No arguements from me, the MRC is without doubt simple to use. I still would never get one, as the minor simplicity gain would not outweigh other criteria that would be important to me if I were in the market.
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
Simon,
Very true about kids picking up on technology faster than adults. However, I my middle aged self found the MRC system very easy to learn and use and also find that decoder programming with the MRC Prodigy Advance is incredibly easy. I usually assign loco addresses with the loco on my programming track (mainly to keep from accidently reprogramming other locos left on the main) but everything else can be quickly programmed on the main. Starting voltages, momentum, top speed, speed steps, sound volumes, sound files, etc. are all done by a few keystrokes easily determined by the clear and concise cab labeling and display readouts without ever looking at the system manual (or even the instructions printed on the back of the cab). Yes, I usually need the decoder manual to determine which CV's do what on a particular brand decoder and the numeric range of input values for each CV. Consisting is a matter of setting a consist address, then adding the address of each loco desired for that consist (pressing the direction button once at the end of the address to indicate which locos are to run in reverse). Yes, there are a few more advanced tricks available that are described in the system manual but that doesn't take very long to read cover to cover. No, I don't have any hands-on experience with other systems beside the old Atlas Commander but I like the way the MRC Prodigy Advance system works and another system would have to offer some pretty serious additional bells and whistles to convince me to replace what I currently own. As far as expansion, I can daisy chain as many additional boosters as I need and the system will handle something like 99 cabs including wireless cabs. Unless you really have to have a computer interface, purchasing the MRC Prodigy Advance 2 should provide a reliable and satisfying DCC experience. Would I buy the MRC Prodigy Advance again? Yes.
Hornblower
Frankly, kids pick up on the use of dcc throttles with ease. It would be more of a shock that a kid would not figure out the basic controls for running a train. There is very little difference between brands when it comes to the basics.
As a user of the earlier MRC Prodigy Advance system, I thought I'd put my two cents in. I have been very satisfied with my Prodigy Advance system. It currently powers a double deck layout with dimensions of 10' by 19'. It easily handles the four or five locomotives I run simultaneously. I own mostly older Athearn Blue Box units with the original motors (high current draw) using Lenz, Digitrax and MRC non-sound decoders plus three MDC steamers with early MRC sound decoders (all three still function as new -- luck or just better quality control in the early days?). I purchased the basic system with a second cab for about $380 shortly after the system was introduced. The MRC system was easy to install, came with its own power supply as part of the basic system, and has funtioned as advertised since day one. I installed my own throttle bus with 8 plug-in jacks using standard CAT-5 components from a local wholesale electronics store. All of the CAT-5 jacks, face plates, cables and wire insertion tool cost me less than $35 and the color coding of the CAT-5 components made the wiring installation stupidly easy! Unlike their unpopular DCC decoders, the MRC Prodigy Advance system is well built and robust (the cabs have been dropped or knocked off the layout onto the concrete floor a couple of times without damage). I have never heard the cooling fan of the command unit turn on and I've never felt the command unit get more than a little warm either. No, I don't have a computer interface but I haven't felt any need to use a computer as CV programming with this system is so easy.
Probably the best testimonial for the MRC Prodigy Advance system was the time I handed a cab to an eight year old boy about two months ago. After about a minute of instruction, he ran a passenger train pulled by one of my MDC steamers around the layout for about an hour and a half, sounding the whistle at all road crossings, stopping at all stations, sounding the whistle prior to departing each station and simply having a ball without any additional coaching on how to use the cab controls. He even figured out how to back the train up by himself when he overshot a station platform (I have a bit of momentum programmed into my steamers). I later challenged him with a switching puzzle pulling hopper cars out of my sugar beet plant and building a train. He accomplished the task with only a little trouble remembering to align all of the switches for each train move. He left with a huge smile on his face and a request to his parents to return sometime soon. If an eight year old first time user can have that much fun the first time he's seen the MRC controls, MRC must have done something right!
I prefer NCE, because is a handheld type, and the customer service (by mail) is fast and efficient. Beside, sometime they send me free the updated main chip.
MRC Prodigy Advance (PA)2:
NCE Power Cab:
How many locomotives each will run is primarily contingent on how much draw your locomotives pull. As a general rule for newer locomotives - i.e. manufactured in the last 10 years:
Given that the PA2 does have more power, a larger recall stack, and can handle more throttles, I'd still go with the Power Cab because of expandability.
For an additional $128 (and slightly less than the total price of the PA2), you can increase the Power Cab's total output to 5A, recall stack to 6, and total throttles to 4 with the NCE Smart Booster (SB3a). With the SB3a, the Power Cab can also be unplugged from and plugged into a UTP panel without shutting down the layout.
And, FWIW, I really like the 3-fold speed control of the encoder (thumb wheel) and the gross (10-steps) and fine (1-step) incremental buttons of the Power Cab. I thought I would miss the control and feel of a potentiometer but I don't. I get much finer control with the thumb wheel and incremental buttons than I do a knob.
My ...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I agree that the NCE Power Cab is better than the MRC unit.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Hi
I'm wondering if you guys have any opinions towards what DCC controller I should get. I'm building a new layout and am switching from DC to DCC. From looking at both manuals, other forms on other websites, from product reviews and from my eyes, I like the look of the MRC. Is there anything I should know about these 2 controllers? I know that the NCE is just a cab and that's your control base. I'm wondering how many locomotives can you have running at once, how many can you recall (MRC 25 loco) and how many locomotives does it remember after it's shut off (MRC 5 loco). If you could help me that would be great. Also is there anything else I should know about these 2 DCC systems?