Realistic Pro-2004 Purchase

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NYRHKY94

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Picked up a NEW in the box Realistic Pro-2004 off Ebay. The listing indicated this was a spare that sat in the box and was never used. Received it today and based on the condition, this oldie but goodie has never seen the light of day. Fired it up and all is well. Manufacture date code of 1988. Pics below:
 

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Nice!

That's beautiful!

I have mine right in front of me. It was modified for 400 channels, increased scan speed and ellular. Was great fun back in the day.

Keep the display light off or on dim when possible.

Good luck!
 

wtp

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another recommend for dim

i have had mine on almost everyday on dim. from the day i got it.
it can still be set to bright, but why bother.
it just listens for mil air and the 5 800mhz tac channels.
400 channels and i use about 50.
looking good !
 
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EMTJD

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I was looking at a Pro 2004 on eBay, also, that although not “new in box” was pretty close to mint condition. Price wasn’t bad, either, but I waited too long to act on it and now it’s gone. It was a great radio in its day and is STILL a great radio. The ONLY reason I would consider a 2006 would be if I convince myself that I really don’t like the membrane keypad. But, seriously, how much of a problem IS that?
 

NYRHKY94

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Thanks for the nice comments guys. The purchase was really by happenstance. I wasn't looking for one, but happened to be surfing EBay one day last week and pretty much stumbled on this one. It had a Buy Now of $69.99 and based on the description and actual pictures of the unit, I could not pass it up. This one was the second New in box Pro-2004 the seller had. The first one also sold for $69.99. I previously owned a Pro-2006 and was aware of the good reviews for the Pro-2004 and the various mods. Not sure I'll crack the case on this one. Just plan on using it sparingly (with the Dim backlight setting LOL) and keeping it in show room condition. Thanks again.
 

bb911

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Appears to be an upgrade of the PRO 2021, which was/is a great scanner, even though it doesn't receive above 512 MHz and has a Motorola antenna jack. The 2021 also has fewer channels -- only 200, and it doesn't have a sloping front panel. Other differences too. Prone to the display problems like that of the 2004.
 

AA6IO

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Had to get one myself. Right after my post #7 above, I went to EBay and saw another PRO-2004 in pretty good condition for 72 dollars. I purchased it. Love to play with these older scanners, some with great RF front ends.
 

EMTJD

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Picked up a NEW in the box Realistic Pro-2004 off Ebay. The listing indicated this was a spare that sat in the box and was never used. Received it today and based on the condition, this oldie but goodie has never seen the light of day. Fired it up and all is well. Manufacture date code of 1988. Pics below:

You hit the mother-lode, here. Grand prize winner. A classic radio new-in-box, never used. Wow. Wish I’d seen it! Guess I have to keep looking! Enjoy!
 

TailGator911

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Fairborn, OH
Very good find! I had same scanner before I upgraded to 2006 which I modded and hotrodded, it is now my main scanner for conventional. I regret selling my 2004, I just liked the looks of it.
 

dkf435

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Sweet Home/Foster OR
Gave up on the 2004 over 20 years ago when I had problems with the boards being bad and repair parts unobtainable. The PRO 2035 has gone for years without a problem.

David
 

moonbounce

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Nov 5, 2002
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My first programmable scanner was a Pro 2020 ( I still have it ), paid $400 for it. Then I bought a Pro 2004, had it for a year and returned it to Radio Shack as it was having the cold solder problems, the sound level became unstable, one minute no sound, the next minute max sound. Radio Shack replaced it under warranty and I got a pro 2006, still have it. I hope you have better luck with your Pro 2004.

P.S. Before I contacted Radio Shack I took the scanner to two electronic repair shops and they both said that the problem was wide spread cold solder joints and to return it to Radio Shack as it would be expensive to repair.
MB
 

wa8pyr

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Remove diode D513 and put it in D510 make it 400 channels

2manytoyz - PRO-2004 400 Channel & Speed Mod

I did that mod on my 2004 back in the day along with several others (s-meter, center freq meter, 400 channels, scan speed increase) to make it a partial Turbo Whopper. Also added the CE-232 board.

Don't think I'd bother with the channel capacity increase these days, but the others are still good. The CE-232 would probably be quite a challenge as I think some of the parts are unobtainium.

Although, If I scored a mint 2004 like that I probably wouldn't touch it as far as modifications go. . .
 
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