SDS200 initial reviews

[N5XTC]

My perspective as an owner of a 996D, 996XT, 436, 536 (19 of them at work), HP1, HP2, SDS100 and now the SDS200:

After two or so hours with my new unit SN....897 all I can say is that I'm very disappointed. I've cancelled and additional order I made using taxpayer money for the Command Van here since I don't think it's right. I have the computer sounds/hum issue, and the dim keypad. I'm not yet willing to shove tape in it until this shakes out as I unscrewed the DIN cover to discover that one screw was crossthreaded or they had some very strong children working in that factory because I slightly stripped the screw (mostly my fault but still). I noted the fit and finish has consistently deteriorated over the last three base models and this was the worst. As I write this when all is quiet in the room about 4 feet from the external speaker, it sounds like a dot matrix printer going crazy while scanning. When downloading a new HPDB the hum was comical.

I remain hopeful that Uniden will end up having to do yet another repair campaign for this issue, but I also wish they didn't have to and both myself and my agency have truly benefited from their products in the past.

-Dave

think you are stuck with the scanner now that you stripped a screw. unless the screw is on the inside and cannot be seen.

 

[werinshades]

I would tell any potential buyers to research your monitoring needs and make that determination. I've read where someone purchased the scanner and later found out the systems they wanted to hear were encrypted. This scanner excels on digital simulcast systems, and is comparable to previous models on all other digital systems. I discovered a few problems on a 3.125khz. NXDN trunking system which I submitted debug files for review. The 536 handles this system very well so I've shifted some of my troublesome systems back to the 536. With my external antenna and the SDS 200, my other systems are touch-and-go. As I previously reported the filters have helped out and exceeded reception on some analog systems, while others I discovered I wasn't receiving them at all. I have a couple local DMR simplex systems and a low power NXDN system close by that the 536 is receiving and decoding without issue, while the SDS 200 is silent. It definitely has a place in my monitoring needs, but will be using it primarily for digital simulcast monitoring and other digital systems. I was hoping it would replace my 536 but that has not happened. A few analog systems are receiving quite well while others are not. Aircraft reception sounds "odd" is the best way I can describe it.

As always it's an individuals monitoring needs that needs to be considered. If you have a troublesome digital simulcast system that you want or need to listen to, this is your best mobile/desk top scanner currently out there. It will not disappoint on other digital systems either. If you have analog systems and your current scanner is receiving well, it will depend if you're in an area that has alot of intermod/rf like larger cities. Read the vendors return policy carefully. Before any upgrades are purchased, try it out first as some here are discovering. Hopefully with future firmware upgrades, alot of the issues I mentioned will be resolved as models have in the past. Make a wise purchase, and make sure you understand how these scanners are programmed.

 

[TailGator911]

werinshades, very well said. Those of us who are really into it and have multiple scanners, we usually ( I speak for me and some) have different tasks assigned to different scanners depending on our monitoring preferences and the scanner's capabilities. I have older scanners that excel on analog vhf/uhf systems, and newer scanners that shine on digital simulcast, and other scanners that are better on everything else. Once you get to know your radios you will program them accordingly and cover all bases. Know your listening post, and you will hear what you want to hear. There is a science to this and it involves everything - antennas, coax & length, connectors, good information, programming technique, assigned radios, and good speakers. It's a well-oiled machine

JD
kf4anc

 

[werinshades]

werinshades, very well said. Those of us who are really into it and have multiple scanners, we usually ( I speak for me and some) have different tasks assigned to different scanners depending on our monitoring preferences and the scanner's capabilities. I have older scanners that excel on analog vhf/uhf systems, and newer scanners that shine on digital simulcast, and other scanners that are better on everything else. Once you get to know your radios you will program them accordingly and cover all bases. Know your listening post, and you will hear what you want to hear. There is a science to this and it involves everything - antennas, coax & length, connectors, good information, programming technique, assigned radios, and good speakers. It's a well-oiled machine

JD
kf4anc

Well said also TailGator. Upon the arrival of the 536, I knew it also had it's limitations as well as it's handheld brother the 436. The SDS series is geared towards simulcast distortion issues and unless the potential buyer has an issue with this, they'd have to weigh the cost versus the beautiful display and some of the other issues mentioned. Also time...like I have seen in the past, some of previous issues have been resolved with firmware upgrades and now the 436/536 has alot of happy users.

Research and send private messages to other users in your local area and ask their opinions is another option for future buyers. This is a great scanner that has potential to get even greater. Speaking for myself, I like being an early adapter so I can personally gauge the pluses and the minuses. I have sent out emails to a few who have asked my opinion and linked this thread so they can make the right choice. The person I mentioned previously worried about the programming complications is one of those in the "wait and see" column. I have confidence in Uniden and it's engineering staff as they have previously resolved many issues with firmware upgrades. In the mean time, I'll enjoy all of my Uniden scanners as they each have their own job to do. No regrets here..

 

[iMONITOR]

Has anyone started a list of firmware/hardware related problems with the SDS-200? It would really be helpful to prospective buyers and would also cut down on the redundant post. I'd do it but I don't own one yet.

 

[werinshades]

Has anyone started a list of firmware/hardware related problems with the SDS-200? It would really be helpful to prospective buyers and would also cut down on the redundant post. I'd do it but I don't own one yet.

