Advice for choosing Handheld Scanner

[skatertj]

Hey everyone,
Im looking for some advice on handheld scanners. I have yet to own one and have a feeling my parents might be looking for one for me this year. I just need some advice on which one to ask for!!
I listen to the tulsa area mainly(800mhz trunk system) and i have heard from others in this area that recommend the Uniden BCD396XT. This area is not yet full digital but is going to become full digital anytime i believe. Heres what id like to hear from everyone, what digital handhelds you all recommend and which NON digital you guys recommend. Im not worried about programming or signal strength. I have plenty of signal around here!! I just want to everyones opinon on handheld models so I can narrow it down to one scanner to give hints for!! Haha

Thanks everyone!

[W8RMH]

I vote for the BCD396XT. I carried a BCD396T for 6 years and recently upgraded to the XT. Get digital now you will definitely need it in the future.

[Sportster77]

I have and like the GRE PSR-800 and my B-I-L has the the RS PRO-96, I believe,and it worked great for him until the operator (B-I-L) messed things up.

[gr8rcall]

My vote goes for Pro-106!

[skatertj]

Ok so im not too interested in the PSR-800 just because i like to be able to do more and Im not worried about programming the scanner. So with that being out, It kinda narrows it to only 3 digital handhelds. BCD396XT, Pro-106 and PSR-500. I really like the size and look of the Uniden but i have heard it doesnt scan as fast as the 106 and isnt as sensitive. In my area, all the signals are very strong and i drive through the city all day, so maybe thatll help. The PSR-500 i have heard isnt as good as the Pro-106.
What would you all think?

[awattam]

Originally Posted by skatertj

Ok so im not too interested in the PSR-800 just because i like to be able to do more and Im not worried about programming the scanner. So with that being out, It kinda narrows it to only 3 digital handhelds. BCD396XT, Pro-106 and PSR-500. I really like the size and look of the Uniden but i have heard it doesnt scan as fast as the 106 and isnt as sensitive. In my area, all the signals are very strong and i drive through the city all day, so maybe thatll help. The PSR-500 i have heard isnt as good as the Pro-106.
What would you all think?

I have a Uniden BCD396XT and love it. I find that by adjusting the squelch a little that the sensitivity improves immensely. Its hard to program talkgroups and control channels in my opinion but you can get Freescan software (which is free) and a $30 approx USB cable and it will be easier to program it. I did like my Pro-106 but had to sell it and just didn't want to buy the same thing again. Sort of my `been there done that' attitude. I always thought that the PRO-106 was the same as a PSR-500 but maybe I am wrong.

Short answer, both are great scanners and you'll find that just like the Coke/Pepsi thing, some will prefer one over the other.

[skatertj]

Yea that makes sense about the coke/pepsi thing! Im really just looking too see what people think of these scanenrs. Like you awattam, youve owned both and can speak on the 106 and 396xt about how they compare. I like the size and looks of the 396xt but then i wonder if the 106 could be better... Im not worried about simulcast systems so the decode isnt going to be a factor. Just sensitivity and i guess scan rate.

[Spitfire8520]

Originally Posted by skatertj

The PSR-500 i have heard isnt as good as the Pro-106.

I'm not so sure of this statement. While I have never seen or used the PSR-500, GRE manufactures the Pro-106 and should be the exact same as the PSR-500, hardware and all. The only difference is the external placement of the display/keys/speaker. It's a little bit more expensive for the PSR-500 (when the Pro-106 is on sale) but that's also because it includes accessories that RadioShack wants you to buy separately like the programming cable and AC power adapter. If you do end up deciding on the Pro-106, make sure you get it on a sale as it can easily be close to $350 dollars or less (I got mine at $300 new).

As for comparisons between the GRE vs Uniden, you may want to take some time reading both of the Easier to Read manuals for either scanner to get a feel of all the features the scanners offer as well as get a feel of how either one works.

Easier to Read Pro-106/197/PSR500/600 Digital Scanner Manual
Easier to Read BCD396XT Digital Scanner Manual

[russellmaher]

Well skaterj, you're going to have to read up on both GRE and Uniden and see which one strikes your fancy, but my vote is for Uniden.

