which scanner to buy

[nick617]

Im looking to replace my scanner in my house to get MPS and all that stuff. I was looking at the BCT-8 but they does not seem like it will do digital. Looks like the 785D will, but I have to buy the card. The 796D I believe has the card installed. Will the higher end scanners scan for the PL used on a certain frequency also?? That is one thing I would like my new scanner to do if it is possible. I have always used Uniden and like them, but if I have to switch brands I will.. Biggest thing is if the scanner can look for PL on the freq and beable to do digital

Thanks,
Nick

[LarrySC]

The BC-796 or PRO-2096 will do digital and PL tones. The PRO2096, however, is a little easier to program and operate. You cant turn off scanning banks while in the trunking mode on the 796. You can on the 2096. Software comes with the 796 but most users buy Butel. The PRO users buy Starrsoft. Good Luck

[digitalpimp_n]

Hey Nick617 I would highly recommend the pro-96 or the pro-2096 I have both the uniden Bearcats 796d and 296d. I think there are a lot hard to understand how to program than the Pro scanners. Save yourself some time and go with the radioshack version. They cover all the stuff that you posted you needed. I wished that i had asked before i bought the Uniden models. I now have a understanding of the Uniden scanners now (3 months later) with the butel software. Hope this helps and Good Luck!!

[JoeyC]

Originally Posted by LarrySC

You cant turn off scanning banks while in the trunking mode on the 796. You can on the 2096.

Wrong. You certainly CAN turn on/off banks while in trunking mode with the 796.

One thing to consider when purchasing the RS scanners. They are less user friendly when it comes to changing channels that you are holding on. In other words, if you want to hold on a particular talkgroup in trunking mode or change talkgroups you are held on, you must push a number of buttons to accomplish this by taking the unit out of trunking mode first. With the Unidens, you simply turn the knob, or punch in the list position.

[rdale]

"In other words, if you want to hold on a particular talkgroup in trunking mode or change talkgroups you are held on, you must push a number of buttons to accomplish this by taking the unit out of trunking mode first."

1) It's really not that bad

2) If you see the talkgroup you want pop up, you just press "PAUSE"

I would not let that sway your decision either way.

[JoeyC]

Originally Posted by rdale

2) If you see the talkgroup you want pop up, you just press "PAUSE"

True. But I was not referring to holding on a TG from scan mode.

If you see a Bedrock PD vehicle speed by you code 3, and your scanner is not on HOLD on the Bedrock PD TG and you want to quickly HOLD on that TG, its much easier to get it on that TG on the Uniden.

[rdale]

I agree with you - just saying that it's not something I would use as a decision maker. The AGC and automatic digital tuning and V-Scanner of the RS line makes them a much better choice, unless you monitor a system that the Pro's cannot handle.

[wesm1957]

I love my Pro-96. I guess having the 95 made learning the 96 easy. The only time it is not on is when I am at work. But it is on to and from work. I haven't had the time to sit down and really set up my V-scanner banks the way I want to as of yet. But I will slowly work on that.

[digitalpimp_n]

Originally Posted by JoeyC

Wrong. You certainly CAN turn on/off banks while in trunking mode with the 796.

I think what LarrySC was refering to is with the pro-96 you can set each bank up to either search for talk id's (which is consider a open bank- term used for pro-96) or scan talk id's (which is a closed bank- term used for the pro-96) you have programmed in. With the pro-96 you can have any of the ten banks set either way.
For instance, I have bank one set for Van Buren County talkgroup id's and that is a closed bank then all i would hear is Van Buren County talkgroup id's. Then in Bank 2 is open it will pick up any talkgroup id's that I have programmed and that are not programmed. A very nice feature that way I can change banks as I move about the state and monitor what I want. Example 1.Van Buren 2.Kalamazoo 3.Berrien 4.Allegan 5.MSP 6.EMS 7.OPEN BANK 8.OPEN BANK 9.CONV. RADIOS
As I move from county to county I can change by a push of the button and or monitor a county that i just entered, and have a open bank on also. Sweet deal if you ask me.......

I guess that everyone can think as they want, but until you own all the units in question and know both side of the coin I'd say this would be a difficult question to answer. My suggestion is to get on the net and there were a couple of places that offer a try it for 60 days (for the bearcat 796d) and if you were unhappy they would refund you money. i'll try to look it up and post it for you nick 617.

DIGITALPIMP!!!!!!!!

[i5adam8]

I would recomend the pro-96,or the 2096.The pro-96 was the most userfriendly scanner I have ever operated,especially for somone who is new to digital trunk-tracking like myself,but that is just my opinion.I have not had that much experience with the Uniden models,because I got too confused trying to figure out how to program one.But like I said,everyone is different,and a Uniden may work better for you.Like rdale said"The Unidens are more usefull when it comes to certain systems..like the upcoming Ingham county public saftey communications system(Which can not be moniterd with the radio shack models)So if you just want to moniter the State police,and all the agencies on MPSCS. I would go with the Radio Shack models,but if you have more knowledge(or more patience to learn)than me,try the Unidens.

[CapnJon]

I have a BC-296D and it did take me a few months to learn how to program it, but, I wouldn't buy any Radio shack scanner because they aren't ALL band (continuois) like the Unidens are...