Where's the compromise?
Dear Lars,
In every such decision, one has to ask
"where am I making the compromise?"
- Sure, the MRC rig will allow "unplug and walk around" operation
- But the PowerCab will be compatible, bulletproof, stable, expandable, and supported for a long time to come.
For reference:
- My "train room" is 12 x 8
- I have a 1' deep shelf system along one of the "long sides" of the room
- I have a PwrCab PCP plate temp-mounted on the face of the shelf
(so, 1' away from the long wall, or "1' into the floor area of the room")
- And 4' along the shelf from the nearest "short wall"
And here's the kicker...
- The OEM STOCK 6-wire "PwrCab Cable" is 7' (2100mm) long...
Doing the maths (or in my case, literally having it physically mocked-up),
The stock cable PwrCab can _easily_ reach either end of your "11 x 8 L-shaped layout"...
...and making, say, a 8 or 10' cable "for just that little more reach" is but a length of 6-core phone or audio cable, and a pair or RJ12 connectors away
(I don't know what the US has in terms of "electronics stores" any more, but down here in Aust,
AUD$3 of 6-core wire and AUD$3 of RJ12 connectors will get you a 10' cable...
https://www.jaycar.com.au/6-wire-telephone-cable-3-pairs-sold-per-metre/p/WB1622
https://www.jaycar.com.au/rj12-telephone-plugs-for-stranded-cable-pk-5/p/PP1432
)
Once you're beyond the "single operator layout" stage,
adding a CAB0x, or a JMRI/WIFI extender is a cheap "future expansion" pathway which is clearly mapped-out and proven by many modellers before you...
It's Your choice, but the "just get a PwrCab crowd" aren't that way without very good and experience-proven reasons....
Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
PS presumably you'll also be using your DCC system for Programming/configuration, not just running.
The PwrCab is one of the most compatible (no "Prog Track Boosters" required),
"plain English readable", and reliable "programming track" systems going.
Good choice
Prodigy Express fits your stated requirements. I used the system starting 10 years ago with an apartment sized switching layout and it was fine. Simple, reliable, understandable. I now used the Prodigy Advance 2 on a half garage sized layout and have been happy with it. For two or three operators it works great and the learning curve is short.
Go for it.
To get a little picky here
Sine we’re going to hit dimensions I looked them up. Size, when including staging cassette at one end is closer to 10x12. Depth is likely 18”. Staging cassette is likely where the programming track will go. So with the stock cable I’m coming up 1.5-3.5 ft short, assuming zero slack. I agree that a custom cable around 9-10 would make the power cab work for me, but now I have a pile of cable to trip over at some points.
I’m not sold on the power cab, but I haven’t ruled it out 100% either. I do believe the good things I read about the product.
There seems to be a lot of hearsay on the MRC products and a lot of options seem to be based off of 10+ year old info, so it’s a bit harder to sort fact from fiction. I am glad to hear from the first hand users, which definitely helps in making a decision.
Not the squared version, but...
I have used every major DCC system out there, and I found that most people will go out of their way to tell you that their system is the best. They'll even make up statistics as to how anything else is a waste. But for me, I've always liked Prodigy Express, from the first time I ever used it on another layout. For the type of layout you mentioned, I feel its very user friendly and works very well for small layouts. I've never regretted getting it for my own layout.
Just get a Power Cab!
I am a firm believer and proud user of NCE products.
If your primary concern is that the cable must remain plugged in, remember the cord is 7 feet long. Putting the PCP toward the center of the layout will allow an effective range in either direction of about 12 feet give or take a bit.
I've used an MRC system once and the controller flimsy and did not feel as robust as a Power Cab. The cable for the MRC uses an 8-pin connector where NCE uses a standard RJ12 connector which is easily repairable if you happen to break off the locking tab.
The display in the Power Cab displays full words using dots as opposed to abbreviations with a bar-style LCD
And another big reason is NCE products are made in the USA! In fact their facility is a 10-15 ride from my house in suburban Rochester NY.
In a Coke & Pepsi world, the MRC Prodigy is RC Cola. Yeah, it'll do essentially what you want, but there's a reason why it's a distant third in popularity.
And they call it Express for a reason, it does not have all the features of an Advanced system.
Go NCE and don't look back!
consider customer service
The one thing I will say about NCE is they have unsurpassed customer service...If there is an issue they are on top of it until it is a non-issue. They have sent me parts FREE that they could have easily charged me for. For me, the customer service outweighs any other negatives.
I can not speak from experience with MRC DCC offerings so I have no idea how their customer service rates in comparison. I have heard things but won't repeat because it is just hearsay to me.
MRC
Good system. I have one of each, the Express and the PA2. The Express2 has newer firmware and is more like the Advanced2. Both systems are quite robust in my opinion but the controller has its flaws, mostly in the control knob as it uses an "encoder" rather than a "potentiometer" and does tend to fail faster. (I have had 2 replaced) But with MRC finally relaxing their protocols and allowing JMRI interface, that in of itself has been a big boost in my enjoyment of the system. I basically forgo the throttle and do everything through JMRI and WIFI now. I know your not interested in this part of it but it IS an option now!
Quote:
The cable for the MRC uses an 8-pin connector where NCE uses a standard RJ12 connector which is easily repairable if you happen to break off the locking tab.
This part is a misnomer because the NCE uses a 6 pin cable and MRC uses an 8 pin cable. Both which are available but I have had much better luck finding 8 pin cables than 6 pin. MRC uses nothing more than your basic Cat5 ethernet cable so getting replacements is just a trip to your local Walmart. AND your not stuck with a short cable! I have two wired throttles and both are on 25' cables that I purchased at the local thrift store so they are a lot easier to come by.
Price wise between the NCE PowerCab and the MRC Express2 is quite close so that is a none issue. Upgradability is the same for both. But then again how often do the manufactures upgrade the firmware. Expandibility, less costly for MRC vs. NCE. (my opinion) If you decide on the Pro cab system then you have to purchase the separate power supply whereas the Prodigy Advance comes with it.
Both systems are good and both have good points. I hope this helps.
I love my
I love my Express2 system! I started out with the Advanced2 but found it weak in the programing dept and needed a programing booster to do anything with a sound decoder. I got a PE2 and now I don't need the programing booster at all. Now I have four PE2's I got from friends that have passed away.
Here are some of the things I like about it:
Size: Its size makes it easy to mount with out a lot of fuss.
JMRI: Using the MRC Computer Interface, I have no problems running Decoder Pro through the PE2.
Throttle: I love the size of the throttle and the fact it has 13 function keys right on it! I also like the knob and the display. Plus you can extent the cord with any Ethernet cord that is a straight through type.
Program on the Main: I install decoders for a lot of people and clubs. PE2 throttle has a Program CVs on the Main button on it. I can speed match locomotives in just a few minutes thanks to this button, as well and change sound volume levels on the fly while the customer watches and can tell me if it's to loud or soft.
If you have a small layout of say 12x12 or even 20x20, it will work great. If you are getting over those sizes I would go with the NCE.
BTW, before anyone says anything I do have an NCE Power Cab that I really like. I got it because several of the clubs I visit once in a while have NCE and I can use my Power Cab if they are short on club throttles. If I didn't like the MRC so much I would have NCE, but never ever Digitrax. My club and several friends have Digitrax and they have lots of trouble with it, plus they bring their locos to me for programing since they all find programing with Digitrax to complicated.
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