BCD396XT vs. GRE PSR-500

[JASII]

I have read posts in the past on BCD396T vs. GRE PSR-500 and the differences between the current BCD396T and the forthcoming BCD396XT, but nothing, yet anyway, on BCD396XT vs. GRE PSR-500. Even though the BCD396XT isn't available quite yet, I would be interested in comparing the two. I have pretty much decided already that I will get either the BCD396XT or BCD996XT, or possibly both. At one time it seemed as though the GRE PSR-500 had an audio advantage over the Uniden on digtal trunked simulcast systems, but with the latest firmware update on the 396/996, I am not sure that there is that much of a difference. Anyway, is the radio ID feature the only feature that the GREs currently have that the new Unidens won't have or am I missing other GRE features that Uniden isn't going to add?

[bee]

I am also, considering the GRE 500 or the 396xt, or maybe, some other scanner. My area will be going to a p 25, 700MHz trunked system in a couple of years.

I believe the sourthern part of the state is about complete, work may have begun in the central part of the , then the northern part of the state is next, where I live.

I already have the 996t, but would like to have a "handheld, also. I had almost made up my mind, on the PSR 500 but......keeping my options open, for now.

[thewenk]

Originally Posted by JASII

Anyway, is the radio ID feature the only feature that the GREs currently have that the new Unidens won't have or am I missing other GRE features that Uniden isn't going to add?

One negative for the GRE models is they do not mute encrypted traffic on P25 700 MHz systems like the Unidens. Maybe that will change with some future update. I'd wait and see the reviews for the 396XT after it is out.

Dave

[torontokris]

For basic specs check the wiki..

BCD396XT - The RadioReference Wiki
PSR-500 - The RadioReference Wiki

Basic highlights I noted..

Nope No radio ID's on the Unidens at the moment. I have said over and over that Uniden needs to add this feature. Hopefully they listen and add it as a surprise to the 396 or a firmware upgrade. They are loosing some customers / purchases over that feature alone (for people who maybe on the fence between the 2 scanners have said its sometimes a deciding factor).


Uniden wont have object oriented trunking (a good or bad depending who you talk to), Uniden wont have LED at the top like the GRE, however it will have a multi-colour screen and keypad to light up / alert. Uniden wont have v-folders, but with the Uniden you have a massive amount of memory. Uniden wont have a CD-rom but all the info is available online). Uniden will have a printed manual (gre does not). Uniden wont have a USB cable included, serial PC cable only (a USB convertor ot usb-1 can be bought separate).

Uniden will have encrypting mute, 7 colour screen + keypad for alerts, GPS compatibility, BANDSCOPE, individual channel volume, IF freq exchange (to avoid interfearance), key safe / private systems mode (so your buddy - or you - doesnt mess up your programming while using your scanner), priority talkgroups in ID scan, quick access keys (to get a single system by hitting a quick key), fire tone out + search, ability to flag a channel as digital or analog.


As for performance nobody knows right now.
I personally expect the 396XT to perform the exact same as the 396T just with more/added features (more memory GPS etc).

If you have a 996T the 396 will be less of a learning curve, and you can probably interchange the programming without too much difficulty.

Nobody has mentioned anything about a 996XT officially so if your waiting for it even if the rumours are true I believe you'll be waiting a year (as thats about how long the 396-996 gap was).

Originally Posted by JASII

I have read posts in the past on BCD396T vs. GRE PSR-500 and the differences between the current BCD396T and the forthcoming BCD396XT, but nothing, yet anyway, on BCD396XT vs. GRE PSR-500. Even though the BCD396XT isn't available quite yet, I would be interested in comparing the two. I have pretty much decided already that I will get either the BCD396XT or BCD996XT, or possibly both. At one time it seemed as though the GRE PSR-500 had an audio advantage over the Uniden on digtal trunked simulcast systems, but with the latest firmware update on the 396/996, I am not sure that there is that much of a difference. Anyway, is the radio ID feature the only feature that the GREs currently have that the new Unidens won't have or am I missing other GRE features that Uniden isn't going to add?

[JASII]

I have the Radio ID feature now on the GRE PSR-500 and although I am glad I have it, it is really no big deal for me. The encrypted audio mute, however, is huge and that is the primary reason that I may sell the GRE PSR-500 and go Uniden BCD396XTin the future. I usually do ait until the software is available, too, before buying. I will likely play with the Fire Tone Out Search feature, at least long enough to find out what the new tones are for my local fire department. I have a table top alert receiver on the correct frequency, but the tones changed over a year ago.

[hfxChris]

Originally Posted by torontokris

encrypting mute
individual channel volume
ability to flag a channel as digital or analog

Worth it alone for those three features, in my opinion...
Plus the physical size difference.

[edmscan]

I think that you will find that GRE will change the P25 encryption. As far as Uniden goes and the Radio Id ... well I asked for that a long time ago and Mr Opitz didn't even know what I was referring to. Must be nice to be able to keep your job and not know about what you are selling ...

