DCC Impulses Column - 2
All of the current MRC DCC systems include the “Prodigy”
moniker. The following words differentiate the various systems.
The number 2 as part of the name is really a superscript 2. As
such it reads “squared,” as in “Prodigy Advance Squared”.
Specifications
Table 1 summarizes the specifications of the current MRC systems.
1. MRC Prodigy system comparison, from the MRC
website.
System
Express
2
Advance
2
Elite
MRC part
number
1420
1414
1417
MSRP
$230.00
$440.00
$550.00
Street price
$158.00
$290.00
$390.00
DCC amps
1.6
3.5
1 to 10
adjustable
DCC volts
14.5
14.5
14.5
Power supply
Included
Included
Included
Power mains
110 V 60 Hz 110 V 60 Hz Worldwide
Number of
throttles
32
99
99
Short
addresses
1 - 127
1 - 127
1 - 127
System
Express
2
Advance
2
Elite
Long
addresses
1 - 9999
1 - 9999
1 - 9999
Non-decoder
loco
Not
supported
Not
supported
Not
supported
Functions
28
28
28
Speed steps
14 / 28 / 128 14 / 28 / 128 14 / 28 / 128
Write CVs,
where?
Program /
Main
Program /
Main
Program /
Main
Read CVs,
where?
Program Program Program
Wireless
Upgrade
available
Upgrade
available and
available as
a complete
radio system
(higher price)
Upgrade
available
Look and feel
Let me comment on system operation. The current MRC line
[1] has two different throttles with three paint schemes. The
Prodigy Advance
2
and the Prodigy Elite share a similar button
layout with a bit different graphics, as can be seen in photos [3]
and [4]. The Prodigy Express
2
throttle [2] face is identical, except
for the functionality of the six buttons just below the display.
Here come the differences: The Prodigy Advance
2
and
the Prodigy Elite throttles have a blue back-lit display.
MRH-Oct 2014
