Thoughts on Prodigy Advance

[Mailman56701]

  Whew........for a minute there, I thought I had misread the thread title................

[Tilden]

  I've used a PA for awhile now and enjoy it's easy of use, including programming and consisting.  I also have a wireless hand held which works as easily as the basic wired throttles. 

  Some earlier PA's had 2500ma transformers.  The newer ones have the 3.5 amp power supplies.  I'm using an original Prodigy power supply at 4 amps and have no problems.

Tilden

[Phoebe Vet]

Sorry, can't help you.  While I read a lot about other systems in here, everybody I know personally uses and swears by Digitrax.

[djb39]

MRC rates the Prodigy advanced at 3.5 amps, but Tony's Trains says the Prodigy Advanced actually puts out 2.5 Amps.  Details here
http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/mrc-prodigya-note1006.htm

Some good reading on this subject:
http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/offthecuff.htm
http://www.tonystrains.com/products/mrc_components.htm
Many other links on DCC on the site also.

[ukrailroader]

Hi jfallon,

         I have tried 5 different DCC systems and settled on Digitrax 7 years ago. I was 59 years old at the time and found it to be easier than the rest. I recently tried out the two new Hornby systems and woudn't touch them even if I had to build my own controllers, and i'm no electronic expert.

ukrailroader

[UpNorth]

 Knowing what I know now, here are the 'features' I consider needed for any new DCC System:

• Computer Interface
• Full CV 'read back' capability 
• Full featured throttles
• Future Growth 'built in'

Jim Bernier

... And the lowly little Zephyr has them all for 159$.

[BL2]

thank you all, gives me some more things to consider before taking the plunge and yes, both NCE and Digitrax are very popular here amongst some I've spoken to.

[johncolley]

Well, gee, I hate to be a wet blanket. I have had both good and bad experiences: I have run a pair of E-7's, no problems, even a four unit FT with one unit a dummy full of sound, the rest powered. My 2NW2's no problems or a pair of GP7's either with Loksound decoders... run and sound great. However, I have found on some of the newer BLI and other locos, such as the SD40-2's, RS3, MP15AC the lights work, the sounds follow the throttle, but they no move. Having tried the manual and the tips and tricks downloads with no results, I firmly believe I would gladly recommend the Prodigy Advance for a good sized N scale layout, but not for HO. And that's all I can contribute from two years's experience with it. jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA

[jrbernier]

Warren,

  I do not have one(I have Digitrax), but I suspect they are not too bad.  I looked at the high end Prodigy Advance 2(squared).  The rather high price for only 3.5 amps surprised me.  And they still have not released a computer interface for it yet.

  I do not know how many 'features' or how many trains you are going to run, so it is only speculation what your layout needs are.  I Know Trainworld has good prices, but I would look at Tony's Trains web site.  I am sure the price is comparable, and he offers Digitrax and NCE as well.  He also knows what he is talking about.

  Another point to consider:  Folks who use DCC in your area - What system are they using?  Our club used Digitrax and everyone has a Digitrax DT400R throttle.  This works out if 'visiting', as you can take your throttle along to operate.  Most of the clubs or 'round robbin' groups seem to standardize on Digitrax or NCE systems.

  The last point is the 'computer' interface.  I know it may mean nothing to most folks when they get into DCC, but after a while they appreciate the keyboard programming via 'Decoder Pro' and never want to go back endlessly to pressing buttons on a throttle to program that new engine.

  Knowing what I know now, here are the 'features' I consider needed for any new DCC System:

• Computer Interface
• Full CV 'read back' capability 
• Full featured throttles
• Future Growth 'built in'

Jim Bernier

[dbradley]

I have one Warren, and I've had good luck with it. User friendly, and fairly easy programming, maybe not as powerful or as sofisticated as others, but been good for my layout (11x16) and I think the controller is fairly comfortable to hold and use. They seem fairly inexpensive in Trainworld, (where I bought mine) and one of these days I'm going to pick up a wireless conversion. I can still use the tethered controller side by side with the wireless.

Den.

[jfallon]

    It is a very easy to use system, much more so than Digitrax. One problem with it is that if a brief short circuit occurs, such as a locomotive derailing at a turnout, the throttles will all blank out. The track power will come back on and the locomotives will continue to run, but you will need to unplug your throttle for a few seconds and plug it back in to regain control. MRC may be working on an upgrade to fix this.

[Mailman56701]

I see the Prodigy advance system is available from Trainworld at a rather good price but I don't know anyone around here that has one , I was hoping some owners or anyone with experience with this system could give me their thoughts, I'm thinking of buying one to start my DCC adventure

Thanks

Warren

  I have a PA and am very satisfied with it.  Extremely user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to setup.  Whether running or programming, very easy to do, and it was my first dcc system too.

  Using it with N scale. 

[BL2]

I see the Prodigy advance system is available from Trainworld at a rather good price but I don't know anyone around here that has one , I was hoping some owners or anyone with experience with this system could give me their thoughts, I'm thinking of buying one to start my DCC adventure

Thanks

Warren