Cant figure out why? 97 vs 95

[gs_new]

I own a Pro 97, and like it. Also have an old Bearcat Sportcat that I also really like, almost seems that for certain conv channels it is more sensitive. For instance when using same stubby the old sportcat picks up channels the 97 cant. Anyway that is not my whole point.
If the 97 is all it is cracked up to be why are Pro 95 going for 100 bucks American on Ebay when a new 97 on sale at Rat Sc=hack is on sale for 149?

[pony]

Have you noticed all the broke, as-is pro 97's on ebay? The quality must be low. The 95 is one of my most used scanners, The audio beats the hell out on anything uniden that I own.

[gs_new]

No never noticed yet, hope i have better luck mine is only 6 months old and I want to add to my collection not lose one!

[KT4HX]

One thing you have to consider is that people are just plain paying too much for a 95 on Ebay. I used to own one, and while it was a good scanner, it certainly isn't worth that much to me any more comparitively. Obviously those that buy them on Ebay disagree. However, the prices seen on Ebay often skew the market value of equipment up because many are willing to pay too much through the bidding process. If you use Ebay as your sole source of market research then the market value index really gets out of hand in many cases. Again, the 95 is a good scanner, but not the best for what it is. I personally would never pay that much for one of them now.

[gs_new]

Good point, thanks very much!

[gmclam]

I have multiple PRO-95s and multiple PRO-97s. Generally speaking I like the PRO-95 10 TIMES more than the '97. There are a ton of reasons but the first one is simple performance.

However, that being said, the PRO-97 does have CT/DC tone decoding, a lit keypad, can tune a few more frequencies, and Signal Stalker. But those features are only valuable if someone uses them; for general scanning, I don't.

If you are only looking at the prices on eBay now, and have not been constantly looking for many months; then indeed you are not getting a good picture. Keep in mind a lot of the scanners on eBay are incomplete (they do not come with both battery holders, the manual nor box), and most seem to be selling from the eastern US/Canada. My take on that is people in those areas have been affected by the switchover to digital and/or rebanding and have decided to unload them. But of course, it makes no sense why so many are selling for so much.

I'm looking for a couple more '95s for my kids. The '97 is more than they need or would use. But I am not going to pay "$100" for one.

[scanrrman]

Originally Posted by gmclam

I have multiple PRO-95s and multiple PRO-97s. Generally speaking I like the PRO-95 10 TIMES more than the '97. There are a ton of reasons but the first one is simple performance..

Just curious, how does the pro95 perform better than the 97???

[Tom_G]

I have not heard of any issues with PRO-97's so if there seems to be an over-abundance of defective ones on ebay, that would surprise me.
I had a 95 for a while and I did like it.
I have a 97 now and I think its great. Best audio of any scanner I have heard.
Performance is also excellent.
I would have no worries about your 97 except rebanding, but that seems to be moving very very SLOWWWW..... Which is OK by me.

Best of Luck

[gmclam]

Originally Posted by scanrrman

Just curious, how does the pro95 perform better than the 97???

You know some people drive FORDs, some drive CHEVYs and some drive DODGEs. Then some people don't like any of those three. The things that someone loves about one brand/model is exactly what the next person hates. Some people buy one unit of something, and it is bad, and foreevermore that brand is BAD. Some people happen to get a unit that is good (even though overall that model sucks) and they foreevermore love that brand.

I've got no less than 2 of each of the scanners listed in my tagline. Each type performs just like its twin. While not conclusive, it certainly is a strong consideration for how that model operates. Rather than start a debate here (which is what will happen when I respond directly to your question), I am working on a comparison test that I will post in the near future. At least then a debate will be meaningful and hopefully not so emotional.

Take care,
George

[gs_new]

Sorry I was not comparing the 95 to 97 only wondering why people were willing to pay 100for a 95? What I was comparing was my old Bearcat Sportcat to my 97. If I am on my couch and have both scanners running the old Bearcat picks up channels the 97 doesnt. If the 97 is so great (Iown one and like it) cant figure out why 95 seems so popular and why Bearcat is more sensitive on certain bands?

[ScanDaBands]

Originally Posted by gs_new

Sorry I was not comparing the 95 to 97 only wondering why people were willing to pay 100for a 95?

Because on eBay some people would buy bottled farts if it was the going thing.........LOL

[qman62]

I agree with Alan that the bidding process can skew real market values.

Last month I walked into a local RS and there was a PRO-2054 on the shelf at a clearance price of $69. I bought it figuring they were worth about that - a decent, 300 channel scanner with no trunking or stand out features except Signal Stalker.

I've checked eBay over the last week or so looking at how much they were going for -- one sold yesterday for $90, and there is currently one selling for $98. They both have over 20 bids and the one for $98 dollars still has 4 days to go

Besides the bidding process, I also think the fact these are discontinued also plays a part in the high sell price.

[gs_new]

Ya crap, I wish Rat shack wouldnt have left Canada. I am in the middle of Canada not very many places to get deals on scanners without going online. Wish I could walk into a store and find a deal. Oh well such is life in nowhere land.

[padre29]

The Sportcat is just a good scanner, the one I had was very sensitive, probably much more sensitive when I would scan the 800-900mhz band just looking for channels.

The Sportcat wouldn't trunk though, and the battery pack was odd ball, and mine died after a trip to the beach, it just...died.....

People are not very smart about what they bid on on Ebay, and how much they will pay, $100 for a Pro 95?

That is 25% of the price of pro 96. I would rather have a 96.

[karldotcom]

I remember that sale with RS selling the Pro 95 for $99.... I have a Pro 93, and now use it as a discriminator tap....it has been dropped so many times is isnt funny....stilll scans analog trunked the best of my radios.

[fredclausen]

Originally Posted by gs_new

Ya crap, I wish Rat shack wouldnt have left Canada. I am in the middle of Canada not very many places to get deals on scanners without going online. Wish I could walk into a store and find a deal. Oh well such is life in nowhere land.

I know the feeling. I walked into my local shack a few years ago when I bought my pro 95 (since retired, and upgraded). I asked them if they had scanners, and the guy literally had no clue what I was talking about. After a few minutes, he realized he had this "display unit" catching dust. I scored, apparently. I ended up paying $120 for the thing, which was below retail. He took a percentage off because he liked me(I smell bs, but I like thinking he liked me), and then a percentage off because it was a display unit.

Been back to the shack a few times, no scanners to be found. :/

[unitcharlie]

I have both scanners and like both scanners.... unfortunately I need PL/DPL decoding to listen to a lot of agencies in my area so I rely upon the 96 and 97 to do that... but the 95 is really handy as the "trunking" scanner, it will receive tx the others don't hear--lives next to the 97 between the seats listening to the trunked systems I monitor while the 96 and 97 do their parts! Besides, I am kinda partial to my 95, it got me back into scanning after a few years away.

[Skud]

I use my Pro 95 as a EDAC only scanner along with adding a discriminator tap to it to use Unitrunker . One of the best scanners for the money.