651 or 668?

[goldvrx]

Hi all, new to forum. I recently rekindled my interest in scanning when I got a Pro-26 200 channel scanner at a flea market for $5, looks and works like new.
I soon realized that technology has advanced quite a bit since I had my original Pro-2006.
A few days ago I purchased a Pro-651 and programming cable. After searching the net I found this forum and have a question about the use full life of these scanners.
With Radio Shacks closing and assuming there will be no support as far as firmware goes, will the 651 or the 668 be the better bet?
I know the 668 has P25 phase 2 but I like the keypad and buttons setup of the 651. I was thinking since the 668 is menu driven it will be more in need of firmware updates.
What is the better radio for a newbie? Or should I just keep the 651 and learn how to use it? There is still time to return the 651 to the few Radio Shacks that have not closed yet in my area.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Blackswan73]

If you need to hear any agencies using phase 2 either now, or the foreseeable future, I would go with the 668. I have a 668, and a 1080, and love them. If you don't need phase 2, then I would stick with the 651. As for the keyboard, I was hesitant to pull the trigger on a menu driven scanner. After buying the 668, I have never looked back. It kind of reminds me when touch phones came out. A lot of folks thought it couldn't be as good as a regular phone with a keypad. A lot of people are resistant to new technology. But like I said, if you don't see a need for phase 2, then I would keep the 651

 

[Nasby]

Good advice from Muskrat. I'll add that I have both units and like them both.

Side by side they receive identically well on the digital systems I monitor.

I find that the Pro-651 is easier to program than the 668 as the EZ scan software takes some getting used to. But it is free while the 651 requires the purchase of software and a programming cable.

 

[scosgt]

I would not mind having a 651 or 652, but I am not paying $200 plus a cable AND software when I can buy the 668 for $150. That just makes no sense.

The Ebay sellers have not dropped the prices of the 651-652, but in another week or two they will probably need to do that to get them sold.

 

[Redneck0410]

I would not mind having a 651 or 652, but I am not paying $200 plus a cable AND software when I can buy the 668 for $150. That just makes no sense.

The Ebay sellers have not dropped the prices of the 651-652, but in another week or two they will probably need to do that to get them sold.

I have the 652, and I couldn't be happier. I bought mine when Blinq still had a good stock of them on hand, even secured a 1-year membership here and bought the full version of ARC500... it's already paid for itself ten-fold in two months!

 

[flythunderbird]

I would not mind having a 651 or 652, but I am not paying $200 plus a cable AND software when I can buy the 668 for $150. That just makes no sense.

The Ebay sellers have not dropped the prices of the 651-652, but in another week or two they will probably need to do that to get them sold.

Hope so! I'd like to pick up a 652 for $150 ...

 

[AtlasFBG2]

I bought the 651 first from Radio Shack web site then picked up a 668 from ebay.

I like the 651 design beter. I programed it manually but later bought a programing cable off ebay.The 651 cost more with the ac adapter,program cable,software and RR subscription.

The 668 is cheaper as it comes with the programing cable,software and RR updates. I just used a cell phone charger that I already had to power it.

As long as you don't have a need for phase 2 either scanner will do the same job. Since you already have the 651 and programing cable I would keep it. If you plan on getting a second scanner grab a 668 for the cost savings.

 

[goldvrx]

Thanks for all the replies, I looked at the frequency chart for my area and it looks like they will be going to phase 2 this year.
I looked up the Pro 668 on the Radio Shack site and located one in a closing store. I just got the 668 for $150 so it looks like I will be returning the 651.

Thanks for all of your help, I'm sure I'll have some questions on the 668.

 

[ratboy]

If you aren't short on cash, keep both of them. A spare in case of a disaster, just another radio when/if something bad happens, etc. I usually have my 668 and my 106/PSR-500 going at the same time, with overlapping coverage, and I get a lot of stuff I might miss with just one radio.