Just got this in an email from trains.com. Hope this will help HermanzGermanz. http://shops.trains.com/product.asp?idMerchant=1042&idGUID=&idProdCat=26&idProduct=29274&Size= I hope that link works. If not, you can go to trains.com and find the MRC decoder link. They're selling em for ten bucks if you order ten or more, a little more if you order less than ten. There's also a description of what they will (or should I say won't) do.
I have 2 of those decoders that I spent $35 each on. They are not very good as decoders go, limited addresses, and crude speed steps. I put them in my RDC's and they ran just terrible, leaping to full speed in just 2 speed steps. I took them out and put them in my F7's and they performed better. If you get them I would recommend using them in your heavyer locomotives for best performance, and the price does make them attractive. On a more positive note, I do have 2 of the MRC HO decoders in a couple Kato Mikes that run just fine!
Yeah, but for $5 more you can have a Digitrax DH121 that does all of it (128 speed steps, long addresses etc.), and works well to boot. I'm glad to see that steps are being taken to make cost less of an issue in buying DCC, but having "grown up" with a Digitrax Chief system I can't see myself ever buying anything less. To my mind the DCC system (or other form of control) is the core of a layout, without it the trains just sit there and look good. You never even notince a good system, because it does the job and you focus on the trains, but a bad one has you tearing your hair our trying to even make a locomotive move. Where I'm going with all this is that if there is one piece of your railroad empire that is worth getting the best, it's the control system. And for that reason, when I get track down, I'm buying a Digitrax Cheif II.
