396XT Performance

[freqhunter]

I have read the many of the posts in this forum regarding the 396 vs 396XT & 500. I have a few specific questions.


1. Is the reception on the XT better than that of the 396? The 396 seems to be a poor performer the 800 MHz range compared to the 500.

2. Has the scan speed been increased? The 396 is rather slow.

3. Is the audio improved? The 500 is much louder than the 396.

4. Is the XT plagued by motor boating like the 396?

5. Can the XT read, store & alpha tag radio ID’s?

6. Can the XT auto store new talk groups?

 

[RoninJoliet]

Just put it this way, i sold my 396t to buy the 396XT and i am so happy i did because the audio was such crap on my 396t the 396XT is excellent.....

 

[Dewey]

I have read the many of the posts in this forum regarding the 396 vs 396XT & 500. I have a few specific questions.


1. Is the reception on the XT better than that of the 396? The 396 seems to be a poor performer the 800 MHz range compared to the 500.

2. Has the scan speed been increased? The 396 is rather slow.

3. Is the audio improved? The 500 is much louder than the 396.

4. Is the XT plagued by motor boating like the 396?

5. Can the XT read, store & alpha tag radio ID’s?

6. Can the XT auto store new talk groups?

#1 - I was very hard on the 396T, calling it deaf in the UHF band. I never could get it to hear DC PD (603d UHF) from my home. I am very happy to report that this issue is rectified with the XT. My XT rivals my Pro-96 in reception.

#2 - To me, there is no change, but I was never unhappy with the scan speed since the x96 will hold so many active frequencies versus the competitor's style of a certain number of active frequencies at one time (V-Folders).

#3 - Compared to the 396T... yes.

#4 - Can't say... I've never heard any motor boating on the XT :lol:.

#5 - Yes with the last firmware update. (EDIT... will not autostore)

#6 - I don't think so, but maybe I'm wrong.

I was very critical of the 396T given its hearing problems. I don't care how many features you pack into a scanner, it's first priority is sensitivity. If it can't hear, all of the features are useless. I'm very happy to say that my opinion of the 396XT is a fixed 396T. The sensitivity has been greatly improved while not exposing it to front end overload. The 396XT is a GREAT unit.

Dewey