NEWS FLASH! - MRC out with new Prodigy Express

[tstage]

Looks like MRC has gotten on the starter system bandwagon with their new Prodigy Express:

http://www.modelrectifier.com/products/trainSound/product.asp?ID=1990&Subcategory=Prodigy%20DCC

Has a little more juice (1.6 vs. 1-amp) than NCE's PowerCab or Bachmann EZ Command. Expecting it may have some of the same limitations that Prodigy Advance has but it is expandible like the Digitrax Zephyr. Looks like its definitely not the old Prodigy repackaged. Like the PowerCab, my guess is that it probably can be had at a discount for around $130-140.

Tom

[pcarrell]

That's pretty cool!

P.S. - it's 1.6 amps according to the ad.

[davekelly]

Well this is certainly interesting. 16 functions? Walkaround throttle? I think the choice between it and the Zepher just got a little more complicated for me.

[rrinker]

Looks like they went about it in the right way, but 2 words still say Zephyr: Computer Interface. Until MRC realizes that they need to offer this cabability somewhere in their lineup, they will remain a step behind. Even if you don't want a computer running your trains - the sheer simplicity of programming using a tool like JMRI makes it worthwhile. A full screen plain-English view is far superior to even the best worded short messages that can be displayed on a small handheld screen.

If you plan to go with signalling at some point, it's almost required. Sure you can use an external system like C/MRI with PA, but with Lenz, Digitrax, and NCE there are integrated solutions for when you get that far.

--Randy

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pcarrell

That's pretty cool!

P.S. - it's 1.6 amps according to the ad.

Philip,

I meant that the PE had 0.6 amps more than the PowerCab or Bachmann, not total. I've clarified it a little better now in the original post.

Tom

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

If you plan to go with signalling at some point, it's almost required. Sure you can use an external system like C/MRI with PA, but with Lenz, Digitrax, and NCE there are integrated solutions for when you get that far.

--Randy

i feel like the novice questioning the statements of the master here [:)] but isn't it possible to use the digitrax signalling independantly of the throttle system , and therefore it will work if you have an MRC throttle system ?

of course i agree 100% on the computer interface issue

[skiloff]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage
Like the PowerCab, my guess is that it probably can be had at a discount for around $130-140.

Tom

Tony's has it listed for $120. That is a very good price for a start into DCC. Attractive for me, anyway.

[Stevert]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer


i feel like the novice questioning the statements of the master here [:)] but isn't it possible to use the digitrax signalling independantly of the throttle system , and therefore it will work if you have an MRC throttle system ?

of course i agree 100% on the computer interface issue

Yes, you can run Digitrax signalling independantly, but doing so would increase complexity and cost. That's because you'd have to run both the Loconet for the signal system, and the MRC throttle buss. Granted, Loconet can be run without a command station, but you'd still need to configure and wire the two separate buss systems (Loconet/signals and MRC/throttles).

Stevert

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by skiloff

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage
Like the PowerCab, my guess is that it probably can be had at a discount for around $130-140.

Tom

Tony's has it listed for $120. That is a very good price for a start into DCC. Attractive for me, anyway.

$120? Wow. Gonna have to add PE into my decision making process on which system to use when I make the leap. Frustrating and brain hurting as it may be to make this decision, the fact that there are numerous systems out there (each with their own pros and cons) is a good thing. Right?

[Javern]

MRC could equip Prodigy with every function possible, give them away free and yet there are those that would still slam them

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Javern

MRC could equip Prodigy with every function possible, give them away free and yet there are those that would still slam them

You got that right. I always thought that it would be pretty funny if somehow Bachmann got an agreement with, say Digitrax, and started packaging the Zepher with the "Bachmann" name on it. I'm sure the result would be the same!

