Uniden SDS200

[Sonic747]

Is it worth the money you pay for it ?

 

[NebraskaCoder]

Been answered many times. I'd search the previous answers.

 

[Sonic747]

Specifically, Is the factory still shipping faulty units ?

 

[NebraskaCoder]

Try this thread: SDS200 - SDS200 Hum, Static, (or other issues) Still Affecting New Units?

 

[trentbob]

Yes I think it's a great radio and it's worth it. Just check the Uniden Tavern or the Uniden tech support threads and go back as far as you want and you'll see repetitive threads with the same type title. As far as the problems with the SDS 200, like the hum, yes they are still shipping them and I believe there's a recent thread asking the same exact thing. Lots of information to read.

There is also some new threads by a new Uniden product manager where correcting issues on the production line is discussed. Lots to see. Doesn't make sense starting yet another thread. Enjoy.

 

[TailGator911]

Worth every cent.

 

[iMONITOR]

Specifically, Is the factory still shipping faulty units ?

Last I heard yes they are. Never heard anything to the contrary. No changes or corrections in manufacturing has been authorized or implemented by Uniden, other than the infamous 'WEDGE"! However it seems most of them shipping recently are without problems of the past, but that's no guarantee they won;t magically appear when you least expect it. In other words it's still a crap-shoot!

 

[trentbob]

As I had discussed in a recent thread, I got my second SDS 200 from Bearcat Warehouse and it was the first batch post covid shortage where they could not be obtained at all and I was amazed to see even with an external speaker I had to really put my ear up against the speaker and press hard to hear that familiar sound. I was impressed.

After about a month, the hum returned as it was on my first unit. Serial number indicates it's unit 1089 made in 2020 in Vietnam. If I am just listening to p25 Phase 2 it is just a whining sound but if I scan the P2 system with a few conventional items then It would be the whine and then a rolling digital sound. If I unplug the speaker I can not hear it through the speaker on the bottom of the radio unless I get really close.

Now that we have, a UPM who has been made aware of the StaticDischarge permanent repair, there should be no excuse for this to continue. I have also recommended a repair campaign so as to get this behind us. I'm sure they would sell more radios and the question about the hum would no longer be asked over and over again by prospective owners.

 

[MStep]

Is it worth the money you pay for it ?

Definitely worth the bucks (from someone that already had a hundred and one radios and really didn't need it). But if you want to hedge your bets against getting something with a defect, use Amazon or Walmart. Easy returns and generally no questions asked.

 

[David628]

Yes. It’s totally worth it if you find it at MSRP, but not at scalper prices on flea bay. If your in a simulcast area Simulcast - The RadioReference Wiki it works wonders.

 

[eaf1956]

Specifically, Is the factory still shipping faulty units ?

Does this question have to be asked every 3 or 4 months? 1) If Uniden changed production they will not say! 2) Even if they did no body could answer the question unless they buy a new scanner. 3) Buy a new scanner use it for a year or so and see if it develops a hum/Noise. 4) By the time somebody buys a new scanner to check there will be dozens more asking the "?" Is Uniden still shipping faulty units? So Basically, there is no way to answer this question, buy a SDS 200 and you tell us in several months use.

Upon further consideration: If indeed the hum/Noise issue is such dire concern save your money don't buy the scanner. My 2 SDS 200's are first shipment scanners. DO the have or did they develop a "Hum" Noise I guess a slight one. Did the Mitigation part fix it? It mitigated it for a few months time till it returned. Do they hum now "NO they do not!"

Here is another idea. Go out buy the SDS 200 report if it is fixed, wait 3 months buy another SDS 200 report on it's status repeat that for 4 or 5 more years and you tell us if UNIDEN is still shipping faulty units!

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

Want to avoid the potential hum of the SDS200?

Buy a SDS100.

Problem solved.

You're welcome.

 

[iMONITOR]

 

[trentbob]

Want to avoid the potential hum of the SDS200?

Buy a SDS100.

Problem solved.

You're welcome.

I guess that problem is solved but now you have to worry about that little time bomb going off called csj... That's something that has to be addressed on the production line also and have a repair campaign. Chances are that little time bomb is going to go off a week after your warranty is up LOL.

Then Uniden says pay up.

 

[RandyKuff]

I have had my 200 for over six months now. The hum was there when I powered it up. But pretty low in sound (Had to put my ear to it to hear it).
Was getting worse as time went on. About 2 months out I did the hum fix myself. Not happy I had to do that.
But it stopped the hum completely. Been fine ever since. And I'm sure that voided the warranty too.
Other than that, the radio perfoms well. It runs 24/7. I'm very happy with it.

I'm sure now that "JoeBearcat" is aware of this it will get taken care of.
But for now pretty sure they are still using the mitigation part. So the hum will get worse over time untill this is taken care of.

 

[trentbob]

Does this question have to be asked every 3 or 4 months? 1) If Uniden changed production they will not say! 2) Even if they did no body could answer the question unless they buy a new scanner. 3) Buy a new scanner use it for a year or so and see if it develops a hum/Noise. 4) By the time somebody buys a new scanner to check there will be dozens more asking the "?" Is Uniden still shipping faulty units? So Basically, there is no way to answer this question, buy a SDS 200 and you tell us in several months use.

Upon further consideration: If indeed the hum/Noise issue is such dire concern save your money don't buy the scanner. My 2 SDS 200's are first shipment scanners. DO the have or did they develop a "Hum" Noise I guess a slight one. Did the Mitigation part fix it? It mitigated it for a few months time till it returned. Do they hum now "NO they do not!"

Here is another idea. Go out buy the SDS 200 report if it is fixed, wait 3 months buy another SDS 200 report on it's status repeat that for 4 or 5 more years and you tell us if UNIDEN is still shipping faulty units!

 

[RCjim]

Want to avoid the potential hum of the SDS200?

Buy a SDS100.

Problem solved.

You're welcome.

That would be my suggestion I own both but in my opinion the SDS100 would be my choice if I could only have one!

 

[RandyKuff]

I have both the 100 and 200...
The 100 is over a year and a half old now... No CSJ issues or battery latch breakage issues...
It performs well too... Happy with the 100 too...

 

[StaticDischarge]

Is it worth the money you pay for it ?

Really? Now can you imagine us... the people on RR... Who have no clue about you or what your intentions are for owning a scanning radio trying to answer your question..
Impossible!
So my recommendation to you is to re-evaluate your needs, wants and desires and buy one or not... Simple as that!
I live in Michigan and it is not possible to listen to quality radio transmissions unless you own a SDS style radio and the SDS200 is my radio of choice and since I found the solution and fixed the hum issue it works better than I had expected!

 

[RandyKuff]

StaticDischarge
Thanks for your research in finding the hum fix!