Hi rksstl.
Same here, I'm surfing, sorry it took a while to get back to you.
To answer your questions:
i- Yes, The prodigy is very, very simple and easy to use. All the information is in front of you. No need to scrolled down a menu list . I run 3-4 trains at once and the problem I have is to keep track of who does what, where, and to prevent collisions.
Thank god for the emergency stop button
(1) No problems whatsoever. Actually I dropped it a few nights ago (I bumped into it while working on the layout) and it runs just fine
(2)Yes I do use soundtraxx decoder. Everyhting work as advertized; Bell, Horn, Coupling and Engine sounds = crystal clear and very cool
(2b) Programming is very limited. If you want to adjust the sound volume or turn it off-on you need to do it with soundtraxx DCC system. The prodigy won't do it for you. I have a friend who adjust the volume for me.
MRC decoders are available to work with the prodigy and you can program them "somewhat" for volume and other features by pressing a combination of F2 and F3 ect..
My next purchase will be MRC Sound Decoder. It has a special feature that when you press "coupling and F2 (I think) you get braking noise..
Should be fun.
Note: You can Plug up to 4 hand-held controller. If you have friends with the same thing you can all "operate" on the same DCC controller". Or you could get a spare hand-held when someone comes over and visit.
I still have to master the "consist setting" for speed adjusment, but it's coming along...