Let's discuss the Pro-2096/Pro-96

Benzman66 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 03:45 PM

I thought I would bring up this subject for others to add their comments to as many of us have these already and more being sold everyday on Ebay so it should prove informational in the end.

The first thing is the CPU versions. So far I have seen 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 on the 2096s, yet it seems like they go as high as 1.5 on the 96s. Is this correct? From what I can tell, only small changes were made each time. Does anyone know what each change entailed?

Next is the DSP APP upgrades. I assume version 1.1 and 1.2 were original factory, and they made some changes on the 1.3 and the final on 1.4, supposedly to bring digital volume up to same level as analog and to unlock some talkgroups. Were there any other mods?

Being I have a few 2096s and 96s, plus have sold many, each with different CPUs, but all running DSP APP of 1.4, I have noticed for some reason the 1.2 CPU seems to bring in digital signals the best of all. Is it just me or am I crazy? The 1.3 CPU and 1.5 CPU just don't seem to do as well. Another thing is some seem to hum a little more than others when powered up.

Comments, opinions, ideas, etc, are all welcome.

Benzman66 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 07:20 PM

UPDATE
After searching on the wikipedia Pro-2096/96 page, I see there is a section on all the changes each DSP APP did to the scanner, but nothing on the actual CPU changes, if any.

PittsburghPoPo · #3 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 07:32 PM

Benz,

Off topic, but you seem to favor the Pro-96. How does it compare to the Pro-106 or other digital handhelds? A buddy needs some cash and has a near new in the box Pro-96 unit he'll part with for $170. It would be my first digital. Thoughts?

Benzman66 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PittsburghPoPo

Benz,

Off topic, but you seem to favor the Pro-96. How does it compare to the Pro-106 or other digital handhelds? A buddy needs some cash and has a near new in the box Pro-96 unit he'll part with for $170. It would be my first digital. Thoughts?

If it works ok and in good condition, GO FOR IT!
I have a Pro-106 on my Xmas list, so I can't speak on that model yet, but the Pro-96 will be perfect for the needs around the Burgh right now and a good start.

dracer777 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PittsburghPoPo

Benz,

Off topic, but you seem to favor the Pro-96. How does it compare to the Pro-106 or other digital handhelds? A buddy needs some cash and has a near new in the box Pro-96 unit he'll part with for $170. It would be my first digital. Thoughts?

What would you be using it for mostly? Tracking a digital system? If so, where are you located? If the system is rebanded you won't be able to monitor it.

If you want, PM me to further discuss this.

rmiller818 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dracer777

What would you be using it for mostly? Tracking a digital system? If so, where are you located? If the system is rebanded you won't be able to monitor it.

If you want, PM me to further discuss this.

Why not? You can enter custom tables on the Pro-96/2096 for rebanded systems.

To answer your original question. I don't remember much about 1.1, 1.2 seemed to be the standard for most of the early ones. As I recall there was some issue with CPU 1.3 which 1.4 corrected. 1.5 was for users in I *think* Indiana that had an issue monitoring the statewide system. It was pretty much 1.4 with that correction (other users wouldn't notice a difference).

I had 2 Pro-96s, one with 1.2 and one with 1.4 and I would agree, with the DSP ver 1.4, the Pro-96 with CPU 1.2 did perform better.

As for a 106 96 comparison, I have both and prefer the Pro 106, lots of features, receives better in my situation, and mutes undecoded digital signals.

Don, the creater of the Win programming software, explained in a different thread that the 106 actually uses the same digital signal processor with the exception of being able to update the firmware and changes to how it mutes audio etc.

I still have 1 Pro-96 I use to provide a feed on here, works ok. $170 is not bad for a new one.

PittsburghPoPo · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 06:24 PM

I just picked up a PRO-96 with the folowing:

CPU: F1.5
DSP APP: F1.3
DSP VOC: F1.0

Is one of these the firm ware? Do I need to update it?

rmiller818 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PittsburghPoPo

I just picked up a PRO-96 with the folowing:

CPU: F1.5
DSP APP: F1.3
DSP VOC: F1.0

Is one of these the firm ware? Do I need to update it?

The CPU is the firmware, you cannot update that, only the DSP APP, which you could upgrade to 1.4 if 1.3 doesn't work well for you.

dwh367 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmiller818

The CPU is the firmware, you cannot update that, only the DSP APP, which you could upgrade to 1.4 if 1.3 doesn't work well for you.

Or if neither of those work well for him, he can try "downgrading" to 1.2. For the systems I monitor (P25 conventional & Motorola Smartzone Omnilink) 1.2 is what works the best on both my Pro-2096 and Pro-96.

rmiller818 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwh367

Or if neither of those work well for him, he can try "downgrading" to 1.2. For the systems I monitor (P25 conventional & Motorola Smartzone Omnilink) 1.2 is what works the best on both my Pro-2096 and Pro-96.

Good point, I think 1.4 works better with simulcast systems, at least it does for me.