I've been thinking about an MRC prodigy Express. I've seen them new for $99.99. But I remember reading nothing but negative messages about them. Their DC power packs are like the standard others are measured against. Can their DCC really be that bad ? Thanks, Dave
The MRC Prodigy Express has an amp rating of 1.6 amps of power. This can't complete with the Digitrax Zephyr which is Digitrax' low end DCC product. The Zephyr puts out 2.5 amps of power. The 1.6 amps of power is a bare minimum to run several trains. With any enlargement of a layout, this system doesn't have the power to provide when a layout is minimumally expanded. You get what you pay for at $99. Stay cool and run steam.....
Just try to ask yourself what do you really think you need? If you just have a small layout you might only be able to run a few locos and the Prodigy Express would be hard to beat for a beginner system. Sure beats Atlas and Bachman hands down for its capabilities. Plus, in the future it is upgradable to a PA by purchasing the PA handheld and a bigger power supply. About the only downside would be if you think you would want radio control, computer control, or you are going to join a club ( most of which seem to use Digitrax) then you might not want to go with the Prodigy. Why buy a Hummer to just use to run errands around town when all you really need is a Honda Civic?
I guess it's good for Digitrax, and bad for consumer's choice that they seem to be the one reccomended by far, more than any other brand. I see that MRC offers an 8 Amp supply, wouldn't that fix the current problem if my layout suddenly got large. It's small and "N" scale. I'm not trying to counter your advice or defend MRC, but I've seen on several web site boards, where they just get hammered by people. Often I'm told they Fry decoders other than their own. They've been at this awhile I would think if thats true it would be addressed. Well it looks like to err on the side of caution, Digitrax is the way to go. Thanks, Dave
Check out the NCE Power Cab at Litchfield Station or Tony's for $140. They have the same small power supply but they are suppose to be coming out with a 3 amp booster for $50-$60 I believe. No personal experience but people seem to be happy over all with NCE. Just another option...
I have the MRC DCC Prodigy basic / original. Now this system has some limitations, IE: only can have 4 cabs. But in my case they all worked in my favor. My layout isn’t big enough for more then 4 operators at a time. It is true that the Prodigy’s have wimpy power supplies. However this is largely due to a marketing ploy. MRC. Makes a power buster to replace the wimpy power supply that comes with the basic Prodigy systems. The MRC Power Station 8 Universal DCC Power Station has 8 AMPS at 166 Watts at 14 to 20 volts AC output. The watts aren’t the big deal it’s the 8 AMPS that you need for big layouts or like in my case big trains of G scale. Now for those of you who have not found the pricing on the adapter plates and cables…. I did not realize that MRC adapter / face plates where so BLEEPING expensive! I found in my case for all the cables and Y adapters plus the face plates that it ran almost $100 per 4 plug station. Now on my G scale layout I need 3 stations of 4 plugs in each room for a grand total of 6 stations. Now 6 x $100 = $600 that’s a lot! So I went to home depot and bought 150 foot of RJ45 8 conductor network cable and 2 packs of female RJ45 plugs and 10 plastic switch boxes with 10 face plates that each held 2 RJ45 female outlets per box. I spent a whooping $250 on all compared to the $600 I almost spent.
I feel MRC does get a bad rap. I started with the Prodigy and bought the PA. I have a 6x13x6 n scale layout and it does just fine. MRC is also comming out with a wireless version. I'm not trying to start a flame war just giving my opinion. BTW I've used a Digitrax system on someone else layout and it is top of the line. MRC just fit what I needed. PS I use a combo Digitrax and and Lenz decoders and never fried any.
Yes, and this is why I am most likely going NCE. Never heard anything but good about them, whereas I've heard a lot of people complain about Digitrax all the time, go with the PowerCab (1.7 Amps), or just upgrade to a Powerhouse Pro System with 5.0 Amps. The PowerCab supports both accesory decoders & route control, whereas the Prodigy Express does not. Digitrax's Zephyr, the 2.5 Amp system, doesn't support sound decoders or route control.
