SDS 100 very disappointed

[prima19rider]

After reading about the current sds100/200 scanners I finally decided to try one. What a big disappointment, this is the worst uniden scanner I have ever had going back to the bearcat Electra 3 that was my first. Returning this garbage as soon as I get return authorization. My Icom R6 runs circles around this thing.

 

[kb9klc]

If it's anything other than simulcast I totally agree. I was lucky enough to get to try one for a couple hours and against my 30 year old Relm it didn't stand a chance. Frankly I just use my old scanner and a BCD 536 for analog and a Unication pager for my simulcast needs.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Simulcast distortion mustn't be an issue where you live. You should have done your research and asked for advice in your respective locality's forum before you took the plunge and bought it. I have an upwards of 5 to 10 simulcast systems in my listening area I regularly monitor and the SDS100 brings them in without breaking a sweat. Yes it's marginal at best with anything analog but by no means would I label it the worst scanner I ever bought, quite the opposite. It definitely has its advantages and disadvantages just like any other radio

 

[Saint]

After reading about the current sds100/200 scanners I finally decided to try one. What a big disappointment, this is the worst uniden scanner I have ever had going back to the bearcat Electra 3 that was my first. Returning this garbage as soon as I get return authorization. My Icom R6 runs circles around this thing.

Yep, I had mine for several months and could not sell it fast enough. Terrible worst scanner I have ever bought in 50 years. You did the right thing selling it.
Saint

 

[Omega-TI]

I have no problem with my SDS100, except a total distaste for it's dismal battery life, so I find that LOCALLY I use my el-cheapo Baofeng 5RM as a scanner, it sounds just as good as the SDS100 and it's battery life puts the SDS to shame. Now when I need to monitor digital signals, it's the SDS. Different tools for different jobs.

 

[kb9klc]

I have no problem with my SDS100, except a total distaste for it's dismal battery life, so I find that LOCALLY I use my el-cheapo Baofeng 5RM as a scanner, it sounds just as good as the SDS100 and it's battery life puts the SDS to shame. Now when I need to monitor digital signals, it's the SDS. Different tools for different jobs.

This, exactly this. This is why I have so many ham radios and use 3-4 scanning devices depending on what I'm doing at the time.

 

[a727469]

I owned the sds100 but I have a 200 now which is one of the better all around scanners if care is taken to optimize it and learn it. I have owned at least the same numbers as people in this post for at least as long as those who are comparing apples to oranges.
Yes, the old units were good in many ways, but one has to consider the entire scanner experience and I never liked making blanket positive or negative statements without considering the big picture.
I saw nowhere in this post where there are any specific things listed that would put the 100 in the trash. Would I buy another one? Yes, but with other unidens, icoms etc I did not need it.

If one is talking about strictly sensitivity then maybe the sds100 falls somewhat short, but my 200 is fine with the appropriate antenna and with the filters I got my 100 to be very competitive. Yes, it is not plug and play like the older units.

I ,too, owned an r6 and it was a great little unit, but no comparison to either the sds series or other current scanners in terms of programming ease especially with software or bank/favorites scanning. The r6 is a great receiver for a specific use not including trunk, digital or simulcast or ease of on the go programming. I also owned Relm so I am not inexperienced. Each radio has its place and
I respect everyone’s opinion but please supply specific reason why the sds does not work for you.

 

[trentbob]

Original poster.. yes you should return it immediately, how much time have you spent with it, what other scanners have you owned? Do you have a Uniden 436? Very similar in operation.

There's quite a bit of adjustments and options that can be tried to improve reception that you are disappointed with. It's a steep learning curve and it takes a lot of reading and work to fine tune and get the most out of performance of the SDS series.

I own the 436 and the 536 and have some of the first SDS 100 and 200 models off the line. Took a while but I didn't just dismiss it off hand and call it junk, I learned how to use it properly.

I have one phase 2 simulcast system I use it for but most of my listening is conventional stuff, Aviation, rail, Marine Etc. I think they work great for me.

With your immediate knee-jerk reaction I would immediately sell it, it's an expensive radio and you can definitely use the cash, your R6 is a good receiver, it doesn't drunk track but you'll be much happier with it.

 

[billpritjr]

really love my SDS100 and SDS200.

 

[Omega-TI]

@trentbob is 100% correct, it does have a steep learning curve, I for one also had "issues", but I assure you they were all mine at first, not the radios. Seriously if you decide to keep it, get Proscan to program it and create your own lists of favorites. Using the full built-in database will only frustrate you at first because you'll be spending so much time scanning, you'll miss nearly everything.

