Has anyone tried using the wired version of MRC's computer interface... How do you like running and programming locos from you computer?... Whats your over all thoughts? Is it advantageous for use on a small layout or is it mainly for large ones? $60 for the cable sounds Ok! (all software downloads are free) but I may never leave my desk again!
Any thoughts welcome!
There have been several threads on this already, just search this section of the forum for MRC Computer Interface
Here is one such thread
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/188989/2064187.aspx#2064187
Bottom line is that it does not hold a candle to the JMRI Decoder Pro and other commercial applications, but if you have an MRC DCC system it is your only choice for PC interface/control so the fact that there are other better solutions out there has no real impact on you.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Oop's Thanks Simon. I did a search under "search this site" before posting and forgot about "Search this community"... Some good information about MRC to make a informed decision...
Thanks Again!
You are welcome. It is important to recognise that there are a lot of folks that hold a very poor view of MRC, so you will inevitably see a fair amount of negative opinion being expressed.
My personal view is that the negative press that MRC gets on this site and others is largely deserved and self inflicted.
Having said that, their current DCC system is quite competitive and well designed. It will meet the needs of a very large segment of the market and probably should be taken more seriously than it actually is. Very rarely will you see it recommended as a first choice solution.
I think that the company would gain a lot more friends if it could get on top of its quality control, especially with decoders, and also tone down the arrogance in its advertising and position with regards to things like JMRI support.
Model railroading is a small community and a company has got to work quite hard to reach a point when a somewhat knowledgeable, vocal, segment of the market won't even consider their products under any circumstances!
Keep in mind that the MRC computer interface can program only MRC decoders -- it is incompatible with all other brands except for the very basic NMRA standard CVs.
JMRI's Decoder Pro is free software that works with every brand and type of decoder.
Well they do have the CV Blaster part that lets you key in any CV to set it. But that's no different than programming from the throttle. Definitely there are no nice dropdowns with the names of the horns to select with a Tsunami decoder, or things like that. There doesn't seem to be any provision for the end user to add such things, either - on the premise that MRC would supply only the detailed information for their own decoders, and it would be up to the users to build definition files for other brands.
It is what it is. If you use MRC decoders, it does what it says it does. Single vendor solution, but if you don't want sound in everything, MRC charges way too much for their motor-only decoders.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hey cacole your wrong. The MRC iterface will program any decoder on the market. I've programed Soudtrax, QSI, Digitrax, LENZ, Bachmann, oh yeah dont let me forget MRC decoders on my system in OPS or program track mode. IF YOUR GONNA BASH A COMPANY AT LEAST GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT FIRST.
TRUCK.
Not sure why MRC is so intent on being proprietary. Having a background in computers I LOATH proprietary hardware and software but LOVE clones and open source.
I almost bought an MRC DCC system, but their now infamous quality control made me hesitate long enough to decide that simple to operate wasn't the be all and end all in my case. I ended up with a Zephyr instead and so far find it easy to use.
Some people do not know ( or maybe they don't really care? ) that you can really dig deep down for a certain sound/movement in some of the better aftermarket decoders and MRC ain't one of them.
I believe a lot of RR modelers whom use decoders just takes the default ( except maybe CV 3 and CV 4 ) value and lets it go at that.
I for one till about three years ago didn't know the difference and I just let the default ride except for CV 3 & 4.
But times have changed and the decoder is really changing and some of them get right down to the nitty gritty. But again I say MRC gets the dust in it's face. Would be nice if the MRC wheels would listen instead of bragging. Or maybe they just slide under the truth a bit?
MRC used to be ( probably still is? ) the best in the DC business for DC controllers and other DC stuff. I used to swear by them but along came DCC and the MRC people sat on their hands and they still can't seem to get off them.
I've still two steam locos with MRC decoders in them and after really testing them out they are both back in their boxes and will stay until I find a different brand decoder I like or maybe I'll sell them, who knows.
Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.
To answer your question davidb. Before I really new what DCC was all about or these forums, I bought the MRC Prod. Adv. 2 SQ. system. It works great for me and problably others. I am not going to go out and spend 2 to 5 hundred dollars for system I dont need. Not to defend MRC I know they over exagurate their products in their advertising. But when someone posts a question about MRC it seems the same guys always start bashing MRC and that person "almost like beating him down with words" about how crappy his system is or theirs is better because their system is better. instead of helping them with their problem. I thought these forums were to help people out. So far any time I see MRC mentioned, Slander shortly follows. Truck.
Truck So far any time I see MRC mentioned, Slander shortly follows.
