Remaining In-Stock Inventory GRE PSR800 - Page 2

RadioDaze · #21 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 1:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramathorne

Anyone know where I can pick one of these up?
Must ship to Canada!

You might ask this fellow if he would ship to you:
QRZ Forums - GRE PSR-800

MK · #22 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 3:55 PM

I am still undecided regarding whether or not to buy a PSR-800. With the inventory gradually being depleted I am inclined to buy one of the units. However, the reports of poor battery life and the fact that I rarely buy handhelds is influencing me not to hold on to my money. What should I do? Anyone have a recommendation?

IowaGuy1603 · #23 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 4:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK

I am still undecided regarding whether or not to buy a PSR-800. With the inventory gradually being depleted I am inclined to buy one of the units. However, the reports of poor battery life and the fact that I rarely buy handhelds is influencing me not to hold on to my money. What should I do? Anyone have a recommendation?

I use it via plug in almost exclusively.................but even so I keep 2 sets of batteries ready for each of the 2 800's I own (one in the scanner and one in a separate charger)

The ability to take it with me if I want to be mobile is worth the battery hassle.

The other thing is--------------the radio works!!!!!! And it is the only one that will do some modes.

PERSONALLY I think GRE will return to production...............and even if not, the current firmware makes the unit worth the money TO ME.

Your mileage may vary

SallySmith357 · #24 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 5:17 PM

Hi from Texas! Just wanted to add my two cents here.

I have had my PSR800 for a month now and absolutely love it! Paid $419 and free shipping and it is the bomb, as far as I'm concerned.

Between my dear friend I made online here when I first got it and my pal at GRE, I have it just how I want it and wouldn't trade it for anything. It's the only one that'll work in my area.

It was pretty intimidating at first, but not any more!

SallySmith357

n8zcc · #25 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 5:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK

I am still undecided regarding whether or not to buy a PSR-800. With the inventory gradually being depleted I am inclined to buy one of the units. However, the reports of poor battery life and the fact that I rarely buy handhelds is influencing me not to hold on to my money. What should I do? Anyone have a recommendation?

I recently purchased a PSR-800 and it has the latest firmware from running the update operation with the EZ Scan PC software. I do not see any issue with batteries not lasting. I've been getting 10 to 12 hours of operation per charge, just about even with my PRO-106. I use the eneloop rechargeables from Costco.

The advantage of the PSR-800 is it can decode P25 phase 2. If you do not have a need to decode phase 2 then you could purchase a less cost scanner. Before the price increase it was a cost effective solution since it came with programming software and USB programming and recharging/operation.

MK · #26 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 6:50 PM

I had a typo in that message and meant to say the battery life and lack of handhelds is influencing me to not buy the PSR-800. There are numerous battery reports from users who have gotten only 1 - 5 hours of usage from a set of batteries while using the PSR-800. Five hours is not uncommon for many handhelds, but less than that is ridiculous. It's one of the reasons I tend to avoid handhelds.

If the price was still only $419, I would definitely buy this radio. I am still thinking it over -- and probably running out of time.

KD4YGG · #27 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 7:31 PM

1-5 hours??? Sure if you keep all the displays lit up, record everything you hear, and are scanning lots of objects, etc...

My experiences are similar to N8ZCC's, using 2500 mAH rechargeables with unlit display and no recording...

Jay911 · #28 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 8:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD4YGG

1-5 hours??? Sure if you keep all the displays lit up, record everything you hear, and are scanning lots of objects, etc...

My experiences are similar to N8ZCC's, using 2500 mAH rechargeables with unlit display and no recording...

Should you really have to disable everything in order to get meaningful battery life out of it?

That's like not being able to go more than 2 blocks in your car without turning off the headlights, windshield wipers, heater/AC, and power steering, but if you do that, then you can get 500 miles out of a tank.

MK · #29 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 9:05 PM

What about the matching GRE 100001 antenna? I noticed there is a smaller supply of these than the PSR-800. Is this antenna worth the extra $20?

bfletcher · #30 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 9:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK

What about the matching GRE 100001 antenna? I noticed there is a smaller supply of these than the PSR-800. Is this antenna worth the extra $20?

I cannot speak for GRE's version but I purchased Rat Shack's antenna and it resulted in a significant improvement on the trunking systems.

n8zcc · #31 (**permalink**) 02-03-2013, 5:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay911

Should you really have to disable everything in order to get meaningful battery life out of it?

That's like not being able to go more than 2 blocks in your car without turning off the headlights, windshield wipers, heater/AC, and power steering, but if you do that, then you can get 500 miles out of a tank.

Let's not get carried away here, your analogy is not relating apples to apples. A scanner like the PSR800 (or other P25 scanner) is a hand held computer like a tablet or cell phone. Comparing the scanner to a tablet or smart phone is more appropriate and not much different when looking and running features versus battery life.

I have my PSR-800 scanning three towers, 273 TGs and it records on the wild card talk group. When it stops on an active TG the LCD back light comes on. For this I get around 8 to 10 hours of operation over two days.

You have to find a balance between size and battery life. If GRE designed the radio to have eight batteries this thread would likely be discussion the weight and size of the radio.

If one really needs more than 8 to 10 hours of portable operation, then add a juice pack, yes it is difficult to carry with the added pack but again, you have to find a balance between need and convenience.

