iSCAN Pre-Release Discussion Thread - Page 3

Astrak · #41 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 01:00 AM

Not my cup o tea. I've never liked the App Crap put out, I guess I can deal with it just don't expect a buy from me lol. Although I do have an idea or two for a touch screen scanner for the advanced folks who actually enjoy the technical side. Again, WTF, like iPhone users are the only one's using smartphones now a days. Uhhh hello WinMo HTC Touch HD2 has a 1Ghz processor with RAM like a Comp, yet this come's out. I hope this is a fake.

DonS · #42 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 01:16 PM

As was mentioned above, the vast majority of people who post on RR are not the target market for this scanner.

This scanner is targeted at the person who walks into a RadioShack and "wants to listen to the PD and FD", or maybe sees/hears the scanner operating on the shelf and becomes interested. The target user doesn't have any clue about, or any desire to learn about, trunked systems and their types, sites, talkgroups, limits on numbers of CCs / sites / talkgroups, etc. They want to select their local agencies from a list and start listening - this scanner lets them do that (subject, of course, to those agencies being analog and listed in the RR DB).

As for why this scanner doesn't handle digital... I'd guess that the majority of scanners sold by RS are analog only. For a new type of scanner, it would seem to make sense to create the analog version first, as a kind of "feeler" for how the architecture is (or isn't) accepted. If it's accepted, I would imagine a digital version would eventually follow.

Personally, I take it as a good sign that RS isn't "getting out of the scanner market", a rumor sometimes circulated here on RR. To the contrary, it looks like RS is trying to expand that market.

al95 · #43 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonS

As was mentioned above, the vast majority of people who post on RR are not the target market for this scanner.

This scanner is targeted at the person who walks into a RadioShack and "wants to listen to the PD and FD", or maybe sees/hears the scanner operating on the shelf and becomes interested. The target user doesn't have any clue about, or any desire to learn about, trunked systems and their types, sites, talkgroups, limits on numbers of CCs / sites / talkgroups, etc. They want to select their local agencies from a list and start listening - this scanner lets them do that (subject, of course, to those agencies being analog and listed in the RR DB).

As for why this scanner doesn't handle digital... I'd guess that the majority of scanners sold by RS are analog only. For a new type of scanner, it would seem to make sense to create the analog version first, as a kind of "feeler" for how the architecture is (or isn't) accepted. If it's accepted, I would imagine a digital version would eventually follow.

Personally, I take it as a good sign that RS isn't "getting out of the scanner market", a rumor sometimes circulated here on RR. To the contrary, it looks like RS is trying to expand that market.

The very first scanner that i heard was in a RS store, since then i have been hooked. Now I own more then seven scanner.

DonS · #44 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al95

The very first scanner that i heard was in a RS store, since then i have been hooked. Now I own more then seven scanner.

There you go: maybe this new scanner will serve as a form of "gateway drug", hooking users that would otherwise never try the "hard stuff".

KC5EIB · #45 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbaearle

I reckon Radio Shack thinks their customers are as clueless as their employees? I assume the iScan is marketed toward noobie scanner buyers with a slant toward a familiar control set-up most would be accustomed to?

As a long time scanner user (1970) and having been employed by them for 5 years in the mid 70's and for the last 5 years I can say that most of the Radio Shack customers and employees know as much as most of the members here did before thay bought their first scanner. We all need to remember that there was a time when all of us knew zero, nada, nothing about scanners and trunking systems.

I keep 2 scanners running in the store, one of the local PD/FD and the other on the county SO and FD. That is the first introduction to monitoring that many people have and I have been able to sell them scanners. The scanners I sell are pre programmed for the area and many customers have no desire to learn any more that on how ro turn the radio on and off and select the departments thay want to listen to.

If this scanner makes that easier, great, that means we will get more people listening and continue to grow the hobby.

detroit780 · #46 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 09:07 AM

As a long time scanner listener from the very early 70's I think it's a great idea for Radio Shack. Seems a good deal of Radio Shack employees are not scanner geeks and new customers are well, new. This concept has worked very well for Apple why not try it for scanners.

I like the idea of the widely available SD card. Even though I have many scanners as well as several digital scanners which are required in some many cities here in Michigan I will probably buy one for two reasons.

1.) It is a new technology, I know not new but new to scanning.
2.) I can never have too many scanners.

I have a PSR-500 and 600 yet I had to have the Pro-164 when it went on sale.

I think the business case for this scanner is sound when you look at Radio Shacks typical new customer and non scanner geek personnel. I know I have been to a few stores that have people who really know scanners but I've been to many more where the salesperson has no clue. I've answered more questions regarding scanners in Radio Shack than the salespeople.

It will introduce more people into the hobby and more people to Radio Reference. If scanner sales go up prices have a chance of coming down. It's such a small market it needs something to push it forward. This may be it. Either way Kudos to GRE for trying something new once again.

Les

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC5EIB

As a long time scanner user (1970) and having been employed by them for 5 years in the mid 70's and for the last 5 years I can say that most of the Radio Shack customers and employees know as much as most of the members here did before thay bought their first scanner. We all need to remember that there was a time when all of us knew zero, nada, nothing about scanners and trunking systems.

I keep 2 scanners running in the store, one of the local PD/FD and the other on the county SO and FD. That is the first introduction to monitoring that many people have and I have been able to sell them scanners. The scanners I sell are pre programmed for the area and many customers have no desire to learn any more that on how ro turn the radio on and off and select the departments thay want to listen to.

If this scanner makes that easier, great, that means we will get more people listening and continue to grow the hobby.