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Javern

MRC could equip Prodigy with every function possible, give them away free and yet there are those that would still slam them

It's a slam to point out obvious limitations that others don't have? And I didn't even mention MRC's poor track record of maintaining compatibility. Since the PE is upgradable to full PA features, maybe they have FINALLY learned - but NONE of their previous systems have been compatible with the next - sure each new system got better, but at the expense of tossing anything you previously had. Like I said, maybe this is the dawn of a new light at MRC, maybe they finally understand that while people might want to start small, they might not stay small, and they might not want to toss a bunch of equipment just because they now have a bigger layout.
It still remains that MRC and Bachmann still have no computer interface. Not as big a deal for Bachmann since it can't program more than the address anyway, but the PA/PE have all the high-end features of other brands, except for the computer interface. Check out JMRI and DecoderPro - it really DOES matter.

--Randy

[davekelly]

Randy,

I think you may have misinterpreted what I (and perhaps Javern) meant by "people would still slam MRC." You have a very valid reason for giving the Bachmann and MRC the "thumbs down" for your needs - the lack of a computer interface. You also very correctly point out that MRC does not have a great track record of being backwards compatible with their previous offerings in DCC. These "cons" are of significant importance to me also and will be included when I make my decision of which system to get for my layout. You're comments and opinions concerning DCC is very valuable to me, and I'm sure many other on this forum.

I in no way intended to refer to you in my post, and I bet that Javern didn't mean to either. Pointing out shortfalls is not slamming - at least not in my book. Slamming to me would be this: Q: I'm looking at getting a Bachmann Spectrum SD45, what do y'all think? A: Bachmann is junk. I had a F7 in 1975 that ran like ****."

If I somehow offended you with my post about "slamming" please accept my apology, it was not meant that way.

Dave

[Anonymous]

Im a DCC noob, but 1.6 A should be enough to run three N scale engines right?
(A bachman 0-6-0, a LifeLike 2-8-8-2 Mallet, and most likely a miniTrix 4-6-2 Pacific). I have no plans to add more engines, those three are already probably overkill.

[Javern]

I wasn't reflecting towards any particular post when I made my above comment. I would hope everyone would be open to new MRC products and discuss them pro/con and not just base MRC on past items that didn't meet your expectations.

[davekelly]

Javern,

That's what I thought. Sorry that I kinda spoke for you above.

Dave

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Josh_A

Im a DCC noob, but 1.6 A should be enough to run three N scale engines right?
(A bachman 0-6-0, a LifeLike 2-8-8-2 Mallet, and most likely a miniTrix 4-6-2 Pacific). I have no plans to add more engines, those three are already probably overkill.

Should be. My 2.5 amp Zephyr has run 8 HO locos, so 3 N scale locos on more than half that should be no problem.

--Randy

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Javern

I wasn't reflecting towards any particular post when I made my above comment. I would hope everyone would be open to new MRC products and discuss them pro/con and not just base MRC on past items that didn't meet your expectations.

Actually, except for their earlier attempts at DCC, MRC has always met or exceeded my expectations. They still make the best DC packs around.
I'll keep quiet about Bachmann locomotives [:D]

--Randy

[davekelly]

Randy,

I agree re: MRC's position in the DC world. I have a 20 year old MRC that still works great. I hope they're on track to gain the same reputation in the DCC world.

Dave

[Anonymous]

1.6 amps? I would still prefer the Zephyr, higher power, for only $20 more. The walk around throttle is would be nice, to have, though.

[davekelly]

petejung,

I had to laugh at your post as I am going through the same thing! Hey, this one is good, but that one has this for $5.00 more, but the other one has that, and it's only $25.00 more than the second, but it doesn't have the thing that the first one has, but wait, the fourth one has . . . . . . .

So much fun!! Of course I do believe that no matter which one I do pick, it will be much more fun than DC cab control!

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly
So much fun!! Of course I do believe that no matter which one I do pick, it will be much more fun than DC cab control!