But I think that we will see this on Uniden scanners in the future as they cave to the desires of the people. Really if they don't make what we want, we won't buy them. It is really as simple as that. But only time will tell ... but so far I would say that GRE has probably taken a big bite out of Unidens market share as they seem to react much faster to fixing up issues on their scanners. Uniden .. well we are still waiting. Just look at the 396 .. it still does poorly on P25 and the GRE kicks its *** in this regard.

[bwilborn]

Originally Posted by edmscan

Just look at the 396 .. it still does poorly on P25 and the GRE kicks its *** in this regard.

Eh? I live in Colorado and the vast majority of the public safety radio system is on P25. My 396 seems to work just fine in this regard...I would consider it's quality as "average" to "above average" depending on location, and most definitely not in the "poorly" category.

-- B

[torontokris]

Was one of my thoughts but yes I forgot to mention the size difference
the GRE is almost double the size (once you take off the Uniden belt clip).

Thanks for adding .

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Worth it alone for those three features, in my opinion...
Plus the physical size difference.

[KE4ZNR]

Originally Posted by edmscan

I think that you will find that GRE will change the P25 encryption. As far as Uniden goes and the Radio Id ... well I asked for that a long time ago and Mr Opitz didn't even know what I was referring to. Must be nice to be able to keep your job and not know about what you are selling ...

Nice cheap shot against someone who knows more (and cares more) about this hobby than you ever will...just because Paul does not immediately come out and say that a feature will be added to a radio in a future release does not mean it isn't being worked on behind the scenes...believe me Paul knows exactly what he is selling...and he knows what the radio monitoring wants in a radio...he has to balance our needs and wants with what is realistically feasible in the market...
Marshall KE4ZNR

[DaveIN]

As soon as the XT series hits the street you'll hear what people really think, but until then all we have to go on is a feature set. The PSR-500/PRO-106 does have some advantages for those who want radio ID display, battery quantity, V-Scanner, physical size for larger hands, sensitivity for DX stations. Then the Uniden Fire Tone out feature with tone search, Close Call Do Not Disturb, quick number keys, startup number keys, less prone to overloading on strong nearby signals, and Location based scanning could be a great asset to others.

You still may need both, because neither one is the ultimate scanner... yet!

[bee]

Does the GRE 500 have the "close call do not disturb"?

[DonS]

Originally Posted by bee

Does the GRE 500 have the "close call do not disturb"?

If I understand the Uniden feature correctly, the PSR-500 has something similar: you can create a "Spectrum Sweeper Object" and include it as one of the objects the PSR-500 "scans" - just like a conventional channel, search range, etc.

[RADIOGUY2002]

1. Will iit layout the ltr channels for me?

2. The phytsical 2 tone, does it operate like a opto scout and actuily find the two tones? Or do you have to utilize software to attempt to decode them?

3. This radio decode id feature, firmware upgrade maybe?

4. P25 auto threshold, how is that ny different then whats already in place on the 396T. Will it automatically decipher p25 better with out less dropout like the GRE Version?


Thats what i have for now, I wait and read reviewws and attend meetings before I finalize my choice.

[KE4ZNR]

Originally Posted by RADIOGUY2002

1. Will iit layout the ltr channels for me?

Not that I am aware of.

Originally Posted by RADIOGUY2002

2. The phytsical 2 tone, does it operate like a opto scout and actuily find the two tones? Or do you have to utilize software to attempt to decode them?

The tones are shown on the radio display as they are decoded.

Originally Posted by RADIOGUY2002

3. This radio decode id feature, firmware upgrade maybe?

Been discussed already in the sticky thread...not included at time of release and Uniden has not commented yet on whether this will be a future addition.

Originally Posted by RADIOGUY2002

4. P25 auto threshold, how is that ny different then whats already in place on the 396T. Will it automatically decipher p25 better with out less dropout like the GRE Version?

I will let UPMan comment on this.

Originally Posted by RADIOGUY2002

Thats what i have for now, I wait and read reviewws and attend meetings before I finalize my choice.

Very smart decision Radioguy...wait a little longer and read reviews and study up on all of the features and then make a sound decision!
Kudos!
Marshall KE4ZNR

[JASII]

Now that the BCD396XT is available, I would love to hear from anybody that has both the BCD396XT and the GRE PSR-500 to find out how they compare in the real world. On paper comparisons are a start, but hearing about actual performance can be pretty hard to beat.

[jnewell]

I have a 396XT running most nights alongside a PSR-600 (not 500). I live in the metrowest Boston suburbs with no shortage of paging towers, etc. nearby. Honestly, although the GRE is supposed to have a much hotter frontend, I don't notice it. Both perform extremely well on conventional analog, trunked analog and the few P25 systems in range of my home. IMO the GREs are easier to use but the Uniden is better able to very precisely tailor active memory selection. If someone told me to get rid of one of them, I'd probably toss a coin (ignoring the base vs. handheld difference). One really minor thing that I like about the GRE is that it will log hits in the radio, while the Uniden will only log hits (AFAIK) when hooked up to a computer. I find this information marginally useful, but I wouldn't make a buying decision based on that.