Can anyone tell me if the MRC Prodigy Express control is any good? I started out with Bachmans EZ Command Control which I thought was ok untill I purchased a MRC sound decoder for my 4-8-2 Spetrium engine.I tried to asign a new address for it but it done nothing.Also it can only acess only 8 sounds,and the chufs are out of sink.When I turn up the throttel the chufs come on way before the engine moves! I,m hoping the MRC can cure this. L&NTim
L&N.....Gone but not forgotten
The MRC system works fine, but really is a 'dead end' system. Not a lot of expansion, but you will be able to assign addresses beyond the limitations of the EZ Command system. You should be able to sync to chuff rate of the Spectrum steamer's Tsunami decoder.
One of the limitations of the Prodigy systems is the inability to attach a computer running Decoder Pro. This may sound trivial now, but you will understand how important this can be in a year or so. One gets tired of programming from a throttle when doing things like adjusting CV's for this like lights and 'chuff' rates.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Amazing! A post asking about an MRC product has been up for 4 hours, and no vitriolic posts about how crappy MRC and it's products are.
In the interest of providing fair and honest feedback, I'll try to offer some insight. First of all, I started with a Prodigy Express, and have added the Wireless conversion and a couple of unpowered fascia plates for other hand-held throttles. Keep the following points in mind.
1) All your DCC control system (everything on the controller side of the track connection) must be from the same manufacturer.
2) Your decoders can be from one manufacturer or many manufacturers, and they don't have to be the same as the control system manufactuers. I operate Digitrax, Lenz, and TCS decoders with my system (no MRC decoders; they had some teething troubles starting out). Just because you have an MRC decoder does not mean you need an MRC system.
I haven't looked at pricing recently, but the cost of the MRC systems seems to be skyrocketing. While the express does upgrade (to the Wireless version), it's expensive to do so, and it's hard to get individual throttles without buying another set up. The Express's power rating of 1.6 amps is also pretty paltry; so if you're planning to run more than a couple of locos at once, you may want to look at other manufacturers whose entry level systems can be upgraded more cheaply. On the other hand, I find the "human engineering" (appearance, ease of use, ergonomics) of the MRC systems to be far superior to the competition.
Also, MRC does have a proprietary computer interface which competes with Decoder Pro, but again, it's pricey.
Your best bet may be to go to a large train show where the big DCC names (MRC, Digitrax, Lenz, NCE)have booths and try out their products.. Maybe an LHS will have something set up, but that's become less common.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
It's their DECODERS that are the problem, the systems are not too bad, if a bit limited compared to the top systems.
The MRC computer interface isn't horribly expensive compared to the others - it's that the software is very limited compared to DecoderPro. DecoderPro has decoder definitions for just about every decoder ever sold. Those definitions map plain English to the myriad of CVs typically found on sound decoders. For example, on the Tsunami steam decoders there is a setting labeled Engine Exhaust Control. This slider adjusts the relationship between the loco speed and the chuffs when not using a cam. It actually says that as popup help when you point your mouse at the control. There is also a dropdown listing all the whistles in the specific decoder, just pick the one you want, no need to refer to the manual and find out that CV115 needs to be set to 5 to change the whistle to a Nathan 5 chime.
This is where the MRC software falls short (plus they don't have WiThrottle where you can use an iPod Touch or iPhone as a wireless throttle!) and their insistence on keeping the architecture closed means DecoderPro can never work with the MRC system.
FOr non-sound decoders I rarely use DecoderPro, because my chosen protype doesn't need any fancy settings in the decoders - I generally set an address and that's about it. But if you are goign to get heavy into sound and want to configure the locos the easy way, you can't beat DecoderPro.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Spend some time looking for a good price. I got my Prodigy Advanced Sq. for $195 , which isnt too much more than what some retailers sell the Express for.
I started withe the Prodigy Expresss. Updated to the Advanced Sq., added wireless converstion, then sold the Express. I have had no issues with my system. It has served me well. It does all that I need it to do and more.The issues that some comment about, such as decoder pro, have never been a concern nor do I think that it will be in the future. I do not need to tweek every cv on my decoders to run my trains. The choice on the system you feel is best for you should be YOUR choice not someone else's because they believe there system is better. As one said check on pricing as the Advance Or the Advance Sq. would be a better choice, but there is nothing wrong with thw Express. I know an individual who has the Express & the Advance which gives him an extra throttle.
Just my thoughts on a system I use with no complaints.
David. You must excuse me for not being clear in my reply. EDIT Not a concern to me.
It is amazing how some cannot wait to jump all over some and put words in there mouth. I quess some of us are not perfect like others.
David B
(typically, one should NOT comment on a product unless the actually uses it)
No were did I make a comment about a product other than the fact that I had no need for it. Which say's nothing about the product it self. A statement I can make. If you you read the reply my next sentence state's that I do not need to tweek every cv.
As for as being perfect, I never said that you were. Never said you claimed to be. Just made a blanket statement.
It is amazeing how so much can be read into everything. The problem with non verbal communication.