MRC Prodigy Express - Good/Bad????

[davekelly]

Randy,

My thought of "maxing out" a system was said kinda tongue in cheek. It was my response to the picking a system based on the various charts that are out there rather than which system would meet an individuals needs and wants.

It would be kinda neat though lol.

[chateauricher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Stevert

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher
The "gee-whiz" numbers I refered to came not from the marketing hype the manufacturers put out; but from the comparison chart prepared and published by Model Railroader Magazine's December 2005 issue.

Not to knock MR, but where do you think they got many, if not all of the numbers they put in their comparison chart? Do you really think they kept adding throttle plates and more throttles until they hit 99 and the PA said, "No more!", and then penciled "99" into their chart?

True; but then again, where did you get the information you based you decision on when you got your DCC system ??? I'll bet at least some of it came from the "hype" manufacturers release, or from the subjective evaluations of other DCC users.

QUOTE:

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher
Until someone can provide a better way to compare and contrast system in an objective manner, what other choices do we have ???

Look again at what I wrote before:

QUOTE: Originally posted by Stevert
2) Haven't you read any of the other threads/posts on this subject? The ones where all that marketing hype and those "gee whiz" numbers are completely debunked?

When choosing between differing products, one usually compiles a list of each products features (ie: a chart, even if its only in the mind), then one proceeds to compare and contrast the differences between the products. Based on that, one chooses one product over another. Where one gets information on these products' features is important, of course. Sources should be varied; to rely solely on one source is risky.

My point is : In all the research I have done (including reading most of the DCC-related topics on this forum; speaking to LHS owners; and reading manufacturers' marketing information; etc), for every message "debunking" a "gee-whiz number", there is another supporting it. For every person trashing Sysem X, there is another who can't live without it. This is the conflict and contradictions I am talking about. There are no straight answers out there (yet).

QUOTE:

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher
While I cannot speak for others, I, for one, have read almost every thread on this forum that dealt with DCC. The information provided is very often conflicting. Getting an objective evaluation from anyone is virtually impossible.

This is where your critical thinking has to come into play. I don't know that anyone was handed a sheet with that objective evaluation. At least I wasn't, so I had to study all the offerings I could, I had to weed out fact from fiction, and I had to make a choice about what system I thought was best.

Pardon me; but just what do you think I am doing here ??? I am trying to get objective information that isn't contradicting.

QUOTE:

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher
So, where do we DCC newbies turn when we want objective and understandable information about the different systems ?

See above.

I'll steal your words and suggest you "see above" as well.

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher

QUOTE: Sometimes we have limitations -- budget, space, etc -- that mean we are forced to consider the less expensive systems out there, even if it means sacrificing what you consider essential.

Personally, I don't have $200+ US to spend on a DCC system -- I'm lucky to find $100 US (even then, I'll probably need a couple months to pay off the credit card).

Then you need to state up front that price is a consideration, and that you are absolutely limited to whatever.

Oh, but I have. A few months ago, when I asked for specific recommendations for a DCC system; and I also asked about a couple of the less-expensive systems. Instead of constructive information, it was suggested I buy a very expensive system even though I had said I was on a tight budget. So, how useful was that tidbit of information ?

QUOTE:

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher

QUOTE: Originally posted by Stevert
Even no space for a computer in the layout room can be a "benefit" if you ever decide to use a dispatcher during operating sessions, because you will be forced to locate the dispatcher in a remote location.

My layout room is less than 60 square feet -- about 8½ft by 7 ft -- so I have no room to put a computer in there, let alone a 2nd operator. What fun it is to have a computerized dispatcher located in another room (or another town) ?

On a "real" railroad, the dispatchers aren't sitting out next to the tracks, they're in an office that may be hundreds or thousands of miles away. Many, many model railroaders emulate this by locating their dispatcher away from the immediate layout area.

I've seen them located in adjacent rooms, hallways, closets, under stairways, and even under the layout itself on more than one occasion. Aparently it's at least some fun, or they wouldn't be doing it.

Yes, I've seen that too. But those layouts generally are HUGE in comparison to mine, so you're not alone running your trains with the dispatcher nextdoor. And there is usually a group of operators. To be two people (1 operator and 1 dispatcher) separated by walls would seem to be a boring ops session. I mean, where is the fun, the socialisation, the sharing of experiences when you're both alone ?

QUOTE:

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher
I understand how useful a computer interface can be; but I just cannot afford to have one (financially or in square-footage), so it is a sacrifice I am willing to make.

Keep in mind that dispatching isn't the only reason to use a computer with DCC. As I have mentioned before, decoder programming is much, much easier with a computer. Signalling is another possibility. Neither of those uses require another operator, or even the computer, in the layout room itself. See Joe Fugate's comments (Posted: 11 Jan 2006, 13:59:17) regarding DCC/computer interfaces.

Yes, I read Joe's posting, so I am aware of the many varied uses a computer interface with the DCC system can have.

QUOTE:

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher
Besides, I'd have to buy a new computer since the one I have can barely handle what little I ask of it now. So add to the cost of a Digitrax system the cost of a new computer (at least $600 CDN), and you're approaching the $800-1000 mark. I don't know about you, but, search as I might, I just can't find that kind of coin in the couch pillows.

A new computer is hardly needed. The computing (horsepower) needs are actually very slight. From what I've seen and heard, most dedicated layout computers are second-hand doorstops that were destined for a landfill. Mine certainly falls into that category.

If you knew how old and slow my computer was, you'd realise my predicament. [:(]

QUOTE:

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher
So, I ask those of you who are more experienced with DCC to please refrain from making condescending comments or personal insults when we "novices" ask for help in choosing a DCC system. Don't always assume we haven't done any previous research either. As I said above, we don't always feel it necessary to discuss all our other criteria and (personal) situations which may dictate/limit what options we have. We're just trying to make the best of our situation. While many of us dream of owning a private Leer jet; most of us are lucky if we can afford to fly coach once a year.

I can understand where you're coming from here, but you have to consider the "other side" as well. I don't know how many of these Brand X vs. Brand Y threads there are in these forums, and the same questions, same inaccuracies, and same "gee whiz" numbers almost always show up in each one of them. It gets to be a real bummer seeing the same fud over and over again.

As I've said : It is beyond frustrating trying to get accurate, objective information that is helpful in choosing a DCC system.