By-the-way, I have absolutely no axe to grind with respect to MRC at all. I own MRC DC throttles and loved them. I own an MRC sound decoder that has so far served me well. I am simply stating my opinions based on my observation of the market. I have been in sales and marketing in various capacities my whole career, some 25 years, and always find it fascinating how companies with an incredible name and reputation (would anyone disagree that MRC in DC is/was the leader in the market?), handle significant shifts in a market. The introduction of DCC was such a shift, and I don't think MRC has navigated this at all well, to the significant detriment to their reputation.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
simon1966MRC has a serious PR problem in the DCC community. There are several reasons. Here are what I perceive them to be.<snip an excellent summary>So in a nut shell, MRC's past is what haunts the company today and results in a lot of negative opinions that are expressed.
MRC has a serious PR problem in the DCC community. There are several reasons. Here are what I perceive them to be.
So in a nut shell, MRC's past is what haunts the company today and results in a lot of negative opinions that are expressed.
Very well stated, Simon!
If you don't mind, I'd like to add a number 5:
5. Their apparent arrogance towards established DCC preferences and conventions: You don't need CV readback. You do need wireless throttles if you want a (proprietary, no less!) computer interface.
It would be different if their break from those preferences and conventions added some value to their product line. But they took away an ability (CV readback) that is widely used and recognized as invaluable (After all, what's usually noted as the main drawback of the Digitrax Super Empire Builder (DB150) set?), and sniffed at literally the thousands of DCC users who rely on it. And they bundled, at a significant expense I might add, two completely unrelated options. C'mon, MRC, why should I have to buy wireless just to use a computer? And why can't I choose which computer software best meets my needs?
The marketplace apparently spoke on the first issue, since their non-readback decoders have for the most part, if not completely, been discontinued. And I suspect a similar fate will eventually befall their proprietary, "wireless required" computer interface.
Steve
I certainly cannot say what motivates individuals to say what they say, but it does seem that the bad rap on MRC decoders MAY add to some folks generic anti-MRC comments. However, in a few obvious cases, there may actually be a sort of vendeta designed to trash MRC because of real or perceived shabby treatment by MRC representatives.
I have a good friend and best model railroading buddy who carries a huge chip on his shoulder about certain resturants, products, etc. If he has been slighted, or thinks he has, he'll never be a customer again. If he thinks he has the absoulete answer on an issue, and someone disagrees, he'll write them off in the blink of an eye. However, I don't think he goes to the extreme of trashing them at every chance once the issue is settled.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, the anti-MRC 'advice' on this forum is actually moving me toward using their products, including a new DCC system, just to see if all the negatives prove true. If I do so, I won't hesitate to post complaints. If customer service dismisses my issues, they'll be exposed. Nevertheless, if all goes well, I'll be the anti-anti-MRC voice everytime a non-specific bash is posted.
For what it is worth, I've used MRC decoder equipped locos (maybe 7) for almost ten years with absolutely no problem. Yes, my system is very fundamental (MRC Command 2000) and when I move up the limitations will surface, but so far they have served well.
I have nothing against the MRC Prodigy. I was even thinking about buying one before I settled on a Digitrax system. I do however have a lot of bad feelings for their decoders and won't use one even if somebody gave it to me. I've had two of them and they both went up in smoke inside of a day. That's not a good record. I have locos that have the cheap Bachmann decoders in them that have been running for years.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
1. MRC decoders are universally reviled by virtually everyone that has ever used one. The failure rate of these devices is far above other brands. For many, the performance of the decoders is enough to put them off MRC altogether. It is entirely possible that the latest decoders are better, but not many folks that have been burned the first time are going to try them to find out.
2. MRC have made at least 3 attempts at getting into the DCC market. Previous efforts were not successful. As new systems were introduced anyone that purchased the older systems were left behind as there was no backwards compatibility. These users were stranded with unsupported devices that had no upgrade path other than total replacement. This did not help the MRC image. I for one would be very wary of buying a current generation model for fear that I would be stranded with no upgrade path in the future.
3. The cost of entry level MRC systems is relatively low. The cost of adding peripheral devices and expansion modules is very high. Look at the PC interface for example. Not only is it double or more than the price of other manufacturers, it has been developed with its own software and can not be used by the very popular and free Decoder Pro application. In my view this makes an MRC system fine, just so long as you never want to expand. The likelihood that the MRC software gets dropped and is not developed is potentially very high based on past record in DCC.
4. Finally, there is the laughable MRC advertising that suggests that they are the leader in DCC. I think you will be hard pressed to find anyone that actually took that seriously.
Having used a Prodigy Advance 2, I would agree that the device is very easy to use and performs well. In my personal assessment it is the simplest system to use on the market. Under no circumstances would I purchase one of the systems because I have no confidence that MRC will stand behind the unit and support it into the future. It also does not offer me the type of expansion path that I want.
Yes I do agree with you fellows about the decoders. They do leave something to be desired don't they? All my locos now have Digitrax decoders. I have had great luck with them. I didn't throw the MRC ones out though. They work good for other things on the layout. I have one running my turntable in the yard.
I would have to agree. I know very little about MRC, the system, other than what others have said, and I have never used one, I use NCE. But I can't say much of anything nice about the MRC decoders and no longer have any in service, or in the drawer, or on the layout. The last left with the trash people a few months ago.
Bob
I am starting this post to try to answer a question that keeps popping up to me when I read this and other model railroad forums. Namely:
What do Digitrax and NCE owners have against the MRC Prodigy DCC systems?
These folks always seem to be slamming the MRC systems. And 99% of the time if you read a further down in the postings you discover that the person doing the slamming really didn't know what they were talking about. Now I'm not saying that MRC doesn't have any problems with it's systems. Of course they do, so does Digitrax, NCE and all the others. I'm also not saying that all Digitrax and NCE owners slam MRC but you gotta admit, it's pretty rare you see one of them say anything good about them.
I own an MRC Prodigy Advanced 2 for my layout and have an Express system at my workbench. I love them, they work great, are extremely user friendly, and are very reasonably priced. Does this mean I think that the other brands are not as good? Of course not. It comes down to personal preference. All major brand systems are solid and reliable, including MRC.
Basically what I'm trying to get across is, if you don't have experience with something don't slam it because you own something else, paid more for something else, or heard of one problem with a brand. These forums are for spreading our knowledge with each other, not our biases. Having an opinion is great, we all have them and should, But if it is just an opinion let everyone know that, don't make it sound like your opinion is a documented fact. Doing so may be misleading someone who does not have as much knowledge as you about the subject. And that is not fair to them.
The above is just my humble opinion. Long live model railroading!