Upman T line scanners Unit ID Upadte

al95 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 06:32 PM

Hello

I'm asking Upman because he is the Uniden Product Manager . Can the BCD396T and the BCD996T get this Unit ID thru a Pay For Feature update? And if not Why? I am not asking for a free update.

Tryton · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 09:00 PM

The update will cost ya 500.00, but don't worry, he will throw in the colored lcd lights for free

XTS3000 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:33 AM

There is not enough memory in the "T" scanners to add this feature.

disp10 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:03 AM

That's too bad. I used to enjoy Uniden scanners. I won't be buying another one until they display Radio Id's.

KE4ZNR · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disp10

That's too bad. I used to enjoy Uniden scanners. I won't be buying another one until they display Radio Id's.

If that is your concern then buy any current Uniden XT line scanner. With the upcoming firmware update they will ALL be able to display Radio IDs.
Marshall KE4ZNR

Jay911 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disp10

That's too bad. I used to enjoy Uniden scanners. I won't be buying another one until they display Radio Id's.

The update to the 396XT/996XT will show radio IDs when it is released (in 1 or 2 weeks' time). The 396T/996T likely will never show radio IDs as they are too old to support the memory required for the software. It's kind of like expecting a car dealership to "upgrade" the model you bought 5 years ago to take advantage of new features they're releasing in the 2010 model. It's not gonna happen.

A lot of people seem to think that firmware updates are magical fixes that can do anything, i.e. if you have a cracked screen, a firmware update will fix that up real quick. That's not how it works at all. Expecting the 396T to get an update to include new technology being released by Uniden today is akin to expecting your computer manufacturer to make the machine you bought 5 or 10 years ago run Windows 7.

Don't get me wrong - radio IDs should have been in the scanner at least by the rollout of the XTs, if not before that, IMO. But now we are getting it, and as they say, "better late than never".

al95 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tryton

The update will cost ya 500.00, but don't worry, he will throw in the colored lcd lights for free

Why was the checksum and ESN update done in the first place? If you read that update for the ESN & Checksum Upman state that they might have to charge for feature we wanted in the future. It was called a pay for feature update? Those update don't cost $500.00.

Jay911 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al95

Why was the checksum and ESN update done in the first place? If you read that update for the ESN & Checksum Upman state that they might have to charge for feature we wanted in the future. It was called a pay for feature update? Those update don't cost $500.00.

Let's say that there is 1024 kb of memory in your 396T available for the "operating system" - the stuff that runs the scanner, i.e. the firmware. (Disclaimer: All of what I am saying in this post is hypothetical, meaning it is made up by me and isn't necessarily true of the actual details of the scanner.) Now let's say that the existing operating system uses up 1020 kb of that space, leaving only 4 kb free. Now, let's say that the radio ID code, which is not a minor update, needs 11 kb of free space. Since you can't have -7 kb free space in the scanner, how are you going to put that update in the 396T?

al95 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay911

Let's say that there is 1024 kb of memory in your 396T available for the "operating system" - the stuff that runs the scanner, i.e. the firmware. (Disclaimer: All of what I am saying in this post is hypothetical, meaning it is made up by me and isn't necessarily true of the actual details of the scanner.) Now let's say that the existing operating system uses up 1020 kb of that space, leaving only 4 kb free. Now, let's say that the radio ID code, which is not a minor update, needs 11 kb of free space. Since you can't have -7 kb free space in the scanner, how are you going to put that update in the 396T?

Upman has never said if it was for lack of memory. The only thing he answered in a past thread is that he couldn't talk about future firmware updates for the BCD396T.

werinshades · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 04:55 PM

I have to agree with Al here, as their were things promised with the T versions of Unidens that never materialized. On the latest firmware version, we were asked to upload a firmware version which gave a ESN and Checksum number for future "pay as you need" upgrades. That never happened, and their are alot of angry owners of these scanners...myself included. I did bite the bullet and bought a 996XT for all the hype with improved digital decoding. I still have my 996T and awaiting some improvements considering the promises made. I think the "T" versions have plenty of room for upgrading...hypothetically speaking, but why would anyone want to buy the latest scanner then?

disp10 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:04 PM

[QUOTE=Jay911;1188959]

The update to the 396XT/996XT will show radio IDs when it is released (in 1 or 2 weeks' time). QUOTE]

Glad to hear that. That may renew my enthusiasm in Uniden scanners.

