If you have one... or if you've seen one in operation... please tell me about it's performance, reliability and any good or bad things about it compared to any other systems out there. I just bought one and want to be prepared for the good-- the bad-- or the ugly. Thanks.
I use mine about 4 times a week and have no problems with it. I originally bought mine as a advance, but sent it in to be upgraded to a squared for $50. I has all the power I need for the moment for my home layout, as it is. I run at least 4 sound locos and have others idling with no loss of power or overload. I am greatly satisfied with my purchase of this system. I can get a power station 8, 8 amp power supply for a section for only $105 here http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82034 I can get an advance2 extra handheld cab for $83 here http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83829
Hello Mr. Crusoe... my name is Friday. Thanks for the links for the booster and extra cab. 3.5 amp is standard with the Prodigy Advance and Advance Squared... do we need more than 3.5 amps? It seems that the other makers of DCC have 5 amps as the base system... with 8 or 10 amps as upgrades. I doubt I'll run more than 10 engines at a time... but may have several idling along the line. Hmmm... we may be the only ones on the Island of 'Prodigy Advance Squared'. I don't see any reason for me to get anything more powerful (or more expensive) than this system. However, one of the problems we could encounter is a lack of users for this brand of DCC... which could prevent future upgrades or improvements. One of the reasons to go with the most popular systems is to take advantage of the power in numbers. More users of a particular system 'usually' means the manufacturer will continue to improve and expand the system capabilities. The worst case scenario is that we find it becomes obsolete in a few years compared to other manufacturers products. At least we will have saved a couple of hundred bucks to invest in a new system.
Joe- I forgot what scale you are in, and how many trains you expect to run. A 3.5A system is pretty hefty. The 'starter' systems from NCE and Digitrax both put out a bit less than that. I would not be surprised if you never need more. If you do, the booster side of things is where ther systems are all compatible (or should be, if they follow the rules), so you'll have lots of choices if you ever need more. As far as upgrades and such, the important side is on the throttle side. That's where the proprietary stuff is. On the track side (output of the command station) everything should play together, no matter who it is from. Boosters being the most significant item in this category. Jeff Depending on how many throttles you plan to end up with, and how much power you'll need the NCE PowerCab might end up cheaper. The starting system can be had for less than $150, an additional throttle for around $70 or $80. It's a 2.5 A system, so it may well be enough, and you'll have 2 throttles for only about $20 more.
Gee... I thought 3.5A was wimpy. N Scale... Would like to run two or three consists of 4 engines each simultaneously and have a small yard cab (for a small yard/roundhouse) active while trains run on mainline/branchline. I expect two or three cabs total. Reality is that this layout isn't very large at 16.5' x 4'(at widest). About 150'-200' of track (total including yard/sidings).
I run 6 locos and have 3 more idling. All this on the Prodigy Express 1.5 amp system. I use the Prodigy Advanced throttle and the Express throttle for guests. To me, 3.3 amps is over kill. Ray
