug and play.

This assumes the price/desire features is considered reasonable across the brands, and you are not looking to use your throttle in a club environment (very few clubs use Prodigy).

On the other hand, Prodigy offers the lowest cost upgrade into radio control.

just my thoughts

Fred W 

[UpNorth]

  Whew........for a minute there, I thought I had misread the thread title................

The man is not committed yet, allways time to correct a wrong .........

[jfugate]

 Knowing what I know now, here are the 'features' I consider needed for any new DCC System:

• Computer Interface
• Full CV 'read back' capability 
• Full featured throttles
• Future Growth 'built in'

Jim Bernier

... And the lowly little Zephyr has them all for 159$.

Uhm, not quite. The computer interface doesn't come with a Zephyr, it costs extra -- about $65 extra for the Locobuffer USB. So that's more like circa $225.

Compare this to the NCE PowerCab (about $140) with the USB computer interface costing about $40. This is $180 for a starter system with a computer interface. 

The Zephyr's upgrade path is cleaner than the NCE PowerCab, but the NCE system's initial entry price point is lower if you want the computer interface, too. 

[UpNorth]

So now he has a valid third option to look at and make a qualified choice. That is what a forum is all about. 

 

[Mailman56701]

  Whew........for a minute there, I thought I had misread the thread title................

The man is not committed yet, allways time to correct a wrong .........

   Whoosh...........right over the top, lol ! 

  

[CSX Robert]

Knowing what I know now, here are the 'features' I consider needed for any new DCC System:
Computer Interface
Full CV 'read back' capability
Full featured throttles
Future Growth 'built in'

Jim Bernier

... And the lowly little Zephyr has them all for 159$.

Uhm, not quite. The computer interface doesn't come with a Zephyr, it costs extra -- about $65 extra for the Locobuffer USB. So that's more like circa $225.

Compare this to the NCE PowerCab (about $140) with the USB computer interface costing about $40. This is $180 for a starter system with a computer interface.

The Zephyr's upgrade path is cleaner than the NCE PowerCab, but the NCE system's initial entry price point is lower if you want the computer interface, too.

I don't think Jim was trying to say the Computer Interface was included with the Zephyr, but that it is available, and on a system that has a lower price than the Prodigy Advanced.

I would like to add that if you have a serial port, you can still find the Digitrax MS100 interface for less than $40 street price. There is also a circuit at the bottom of this page:http://www.teamdigital1.com/support_tools.html that you can use and it has less than $5 worth of components. I have heard that it is better to get the Locobuffer because it does buffer the data, but I have been using the circuit I linked to with a Zephyr without any problems.

[n2mopac]

I got my PA right after they first came out. I've been running it for over 3 years and still love it. I recently upgraded with the wireless conversion. They have had some bugs in the wireless software, but have a fix. I sent mine in, got it back in 2 weeks at no cost, and now it works perfectly. All MRC products are much maligned on this and other mrr groups, but honestly I see only one drawback to it for anyone--the lack of a computer interface. MRC is coming out with one, but it is expensive. I have consisted reasonable well without one and probably won't pop for it. I run a 17'x17' N scale layout with 95' of main and over 300' total track and 12 locomotives with the PA's original power supply and have never had a problem with power drop or overheating. I like the throttle on the PA better than any other I have ever used--the real reason I tried the PA when it came out. In short, I love it and wouldn't trade it.

Ron

[Mailman56701]

I got my PA right after they first came out. I've been running it for over 3 years and still love it. I recently upgraded with the wireless conversion. They have had some bugs in the wireless software, but have a fix. I sent mine in, got it back in 2 weeks at no cost, and now it works perfectly. All MRC products are much maligned on this and other mrr groups, but honestly I see only one drawback to it for anyone--the lack of a computer interface. MRC is coming out with one, but it is expensive. I have consisted reasonable well without one and probably won't pop for it. I run a 17'x17' N scale layout with 95' of main and over 300' total track and 12 locomotives with the PA's original power supply and have never had a problem with power drop or overheating. I like the throttle on the PA better than any other I have ever used--the real reason I tried the PA when it came out. In short, I love it and wouldn't trade it.

Ron

  Agreed.  I think the MRC dcc systems are vastly underrated; there's a lot of misinformation passed around about them.

