I have long-been consireding a DCC system that is both simple to use and includes a walkaround throttle. Up-pops the new MRC equipment on BLW's "new products" page, and I admit- thought I am not a fan of their decoders, I am intrigued by the new DCC systems. Any opinions or reviews, guys & gals? http://blwnscale.com/MRC Prodigy DCC.htm
And a follow-up question; is if I get the Tech 6 Sound controller, with the walkaround Tech 6 throttle to run DCC (I can't imagine running more than 6 locos/consists), will I be able to run the sound decoders from the walkaround? Otherwise the Prodigy Express w/ walkaround is looking rather nice for the price....
I started out with the Prodigy Express, and sent it in for an upgrade a couple months ago and upgraded it to a Prodigy Advanced Squared system. I can only contest for it, because it was/is my first, and not fair to compare it to other's because I am not familiar with the others. But, I like it. I like the handheld controller. It's pretty easy to understand, and so far has not failed me yet. I have had it for almost 2 years now. As far as functionality, can't compare to others, but it has suited my needs. It is very user friendly if you don't plan to get real deep into the digital electronics and commands of it. I would recommend it to start with. You can get used Prodigy Express units that will get ya started for under $100 from others that are trading up. Cheap investment to get your feet wet, and if you decide to go with one of the higher end systems, you aren't out much and write it off as just a learning stepping stone expense. Or, you can upgrade it easy and cheap enough like I did, and stay with the MRC, and not have to write it off. Im sure there are better more sophisticated systems out there, but it meets my needs for my small layout.
*southern drawl here* Yep, I kinda jus' like runnin' trains around, in a circle... yessir I reckon I do. I appreciate the advice- my layout won't be small but it will be simple. The Atlas basic (and I mean BASIC) DCC box I have now doesn't show enough on the readout, and I want to use the cab numbers off my locos for their addresses..... so I need 4 digit consisting. Almost everything I own is NP so no numbers match which makes it easy. I also have lit numberboards on all my geeps and most of my F's so that also helps.... Anyone else with stories about 'em, good or bad?
I will preface this with the fact that I have not purchased a DCC system YET. I have on the other hand used a friends older MRC Prodigy a couple times and had the chance to use an NCE PowerCab, Digitrax Zephyr, and Super Chief at a shop. I tried a few basic functions (start/stop, programmed an address and consisting) on the two in the shop but only ran a couple trains with the MRC unit. To me the NCE unit felt better and I had more control. The Zephyr isn't mobile but can be with a similar controller to the Super Chief, which worked OK but didn't seem as "user friendly." My friend likes his MRC but it's an older version and he wants to upgrade it but can't. He has said that if he did it again he would have gone with the NCE, again for the feel and ease of the controller. When I do get a DCC unit I'll start with the Power Cab and as my needs progress I can build it into a wireless ProCab (more power and a few additional features) a peice at a time.
It appears that the Tech 6 is NOT a DCC system. It's some kind of extension of their Black Box product that allows control of sounds while running on DC. Apparently you can not control multiple locos without the handheld. It's not clear to me how the handheld does that either (i.e. how the layout would be wired).
New poster, *long* time lurker... but a satisfied MRC user. I purchased the Prodigy Express several years ago to handle a 10'x12' round the walls layout (HO), primarily for solo operation, and it has worked great. I've since purchased the Wireless throttle and absolutely love it. I echo all of Tudor's comments about ease of use and general approval of the MRC design. You're dealing in N, so you likely won't have this problem as there aren't too many QSI N decoders, but the MRC system and QSI don't like each other too much - I've had trouble programming my QSI decoders, even problems getting the address set correctly. I've had to do all the bit computing myself and adjust the appropriate CVs. Other than that, everything works great. I'm actually considering getting the PC adapter - I'd love to do programming on my desktop near the layout rather than via the throttle. I can't speak to the Tech 6 line of products... but looking at the MRC site and the manuals for those products, they almost look like "DCC Lite." They are obviously built for dual-mode control (DC and DCC), but it looks like they lose a lot of the elegance of a full DCC system. I'd personally not consider the Tech 6 line, even though the price is cheaper. A question to Tudor: How exactly do you send in your system for an upgrade? I wouldn't mind doing that, but I didn't realize that was possible. Is there a documented procedure on their site? (I can't seem to find one)
