Anyone using an MRC Prodigy Elite 10 amp system for O scale 2 rail?
I've pretty much narrowed my choices to the MRC 10 amp or NCE 10 amp.
I'll be operating alone mostly.
Just looking for some honest opinions.
Thanks.
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I would go with the NCE if it were me. A number of guys in my group have found that MRC does not always follow the NMRA standards. They sometimes use CVs on their decoders differently than the standard, and they do not document this. This has been the experiences in our group.
NCE on the other hand has been rock solid for the users in our group. And the system is expandable to whatever size you want. Also NCE will upgrade the components if need be in the future for a reasonable cost. At least they have done that so far.
Years back I had problems with the MRC Prodigy System reading back cv settings. It would program them just not read them which I found very annoying.
NCE will do it all 
Gentlemen, thanks for the information.
Since I first posted, I did decide to go with NCE.
What , if any sound can you use with said NCE 10 amp. ????
I love my MRC system. The reading back of the CV's is a function of the decoder and not the the system. some decoders will not read back, Bachmann and older low end MRC's with some of the older digitrax not supporting read back as well. As for the decoder not following NMRA standards again that is a function of the decoder and not the system. If all you want to do is run trains then the MRC is the way to go. The system is stupidly simple and a 6 year old could use it with ease. The instructions to run the whole system are actually printed on the back side of the remote.
I have this system and it works great with my MTH PS-3 locomotive's
Originally Posted by Matt Makens:
I love my MRC system. The reading back of the CV's is a function of the decoder and not the the system. some decoders will not read back, Bachmann and older low end MRC's with some of the older digitrax not supporting read back as well. As for the decoder not following NMRA standards again that is a function of the decoder and not the system. If all you want to do is run trains then the MRC is the way to go. The system is stupidly simple and a 6 year old could use it with ease. The instructions to run the whole system are actually printed on the back side of the remote.
That's not true as read the QSI Quantam NMRA DCC Reference Manual Version 5.1.0 dated February 4, 2013 page 395 in appendix 1 "Recommended DCC Command Stations". It states "MRC does not provide a separate programming function. All programming is done in Ops mode with no acknowledgement feedback".
I don't know about you but I like to be informed about a programming change via verbal/ visual acknowledgement. Not just a I guess it took sort of system. For that I'll stick with NCE whereas the cv change is clearly shown on the handhelds screen when in ops mode.
Originally Posted by CRH:
Originally Posted by Matt Makens:
I love my MRC system. The reading back of the CV's is a function of the decoder and not the the system. some decoders will not read back, Bachmann and older low end MRC's with some of the older digitrax not supporting read back as well. As for the decoder not following NMRA standards again that is a function of the decoder and not the system. If all you want to do is run trains then the MRC is the way to go. The system is stupidly simple and a 6 year old could use it with ease. The instructions to run the whole system are actually printed on the back side of the remote.
That's not true as read the QSI Quantam NMRA DCC Reference Manual Version 5.1.0 dated February 4, 2013 page 395 in appendix 1 "Recommended DCC Command Stations". It states "MRC does not provide a separate programming function. All programming is done in Ops mode with no acknowledgement feedback".
I don't know about you but I like to be informed about a programming change via verbal/ visual acknowledgement. Not just a I guess it took sort of system. For that I'll stick with NCE whereas the cv change is clearly shown on the handhelds screen when in ops mode.
I agree with Matt. Not everyone wants or needs to get in the weeds with every cv under the sun.
The MRC systems are pretty much bullet-proof and simple to use. Although, I've found using a programming booster helps with reading back settings.
Rusty
Acknowledgment feed back and decoder read back are not the same thing. Most decoders worth a salt will flash the lights when a CV is written
Originally Posted by My train book:
I have this system and it works great with my MTH PS-3 locomotive's
So I am curious, who else out there uses DCC for 3 rail O gauge?
Lou N
Ive thought about it for consistency in control but its actually cheaper to use DCS and Legacy than to upgrade all the locos
Originally Posted by Matt Makens:
Ive thought about it for consistency in control but its actually cheaper to use DCS and Legacy than to upgrade all the locos
Thanks Matt....
Anybody else?
Lou N
Chuck, I don't understand what QSI is saying. I have 2 MRC's, one on my layout and one in a bench tester I made. It so DOES have a programming mode as well as a read back mode and then the ops mode. The Quantum has been around a while and perhaps they were referring to the original MRC DCC system (can't remember the name of it).
Peter
