On the back cover ad of the February 2007 Model Railroader, MRC states the Prodigy Express, Advance, and Advance2 "can be upgraded to wireless and computer interface operations". The web site has no further information I could find.
Looking at the Lenz web site, the XPA requires both the cordless telephone handset and the cordless telephone base station. The base station is plugged into the XPA. There are 3 frequency bands used in the U.S. for cordless phones - 900MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.1 GHz. I found recently that the 2.4 GHz system was unusable in my house because of the wireless (801g) computer network using the same band, and creating heavy audible interference in the phone. Changing wireless network channels reduced the interference somewhat, but did not eliminate it. The phone used spread spectrum freqency hopping so there were no options there. I had to go to the 5.1 GHz cordless phone models, which are more expensive. I haven't seen any 900 MHz phones at all in stores like Costco and Target - they are probably hard to find anymore.
I'm not sure how comfortable the phone keyboard interface would be to operate a train with. Pushing 3 for increasing speed by a single speed step, 6 for multiple speed steps, 9 to speed up quickly may or may not be very practical in real life (the 1,4,7 keys are used to slow down). The * key plus a number gives you functions F0 through F8. But the LCD screen (if so equipped) only shows key presses. And some of the newer cordless phones have cell phone-like interfaces where no key presses are passed until the 'talk' button is pressed - not sure how that would work at all.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
I've got a Lenz System 100, and I added on a Lenz-90 throttle. While the Lenz-90 has a nice big "intuitive" speed control wheel, I find that I never use the 90 and always use the 100 throttle. Most of the secondary functions, like MU-ing and decoder programming, are very awkward with the 90 because there are so few buttons. On the other hand, these things are much easier with the 100 throttle controller. Also, when switching back and forth between locomotives, the 100 picks up the engine as is, while the 90 requires you to manually match direction and speed.
The 90 is also limited to an 8-address stack, while the 100 has, I think, 32. That doesn't sound like a problem right now for you, but it's something to think about for the future.
I would start with the System 100 if you're going with Lenz. I think it's also cheaper to buy a System 100 and add a 90 throttle than the other way around, but I haven't looked at the numbers for a couple of years.
Overall, I've been very happy with the Lenz equipment, by the way. Sorry I don't have an experience to share with you about wireless.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
basementdweller wrote:Due to my limited budget I have been researching the Lenz system with the XPA thing and using a cordless phone. ... If I went with the Lenz 90 system would all I need is the XPA thing and a cordless phone and I am good to go? For the most part yes. Several people at the club have them. One thing I will say is get cordless phones that don't beep when the buttons are depressed. That is WAY annoying.My biggest concern is interferrence. Will other cordless phones (in use around the house) cause problems with operating the railroad No more than they would interfere with the cordless phones when used as phones.
Due to my limited budget I have been researching the Lenz system with the XPA thing and using a cordless phone. ... If I went with the Lenz 90 system would all I need is the XPA thing and a cordless phone and I am good to go?
My biggest concern is interferrence. Will other cordless phones (in use around the house) cause problems with operating the railroad
Misterbeasley, that is what I was trying to find out, just what is the actual difference bewteen the 90 and 100 when it comes to operating.
Good info about the cordless phones that I hadn't thought of.
Thanks, Martin.
I also have the 100 and strongly recommend it for your initial purchase. It has a nice display and let's you do everything quickly and easily.
I use the XPA and a 5.8 GHz phone. It works very well. A very economical way to go wireless.
The beep can be annoying but I think I'm getting used to it. At least you know that the pressed key is registering. By the way, are beepless phones available? Mine doesn't have that option.
I would really rather have a knob throttle for doing a lot of switching but wouldn't get the 90 as I don't want to plug in. Could go to a CVP radio throttle, which is available for Lenz, but they cost either $258 or $318 (the throttles are either $159 or $219 plus a $99 base station). Maybe I'll do this someday but for now my phone serves me well.
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!