Whistler TRX-2 Price Fluctuations

[MStep]

For those who may be interested, I saw Amazon (through a 3rd party seller) now offering the TRX-2 at $515 USD instead of the Amazon former price of $610 USD. I also see some references on eBay at the 515 USD price.

Update: Cancel the excitement folks. The fine print just showed up unexpectedly-- "Used, Good Condition". That appeared, then disappeared, so not quite certain what is going on. Exercise caution.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Be careful that aren't scratch and dent version (that Whistler has available for $450), though my experience is s&d items from Whistler that I bought were actually in great shape.

 

[fourwd1]

I always keep an eye on Amazon's prices when I see something I want.
A few years ago when I was looking at the TRX1 the price fluctuated for 2 weeks, then 1 day it was down to $340 😁

 

[MStep]

I always keep an eye on Amazon's prices when I see something I want.
A few years ago when I was looking at the TRX1 the price fluctuated for 2 weeks, then 1 day it was down to $340 😁

Like you, I keep an eye on prices, but from two major sites, both Amazon and Walmart. Perhaps due to supply issues, or other reasons, both the Whistler TRX-1 and TRX-2 have disappeared from the Walmart site, at least of this writing.

 

[fourwd1]

Like you, I keep an eye on prices, but from two major sites, both Amazon and Walmart. Perhaps due to supply issues, or other reasons, both the Whistler TRX-1 and TRX-2 have disappeared from the Walmart site, at least of this writing.

Your're right, I do the same with Walmart as well, they can have good buys if you watch.

 

[CycleSycho]

.


Amazon/Walmart also have quite a few goodbyes, other sellers recycling refurbs or defective hardware. At the very least, Whistler sells (most of the time) 100% repaired/recycled hardware (everyone misses a certain amount though).


.

 

[iMONITOR]

Your're right, I do the same with Walmart as well, they can have good buys if you watch.

Yes, late last year Walmart was selling "new", not refurbished TRX-2's for only $429 on a few occasions.

 

[MStep]

This is a little strange, even for Amazon. Why would anyone buy a used unit, even in good condition, for a price higher than some places sell them for new? I have to attribute this to either a somewhat broken supply chain, or perhaps Amazon is getting more returns than anticipated.

 

[hiegtx]

This is a little strange, even for Amazon. Why would anyone buy a used unit, even in good condition, for a price higher than some places sell them for new? I have to attribute this to either a somewhat broken supply chain, or perhaps Amazon is getting more returns than anticipated.

That's from an Amazon Marketplace seller, not Amazon itself. The price is also higher than the currently listed for the SDS100 (via marketplace seller Police Scanner Outlet). There's a second listing for the TRX-2 at over $900.

You're right, unusual even for Amazon listings. ScannerMaster is out of stock, but their price, 'new', is at $629.99.

 

[MStep]

That's from an Amazon Marketplace seller, not Amazon itself. The price is also higher than the currently listed for the SDS100 (via marketplace seller Police Scanner Outlet). There's a second listing for the TRX-2 at over $900.

You're right, unusual even for Amazon listings. ScannerMaster is out of stock, but their price, 'new', is at $629.99.

And strangely, as my original post here reported, now that "used, good" caveat has once again disappeared. As RaleighGuy pointed out in Post #2 in this thread, eyes open and heads up.

 

[Swipesy]

Since the arrival of Simulcast radio systems there is no Whistler radio new or otherwise that is worth more than $250.00 tops. But.....it is hard for people to grasp this reality.

 

[MStep]

Since the arrival of Simulcast radio systems there is no Whistler radio new or otherwise that is worth more than $250.00 tops. But.....it is hard for people to grasp this reality.

I'm not sure I would go as low as 250.00, but I certainly agree that the radio's value has diminished in the years since it has been introduced. And for certain types of digital systems, they work better than anything else I have heard. But this is NOT the radio of choice as a sole receiver for anyone in a simulcast environment. Uniden has dominated that market since the introduction of the SDS series. The only other device that has worked well in this environment is the Blue Tail.

Some folks find out the hard way and end up returning their radios. And hence we see those occasional dips in price, when the supply exceeds the demand.

 

[CycleSycho]

.


My guess (those asking outrageous prices), is they think these radios are like the car (new and used) shortages that is driving (pardon the pun) prices to the upper atmosphere...


.

 

[PVchief2]

Any other whistler radios work on simulcast?

 

[fxdscon]

Any other whistler radios work on simulcast?

The only scanners that will work reliably and consistently for simulcast systems are the Uniden SDS100 and the SDS200. They were purpose built to deal with the issues that simulcast presents.

Have a read here:

Simulcast Distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[hiegtx]

Any other whistler radios work on simulcast?

None.

But remember that for Simulcast systems, your location is very important. If you are very close to one of the transmit sites, that strong signal may override the out of sync signals, and your scanner may work well in a fixed location. Or, if you are far enough outside of the system,, you might be getting a usable signal from only one tower. In that case, it might work.

The third possibility is that, at your location, terrain (hills) or clusters of tall buildings might shield conflicting signals so that the scanner might work. In some cases, you may find that moving the scanner a few feet in one direction or another, you also may make it work. (Note that this is assuming you are using an antenna mounted directly on the scanner (such as a 'back of the set telescoping antenna.), not an external rooftop antenna.) You may also find that aiming a yagi at one specific site can make that system work. But, a directional antenna, aimed at a specific site, may hamper, if not preclude, your reception of other systems that are in a different location around you.

Read the Wiki page that fxdscon posted. That will explain it better. But, if you insist on getting a scanner, other than the SDS100 or SDS200, purchase it from a vendor, such as ScannerMaster or Amazon, that does not heavily penalize you with restock fees if it won't work for your area, so you return it.

Looks like most of the agencies in your county have migrated to the statewide MOSWIN system, Here's the map of the Greene County Simullcast site:


There is also a separate site for Springfield, but it's using frequencies licensed to your state, so actual tower locations are not shown.

 

[MStep]

For those interested, as of 6/29/22, I see one retailer selling the TRX-2 on Amazon for appx 499.00. That's a great price. Just reporting this as a matter of fact. I can't vouch for the third-party retailer involved, but purchasing through Amazon does provide an additional layer of purchase protection.

 

[CycleSycho]

.


Seems the thread had 'drifted' off topic? Thanks MStep, for the course correction (LOL)...


.

 

[Machria]

Those so called "USED" cheaper units on Amazon will always be one of two things:
1. Sold by "Amazon Warehouse": This means it is a brand new unit, that was returned by another customer. Sometimes it was opened, turned on, put back in box and returned for a refund. Amazon is not allowed to sell it as new any longer, so the price is reduced and sold as "used" by the "Warehouse". I've bought LOTS of stuff this way, and saved a ton of money. I've never had a problem with any of them. And if you did, well, just return it, Amazons return policy is great.
2. As already mentioned, it is for sale by an Amazon 3rd party vendor. Sometimes they are "used" items, sometimes they are just trying to catch some UN-suspecting person over paying for something. And I have a theory, maybe the manufacturer does it, to make the prices look better (if some are priced at $759, and the rest are $599, the 599 doesn't sound half bad. But this is just my guess....