ScannerMaster 'RH200' prototype at Hamvention

[kc2asb]

They did, indeed. I don't know if Uniden ever considered that for the SDS200 and I doubt we ever will know. It would have been simple to do that during the design phase. Ham radio manufacturers realized the need 20 years ago for their mobile rigs.

Oh well, we don't have a Way Back Machine, so we can't go back in time.

True, we will never know. A removable faceplate design would have made sense for the 996 and 536 models as well. Perhaps in the case of the SDS200, it would have pushed the price point beyond what Uniden felt hobbyists would be willing to pay?

In any case, hobbyists wanted that option and now Rich & crew have produced a solution. With the small size of the 996 screens, the RH-200 will be a real win for those who want to use them mobile.

 

[vagrant]

Though I much prefer the Uniden models, Whistler really hit the nail on the head with that removable faceplate design.

The Whistler screen is small. I am a fan of remote heads, but might as well use a handheld which I do. Less cost and portable when needed. The RH200 is something I would use with the only mobile scanner I own, which is used at home for now.

My amateur mobile plays double duty as a scanner while I enjoy the large screen. A large remote control screen is something I support. My Icom R30 with a tablet affords me that now. The RH200 will allow me to move my Uniden mobile to the vehicle.

 

[03msc]

The Whistler screen is small. I am a fan of remote heads, but might as well use a handheld which I do.

Right. Yeah, there was a tradeoff for sure. But anyway, glad this RH200 is coming out as I know it will fill a need for a lot of people as long as the cost isn't outrageous.

 

[ShyFlyer]

I'll be watching this product with great interest. I have a SDS100 mounted in my truck. It's workable but...it's not nearly as neat and tidy as I would like. With AMPS pattern mounting, integrated GPS, I can get rid of a bulky mount and the wires for the GPS puck. I am a bit concerned over the speaker, if it will be better than the internal speaker on the SDS100. I currently have a set of cheap USB-powered speakers for audio. Even if I have to continue using those with this remote head, I think it'll still be a win for me.

I haven't watched a scanner product with this much interest since the advent of the SDS series.

 

[garys]

In theory at least, I could sell my SDS200 and put my SDS100 in my truck with the Remote head. Or, alternatively, put the SDS200 in my house as a desk scanner and use the SDS100 in the truck and or my "travel" scanner.

Lots of possibilities when it's out.

I'll be watching this product with great interest. I have a SDS100 mounted in my truck. It's workable but...it's not nearly as neat and tidy as I would like. With AMPS pattern mounting, integrated GPS, I can get rid of a bulky mount and the wires for the GPS puck. I am a bit concerned over the speaker, if it will be better than the internal speaker on the SDS100. I currently have a set of cheap USB-powered speakers for audio. Even if I have to continue using those with this remote head, I think it'll still be a win for me.

I haven't watched a scanner product with this much interest since the advent of the SDS series.

 

[Robert721]

So far the weakest part of the SDS200 for mobile use has been the screen. Color is useless in bright sun light and B/W is still very difficult to seen mounted in my console, looking forward to the new option.

 

[garys]

When I lived in New England, it could be hard to see the screen on sunny days. Since moving to TX often it's impossible. Considering where Uniden is based, I would have expected a much brighter screen.

So far the weakest part of the SDS200 for mobile use has been the screen. Color is useless in bright sun light and B/W is still very difficult to seen mounted in my console, looking forward to the new option. View attachment 184585

 

[03msc]

So far the weakest part of the SDS200 for mobile use has been the screen. Color is useless in bright sun light and B/W is still very difficult to seen mounted in my console, looking forward to the new option. View attachment 184585

Nice install. OT but I feel like you should detail it in the Pictures Of Your Shack/Mobile Setup section of the forum, if you haven't already.

 

[Einsteiger]

Nice indeed, but if I had that many screens in my vehicle I'd probably rear end a bus.

 

[MDHathcock]

Any update on release date?

 

[RMason]

Any update on release date?

See post #262 from May 18: #262

We had the working prototype as well as a dummy version of the final case design on display at the booth. We hope to have the production units available by the end of the year.

 

[03msc]

Status?

 

[Firebuff66]

Any update on release date?

See post #262 from May 18: #262

We had the working prototype as well as a dummy version of the final case design on display at the booth. We hope to have the production units available by the end of the year.

I think that covers it all the way to December 31st

 

[03msc]

Right. We're 3-4 months past those posts now so they should be able to say whether it's still on track or not.

 

[3King]

Right. We're 3-4 months past those posts now so they should be able to say whether it's still on track or not.

ha same here, I have some $ set aside specifically to be able to buy one when they come out. that saved money is collecting dust ha.

 

[KC8ONR]

back when the 780XLT was given a remote mount the price was insane. I just recently got ahold of one of those and there wasnt much to it. Well engineered though.

RSC-1 Remote Head Adapter Kit for BC780XLT | Scanner Master

RSC-1 Remote Head Adapter Kit for BC780XLT

www.scannermaster.com

I can only Imagine the price of the RH-200 is going to be pricy.

 

[IC-R20]

back when the 780XLT was given a remote mount the price was insane. I just recently got ahold of one of those and there wasnt much to it. Well engineered though.

RSC-1 Remote Head Adapter Kit for BC780XLT | Scanner Master

RSC-1 Remote Head Adapter Kit for BC780XLT

www.scannermaster.com

I can only Imagine the price of the RH-200 is going to be pricy.

There was also a newer rh96 for the normal scanners like BCT15/996 that was nowhere near that bad. There was also a version of that scanner that had a p25 insert chip option that was also crazy overpriced, so no idea what was wrong with that series.

 

[RRR]

They can price them as high as they want to. If I they are expensive, then the initial "I always buy all the new stuff" guys, and those who are patiently holding off on an install for one, will be the surge. Some will sell here and there too, and then they will probably sit with little activity, as the rest of us wait for them to either appear on the used market, have a similar one become copied / reproduced by somebody else, or the price lowers.

On the '200 brightness issue, the SDS100 screen is so much brighter. Is it really that hard to somehow brighten the SDS200 screen for normal use in the daytime?

Modification anybody?

 

[03msc]

They'll either price it to sell a lot (and make more money) or they'll price it to sell a few to the dedicated enthusiasts and those who desperately need it for an install and will make less money. In my opinion, if it's much over $300 (~half the price of the scanner) they will greatly reduce their sales and income (basic business).

It's like the tale of two groups doing different concerts in the same venue:

Group 1 was dead set on pricing their tickets at $20 and thought they were going to sell out 1,000 seats.
Group 2 decided to set their tickets at $10 each and hoped to have a good crowd.
Both were in the same venue (different dates, of course), marketed the same, similar act, etc.

Group 1 had about 200 attend. Brought in $4,000 and didn't make anything due to the expenses.
Group 2 had about 700 attend. Brought in $7,000 and covered their expenses + profit

That's a simplified example but you get the point.

But I guess we'll see.

 

[MDHathcock]

Starting to think ScannerMaster is doing more talking than making. Anyone know more?