br0adband
Member
I have a chance to get a Pro-96 that appears to be in good working condition, can't speak for the firmware version or anything of that nature, saw it in a pawn shop for $120 yesterday and I'm considering it. As some folks know I don't even own a physical scanner anymore but instead rely on some "cheap USB TV tuners" aka RTL sticks and SDR software to control/make use of them and I've been relatively happy over the past 18 months or so that I've had them.
I've been hoping to find a "good deal" on a digital handheld and I simply can't afford what the better models go for these days in the $350+ range. I had hoped to pounce on one of those Radio Shack models that were going for some pretty low pricing earlier this year when all those store closing sales were happening but just never got in on one fast enough - seems some folks just loved grabbing 5 or more of them at a time and then selling them for major profits (something I abhor but that's humanity for ya).
Anyway, I know the Pro-96 is roughly 13+ years old nowadays, and limited in many respects but even so, it should work fine as an analog scanner - most of the systems here in the Las Vegas area are still analog in many respects, and with just one major P25 Phase I system that's currently "in progress" and the LVMPD on P25 Phase II hence me having RTL sticks for use with OP25 if needed for that aspect.
DMR/TRBO/NXDN/etc would be handled by the RTL sticks as well when needed as the digital formats are growing more popular all the time but, as noted the big system that I monitor is all analog with some P25 mixed in, and they're in process of moving towards a P25 Phase I switchover with some of the users already on that side of things. I've been able to monitor them using the RTL sticks + Unitrunker + DSD+ without any major hassles but, sometimes it would be nice to have that handheld around just in case.
Been keeping my eye out for something that I could afford and the same pawn shop has a Pro-652 in apparent good condition as well but I'm not sure I'd be interested in that especially since they want $150 for it (with tax on top of those prices, of course). Since neither the Pro-96 or the Pro-652 can be computer controlled that kinda sucks but that's just how it goes. Uniden rules in that respect in my experience and I really wish I had another BC246T at this point, I really miss that awesome little handheld.
So the basic question is would the Pro-96 still be a worthy scanner to own overall considering the age? I pretty much know it's a good device, is easily tapped (a plus), and probably very reliable considering the heritage of the GRE built hardware for Radio Shack, but obviously with that age the chance of it just up and dying is great and without the potential for repairs at affordable pricing I'm thinking of passing on it (first scanners I've seen in pawn shops for over 6 months and I keep an eye out for 'em constantly).
Curious to know what other people might do in the same or a similar situation, as well as current Pro-96 owners if you'd care to chime in.
Happy holidays to all, and thanks for any responses.
I've been hoping to find a "good deal" on a digital handheld and I simply can't afford what the better models go for these days in the $350+ range. I had hoped to pounce on one of those Radio Shack models that were going for some pretty low pricing earlier this year when all those store closing sales were happening but just never got in on one fast enough - seems some folks just loved grabbing 5 or more of them at a time and then selling them for major profits (something I abhor but that's humanity for ya).
Anyway, I know the Pro-96 is roughly 13+ years old nowadays, and limited in many respects but even so, it should work fine as an analog scanner - most of the systems here in the Las Vegas area are still analog in many respects, and with just one major P25 Phase I system that's currently "in progress" and the LVMPD on P25 Phase II hence me having RTL sticks for use with OP25 if needed for that aspect.
DMR/TRBO/NXDN/etc would be handled by the RTL sticks as well when needed as the digital formats are growing more popular all the time but, as noted the big system that I monitor is all analog with some P25 mixed in, and they're in process of moving towards a P25 Phase I switchover with some of the users already on that side of things. I've been able to monitor them using the RTL sticks + Unitrunker + DSD+ without any major hassles but, sometimes it would be nice to have that handheld around just in case.
Been keeping my eye out for something that I could afford and the same pawn shop has a Pro-652 in apparent good condition as well but I'm not sure I'd be interested in that especially since they want $150 for it (with tax on top of those prices, of course). Since neither the Pro-96 or the Pro-652 can be computer controlled that kinda sucks but that's just how it goes. Uniden rules in that respect in my experience and I really wish I had another BC246T at this point, I really miss that awesome little handheld.
So the basic question is would the Pro-96 still be a worthy scanner to own overall considering the age? I pretty much know it's a good device, is easily tapped (a plus), and probably very reliable considering the heritage of the GRE built hardware for Radio Shack, but obviously with that age the chance of it just up and dying is great and without the potential for repairs at affordable pricing I'm thinking of passing on it (first scanners I've seen in pawn shops for over 6 months and I keep an eye out for 'em constantly).
Curious to know what other people might do in the same or a similar situation, as well as current Pro-96 owners if you'd care to chime in.
Happy holidays to all, and thanks for any responses.