Chauffeur6 · #32 (**permalink**) 02-03-2013, 5:18 AM

One big factor that affects battery runtime is what types of systems you're scanning. Digital systems, especially P25 TDMA, require more processing power, which reduces runtime. If you're scanning conventional frequency or analog Motorola systems, there's not going to be as much draw from CPU/DSP.

MK · #33 (**permalink**) 02-07-2013, 7:27 PM

My PSR-800 finally arrived. After reading the owner's manual and reminding myself how much I like how GRE radios operate, I could not resist ordering the PSR-800. Even so, I had a few second thoughts. All that buyer's remorse vanished when I opened the box and saw the scanner. What a beautiful radio! I am charging a set of batteries right now and can't wait to try this latest addition to my collection.

snjct2000 · #34 (**permalink**) 02-08-2013, 6:19 PM

I wonder if the PSR 500's and PRO-197's will become collectors items and go up in price once they are all sold out everywhere??

MK · #35 (**permalink**) 02-08-2013, 6:59 PM

If nothing else, a few GRE models will hold their value for quite a while, assuming GRE might never resume production. I would like to buy another PRO-197, but it is not really in my budget right now.

pepsima1 · #36 (**permalink**) 02-08-2013, 7:16 PM

I have read all of your posts and come on...... This scanner is not even in production anymore. Anybody that is buying this unit is getting left overs from whatever stock is out there. I see this scanner price from 450.00 to 600.00 dollars. The question is why would you do it. Mostly because people just don't know.

These are all true statements. Please GRE make a more solid unit and then we would not care how much you would want to charge for these scanners as long as they are built tough...........

Some people rant and rave about this unit but they are brain washed with this unit.

1. This scanner does not even come with any power supply. Had to buy a power a/c cord

2. No batteries. Had to spend $$$ big money for expensive batteries and charger.

3. A poor made antenna. Had to buy GRE's 800mhz antenna.......

4. Faceplate paint came off within two hours of owning the unit. Had to have GRE send me another plate.

Why would you spend so much for a unit that does not come with good components. Trust me I have several other GRE units and I love them but again I bought one of these PSR 800 and sold it a month later because of the poor craftsmans ship of the unit. Cheaply made in China. Now this is way before any of these newer firmwares have come out.

n8zcc · #37 (**permalink**) 02-09-2013, 7:56 AM

pepsima1

The PSR-800 is a newer model capable of decoding P25 Phase II systems, I would theorize the main reason folks buy this model is because it is the only one on the market that can decode Phase II systems and it comes with programming software. Before the price increases, it was a cost effective solution.

The radio uses standard USB connectivity to your PC and can be powered by USB and will also charge rechargeable batteries. I use my cell phone charger to power the radio in my car, my computer while at home. It comes with a USB cable.

The radio comes with GRE's EZ scan software allowing you to program the radio with little effort, the software is quick to learn due to its intuitive design. EZ scan interfaces with RR database keeping the radio's database up to date.

The antenna that came with my radio is well built and works well. I live in Michigan and scan the MPSCS state wide system with out effort.

I didn't have any paint come off, looks like there was a batch this did happen to but GRE took care of their customers. The radio is well build and in a rigid case which feels well balanced in your hand.

When you read comments you have to take them from the context of the poster, some always want to degrade a product and others will talk up a product even if it isn't good. Most posters making negative comments don't own the radio, silly isn't it? Common sense tells you AA rechargables are not costly nor are AA batteries. The big expensive AC supply is nothing more than a cell phone or iPod charger for home or car.

You can download EZ scan and the manual from GRE's web site, research for yourself and you will likely discover a well made and user friendly radio.

bfletcher · #38 (**permalink**) 02-09-2013, 8:44 AM

I second n8cc. And if one would give more money to GRE for a differently-packaged unit then why would one have an issue with paying some other vendor(s) for add-ons such as batteries, an external charger, and an antenna upgrade? IMO—aside from the fact that the PSR-800 stands alone in its ability to do phase II—it is unique in certain other ways, too, which will appeal to some and not to others. It seems illogical to suggest that it is not worth its price [to others] only because its design does not suit your personal taste. Brian

Chauffeur6 · #39 (**permalink**) 02-09-2013, 9:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepsima1

I have read all of your posts and come on...... This scanner is not even in production anymore. Anybody that is buying this unit is getting left overs from whatever stock is out there. I see this scanner price from 450.00 to 600.00 dollars. The question is why would you do it. Mostly because people just don't know.

Yeah, we get it...you hate the PSR-800. How many more times are you going to repeat the same things over and over?

The bottom line is that if someone is trying to monitor a P25 Phase II system, the PSR-800 is the ONLY game in town. Period, end of discussion. There's the answer to your "why". Now please, stop beating a dead horse.

pepsima1 · #40 (**permalink**) 02-09-2013, 12:05 PM

Trust me I am not being a hater. I did say that I have several GRE products including the GRE PSR 600 which I love and the Radio Shack PRO 106 which is made by GRE.

I am not beating a dead horse but trying to have the general public understand that this radio is not being produced anymore and the company justed picked up and bailed town with any new production for right now. GRE showed their weakness and jumped ship but they are still giving support......

Now if there is anybody that can only decode Phase II in their area just to save your money and wait for a company to show there true colors. Uniden has stood strong and not stopped production and is still in place and have things in the works. Just save the 450.00 to 600.00 bucks and wait for the newest latest and greatest to come out. Thats a lot of money and people are manipulating the system because of the supply being low. Trust me I am not a Uniden lover either. I did sell my bcd996xt and 396xt too because of the poor ditigal modulation which GRE has better units.