I've had (sold them) handhelds from RS in the past and then I saw the BCD396T in a radio shop and saw it working and that did it for me. I've been running it for the past six years and although it's a little beat up in the looks department, it still works just fine. When I finally pull the trigger on an updated scanner, it will surely be the 396XT. And after that, I just might try out the HP-1....this little unit has me under its spell, also.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth. Lucky guy having parents like that. Good luck!

Russell

[skatertj]

Originally Posted by Spitfire8520

I'm not so sure of this statement. While I have never seen or used the PSR-500, GRE manufactures the Pro-106 and should be the exact same as the PSR-500, hardware and all. The only difference is the external placement of the display/keys/speaker. It's a little bit more expensive for the PSR-500 (when the Pro-106 is on sale) but that's also because it includes accessories that RadioShack wants you to buy separately like the programming cable and AC power adapter. If you do end up deciding on the Pro-106, make sure you get it on a sale as it can easily be close to $350 dollars or less (I got mine at $300 new).

As for comparisons between the GRE vs Uniden, you may want to take some time reading both of the Easier to Read manuals for either scanner to get a feel of all the features the scanners offer as well as get a feel of how either one works.

Easier to Read Pro-106/197/PSR500/600 Digital Scanner Manual
Easier to Read BCD396XT Digital Scanner Manual

As far as differences go in the 500 vs 106, i heard the speaker isn't as good? Idk, i read it somewhere before on the forums. I did originally want the 500 since it came with all the accessories but i remember not wanting it after hearing about a few differences. Like one being the 500 doesn't feel as solid as the 106? Idk i could be getting them backwards or mixed with another scanner.

I will look at both the manuals. My biggest concerns I suppose are, which would be considered the better scanner? Uniden seems less sensitive but better for a city environment like what I am in, while the 106 i hear scans faster.

Originally Posted by russellmaher

Well skaterj, you're going to have to read up on both GRE and Uniden and see which one strikes your fancy, but my vote is for Uniden.

I've had (sold them) handhelds from RS in the past and then I saw the BCD396T in a radio shop and saw it working and that did it for me. I've been running it for the past six years and although it's a little beat up in the looks department, it still works just fine. When I finally pull the trigger on an updated scanner, it will surely be the 396XT. And after that, I just might try out the HP-1....this little unit has me under its spell, also.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth. Lucky guy having parents like that. Good luck!

Russell

I love the look of the uniden scanners. They just look way more appealing to me and more high tech but that is just looks. I do have a RS scanner now which does get overloaded sometimes and it makes me want to try uniden again since its been so long since ive had one.
If they actually hook me up with one, ill be very happy! Mother has just said my father might be getting me one. I keep throwing hints everyday haha. Way current scanner cant do rebanding and my area is now switching as i type this so i have been throwing out hints that my scanner soon wont scan much around here!! Im hoping i can get one or atleast money to go towards another soon!

[KD2DLL]

I personally recommend the 396XT. I use a 346XT because I don't really need digital. I plan to get a 396XT in the near future though. Just my 2 cents.

[skatertj]

Ok so do you all think the BCD396XT is a better scanner than the PSR-500/Pro-106? Im starting to wonder what will be a better choice. If im correct, the 500/106 is newer? That being the case, Are they better?

Here is some of the things that draw me to the uniden:
Smaller
Looks well built
Never heard complaints on the SMA connector becoming loss
Different color display(not stuck on orange)

The 500/106 seem to be a nice, good scanners but my worries are that since GRE is closing or already has, support will be non-existent, I worry the BNC connector will become loss on me and fail as ive read has happened to some, im not a big fan of the orange display either... They are all good scanners but which could be considered better?

[GrumpyAeroGuy]

I have a PSR500, and am happy with it. I haven't had the opportunity to play with the comparable Uniden, to be fair.