John_M · #47 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 03:17 PM

Can't wait for the post-release discussion.

AZScanner · #48 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 04:10 PM

How much is this little gizmo going to sell for I wonder? It'd be a great little travel scanner. And it's a good match not just for "my first scanner" but for media and LEO use too. They make up a large segment of the market and the last thing either of them wants to have to do is program radios. With this product, they don't have to. I think it's a fantastic idea. How many threads have we seen on this forum saying "I can't program this thing, what do I do?" Obviously there were enough of these threads to get GRE thinking along these lines and I think it's a brilliant move.

A suggestion for GRE:

Auto update the DB information. This could be done by having the PC app cruise the RRDB for updates made to the database (if the owner is connected to the internet and has a RR premium subscription of course, as it would need that person's login) and then notify you like windows does when new info becomes available. I'd love to see the little XP balloon pop up with "Updates are ready for your scanner, click here to continue." That'd be friggin' sweet and the unit would always be up to date with the latest and greatest. In fact, this is a feature that wouldn't be hard to add to the software now, since it's not out yet. Hint, hint.

Again, I think it's a neat idea. I'd love to see a digital variant. I will probably be buying one of these for traveling.

-AZ

DonS · #49 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZScanner

Auto update the DB information. This could be done by having the PC app cruise the RRDB for updates made to the database (if the owner is connected to the internet and has a RR premium subscription of course

That's a pretty big prerequisite to expect of the target market.

I believe the scanner's version of the RRDB will be updated frequently enough that the above won't matter very much.

milf · #50 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 07:13 PM

Also its probably nearly ready to go beta testing, and then open market.... Usually within a very short time from FCC TA, to beta, to sales with GRE... So by Christmas it most likely will be on shelves in selected locations....

Also just a SWAG here.. But based on the tech involved, the lack of digital etc... Base Price around 200 to 250. When a digital full featured model pops in the next year... It will run around 500 to 550.
If they can get it rolled to stores in the next few weeks it will be a premiere Black Friday toy with the usual suspects the 106 and its sister lol!

DonS · #51 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milf

Also its probably nearly ready to go beta testing

Or it was done with beta testing before the FCC TA appeared

milf · #52 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 07:40 PM

LOL Don, then it'll be on shelves VERY soon! Hey guys my birthday is the 25th of November..... LOL!

RadioDaze · #53 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 04:08 PM

So please clarify for me, this thing WILL track a trunked system?

What are the dimensions... shirt pocket size? (i.e. smaller than the Uniden form factor.)
(Saving me the trouble of putting it in Photoshop and extrapolating from the BNC.)

RadioDaze · #54 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 04:29 PM

Sorry, just couldn't wait. Guesstimations from Photoshop:
4.7 in x 2.4 in x 1.1 in (tapering toward bottom)

But will it trunk?

TES · #55 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioDaze

Sorry, just couldn't wait. Guesstimations from Photoshop:
4.7 in x 2.4 in x 1.1 in (tapering toward bottom)

But will it trunk?

A careful read of all posts in this thread (especially the initial post and its link) will answer the trunking and dimension questions as well as a lot more. HTH

j0nnyb1aze · #56 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astrak

Not my cup o tea. I've never liked the App Crap put out, I guess I can deal with it just don't expect a buy from me lol. Although I do have an idea or two for a touch screen scanner for the advanced folks who actually enjoy the technical side. Again, WTF, like iPhone users are the only one's using smartphones now a days. Uhhh hello WinMo HTC Touch HD2 has a 1Ghz processor with RAM like a Comp, yet this come's out. I hope this is a fake.

As much as I'd love one, I don't think the HD2/Leo is coming stateside anytime soon. 1Ghz Snapdragon, 5mp, up to 7.2 Mbps "3.5g" speeds. Drool.

But back on topic, this thing has to be the ugliest thing I've ever seen.

RadioDaze · #57 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TES

A careful read of all posts in this thread (especially the initial post and its link) will answer the trunking and dimension questions as well as a lot more. HTH

Thank you, TES. I found my answer after re-reading the end of the manual pdf.

pro106import · #58 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 02:04 PM

If and when the digital model comes out, it better have audio mute on encrypted conventional transmissions as the Unidens do. Otherwise it will be another big GRE mistake. Probably the biggest disadvantage of the Pro-106 over the BCD396t or XT

AZScanner · #59 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro106import

If and when the digital model comes out, it better have audio mute on encrypted conventional transmissions as the Unidens do. Otherwise it will be another big GRE mistake. Probably the biggest disadvantage of the Pro-106 over the BCD396t or XT

Yeah but I'd rather have a scanner that actually decodes the transmission accurately instead of skipping over every third syllable and making fart sounds. What feature is that, UNENCRYPTION MUTE?

My next digital will be a GRE. I've heard the difference and it's night and day. There's no comparison.

-AZ

pro106import · #60 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZScanner

Yeah but I'd rather have a scanner that actually decodes the transmission accurately instead of skipping over every third syllable and making fart sounds. What feature is that, UNENCRYPTION MUTE?

My next digital will be a GRE. I've heard the difference and it's night and day. There's no comparison.

-AZ

I agree the GRE is miles over the Uniden as far as the decode. I have also heard them side by side. I emailed GRE and here is his response when asking about the mute:

Hello Bob,

Thank You for contacting GRE.

Unfortunately we can't do anything about encrypted trans. right now
since it would require a change to the hardware
in order for us to add the code necessary to detect and mute the
encrypted P25 audio.

However we see this as a very important feature and this is one of
our top priorities for any new future digital models.

Feel free to contact us should you have any further questions.