96 vs 796 or ???

[Pro-95]

So I'm still pondering a scanner purchase. I work at RS so a Pro-96 can be had at the generous employee discount. However the more I learn about this hobby the more I want to be able to control/dump/track/record etc. etc. a radio. So I'm leaning towards the 796.

There is no digitally encoded broadcasts in my area (Northern Nevada) yet. But if I'm going to fork out 5+ I want it to last a while.

What other radio options am I missing?

Plus I have a concern.... Having sold Uniden cordless phones for a while now I'm not sold on the brand. Is this an issue with their scanners?

 

[Dubbin]

Having sold Uniden cordless phones for a while now I'm not sold on the brand. Is this an issue with their scanners?

No issues at all.

 

[K2KOH]

It's a fairly good scanner on conventional VHF/UHF/800...why not take out the demo model and listen to it awhile while you're at work?

 

[DaveNF2G]

Someone has created a program that will display a dump of the information from a P25 control channel from the PRO-96. It's in the files section of the Trunker group at Yahoogroups.

 

[Dubbin]

Someone has created a program that will display a dump of the information from a P25 control channel from the PRO-96. It's in the files section of the Trunker group at Yahoogroups.

umm ok :roll:

 

[rdale]

Dave: If he has no digital systems in his area the dumping won't do a thing. And for 99% of all scanners owners that do have digital - it's still of no use right now.

- Rob

PS There's a lengthy thread on this site already discussing the ap

 

[loumaag]

The ability to control the radio, etc. from the PC is a powerful plus in Uniden's corner and of course it is capable of LTR tracking. Also the lack of Digital signals in your area generally means you won't be driven crazy by the lack of an effective AGC circuit in the Uniden.

On the Pro-96 plus side is of course your discount and generally better PL decoding of the RS product.

Just wanted to throw my $0.02 in.

 

[Pro-95]

Just wanted to throw my $0.02 in.

All 2 cents accepted. Thanks.

Hmm will the proposed 2096 have computer interfacing???? I could wait to get the best of both worlds. Have to go back and read the 2096 thread.

 

[Voyager]

So I'm still pondering a scanner purchase. I work at RS so a Pro-96 can be had at the generous employee discount. However the more I learn about this hobby the more I want to be able to control/dump/track/record etc. etc. a radio. So I'm leaning towards the 796.

There is no digitally encoded broadcasts in my area (Northern Nevada) yet. But if I'm going to fork out 5+ I want it to last a while.

First of all, there is NO Scanner that will garuntee you anything. Systems exist today that will not be heard on either model.

Why not put the money into the PRO-95. Then, when digital does come to your area, but something that will work on that system.

I would also recommend reading the other (several) posts on the matter.

You ARE comparing apples and oranges between the PRO-96 and BC-796D. A more fair comparison would be between the 96 and BC296D, or between the BC796D and the PRO-2096.

As for what features it will have, that's not entirely known yet. But, if you are looking for a base/mobile, I would definitely wait for a couple months and make my chocie then.

I will say that if you plan to travel, or have many active frequencies in your area, the V-folders really can't be beat. But, if you have any LTR you want to listen to, the Uniden is the only game in town. PC control also may limit you to the Uniden (PRO-2096 unknown at this time).

It's all a matter of what features are important to you. But, I'm sure this thread will come down to a flame-fest between models as it always does.

One of the threads has a pretty comprehensive list of the pros and cons of each manufacturer.

Joe M.

 

[Pro-95]

Why not put the money into the PRO-95. Then, when digital does come to your area, but something that will work on that system.

True enough. Possibly cheaper in the long run.

You ARE comparing apples and oranges between the PRO-96 and BC-796D. A more fair comparison would be between the 96 and BC296D, or between the BC796D and the PRO-2096.

As for what features it will have, that's not entirely known yet. But, if you are looking for a base/mobile, I would definitely wait for a couple months and make my chocie then.

Understood. Wasn't exactly trying to comapre handheld to base/mobile just features with computer plug-in as a "feature".

I will say that if you plan to travel, or have many active frequencies in your area, the V-folders really can't be beat.

I agree the V-folders is a pretty impressive feature and I do travel a bit but not enough to where my laptop couldn't handle the task of V-folder via Win95 and a cable, albeit nowhere near as compact.

But, if you have any LTR you want to listen to, the Uniden is the only game in town.

None that I know of.

PC control also may limit you to the Uniden (PRO-2096 unknown at this time).

Ok.

It's all a matter of what features are important to you. But, I'm sure this thread will come down to a flame-fest between models as it always does.

Not the intention.

One of the threads has a pretty comprehensive list of the pros and cons of each manufacturer.

Where? I'd like to read it.

Thanks.

 

[kikito]

One of the threads has a pretty comprehensive list of the pros and cons of each manufacturer.

Where? I'd like to read it.

Thanks.

Well, here's one where I wrote a list....

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10926

 

[Voyager]

It's all a matter of what features are important to you. But, I'm sure this thread will come down to a flame-fest between models as it always does.

Not the intention.

One of the threads has a pretty comprehensive list of the pros and cons of each manufacturer.

Where? I'd like to read it.

I didn't mean to imply that your intentions were any such thing. It's just that there are people who will make it a flame-fest. PErhaps we will get lucky and it's won't happen this time.

As for the threads, just search "96 BC296D" or some such thing.

Kikito quoted or wrote the list I was talking about. I'll paste it here (I did edit it to correct some info):

Joe M.

