Myself and a couple friends attended the iHobby Expo in Chicago in October. We spoke with AMB there about their new system. The new decoder is 100% backwards compatible with our current transponders. He did however claim that it would not work with the MRT clones. He didn't elaborate on that, but if I had to guess it probably just means that the new system will block or ignore the 20 preset numbers that are available on the MRT transponders. I would guess that if you had your personal number cloned, that your clone transponders will still work. Again this is just a guess on my part. I just don't see how the system could possibly identify a true personal clone.
The new system does offer some neat features. The decoder is capable of connecting to an internet connection and uploading lap times in real-time to their website. So you can run some practice and go back to your pit, log-on, and view your stats. I believe this can be done without the use of their software, but of course their are added benefits if you do so. However as I recall their software is and additional $1320. I know...big shock.
Though the system does offer a few cool perks I still think it is FAR too expensive. They kept telling us how they could offer a $1000 discount if we were to trade in our old decoder. Thats all fine and good, but it just isn't worth $2k to add a few online features. Features that could easily be built into 3rd party software such as RCScoringPro and used with existing systems.
One thing that really cracked me up is that the guy we were talking with, who I'm pretty certain is the owner, seemed somewhat stumped as to why they aren't selling many transponders. We flat out told him that they were just too expensive, and he went into some speech about how manufacturing costs have driven up the price. Personally I think that is a total line of crap. I see no way possible that those things could possibly have more than a few dollars worth of parts and labor in them. If they do, I think he should look for someone else to do the manufacturing.
Anyway, I hope this puts some of your fears to rest.