Prelimenary Review of the Prodigy Advanced DCC system(updated)

[fmilhaupt]

QUOTE:
No other manufacturer provides the capability to run non-decoder equipped locos because that ability is not supported by the NMRA and that makes Digitrax non-compliant with the NMRA.

Lest darth9x9 lead anyone astray here, just because a system supports a feature not required by the NMRA spec, it does not make the system non-compliant with the spec, so long as it does support the required features.

For example, the Lenz Set 90 and Set 100 DCC systems support operation of a non-decoder -equipped locomotive on address 0 and these both have NMRA Conformance Warrants. In fact, Lenz's command stations are the only ones which have NMRA Conformance Warrants right now.

The AtlasMaster and Bachmann EZ Command systems also support non-decoder-equipped locomotives (not surprising, since they're manufactured by Lenz). EasyDCC, built by CVP, does as well. With a minor, fairly well-documented modification, an NCE system can run a non-decoder equipped locomotive, for that matter.

As far as burning up motors, so far I have only seen that conclusively documented with rather uncommon coreless motors.

A much more typical reason for disabling operation of non-decoder-equipped locomotives, one that more people are likely to encounter, is that having a non-decoder equipped locomotive selected and in active use on a DCC layout slows down the transmission of DCC packets across the rails to decoder-equipped locomotives. It is for this reason that many Digitrax system owners I know set their command stations to disable the ability to run non-decoder-equipped locomotives. While the situation can be avoided by simply not dialing up address "00" and turning its speed up, by setting a configuration value in the command station they can eliminate the possibility of someone doing that.

[darth9x9]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jwmurrayjr

You mean that there is no "address 00" like every other dcc system in the world? (Actually I don't know that to be true.)

That's a bit odd![:p]

Jim,

Only one other manufacturer runs non-decoder equipped locos and that is Digitrax. Doing so ruins the armature in the motor so I have no idea why anyone would want to subject their prized models to such abuse. No other manufacturer provides the capability to run non-decoder equipped locos because that ability is not supported by the NMRA and that makes Digitrax non-compliant with the NMRA.

As stated above, either go DCC or not. But once you have a taste of the operational features of DCC, it is easy to be hooked. After you put your first couple of decoders in, you will convert your fleet in no time.

[Anonymous]

The first decoder is the tough one -- once you get past that, it gets a lot easier. Fortunately, all but 2 of the engines waiting in my "to convert" pile are old Atlas/Kato or Stewart/Kato units, and the Digitrax PnP board (DH163KO) is a cinch to install. The hardest part is soldering the old light back in on those little solder pads in the middle, but a good magnifying glass or magnifying headset help. Though at some point in the future I plan on replacing that central light with real front/rear lights on the non-F units.

[n2mopac]

Thanks for in info. I've been modeling for years, but I'm just about to make my first dive (head first) into DCC. I've operated on DCC lines before, but never installed one or a decoder before. Y'all better pray for me.
Ron

[Anonymous]

george 745 ; on another thread somewhere, the same question was asked about the earlier versions of MRC controllers,and compatability is ; NO - NOT in this lifetime ! You should be able to call MRC and get some answers from them . Let us know. Give them some feedback on your system,while you got them on the horn.

[Anonymous]

Ron, as jsalemi said it will work with all decoders. I have yet to run the consist feature. I was going to today but while putting a decoder in an engine I ruined the decoder. [banghead] I leearned a valuable lesson today. Th eengines run smooth, no jerking, so I figure that two locos running should be fine.
Andrew

[Anonymous]

Since it's built to NMRA standards, it should support any decoder out there that's also built to NMRA standards -- which is pretty much all of them. The decoder in the loco controls its relative speed through the CVs, so you can fine tune each loco to "play well with others".

[n2mopac]

What types/brands of decoders will this system support? Are there N scale decoders available that will work well with this system, or are those available yet? And how well does the consisting function work? Do the locomotives run smoothly together and can you adjust the individual loco speed within the consist? Just a few questions I had.

Ron

[Anonymous]

Ok now I have a question. can you uses the original prodigy controllers with the new prodigy advanced system? I ask this because I'm on a limited budget. I would like 3-4 contollers but if i could buy a regular prodigy controller for the yayrd loco it would save me some money. My logic though probably flawed, would be to use address "oo01" when I program the decoder. Since the old on has this # it may work. Then I would only use this controller in the yard. Thanks for any help.
Andrew

[cacole]

There a very thorough review of this system at Tony's Train Exchange (http://www.tonystrains.com)

[Anonymous]

yep no "Address OO" From what I have heard having the capibilites to run dc on Dcc tends to not be good for the equipment and proobably messes things up. Decoders are cheap and easy to install but some engines it might be a harder task than others.
Andrew

[jwmurrayjr]

You mean that there is no "address 00" like every other dcc system in the world? (Actually I don't know that to be true.)

That's a bit odd![:p]

[Anonymous]

Ok i finally got the nerve up to install a decoder today. I have all blue boxes engines so it was pretty scary. Though I got it in no problems. The prodigy was amazingly easy to program. Once the decoder was installed I had the engine moving within minutes. A couple more minutes and the accel and the decell where programed. it's easy to understand what to figure out how to program it. Love the fastclock. I give it two thumbs up.
Andrew

[Pennsy58]

Guess the good news is that they are being shipped. According to my literature from MRC this is correct. This system will not run DC locos. Do not see this to be a problem for me. Either go DCC or not. I can see this as an issue for a club though. Looks like time to issue work orders for rebuilds on my few remaining DC engines.

[Anonymous]

No way to run a non dcc ? I hope there's a way , or MRC's new version will be wounded right out of the starting gate.

[Anonymous]

OK a couple have people have asked about this product lately and i said i would put a review on here. well I just recieved it today. After reading the manual the first downside that popped into my mind is that it does not allow for use of anolog engines to be used. So each and every loco must have a decoder. Seeing none of my locos have any decoders I can't say how it runs yet. Tomorrow I will by a deecoder and put it in and tell you how it runs. All the other features seem to be easy to use. Sorry Ii don't hav more info but I'll put up somoe more info tomorrow.
Andrew