You got that right, Dave! [^]

Tom

[skiloff]

I'm in the same boat, davekelly. I can't afford an expensive system, but I do want room for expansion and looking at the various options, its tough. My son wants to run two engines at the same time (which I could do if I wired in a simple block system), but making the leap to DCC would make things so much easier. Except my wife would have some things to say about the cost side...

[davekelly]

skiloff,

I feel your pain! Of course, here's an idea. Take wife to the LHS or show her the Walthers catalog. What is the price (MSRP of course) of two good quality MRC Tech 4 packs. Then go to Radio Shack and show her the price of about 10 DPDT switches. Then go to Tony's site and show her the cost of, let's say the Zepher and two decoders. The total cost would be pretty close I'm thinking.

I'd use this idea myself, but with 4 MRC packs in the closet and a drawer full of various switches, it won't work for me. [:(][:(]

Dave

Besides, it's for your son!

[skiloff]

I already have the power packs, too. I've got a Tech II 2500 and two cheap ones (Bachmann and Model Power). The DPDT switches would be a bargain by comparison. I've done a cost sheet for everything I need to get running in DCC with all the track, engines and decoders, but there is no way I'm going to show it to her or I'd be shut down tomorrow. Somehow, $50 here, $75 there is easier to slip by than saying $1400 total cost. I still think when things start to take shape, she will be more than interested in helping out (she is the artistic one, I'm the math whiz).

Besides, we went to a hobby shop a couple months back to get some N scale Unitrack for the new layout, so I took my (choke) HO scale P2K diesel in as trade bait and she found some N scale Athearn Overton passenger cars that would work very nicely with her Kato steamer she picked up at a swap meet 10 years ago (cause she thought it was cute). I didn't really want to buy them, I wanted some track, but when I saw that look in her eyes, I knew this was going to further her interest, so thats what we did. She can deny all she wants, but she does like the trains - just not as much as my son and I. Oh, and my daughter now wants her own engine!

[skiloff]

Oh, sorry to get off topic.

[peterjenkinson1956]

1.6 amps vs 2.5 amps ... computerinterface ... all i want is a very simple system that i can run 3 x trains with 3 x locos on each train ... a switching loco and have all the locos run the same speed... price no issue.. $120 or $220 no diference to me HOWEVER i want a system that i can use easily and be able to get parts in 10 years time will mrc do this for me... peter

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by peterjenkinson1956

1.6 amps vs 2.5 amps ... computerinterface ... all i want is a very simple system that i can run 3 x trains with 3 x locos on each train ... a switching loco and have all the locos run the same speed... price no issue.. $120 or $220 no diference to me HOWEVER i want a system that i can use easily and be able to get parts in 10 years time will mrc do this for me... peter

i think given those requirements the Prodigy Advance will be great . i suggest the PA rather than the Prodigy Express since i don't know yet if it is possible to add more throttles to the PE .

there is no guarantee that you will be able to get parts for any DCC system in 10 years . the good news is that almost any DCC decoder (the part that goes in the engine) will work with any DCC system . things like the throttles and base units are specific to each manufacturer , if the one you pick goes out of business you'll be out of luck to get those parts

[tstage]

ereimer,

My guess is that Digitrax and CVP will probably do a good job of the above. But, you are right. Anything computer or electronic related seems to be outdated or outmoded at a quicker pace then just about anything else we manufacture.

Tom

[grandeman]

I've said it before, but here it goes again. My main problem with MRC is the lack of backwards compatibility. In the last few years we've had them introduce three DCC systems, none of which are compatible with any of the others! Basically, there are only a few companies that specialize in DCC. In North America, Digitrax and NCE are the major players. All they do is DCC. They don't fool around ticking their customers off with compatibility issues and are serious about product support. They also typically offer the most advanced features. I'm sure the MRC Prodigy Advance/Express are good systems. I looked seriously at them before we bought a Digitrax Super Chief. The bottom line though, in my instance, is that Digitrax was worth more money. The rest is history. Two years from now, if Digitrax comes out with a new, must have component, it'll be plug and play with our DCS100. I like that.