The SDS100 requires one to actually play and fiddle with it to learn it well. I also suggest studying the instructions, not just glancing at them, because in the long run this is a freaking feature packed scanner. However, like I mentioned in my previous message, if you are only going to listen to analog signals, this radio may be overkill for you.

I personally wanted something I could grow into, not out of, so for me it was a good purchase, even though I still use different less sophisticated analog radios for local analog light listening.

 

[dmfalk]

I, for one, have never regretted getting an SDS100. With the right antenna this thing really pulls in signals! With the right settings, it'll tackle just about anything out there, except encrypted. Of course, considering the learning curve, I had a head start with the HomePatrol 2, which uses an older version of the kind of setup that the SDS units are based on, so the transition wasn't quite as jarring as it could've been. Is it weak? Not really, at least with the right antenna. The one it comes with is a joke, and there are plenty of far better alternatives out there to choose from.

 

[donc13]

After reading about the current sds100/200 scanners I finally decided to try one. What a big disappointment, this is the worst uniden scanner I have ever had going back to the bearcat Electra 3 that was my first. Returning this garbage as soon as I get return authorization. My Icom R6 runs circles around this thing.

I too have both an SDS200 and an Icom R6. While the R6 has generally better sensitivity, it also does not do anything digital.

Trying to compare the two is like trying to compare a Porsche to an F-150 pickup.

If I had to get rid of one.. It'd be the R6.

 

[kb9klc]

Using the full built-in database will only frustrate you at first because you'll be spending so much time scanning, you'll miss nearly everything.

This I learned with I got my BCD 536 some years ago.

Yes, the old units were good in many ways, but one has to consider the entire scanner experience and I never liked making blanket positive or negative statements without considering the big picture.

Yes, this is true and why many people have multiple devices for monitoring. IF I could only have one unit, I'm honestly not sure I could pursue the "entire scanner experience" at least in my area at home seems I'd need to sacrifice things or make massive changes to the listening posts, especially while traveling.

I personally wanted something I could grow into, not out of, so for me it was a good purchase, even though I still use different less sophisticated analog radios for local analog light listening.

We have only a few frequencies here still on VHF analog that I care to monitor, I also use a "less sophisticated device" for monitoring those while at home. I personally only had a SDS 100 in my hands a couple hours to compare some things to it, and for me, it just wasn't something I felt would work right in my case. Since it was a borrowed unit, I did not make any changes to any settings in it given the stuff I wanted to monitor was already in there. Could it have been adjusted to be better? I don't know but on the things we checked it on including simulcast and even as important battery life, just wasn't for me.

 

[a727469]

Agreed. At least you gave an excellent explanation as to why it was not a good fit. Hopefully the OP will do the same, since anytime someone refers to anything as “garbage”, I always want a logical, succinct explanation.

 

[prima19rider]

Returned today, now just will need to wait for a refund.

 

[donc13]

Returned today, now just will need to wait for a refund.

Obviously, it was your property, you can do anything you wish with it.

Just curious, what do you think you will replace it with, or are you just going to stick with your R6?

 

[jgorman21]

After reading about the current sds100/200 scanners I finally decided to try one. What a big disappointment, this is the worst uniden scanner I have ever had going back to the bearcat Electra 3 that was my first. Returning this garbage as soon as I get return authorization. My Icom R6 runs circles around this thing.

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve had mine for just over three years. Very underwhelmed by the SDS 100. Lots of kind folks on here gave me tips and pointers that made it somewhat better and I’m grateful for that! Been listening to radios since the 1960’s and this was the first purchase I regretted.

I understand.

 

[garys]

My SDS 100 and 200 are great scanners. I guess it depends on how much time people are willing to put into learning how they operate. Living in an area with almost exclusively simulcast trunk systems, it performs very well.

I'm not a fan of Sentinel and only use it to perform firmware updates, download database updates, and change options and display configuration. I know others like it, but I find it clunky and counterintuitive. Then again, I've never used any Uniden software that I thought was good. I've long believed that Uniden should have hired an outside developer to build their software. For building Favorite Lists and Systems, Pro Scan is the way to go.

I don't use all of the features, but the longer I own it, the more features I come to appreciate.

 

[a727469]

Returned today, now just will need to wait for a refund.

That is fine and best for you. Per my former post and for those interested if you wish give us some reasons which might help others if they were considering it. Thanks and have a nice holiday❗️

 

[SigIntel8600]

OP do tell.......What agencies/bands/frequencies were you trying to monitor? If you purchased the SDS 100 to monitor anything but UHF conventional or trunked digital, you failed to do ANY research. Icom R-6 runs rings around it........O.K. sure.