For $175 at Litchfield station you can get a Prodigy Advanced at 3.5amps With the hand help and very nice LCD display I think it surpasses the Zephyr and has a higher wattage than the NCE.
A smaller-amp unit's great for those who have small layouts, like the Z layout I'm planning. If you have a large layout, or larger scale trains, you need more amps, and power.
The NCE Powerhouse Pro is a fine DCC system. I considered it along with the Lenz 100 system. I stayed with Lenz because I already had a Lenz 01 Professional, which now supplies power in a second power district. The NCE system wasn't compatible with my Lenz accessory components which was another reason I stayed with Lenz. The NCE Powerhouse Pro at 5 amps will supply all the power necessary to run a medium to large layout. Stay cool and run steam.....
For another $50-$60 you can get a Lenz 90 system which is a much better DCC system than the Prodigy Advanced. Stay cool and run steam....
Hemi: A Digitrax Zephyr will provide you with plenty of power to spare (2.5 amps) to run your planned Z scale layout. Stay cool and run steam....
And I must add that NCE has the simplest interface out of all the systems I've used. Everything is right there on the procab, no futzing around with annoying knobs like Digitrax.
I'd have to say, I am still somewhat considering the Lenz 90. My only hang up is that the LCD display doesn't look near as nice as the NCE or MRC.
I'd have to say, I am still somewhat considering the Lenz 90. My only hang up is that the LCD display doesn't look near as nice as the NCE or MRC. </font>[/QUOTE]Sheldon: You can buy a LH100 Handheld for the Lenz 90 system. You get a fine system with a great warranty and support at a wonderful price. I have three LH 100's and have been using them for years. The LCD tells you everything you need to know. NCE, MRC and Digitrax can't match the Lenz warranty with all upgrades free, plus the wonder support of Debbie Ames at Lenz North America. Stay cool and run steam....
As far as the MRC Advanced, the unit is rated for 3.5 amps but only ships with a 2.5 amp power supply-if this is no longer the case correct me-so if you are planning on the extra amps you need to consider the extra cost of the Power Supply. There is some interesting reading on Tony's site about this. Apparently MRC was going to do a software Revision that would up the amps to 5A and Tony's was going to sell all of theirs with that revision and then at the last second MRC said they weren't going to do that with no explanation. This was back in 04. http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/mrc-prodigya-note0923.htm Second, on the Lenz system- If you consider buying a System 90 and then an LH100 it will cost about $40 or $50 more than buying a System 100 and then an LH090. Just a consideration if you think you might have a set up like that in the future.
the 10 year Lens warranty is very attractive. I'm going to World`s Greatest Hobby on Tour February 25 & 25, 2006 (this weekend) St. Paul RiverCentre Adult tickets are $9.00 and children under 16 are free! I hope to try Lens, MRC, Digitrax, etc.
Oh! Please post back what you think? I'm really interested to see how useful you think all the info on the MRC/NCE display is. I just noticed that the MRC also has a 'fast clock' display too. That might be neat if you are really into operations and keeping on schedule. I'm not, I don't do real operations scenarios (I don't how or where to begin), but never know if that might change down the road.
btw, I was at a train show in Oakdale, MN last Sat. It was the best show of of the last 3. a great O scale with a challenger & big boy, a huge N scale module layout from the same club that has ben at all of them, but they had more modules than ever. also a couple large HO module layouts. it was not busy when I was there, one guy decided to try and sell me on DCC. He was showing me 2 trains on same track running with whistles/horns, different speeds and directions. then he handed me the controller and told me to have fun I didn't expect that. I was in shock. That was pretty cool, and the digitrax 400 controller was pretty nice. nicer than I thought. but I'd like to try them all. Soon I to at the big Show this weekend. [ February 23, 2006, 10:09 AM: Message edited by: Kozmo ]
