BC125AT

dmg1969 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 7:24 AM

I would like the opinion of others who may own this scanner. I am strongly considering purchasing this model of portable to use in my vehicle. The county I live in still uses VHF/UHF for public safety and that is about all I will listed to besides weather and maybe air. I have no need for 800 MHz or trunking at this time. I like the fact that this scanner has the alpha-tagging which makes it easier to look at what I am hearing at a quick glance.

Dave

popnokick · #2 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 8:33 AM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 6_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10A523 Safari/8536.25)

It's a handheld portable scanner, so I assume you plan to mount it, connect external antenna and power? That can be done and lots of examples how to do it here on RR. If that's your plan then BC125AT is good choice given your other listening requirements. Otherwise I'd say get a mobile scanner like the BCT15X.

bigcam406 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 8:39 AM

i have one,and if you dont need trunking,digital or 800mhz for your area,then this scanner is the ticket.great radio for the price.

dmg1969 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 8:58 AM

popnokick: yes to hooking it up to an external antenna (already have the RS multi-band mag mount). Whether I use DC power depends on if I get the same interference I did with my BC355N. If so, I will just use rechargeable batteries. I can try charging them with the in-car USB cable or use the AC adapter when I get to work. I only have a 20-25 minute trip in to work.

Thanks, bigcam406. i appreciate the input.

Dave

fredg · #5 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 12:32 PM

Mine is a month old and the speaker went bad... I have a couple of recent threads here about it.

737mech · #6 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 1:40 PM

I really like my BC125AT. It does a great job for Milair and the Alpha Tags are easy to read, nice big screen.

dmg1969 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 1:54 PM

I remember seeing that. I went ahead and ordered one anyway today. Hopefully it's not a common problem.

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredg

Mine is a month old and the speaker went bad... I have a couple of recent threads here about it.

fredg · #8 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 1:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmg1969

I remember seeing that. I went ahead and ordered one anyway today. Hopefully it's not a common problem.

Dave

I don't think so from what I have seen. Other than that it has been a great scanner and I think you will like it a lot!! I have really bad luck with everything I buy.... I think there is a special shelf full of broken stuff just waiting to be shipped to me! If I buy from the store I will be sure to pick out the defective item on the shelf full of items!! :-)

SquierStrat · #9 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 2:29 PM

Can anyone confirm if this scanner has a delay on opening the squelch (and annoying squelch tails) with ctcss/dcs tones enabled, like the 396xt and 346xt and every other uniden scanner has... ?

hertzian · #10 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 10:11 PM

If running mobile with it, you'll need a powered external speaker to actually hear it over the road noise - sooner or later - usually sooner unless you pump the audio into the vehicles stereo audio input if you have it.

Now you'll have even more wires hanging off the passenger seat.

bernietr · #11 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 10:24 PM

No complaints or quirks.
Mostly connect to Grove Scannerbeam II
If ya ain't got one: get one!
Its as sensitive if not more than my 996XT

-Tom B.

pinballwiz86 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-22-2013, 10:27 PM

I bought this scanner and love it. It does eat batteries pretty quickly but now I always use a micro-usb charger and keep it plugged in. I also bought the RadioShack telescoping antenna and get great reception in a 50,000 sq. mile county. Though that might be because of repeaters..

dmg1969 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-23-2013, 6:20 AM

I will probably get one, but want to wait to see how the volume is. Thought about putting audio through the car audio, but would miss my radio.

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by hertzian

If running mobile with it, you'll need a powered external speaker to actually hear it over the road noise - sooner or later - usually sooner unless you pump the audio into the vehicles stereo audio input if you have it.

Now you'll have even more wires hanging off the passenger seat.

dmg1969 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-23-2013, 6:31 AM

Cool. I bought both the AC and DC adapters for it. And I have the magnetic mount Radio Shack wide band antenna. I will mostly use it mobile in my vehicle, but may carry it here and there. Thanks!

Dave

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballwiz86

I bought this scanner and love it. It does eat batteries pretty quickly but now I always use a micro-usb charger and keep it plugged in. I also bought the RadioShack telescoping antenna and get great reception in a 50,000 sq. mile county. Though that might be because of repeaters..

dmg1969 · #15 (**permalink**) 01-23-2013, 8:23 AM

I also bought a cup holder mount from The Mount Guys. I think it's the best place given my vehicle's configuration.

Dave

safetyobc · #16 (**permalink**) 01-23-2013, 2:37 PM

My review:

BC125AT Full Review

dmg1969 · #17 (**permalink**) 01-23-2013, 3:00 PM

I actually watched your video before purchasing it.

safetyobc · #18 (**permalink**) 01-23-2013, 3:01 PM

It's a great little radio. I buy and sell radios like crazy but the 2 I have held onto the longest is my 125AT and PSR800

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

dmg1969 · #19 (**permalink**) 01-23-2013, 3:06 PM

Can someone tell me what the LATEST firmware version is for this scanner (BC125AT). And can you just give me a quick rundown on how to update the firmware. I have never had a scanner that required firmware updates. I will be using my laptop running XP Home. Thanks!

Also: do I need to install the scanner software on my computer to do the firmware update? I wasn't going to use it to program the scanner. I intend to program it manually as I don't have a TON of frequencies.

Dave

fredg · #20 (**permalink**) 01-23-2013, 3:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmg1969

Can someone tell me what the LATEST firmware version is for this scanner (BC125AT). And can you just give me a quick rundown on how to update the firmware. I have never had a scanner that required firmware updates. I will be using my laptop running XP Home. Thanks!

Dave

1.03.01

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/pub...areUpdate.html This page has instructions but it assumes you already have the COM port drivers installed.

You scanner will most likely already have this version as it has been out for awhile.

The BC125AT I bought in late November I think it was had the latest firmware. I recently did the firmware upgrade as part of my troubleshooting the no sound issue on my BC125AT, it was very easy to do.

Read through this thread: BC125AT Firmware Update Released

Post #49 in this thread has a download link for the USB driver and post #57 has install instructions for the USB driver.

Once you have the USB driver installed go back to the Firmware link I posted at the top of this message and download the Firmware if needed (doubtful).

You will want the USB driver either way so you can use the software to program your BC125AT you can download it here:

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/vie...enMan4/BC125AT

The page can be slow to load so be patient.