Uniden's SDS200 Claim vs The Evidence

[WILSON43]

SDS200 and SDS100 are hands down the very best scanning radios made to date. Period. That's my OPINION!!!

 

[prc117f]

So far for me its been a solid workhorse on a real tough LSM P25 system that was only usable on my G5. It is Comparable to my G5 Unication so far.

 

[bob550]

Actually it does on a single system.

You're limited to scanning a single site/control channel with 64 or fewer TG's on each zone/knob position.

 

[APX8000]

But how well does the G5 scan? Oh, wait! It doesn't.

Hmmmm...that’s odd...I’m sitting here scanning 64 talk groups on a Phase II trunked system flawlessly.

You're limited to scanning a single site/control channel with 64 or fewer TG's on each zone/knob position.

While you can only scan one site at a time, you can have multiple sites set up on one knob position if they have the same system ID. In other words, I have every dispatch talkgroup for SC Highway Patrol set to one knob position and every site that covers I-95 to that same knob position. So I can literally drive through the State and never touch the knob as the G5 will switch sites as I drive through the State.

 

[bob550]

While you can only scan one site at a time, you can have multiple sites set up on one knob position if they have the same system ID. In other words, I have every dispatch talkgroup for SC Highway Patrol set to one knob position and every site that covers I-95 to that same knob position. So I can literally drive through the State and never touch the knob as the G5 will switch sites as I drive through the State.

Sure, that would work for multiple sites in different geographical areas (good idea BTW), but not within the same area. I monitor a two-site system in my local county, and need to keep the sites on separate knob positions as the G5 will seek and maintain a lock on the strongest site to the exclusion of the other.

 

[prc117f]

So far so good I have been a big Uniden skeptic since the post 996xt debacle and avoided thier products since the turds that were released with crap LSM ability, unfinished features, bad hardware issues etc.

So far the SDS has been rock solid for the tough P25 LSM area I live in. zero missed transmission and solid audio comparable to my G5 Unication.

I definitely recommend it if you need an LSM capable unit.

 

[kmisk]

GET IT!!!!! I live just across the Schuylkill River in Montco and had a very hard time bringing in the Chester Co. signal with the 536 in my pickup even while driving in Chester Co. I got both the SDS 100 and the SDS 200 this past year. MAJOR IMPROVEMENT!!!! Chester's system is exactly what the SDS was developed for.

 

[trentbob]

GET IT!!!!! I live just across the Schuylkill River in Montco and had a very hard time bringing in the Chester Co. signal with the 536 in my pickup even while driving in Chester Co. I got both the SDS 100 and the SDS 200 this past year. MAJOR IMPROVEMENT!!!! Chester's system is exactly what the SDS was developed for.

Exactly, I'm out in Bucks County that went P2 simulcast in 2015 and the x36 worked poorly and the only way we could hear it was Motorola or unication.

The SDS series works terrific on Bucks County. Stays right up with the mot gear. I use invert filter as I was getting some clipping at the start of transmissions but the filter cleared that up.

My SDSs handle simulcast Distortion great, works terrific on Philly also.

 

[beischel]

Uniden has claimed the following:

When it comes to receiving Digital Simulcast systems, which are becoming more and more widespread, the Uniden Bearcat SDS100 and SDS200 are the only scanners designed from the ground up for optimized reception of these systems. Since the latest updates, users report solid performance comparable to their expensive Motorola two-way radios. Other scanners, even our own other digital models, typically fail to meet the challenge of such systems. If you need solid simulcast performance, the Uniden Bearcat SDS100 and SDS200 True I/Q™ Digital Scanners are the only choice from any scanner manufacturer.

I have own dozens of scanners in my life and currently have both the 536 & 436 which have been collecting dust for the last 2 years. When I moved to Chester County PA a few years ago I found that these scanners were basically incapable of receiving the local Phase II law enforcement system with no less than 70% garbled transmissions
(when I lived in Philly it was somewhat better). Just noticed the release of the SDS200 and am thinking about it, so I went ahead and updated the 536 &436's firmware and database to see if anything has changed? Nope, basically un-listenable. The Chester County feed from radio reference is really terrible, actually much worse than what I receive.

I have checked out the YouTube videos for SDS200 vs other radios and found no supporting evidence that the new radios offer any improvement when it comes to the intelligibility of the signal for Phase II. Does anyone have, or can point to hard evidence that that the SDS200 is superior? Not asking for option here - asking for factual evidence. Yea I can run down to HRO and pick the thing up and return it if not satisfied, but I have better things to do with my time than chase a fools folly.

