Mobile Vs. Handheld

[firetaz834]

I have yet to decide on a specific brand but I know that question has been asked before and maybe this question has been asked before, but here goes:

From all of the group which is the better type to have a Handheld or a Mobile scanner. I have a limited budget and I want to use it in both my home shack and my mobile.

Which give more versitality as to display, volume capibility, channels etc. Also, would like personal pros and cons that the other users have run into using a particular type of scanner.

I have ideas of how it will be set up, and that is going into the cost considerations but having some information from those of you who have used them in the field woudl be of a great help. Finally going to get the fund from a bonus check from work and want to purchase one soon.

Thanks in advance,

 

[KE4ZNR]

I can only speak for myself but I pretty much only buy Handhelds these days. Biggest reason is I am always on the go and need something I can take with me anywhere. Add in the fact that most handhelds can be computer controlled/programmed it makes going the handheld route the best option for me.
Good Luck!
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[RayAir]

I can only speak for myself but I pretty much only buy Handhelds these days. Biggest reason is I am always on the go and need something I can take with me anywhere. Add in the fact that most handhelds can be computer controlled/programmed it makes going the handheld route the best option for me.
Good Luck!
Marshall KE4ZNR

Handhelds are nice for portability and when the power goes out. I have 1 handheld, 1 base and 2 mobiles.

 

[W6KRU]

I like handhelds so that I can take them wherever I go.

 

[KE4ZNR]

Now I want to add that yes, I do have a good assortment of base/mobiles in my collection but that is just because they tend to gravitate towards my residence for some reason...I keep trying to stop adding to the collection but they keep mysteriously showing up
But I do have more handhelds overall.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[Hoofy]

As far as features and displays and costs the mobile and handheld are very comparable so it will probably come down to what you want to use it for. Both can be hooked up to amplified speakers and bigger or outside antennas. So the reception can be the same but portability may be an issue. The desk models will run on 12 volts so it can go in the vehicle with you also.

I run ham 2mtr and base scanner off a 12volt car battery and use a small maintainer charger and it keeps up with all my use. So when the power goes out I still have the base working.

Maybe you should try and buy both and have twice the fun.....The more you have the more you'll want...

 

[Eng74]

For a first radio go with the handheld. You can take it with you in the house or the car. If the power goes out you still have a radio. For a 2nd radio then it is a hard choice if you want the base/mobile for the house or the car. One word of warning once you get one then more start to show up.

 

[smokeyjones666]

I went with the handheld myself, a GRE PSR-500. As my needs have expanded (analog to digital), I seem to have acquired a couple of them (plus a base/mobile from 1994.) I like the handheld simply for the portability, I can take it with me wherever I go. For the car, not having a permanently-mounted mobile scanner gives me peace-of-mind. When I walk away the handheld goes with me, if break into my car you'll find a bag full of used coffee cups, some old receipts and feel free to help yourself to the contents of the diaper bag in the trunk.

If I came across a really good deal and was flush with cash that day, I can see myself buying a Pro-197 for the convenience of it (well, that and it's probably got a metal case with better shielding.) For me, when there's an upgrade it's always handheld first, for portability's sake.

 

[FLA2760]

If a handheld is going to be your only scanner get the wall wart when you buy the scanner. Scanners go through batteries fast. Many scanners now come with a second yellow battery pack for rechargeable batteries which is a help but the AC/DC adapter is hard to beat.

 

[firefighter89]

Like others have said I prefer handhelds for their portability.

 

[n5usr]

If I could have only a single scanner, then I would probably go handheld as well. Certainly you don't seem to get any better of a scanner in a mobile over handheld nowadays.

However, I do prefer mobile types. Now that I have the cash to buy more than one, I have a mobile for each vehicle and in the house.

One of the biggest reasons is weight. While there are some pretty lightweight ones, with rubber feet on the bottom all of mine are heavy enough that I can operate them one-handed. Just press the buttons and done. Unless I provide a reasonably sturdy mount for the handheld, it's going to move around and I have to use both hands or pick it up to do something with it. I do have things to clip / hang handhelds to, but they are fairly lightweight themselves and will slide as readily as the handheld. Of course, in the car the mobiles are bolted down so no chance of moving.

I also don't have to have an external speaker with the mobiles. I already have enough clutter on my desk! And if I want to use one, at least in the case of the GRE series, I don't have to use an amplified speaker with the mobiles as they have a good audio amp inside. The handhelds won't drive a regular speaker. I have stacks of those, and don't particularly care to go buy amplified ones for the car. (In my truck the stereo has an MP3 player input which works just fine with the scanner and sounds great to boot.)

And, of course, I don't have to connect/disconnect the antenna, speaker and power connections every time I change locations. (I seem to always have *something* I want to listen to that requires an external antenna, regardless of location.)

 

[trace1]

From all of the group which is the better type to have a Handheld or a Mobile scanner. I have a limited budget and I want to use it in both my home shack and my mobile.

I'd go with a handheld and later on you can, and will, get more radios...

 

[GKENY044]

The main advantage used to be base units had better reception then the handhelds. I've found that my portables are actually outperforming and producing better signals now. Other then that a handheld offers you the option of using it in a base/mobile/portable set by merely switching an antenna (my portables are all hooked to base antennas when at home). unplug them and put on a ducky and your good to go anywhere.