I have never used the MRC DCC systems nor do I know anyone that has.... and therein lies the rub. It really isn't a big seller, at least in the Chicago area. I have operated on many railroads and used SystemOne/North Coast, CVP Products Easy DCC, Lenz, and DigiTrax DCC on layouts large and small. Our NTRAK club started out with a SystemOne and moved over to Lenz because of the inexpensive wireless phone/throttle converter. All the systems are about the same from a control standpoint. The main difference is the design of the throttles and their ease of operation. Nobody has made the "ideal" DCC throttle IMHO. All require a varying degree of eye contact to operate which is a distraction from running trains. In my experience North Coast has the most intuitive user interface. DigiTrax has some nice throttles and I especially like the ones with the analog locomotive assignment controls. MRC has had three major systems since they got into DCC and I don't think any of them are up to the industry leading standard of their powerpacks. For a small home layout I recommend the DigiTrax Zephyr. It is upwardly compatible with the entire DigiTrax line and has a feature that allows you to use two analog power packs as extra DCC cabs... a big cost savings. It will support the cab bus and any other accessory that DigiTrax offers including radio throttles. DigiTrax is very aggressive in bringing out new products but is very good about not obsoleting their existing product. I would poke around your area and try to determine if there are other DCC users and what systems they use. It is always good to have a local support group even if you are good with technology. See if there are any operating groups you can get into, not only will you enjoy them but you'll get to road test systems and see what you like or dislike about them before making a buy decision. DigiTrax is not one of my clients nor are any other DCC manufacturers. Charlie Vlk
I contacted Larry (if I remember his name) at their tech support. Then I sent my control box and power supply (wall wart) into them with a check for $50 ($25 for power upgrade, and $25 for software/firmware upgrade). The power upgrade, I think is just a new 3amp power supply (new bigger wall wart). When I got my box back, it came back with a bigger power supply, the same one for their advanced systems, and also they sent back my little wall wart (express power supply). With the software upgrade, your box will have all the functionability of the Advanced Squared system. It's crammed in the same express box, so it looks the same, but electronically, and functionally it is an Advanced Squared system. The only difference is if you are still using the Express hand held, it can not use all the functions of the upgraded control box, so you would need to buy an advanced handheld throttle to use all the functions. I did not buy ann Advnaced throttle though, I control all the advnanced features via my Laptop. I bought an interface to connect the laptop. Also, you would want to buy an extension plate too if you want the added jack. If you are only using one handheld though, you wont need that.. BTW: You will not find those procedures on their website. They do offer that service, but it is not mainstream, and it is only if you ask about it. I assume it is because if everyone knew they do that, they would spend the $50 for the upgrade rather then spend the $250 for an Advanced Squared system. If you spend the $50, and another $80 or so for the advnaced handheld throttle, you are still about half the cost of buying the retale Advanced Squared system...
Actually, the Tech 6 and the Black Box ARE DCC, despite MRC specifically stating that they are not. The Black Box is a DCC controller, but it can only control one locomotive address (address '3'). In fact, to run a DC locomotive, you have to remove the Black Box from the curcuit. Similarly, the Tech 6 is also a single address DCC controller, at least out of the box. With the optional walkaround throttle you can control a few more addresses. The Tech 6 does have the added ability to program decoder CVs and to operated DC locomotives by switching mdoes. Personally, I would not recommend getting the Tech 6. For the price of the Tech 6 and walkaround throttle you would have spent as much as some starter DCC sets, but for a lot fewer features. If you do go with the Tech 6 and then decide you would prefer a full-featured DCC system, the Tech 6 components can not be used with any other DCC system, not even MRC's Prodigy line, so it would be wasted money. If you want the ability to run DC locomotives, just use a DPDT switch to switch between a DCC system and a DC power pack.
I hadn't heard of the Tech 6. It seems MRC has targeted a very specific market with this product: people who run only one train at a time, but have decoder-equipped locos. It will be interesting to see how many they sell. If you want something similar to the Atlas system, with 4-digit address capability, have you considered Lenz? Their market share seems to be dwindling, but they have a good product and the price is reasonable.
I love the idea of having a much more advanced system, but in all honesty I simply wouldn't use it! I also have friends and my fiancee who like to play with 'em form time to time, so it makes simplicity a necessity. I'll ignore the Tech 6 because of its limitations, and I think I'll go with the express system because it has more features than I think I'll need! I'll just add power booters down the tracks, the layout plans are at about 14' by 3' right now..... a single main with a couple runarounds and perhaps a PTP for the logging mill. That would be cool..... Wonder if I can hide a figure 8 of track around the layout so I can run a little shay with a few old logging spines.....