It turns out that I am in an area of one of the most challenging P25 simulcast systems to monitor, this according to GRE Americas themselves (just my luck, eh?). It is a many-site simulcast system, and the distortion and overload make it hit or miss on that counties system. The neighboring counties all do quite well, and, in fact, the challenging county works OK, just not all of the time. IT does get a little frustrating though, to be honest. This is a SITE problem more than it is a GRE problem. That much I believe.

I have heard that BOTH uniden and GRE suffer from multi-site simulcast distortion, again, to be fair. I guess it won't be known till you actually try it in your area. Maybe try on the state forum for your area. Ask folks using either which one seems to work better for what you want to monitor most.

Overall, I prefer the PSR500 over the Pro106 (both are, for the most part, identical with minor differences --- as GRE makes/made them for RS). The PSR500 comes out of the box with the programming cable. Purchased seperately, the programming cable will set you back a few dozen $$s, I think. The GRE model just has it in the box already.

I use Win500 to program mine (also costs a modest fee for a license --- well worth it IMO). Of course, a premium subscription, here, I consider a must to DL and program the PSR500 via RR.com. Win500 and RR made programming a breeze for me.

Also, may want to snoop here:

Mark's Scanners

Maybe you can compare the "easier to read" manuals for BOTH here and see which one seems to appeal to you more.

Not sure you could go wrong wither way.

Also, either way, you will want to get the RS 800Mhz ducky. I think almost everyone agrees that it beats the "supplied" antenna for EITHER unit....

Let us know what you get and how it works for you...

[pdfdems286]

i highly recommend the bcd396xt as the digital. i highly recommend the bc346xt as the analog.
although i have, and really like the psr-500/psr-310, i find myself using the bcd396xt. although the psr-500 is supposed to slightly trump the bcd396xt in simulcast, i really can't comment there.
the psr-310 does milair, while the bc346xt does not. how well it does it,is open to debate.
if you have the extra bucks,go for the digital. more frequency coverage too. i highly recommend the fine folks at scannermaster. they will price match the lowest advertised price <from a reputable dealer>. also, thru the month of december, they will ship free. between tax and shipping, you will probably save about $40.00.

both the 346/396 come with everything you would need, to get the scanner up and running.

[skatertj]

Ok so it seems to be a higher amount of likes for the uniden. I will keep an eye out on sales this month and see what happens around christmas time. Obviously any of these scanners will be better than the only one i currently have!!! Soon as how it doesnt even support rebanding... But hobby has to grow in some way!!!

[KD2DLL]

Originally Posted by skatertj

Ok so it seems to be a higher amount of likes for the uniden. I will keep an eye out on sales this month and see what happens around christmas time. Obviously any of these scanners will be better than the only one i currently have!!! Soon as how it doesnt even support rebanding... But hobby has to grow in some way!!!

Look on scanner master. They have 2 holiday bundles with the 396XT. One comes with the scanner, hometown programming, and a case. The other has the scanner, USB programming cable, programming software and the easier to read manual. I personally would say to get the one with the cable. You seem like you have enough experience that you won't have any problems programming it yourself. That way you can make changes as you want as well.

Plus, if you become a premium member on here($30 a year) you can directly import systems info right into the software.

[skatertj]

Alright i will go ahead and look at their bundles! Yea, I currently have ARC300 for my Pro-2055 and Ive only had the software for a few months. Before that, i programmed everything by hand. It really wasnt bad but i know my way around scanners pretty well!! Right now im just trying to see what everyone thinks are good scanners to try and ask for this year since my parents might actually hook me up with one! Nice to get one instead of working and saving parts of paychecks to try and get a digital lol

[KD2DLL]

Yeah i know what you mean. Im slowly saving up for one, but I don't really need one because the main areas I listen to are not digital. There is one county in range that is digital so I want to get a digital one. Its kind of stalled though now, because my boss sold the gas station I worked at and the new owner fired everyone.

[GrumpyAeroGuy]

Originally Posted by alexkaczor

... because my boss sold the gas station I worked at and the new owner fired everyone.

lovely......

[skatertj]

Yep, I just moved to oklahoma from kansas and I have been waiting to get another job. Hard to get after not looking for 3 years haha. Made me forget how hard it is to actually get one...