I initiated a Thread in the past regarding the necessity for a more durable scanner. I received numerous replies in the positive, but was shocked to receive a few negative, as if what I was saying needed to be kept a secret. I still believe it’s time for a company to look into producing a scanner which is P25 phase II and of course all other scanner bands analog, digital, conventional and trunking capable but with the simplicity of computer programming with large knobs and screen. I have thought about this over and over again. How can I take a Uniden 436 or whistler 1080 and shove it into an Apx? If Uniden or Whistler would take their scanner product and make it into a strong case like a Motorola apx with a long lasting rechargeable battery of 2700 MAH or greater, 1000 mw speaker , big channel knobs , and a nice display, I’d say that company would have the market. I mention the market because I was told that what I am asking for is not a profitable venture any company. I know when any company comes out with a new $5 - 600 scanner its sells like hotcakes just because of it is new!! I know what is profitable, when I dropped my scanner from a table top and the LCD screen cracks which required a $70 fee to fix it after owning it for 2 weeks. That is profitable because it will break from simple daily use. It wasn't like I swung a baseball bat into it. Of course daily use is not cover by warranties with the new improved rugged design case of the digital (expensive) scanner. I disagree that it won’t be profitable because I see many Motorola apx radios for sale and people are buying them for the fact that they are strong, loud and once programmed are very simple to operate. Most of those radios are in the $2700 price range and more on eBay. They are that expensive for the mere fact they have many more features not needed for a daily scanner use. If those features where not in the radio like encryption and MDC1200, and fire ground accountability etc., the price would be much less and in a more mildly affordable value. If a company was able to price a scanner with the Apx's basic capabilities and durability, I am sure it would sell even if it cost $7 - 8 - 900 dollars depending on model versions. Even though that cost is high, if it’s strong and reliable the customer would not mind investing that high dollar figure. I hope a scanner manufacturer designs the next scanner with these functions in mind.
1. Simple not complicated. (Display with only what is needed on it)
2. Large loud speaker that is water and environment resistant
3. Long lasting rechargeable battery pack which can be drop charged (2700 ma or greater)
4. Big Rubber knobs (volume and channel) not plastic.
5. Computer programmable with radio reference interface
The fact that there a very smart engineers capable of writing code to develop a p25 scanner like Uniden or whistlers product means they can figure out how to put it into an apx or a similar strong plastic and rubber case.
I will figure this out one day because it will definitely be worth it to me.
1. Simple not complicated. (Display with only what is needed on it)
2. Large loud speaker that is water and environment resistant
3. Long lasting rechargeable battery pack which can be drop charged (2700 ma or greater)
4. Big Rubber knobs (volume and channel) not plastic.
5. Computer programmable with radio reference interface
The fact that there a very smart engineers capable of writing code to develop a p25 scanner like Uniden or whistlers product means they can figure out how to put it into an apx or a similar strong plastic and rubber case.
I will figure this out one day because it will definitely be worth it to me.