 

[rockymidlandrr]

I got my PA right after they first came out. I've been running it for over 3 years and still love it. I recently upgraded with the wireless conversion. They have had some bugs in the wireless software, but have a fix. I sent mine in, got it back in 2 weeks at no cost, and now it works perfectly. All MRC products are much maligned on this and other mrr groups, but honestly I see only one drawback to it for anyone--the lack of a computer interface. MRC is coming out with one, but it is expensive. I have consisted reasonable well without one and probably won't pop for it. I run a 17'x17' N scale layout with 95' of main and over 300' total track and 12 locomotives with the PA's original power supply and have never had a problem with power drop or overheating. I like the throttle on the PA better than any other I have ever used--the real reason I tried the PA when it came out. In short, I love it and wouldn't trade it.

Ron

---

I have been using the Progidy Advance for over two years now without any major problems.  I had been learning about it for iver a year and I had to get it as a matter of necessity, I had been thinking of upgrading but had a Roco Powermouse DCC system, but 3 weeks before my layout was going to be displayed for the entire family, it died, again.  I wish now I would have waited with DCC until the Progidy Advance came out.  It does very rarely, and at random times the controls will not respond and the solution is to restart the system.  I have about 100 feet of mainline track and usaully have 6 to 8 locomotives running in 2 consists at any given time, and it handles it but there is a little bit of a power drop, but I still havent pushed it enough to overheat it yet and do not want to overheat it.  I do love the consisting, it is very user friendly.  At current I have no need for a computer interface, so that is not a problem if you do not need it.  The Progidy Advance was perfect for my needs, and does what I need it to for my layout, and I cant say enough about it.  Im going to get the wireless throttle sooner ar later...

[loathar]

How neccasary is a computer interface if your only going to have 5-10 locos and only a couple with sound? I know it's really handy if you 30+ locos, but other than programing and keeping those settings stored in a memory, what else can you do with it?

[CSX Robert]

How neccasary is a computer interface if your only going to have 5-10 locos and only a couple with sound? I know it's really handy if you 30+ locos, but other than programing and keeping those settings stored in a memory, what else can you do with it?

I'll answer your second question first - what else can you do with it? On screen throttles, signaling logic, route controls, automated running, dispatching, and I probably missed something. How necessary is it? That is entirely up to each individual user. There may be some users with hundreds of locos that don’t care anything about a PC interface, and there may be some with 5 loco’s who would not do without it.

[loathar]

Thanks. I'm going to have to look around for a shop where I can see one of these in action before I upgrade from my EZ Command. I've been leaning toward the PA2, but I'm not committed yet. I'm not interested in automation, but ease of operation is the key factor.

[Snow]

I just ordered my PA2 from Tony's Trains for $199,  cheapest price I've found anywhere, even beat ebay.  Since mine is still in transit, I was just wondering, can someone tell me how long the cab cable is, and can u buy a longer one?

Thanks 

[Mailman56701]

I just ordered my PA2 from Tony's Trains for $199,  cheapest price I've found anywhere, even beat ebay.  Since mine is still in transit, I was just wondering, can someone tell me how long the cab cable is, and can u buy a longer one?

Thanks 

  They're seven feet long iirc.  Also, they're the standard flat cable, which are a pain, to me.  I ordered two of the below 7' cables to replace them.  Coiled cables, work great.

  Cost me $15, but DigiKey is just down the road for me, so no shipping.

www.digikey.com part number H2882R-07C-ND for 7 foot, H2882R-14C-ND for 14 foot.

 

[jwils1]

I just ordered my PA2 from Tony's Trains for $199,  cheapest price I've found anywhere, even beat ebay.  Since mine is still in transit, I was just wondering, can someone tell me how long the cab cable is, and can u buy a longer one?

Thanks 

  They're seven feet long iirc.  Also, they're the standard flat cable, which are a pain, to me.  I ordered two of the below 7' cables to replace them.  Coiled cables, work great.

  Cost me $15, but DigiKey is just down the road for me, so no shipping.

www.digikey.com part number H2882R-07C-ND for 7 foot, H2882R-14C-ND for 14 foot.

You definitely want the coiled cord.  It works so much better.

 

[dbradley]

Hi Snow,

The standard cables are about 6' or 7', but I did have one made up that's 12'. It's called computer wire ( I think), it has more internal wires than standard telephone, also the guy at the store tested the original cable for what's called continuity and if I'm not mistaken the connectors on the ends are the reverse of each other, in other words if the locking tab on the connector is up on one end and the cable is laid out flat, the locking tab on the other end would be facing down. I hope I'm not being to confusing, (I think I confused myself though). The extra length hasn't caused any problems since I started using it a year, year and a half ago.

Den.