Which is better ProScan or FreeScan

[qbertopp]

Which is better ProScan or FreeScan to program my 996xt and download the info via RR.

Does one provide a better interface or features that the other does not. Also what cable would I need to connect to my 996xt and PC. Is it the same serial connector that came in the box?

Thanks

 

[ka3jjz]

This is really a software question, and belongs in that forum, but here goes...

a. Asking what software is best is going to get you a wide range of opinions - everyone has at least one, hi. Freescan is freeware, so using it costs you nothing. It doesn't support all the capabilities of the 996XT (for example, it doesn't fully support Location Based Scanning, and doesn't have an option for Control Channel Monitoring); however it's a great way to get started, and will give you more than enough of an introduction into what the scanner can do; ProScan is commercial, so you pay for it - but it supports a whole range of things including having its own client/server option. Both Assaf and Bob are here for support, along with having their own dedicated forums.

b. To connect to your PC you will need a USB-serial cable; this topic is fully discussed below (anything in blue is a link)

Connecting scanners via USB - The RadioReference Wiki

73 (best regards) Mike

 

[qbertopp]

Thanks for the info. On the commercial software side are there any other pay programs besides Proscan. Or is Proscan "the" commercial program that is currently out there.

 

[loumaag]

Thread moved

Moved as suggested.

 

[ka3jjz]

Once again, the wiki comes into play - see the software section of:

BCD996XT - The RadioReference Wiki

73 Mike

 

[b7spectra]

Try 'em both and see which one works for you!

 

[VE5JL]

I've been using Proscan for 2 of my Uniden scanners (BCD396T and BC780XLT) I'm going to purchase the license to use it not because it does everything include make my coffee, but because programmers like Bob needs our support.

As time goes on it will keep getting better and better so it is worth the 50 USD.

 

[eaf1956]

Software

Thanks for the info. On the commercial software side are there any other pay programs besides Proscan. Or is Proscan "the" commercial program that is currently out there.

No there are other programs like ARC XT. Really depends on all you wish to do with the software. I use PROScan for doing my FEEDS and FREESCAN and ARC 996 and ARC XT for programming my 996T and 996XT. One bad thing about ARC is he writes a different program for each scanner. PROScan works with most UNIDEN scanners as does FREESCAN.