Unfortunately many want to be authors of their threads, and we see countless SDS200 threads. I'd like to see all of them consolidated too.

 

[dfw1193]

Has anyone started a list of firmware/hardware related problems with the SDS-200? It would really be helpful to prospective buyers and would also cut down on the redundant post. I'd do it but I don't own one yet.

I have started my own list on an Excel spreadsheet to include Uniden's official comments and my actions taken or others actions taken in an attempt to resolve the identified issues. I am doing this for myself though, since I plan to keep the scanner since it works well, and the backlight and hum issues I will overlook, although I may take a previous suggestion and place some square sticky notes over the speaker on the bottom to filter out the hum.

 

[AK9R]

I have started my own list on an Excel spreadsheet to include Uniden's official comments and my actions taken or others actions taken in an attempt to resolve the identified issues.

That might be something worth including in the SDS200 RadioReference Wiki article if you are interested in sharing.
https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/SDS200

 

[TxScanner]

I’m on my 2nd sds200, returned the first one because of speaker noise and very dim keypad lights, got the new one today, same issues. Going to try it out a few days


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Tryton]

Same issues as the first? omg Uniden, WTF???? I was so excited to order this scanner, But I keep hearing complaints of buzzing/computer noise while scanning, screen issues and I just saw a youtube video of the battery not holding the date/time. It's a real shame..

 

[glimerman]

got mine today only been useing it a few hours ,no screen flaws at all . have it all set in colors display is perfect and no speaker noise at all perfecly quiet until it has talking guess i got lucky now will see in a few days but so far so good

 

[TxScanner]

got mine today only been useing it a few hours ,no screen flaws at all . have it all set in colors display is perfect and no speaker noise at all perfecly quiet until it has talking guess i got lucky now will see in a few days but so far so good

Guess you’re one of the lucky ones


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[sparklehorse]

So with the BCD436HP, and I think the 536 as well, we were advised to leave the radio powered on initially for 50 hours to charge up the real time clock (RTC) battery. I just checked the SDS200 manual and see no mention of this. Does anyone know if this is something that also needs to be done with the SDS100/200s? It’s a question for Upman I suppose, but thought I’d ask in case someone else knows.
Thanks

.

 

[gcopter1]

Meanwhile, Whistler, is furiously taking notes... or not?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[buddrousa]

You think Whistler is contracting with China to build clone SDS100's and SDS200's.

 

[escortz28]

So with the BCD436HP, and I think the 536 as well, we were advised to leave the radio powered on initially for 50 hours to charge up the real time clock (RTC) battery. I just checked the SDS200 manual and see no mention of this. Does anyone know if this is something that also needs to be done with the SDS100/200s? It’s a question for Upman I suppose, but thought I’d ask in case someone else knows.
Thanks

.

No need. The SDS-200 design uses a super cap, discussed in this thread: https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/uniden-sds200-memory-loss.383464/#post-3073516

 

[cxgy2]

Got my SDS200 yesterday up here in Canada. I can't take my eyes off the crisp clean colourful display. Yes, I can hear the CPU noise within 13" of my external speaker. But it's quiet and since I don't sit right in front of the speaker, I don't hear it at all. And if the RR forums didn't exist, I wouldn't even think it was an issue. No screen flickers so far. The key backlights are a non-issue to me. They look fine. Most of my stuff is VHF and after playing with filters and attenuation, analogue reception seems on par with my other Uniden scanners. They will never compare to my Icom R-8600 for sensitivity & intermod-rejection, but it is what it is - a scanner not a DX machine. I haven't had a chance to do much UHF/700/800 comparisons yet. I wish Uniden would supply some parameters for the filters to eliminate some guesswork and experimenting. Will do an update and maybe a video once I've spent some more time with it. Loving it so far!

 

[sparklehorse]

Finally got my SDS200 a couple days ago (it came UPS Ground and got stuck in some bad weather along the way). Haven’t got it totally tweaked yet, but so far I do like it. I might love it if the analog VHF/UHF performance were stellar but it’s just adequate. P25 is excellent as expected. Overall a good radio and luckily I do not have the hum issue.. Here’s a couple videos of the SDS in action in my area:

.

 

[flippus1]

If programming is the same as SDS100, you should be able to remove Battery and replace with something else. Or even shuffle info around. Also look for RSSI Display. This will place a Bar Graph for RSSI signal strength. This is found in Display options > Customize > Set Detail Trunk. You can do serious Display tweaking to your personal likes

Phil.
Flippus1@aol.com

 

[03msc]

Finally got my SDS200 a couple days ago (it came UPS Ground and got stuck in some bad weather along the way). Haven’t got it totally tweaked yet, but so far I do like it. I might love it if the analog VHF/UHF performance were stellar but it’s just adequate. P25 is excellent as expected. Overall a good radio and luckily I do not have the hum issue.. Here’s a couple videos of the SDS in action in my area:

.

You say "P25 is excellent as expected". You say VHF and UHF is suffering but P25 can be in VHF or UHF too. P25 is a mode, not a band. I'm assuming by P25 you mean a 700/800 system (as indicated on the screen) but just clarifying. Seems this confuses people often...