Looking to see if anyone here uses this system and opinions ( hopefully positive ) of it. Looking at possibly getting a new system, and am thinking this should work for me. I have read up on the Zepher, but think Prodigy may be a better system for me. Not looking to go NCE, or More expensive Digitrax as money is tight. Just looking for a good system that I will be able to run 2 maybe 3 locos at same time. ....Mike
Hey Mike, I've never used anything but the prodigy, so while I don't have anything to compare it to, I certainly have nothing bad to say about it. Honestly, when I was researching for a DCC system, what seems like eons ago, I wasn't expecting to get all that I did-if I'm not mistaken it's only a 3amp supply, but I've easily run 6 locos at a time on it, on level track on my old layout. Just started running trains on the new layout last night, two mains, two locos on outside line, two on inside line, ruling grade of 2.5% (ish) and not a hiccup in sight. In short, given your needs/wants, I would recommend Any other questions, start shouting :-D
If you want to stay with MRC then I would choose the PA2 over the Express. I my opinion the Express is a cripple system not worth its price. Here are some of its limitation. Only 1.6 amp. - Will not run locos back to back in a consist unless you built the consist manually or tinker with CV29. - No Universal consisting, this is an handy feature when using helper. - Will not read back CV. - No Fast Clock. - No routing. Jack W.
I am not that familiar with the Prodigy Express, but a friend using it on his large On30 home layout is quite happy with it. There doesn't seem to be a lot of price difference between the MRC PE, NCE PowerCab or the Digitrax Zephyr, so I would recommend downloading the manuals for each and studying them to see which seems to better suit you needs. The Digitrax Zephyr does seem to me to offer the most bang for your buck in entry level systems, although the new NCE console unit that has two built in throttles may beat it out. I haven't been able to research the new NCE unit enough yet to form an opinion. Both Digitrax and Lenz will support test running an analog loco using "zero-stretching" of the DCC, and although it is not recommended for long term operation, I find it can be handy at times. Another thing to consider is whether or not you are interested in wireless throttles (if so, NCE seems to an edge on the competition). I use a Lenz system 100 for my On30 modules, and my HO module group uses a Digitrax Chief. Personally, I like the Lenz over the Digitrax, but every system seems to have it's own group of fans. Bill in FtL
Jack, the PA2 is nice, but way out of expense budget, looks like about 100 bucks more on the avarage. The consisting problems dont really bother me as I run steam , and don't doublehead. The amp limit is a small worry, but I should be able to run 2 locos at a time with 1.6 amps, and possibly at times a third loco. I have a small layout, just 3' x 8' , and don't really plan on anything much larger. Fast clock or CV reading.....really probably won't miss it. The NCE dual unit looked nice to start with, but it is really not much more than what I have now. It looks really limited. Zepher.hmmmm looks like it would be diffficult to run two locos at the same time without getting an add on throttle.???? My only concern is how easy is it to run two trains with the P E ? I am assuming I will be able to store 10 locos in the throttle and be able to call them up ??? Haven't looked at the Lenz unit, I'll check out the web... ......Mike
Mike C: The Zephyr (not sure of the other manufacturers) have 2 jump ports on them which can utilize DC throttles. Made my old MRC throttle that was feeling sad and unloved feel useful again. I even set up an old Bachmann throttle for a total of 3 and it worked like a charm.
Mike now that I know your wants and needs I think the Express will be OK. As far as ease of use is concerned, the Prodigy is among the easiest on the market. Personally the lack of CV read back is a deal breaker for me. Jack W.
I did check out the Lenz unit today on the web. Looks like a great set-up and would probably work well for me too. But it is just a bit on the pricey side....Mike
Seriously. I use the PE. Inside loop : 3 LL SD7s. All powered. Outside loop : 2 LL PAs powered + 1 PB /w digitrax sound. 2.5* grade Yard : Trix H12-44 All at the same time. Don't see you having an issue. I never have issues.
Mike, I really like my Lenz, and although I bought it some 17 or 18 years ago, I have been having it upgraded whenever new upgrades came out, so it is still a pretty modern system. I agree with you though, that since Debbie Ames retired and Tony's took over the north American franchise, it has become unaffordable for me to consider buying a new unit. This is partly because now that Tony's is the US agent, they can no longer offer any discount, and also, Lenz seems to have raised their prices as well. Actually, the Prodigy Express seems to work pretty well for my friend, it turns out that I attended several operating sessions on his On30 layout before I discovered it was running with the Prodigy Express and not the Advance Squared. I understand the desire for the read back capability during programming, which you can get using a computer equipped with a SPROG II programming interface <http://www.sprog.us.com/> and free JMRI DecoderPro software. You can always add that later when you can afford it, or you can get a similar interface from MRC (which is slightly cheaper), but you'll be stuck with the MRC software, since by MRC's choice, they currently are not compatible with the JMRI software. Once I bought and started using my SPROG II, I never try to program with anything else! You can also run your layout with the more powerful SPROG 3 (2.5 amps) using an iPod, iPad, or Smart Phone with the appropriate app installed as a throttle. Bill in FtL
For a 3x8 layout, jmri seems like a bit much. I do use the mrc computer interface to throw routes. I find it easy to use. Jmri is a great interface. I looked into using it with my previous system, but felt like I needed a book just to get started. MRC interface is plug and play, with little to no setup. I do use decoder pro with a digitrax pr3 sometimes for readback during programming. I had the pr3 for use with digitrax sound decoders.
Some would argue that for a small layout, even using DCC seems like a bit much. However, the reality is that if you are dealing with MRC DCC control, then JMRI DecoderPro has nothing to do with the layout or the size of the layout, since MRC won't allow JMRI access to it's proprietary DCC source code so that DecoderPro could connect with the system and the layout. It is, however, a great way to program locomotives, and having a small layout doesn't necessarily mean having a small number of locomotives in your collection that will need programming. I use DecoderPro simply for programming locos, and reading back their CV's (especially helpful if you forget a loco's address). Like most things involving a computer, it may seem a bit intimidating when you first try to use it, but after you play with it for a while, you should be able to figure it out. Once you use it, I think you'll find the graphic interface makes programming a lot easier. If you get a SPROG interface to use with DecoderPro, on a small layout like a 3X8, you could even set it up using your computer to run your layout using the virtual throttle in the DecoderPro program, without even needing to have a separate DCC system. The biggest drawback I see to MRC is that their products are so proprietary. Bill in FtL