Thanks ---

I like you have had dozens of scanners over the years. My Radio Shack/GRE/Whistler scanners have a horrible time with the simulcast system used in the Greater Cincinnati area and throughout the State of Ohio (MARCS).

At the Hamvention this year, I talked to the folks from Scanner Master who assured me that the SDS200 would not have the same issues. They said they even installed some of the SDS200s at a TV station in Cincinnati.

So I bought one and gave it a try. Frankly, I was shocked at how well this scanner performs. Audio quality is great, but the best thing is that the received audio is perfect. Not breaking up. I am receiving so much more now that I realize with the other scanners just how much I was missing.

Even my wife likes to listen to it since the transmissions received are perfect. This truly was a great investment for our area.

 

[Jimco]

My biggest gripe with the SDS100 is the battery life. I get about 7 hours on a full charge on this huge battery. I understand why, but I still wish it lasted longer. I'm considering purchasing a second battery and an external charger at some point.

 

[KK4JUG]

I'm considering purchasing a second battery and an external charger at some point.

You'll be glad you did. It makes a big difference.

 

[scannersnstuff]

I am not trying to start anything here,but my observation of the review's <not first hand experience> is, they do great on lsm,but not on vhf/airband. For that price, I would like a "multi talented radio" . Not taking anything away from the fine folk's that say "well use 2 different radio's" . I just like the idea of carrying one radio.

 

[jonwienke]

I've comparison tested a bunch of 436 and SDS100 units head to head connected to the same antenna, and found very little difference overall on airband. Over a dozen samples of each model, testing after internal GPS installs.

 

[scannersnstuff]

I've comparison tested a bunch of 436 and SDS100 units head to head connected to the same antenna, and found very little difference overall on airband. Over a dozen samples of each model, testing after internal GPS installs..

Jon, how about on vhf in general ?

 

[maus92]

The VHF I listen to are local systems, so maybe I'm not representative - but the SDS100 seems to work fine on our county's FD VHF simplex paging channel (essentially no mobile units) and the DNR's VHF repeater sites. This is using a Remtronics 800 Mhz antenna. The caveat is I'm listening to systems from within their intended operational footprint. I can also hear the USCG sector on Ch16, 22, 23 - but normally not the vessels on the water. And I can hear aircraft at pattern altitude on the local airport's CTAF.

 

[jonwienke]

Jon, how about on vhf in general ?

Overall, pretty similar performance. Sometimes one unit misses a call the other one gets, but about the same in each direction. The key thing when comparing is to have every radio connected to the same antenna. A lot of people don't actually do that, and what they end up testing is antenna performance rather than radio performance.

 

[jonwienke]

The VHF I listen to are local systems, so maybe I'm not representative - but the SDS100 seems to work fine on our county's FD VHF simplex paging channel (essentially no mobile units) and the DNR's VHF repeater sites. This is using a Remtronics 800 Mhz antenna.

Interesting, as that antenna is not tuned for VHF. The Diamond RH77CA would be a better choice for VHF. But if your main listening is 800MHz, the Remtronix is very good.

 

[maus92]

Interesting, as that antenna is not tuned for VHF. The Diamond RH77CA would be a better choice for VHF. But if your main listening is 800MHz, the Remtronix is very good.

I listen to the VHF channels for situational awareness, not expecting dx performance. I used the VHF Fire due to a recent 1 hour outage in the local SmartZone system; I listen to the VHF DNR system to compare it to the 700 system they are migrating to (hearing what ends up on the 700 system and what doesn't,) and the Marine and Airband stuff aren't really important to me. I use the Remtronix antenna basically because everything that is important to me is available on either my county's 800 SmartZone system, or the state's 700 P25 system.

 

[MisterLongwire]

I currently at this moment own 6 SDS200's that have never given me any problems and no hum issues either. I did receive several offers for them but refuse since they are a pure gem to work with. The LEO's I work with marvel at how things have progressed from the old days.

 

[bberns22]

Well I decided to purchase the Unification G5 over a new Uniden and frankly I am astounded. System reception is vastly superior to my 436 & 536 in terms on number and intelligibility of transmissions at all locations tested. I took the G5 to work, Wilmington DE, and was able to receive the system with no issues both outdoors and on the 5th floor of the building I work in. Based on the location of the East Central Simulcast location that's roughly 25 miles. I still may try the SDS200 and see if it works at my home location. The flexibility of a true scanner has many benefits.