So far any time I see MRC mentioned, Slander shortly follows.
I am not sure that slander is the right word. It implies that the negative comments and views expressed have no basis and are not true. Sadly, everyone of the folks that I am aware of that holds a strongly negative opinion of MRC, are people that at one point, during their DC days, were happy advocates of the company. MRC is one of the very few companies which when mentioned results in this type of response. It did not happen by chance.
There is one comment above, which I think can be justifiably regarded as flat out wrong, and that is the statement that the MRC PC interface software only works with MRC decoders. However, I think you will find that everything else in this thread is opinion based very much in fact.
Even the ardent MRC haters concede that the current DCC system is reasonably OK, it is certainly adequate for most modellers needs. This is what I find so fascinating, from a marketing perspective, is that MRC finally got to the point where they have a half decent DCC system, after what 2 or 3 false starts, and they still manage to alienate a good portion of the market. The fact that the more knowledgeable you are, the more likely you are to disdain MRC is even more amazing to me!
davidmbedard ...That isnt what he meant...
...That isnt what he meant...
He stated "the MRC computer interface can program only MRC decoders -- it is incompatible with all other brands except for the very basic NMRA standard CVs." That is saying that on non-MRC decoders it will only program the basic standard CV's, that may not be what he meant, but that is what he said. Most of us aren't psychic and can not tell what another poster means when it is contrary to what he says, so I certainly understand why somebody would want to correct him.
rrinker Well they do have the CV Blaster part that lets you key in any CV to set it. But that's no different than programming from the throttle...
Well they do have the CV Blaster part that lets you key in any CV to set it. But that's no different than programming from the throttle...
It is certainly different than programming from the throttle. It's true that with most CV's you have to figure out on your own what values to program, so in that respect it is like programming from the throttle. You can, however, save "decoder profiles" with all the CV values that you program. If you have to reset a decoder, you can load the profile and reprogram it without having to go through each CV manually. If you have multiple decoders with many of the same settings you can start with the same profile on each one instead of having to go through each CV individually. It also has a page for graphically modifying a 28 step speed curve and page for easy function remapping, both of which are standard among many brands of decoders.
MRC's software is definitely a far cry from JMRI, but I think some people do make it out to be more even more limited than what it is. Compared to JMRI, it is very limited, but I would still consider it a useful tool for an MRC user, and vastly superior to programming from the throttle.
Same as Truck, I purchased a Prodigy Advanced Squared system before I read all the negative MRC comments on this forum and I love my DCC system. It does everything I need a DCC system to do and it is easy and FUN to use. I also have MRC sound decoders in 6 Athearn Genesis, and one aftermarket soundbug unit in a RS-3 with ZERO problems. This DOES NOT diminish the problems others have had, its just my experience.Im also not disscounting MRC's overly enthusiastic advertising and non prepriotory computer interface. However,these do'nt effect MY model railroading experience at all . As far as sound decoders are concerned, I personally think Soundtrax Tsunami sound decoders are the best, MRC arent even close. I think that the marketplace should take care of inferior products. Bad products lead to bad sales which should lead to their improvement or discontinuation.
I have the MRC Prodigy Advance and even my 3 year old can use it easily. For a basic layout, it is a great system, and I've had no problems with it.
That being said, now that decoders and sound are getting more advanced, with sometimes hundreds of CVs each, and as my locomotive roster has grown, I've found computer programming of decoders is becoming a necessity. And that is where MRC has dropped the ball. For some reason, they have decided it is best for them to not be compatible with JMRI. While I've tried MRC's software, it really is useless compared to JMRI.
So as my layout gets bigger than a one person operation, I am giving very serious consideration to switching to another DCC system, mostly because of the computer interface issue. I've discussed with MRC via email and in person at train shows their adversity to JMRI and I have yet to get a reasonable explanation..
The funny thing is - if MRC was compatible with JMRI, I would have already bought at least another throttle or two and their computer interface. But some other manufacturer will get my hobby dollars instead. Too bad, as the Prodigy Advance really is a good product.
Scott
brochhau, an alternative could be to keep your current DCC system and use the Sprog II - JMRI or the Digitrax PR3 - JMRI combo. This way you keep a system you are familiar with and use JMRI to program your decoders. This would be a lot less costly.
Jack W.
Indeed the PR3 can be used completely stand alone from the DCC system and provide you the needed access to JMRI. Of course you would really only be able to use it as a decoder programmer as the other features of JMRI such as on screen throttles, DCC monitoring etc would be lost since there would be no interface with the MRC.