Features of the BC296D, (that the Pro-96 DOES NOT HAVE or are better in the BC296D):

-- Longer alpha-tags (16 vs 12)
-- LTR trunking (except ProVoice, Passport, and MultiNet)
-- EDACS Narrowband trunking
-- EDACS SCAT trunking
-- EDACS Blockout feature
-- EDACS Emergency ID feature
-- I-Calls (on 3600 systems ONLY)
-- Patch Tracking
-- Status Bit option (on or off)
-- End Code option (detect or ignore)
-- Activity ID option (on or off)
-- Lockout Talkgroups without taking away available ID channels
-- Up to three Base/Offset ranges for VHF/UHF through the keypad
-- More custom search ranges (10 vs 1)
-- More pre-programmed searches
-- Data Skip option
-- More priority channels (10 vs 1)
-- Selectable frequency step sizes (Auto, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100kHz)
-- More frequency modes (supports SNFM and WFM)
-- Screen Mask feature
-- Auto Store during a search
-- Beep Alert for desired frequencies or talkgroups
-- Faster scanning and searching rate (theoretically 100 ch/sec vs 60 ch/sec)
-- Priority Plus option (Scans only priority channels)
-- More channels per bank (100 vs 50) or more total channels (1000 vs 500) of immediate use (meaning without having to load from memory or computer program)
-- Computer Control (Not just programming)
-- Reverse Frequency button (Repeater input)
-- Lockout specific CTCSS/DCS during scanning or searching
-- PC Cable included
-- Power supply included
-- Battery pack included (Although proprietary)


Features of the Pro-96, (that the BC296D DOES NOT have or are better in Pro-96):

-- Control Channel information (SysId, etc.)
-- More trunked delay options (None, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 & 4.0)
-- Better audio
-- Better screen and keypad backlighting
-- More backlight functions and delays
-- Bigger screen fonts
-- Uses regular AA batteries
-- Upgradeable DSP firmware
-- Better and faster CTCSS/DCS decoding (Including Subaudible Squelch Tail Elimination turn-off codes)
-- Digital AGC
-- Automatic digital signal adjustment/tuning (Intelligent Adaptive Digital Tracking)
-- V-Scanner Folders feature (Virtually 11 scanners-in-one or 5500 channels total)
-- Control Channel only on VHF trunked systems (Although there's a way to do it on the BC296D)
-- Quick access TUNE function
-- Excellent software (Win96 by Don Starr)
-- You can Scan a trunked system in a bank and Search another one in a different bank, unlike the BC296D that limits you to Scan or Search all your trunked sytems
-- Up to 150 Talkgroups ID's per bank
-- Battery Low threshold adjustable (Through software)
-- Changeable Welcome Screen text
-- Able to review lockout frequencies
-- Up to six Base/Offset ranges for VHF/UHF trunked systems through software (Only one through the keypad)
-- Skips over encrypted transmissions (Only on 3600 systems and when both sides are using it)

 

[Cobra_Commander]

So Which Scanner Is Theretically better the 296D or the 96? :?:

 

[Dubbin]

So Which Scanner Is Theretically better the 296D or the 96? :?:

The one that best fits your needs. I chose the 96 because of the V-Folders and the fact that there is no adjustments that need to be done on digital systems.

 

[4phun]

Users Dumping Uniden for the PRO-96!

So Which Scanner Is Theretically better the 296D or the 96? :?:

Ask yourself

Why do you often see posts everywhere of people who have both types of DIGITAL SCANNERS and they write they are getting rid of the Uniden and keeping the PRO-96?

Or another favorite, they have both DIGITAL SCANNERS but when they grab a scanner to go out with they say they usually only carry the PRO-96?

 

[GlacierClipper]

I like the Pro96 better.

 

[AZScanner]

So Which Scanner Is Theretically better the 296D or the 96? :?:

OK, let's put this one to rest right now.

The answer is: it depends.

It depends on what you intend to monitor and how you do it. If you travel alot and don't have a mobile PC to take with, you might prefer the PRO-96's V-Scanner feature. If you need to monitor LTR, you need to go with the 296D. And so on. There really isn't one "perfect scanner" for everything and everywhere (although the upcoming BC246T comes really close) and that is why many of us, much to our spouses' chagrin, own several scanners.

Since I'm staying put in the Phoenix area for the foreseeable future, I'm going to go with the PRO-96. It also helps that I have a friend willing to sell me his used one for a really good price. But my main reason for wanting that scanner is because I KNOW IT WORKS on our new DTRS. No other reason. The V-Scanner idea is cool and the AA batteries are nice but the real reason is how it works on this system. I could care less about anything else as it will most likely ONLY be used for the digital systems I monitor - nothing else. I have 11 other scanners that can handle the rest, including one that does nothing but monitor (ahem) certain "data" channels full time. 8)

BUT! I am not you and don't live where you live! Therefore what's best for me, may or may not be, best for you. So no one can really answer that question for you. It's something you have to determine for yourself.

Now please can we talk about SOMETHING ELSE????

-AZ

 

[serebin]

Another caveat about the 296 is that it does not monitor many LTR systems.

 

[AZScanner]

Another caveat about the 296 is that it does not monitor many LTR systems.

NOOOO!!!!! DIE THREAD!!! DIE!!!!! :twisted:

-AZ

 

[loumaag]

Kikito quoted or wrote the list I was talking about. I'll paste it here (I did edit it to correct some info):

Joe M.

Generally when someone publishes information, if you don't agree with it, then publish your own, don't make corrections especially when you make your own mistakes. Here is one example of your help which is so wrong it is laughable:

-- LTR trunking (except ProVoice, Passport, and MultiNet)

Where

-- LTR trunking

Another point is that kitko had already posted a link to this list, you didn't need to repost it (especially changing things that didn't need changing). On the original post by kitko you were sarcastic and degrading, I see you have not changed much. The difference is now everyone who knows anything, knows what your level of expertise is. :roll:

I also agree with AZScanner, this is another thread that needs to die.