Jay911 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:07 PM

Fair enough - whatever. I don't deny the opportunity for other upgrades to a 5 year old scanner has been enabled, but you do have to base your expectations of upgrades in reality. Not every upgrade is going to be possible for every scanner and instance, and if it is, cool; if not, don't complain.

UPMan · #13 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:07 PM

The first (and only announced) intended for-pay upgrade was the Rebanding update and was, in the end, released for free. As I said in my email, Uniden has announced no additional firmware updates for the BCD396T and BCD996T (and others of that generation).

al95 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPMan

The first (and only announced) intended for-pay upgrade was the Rebanding update and was, in the end, released for free. As I said in my email, Uniden has announced no additional firmware updates for the BCD396T and BCD996T (and others of that generation).

Thank-You for answering

Hammer860 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 06:04 PM

I have never posted a negative message but that really sucks. I spend over $1000.00 on two scanners and no more updates. There obsolete... And the fix is to buy more scanners. GRE here I come (when I can afford it.)

" no additional firmware updates for the BCD396T and BCD996T (and others of that generation)" It is obvious they could do it they just will not.

"I think the "T" versions have plenty of room for upgrading..." sure they will for 3 or 4 years.. then get your wallet out again. And don't give me that crap about killing the messenger, the messenger has a lot of influence

Why do you want to close this thread? Why not let uniden see the results of their narrow thinking

Tryton · #16 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al95

Why was the checksum and ESN update done in the first place? If you read that update for the ESN & Checksum Upman state that they might have to charge for feature we wanted in the future. It was called a pay for feature update? Those update don't cost $500.00.

Sorry, it was meant for humor, 500.00 to but the 996xt

al95 · #17 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 06:20 PM

error

al95 · #18 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPMan

The first (and only announced) intended for-pay upgrade was the Rebanding update and was, in the end, released for free. As I said in my email, Uniden has announced no additional firmware updates for the BCD396T and BCD996T (and others of that generation).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer860

I have never posted a negative message but that really sucks. I spend over $1000.00 on two scanners and no more updates. There obsolete... And the fix is to buy more scanners. GRE here I come (when I can afford it.)

" no additional firmware updates for the BCD396T and BCD996T (and others of that generation)" It is obvious they could do it they just will not.

"I think the "T" versions have plenty of room for upgrading..." sure they will for 3 or 4 years.. then get your wallet out again. And don't give me that crap about killing the messenger, the messenger has a lot of influence

Why do you want to close this thread? Why not let uniden see the results of their narrow thinking

Keep this thread open changed my mind. Only owners of the BCD396T and 996T scanners can post on this thread. What do you think about Uniden, after Upman has posted in this thread?

mike2009 · #19 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al95

Keep this thread open changed my mind. Only owners of the BCD396T and 996T scanners can post on this thread. What do you think about Uniden, after Upman has posted in this thread?

Don't double post. I own three BCD396T if I have know that their will be no more updates I wouldn't have brought them all. I hope Uniden start warning people when their will be no more updates for some of their products. They should do what windows xp is doing. They will stop updating OS in the year 2011 or maybe 2012 not sure as per website.

DDan · #20 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al95

Keep this thread open changed my mind. Only owners of the BCD396T and 996T scanners can post on this thread. What do you think about Uniden, after Upman has posted in this thread?

I am fine with Uniden. My 396T still does the same things it did when I bought it. If I had wanted more than that I would not have bought it. I would never buy something depending on the manufacturer to deliver an update in the future to make it do the job. I would expect bug fixes on a new product but to expect more than that is not logical.