NEWS FLASH! - MRC out with new Prodigy Express

[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.

[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

[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]

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!

[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 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?

[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

[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.

[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

[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

[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

[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.

[pcarrell]

That's pretty cool!

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

[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