About the Pro-106

[SDBud]

So, I'm very confused by the 106.

Is it true, there are only 20 scanlists for the WHOLE radio?

If so, WHY would anyone want one???

 

[gmclam]

Pro-106

20 scan lists is kind of like 20 banks in older scanners but not really. In older scanners banks were limited (such as to 100) as to the number of frequencies or talkgroups that could be listed. The limit is much much higher in the '106 as well as the fact you get 20 lists instead of 10 banks.

Additionally there is another thing called V-folders. That's where you can have folders that each contain 20 scan lists. I strongly suggest that you read the Wiki on the scanner and check it out for yourself.

 

[SDBud]

scanlists

20 scan lists is kind of like 20 banks in older scanners but not really. In older scanners banks were limited (such as to 100) as to the number of frequencies or talkgroups that could be listed. The limit is much much higher in the '106 as well as the fact you get 20 lists instead of 10 banks.

Additionally there is another thing called V-folders. That's where you can have folders that each contain 20 scan lists. I strongly suggest that you read the Wiki on the scanner and check it out for yourself.

Unless scanlists are TOTALLY different from Uniden scanners, I fail to see the usefulness of having only 20.

Or is there some OTHER way to turn on and off groups of TGs within a trunked system that you want to listen to??

 

[torontokris]

20 scanlists and 20 (+1) v-folders

so 400-420 scanlists in the whole radio

You can turn off objects if you want.

but yes I like Unidens Systems and Groups better (my opinion).

 

[SDBud]

20 scanlists and 20 (+1) v-folders

so 400-420 scanlists in the whole radio

Vfolders are nice if you travel and want to keep setups for different areas, but they, in NO WAY,
come close to being useful for scanning full time in one area.

The 106 has some nice features, but it's simply a no-brainer for anyone *I* know with only 20 scanlists.

Are the base models the same??

 

[jrholm]

The nice thing with the Pro-106 scanlists is you can put as many or as little objects into a scan list without waisting any memory. If I only want 1 item in a particular scan list I don't loose out on the other 99 channels in a typical scanner bank. If I want to associate talkgroups from different systems in a particular list I can do so without affecting/interfering with the other systems. For example in my L.A. County city PD's list I have all municipalities in a scan list some of which are on the ICIS trunked system and others are on various Moto 800 systems with no problem.

Basically imagine being able to take 1800 channels and arrange them anyway you want to.

 

[jnewell]

The comparison to Uniden is quick keys. My 246T has only 10 quick keys, which means essentially 10 scan lists. Sure, you can set quick keys on groups as well as systems, but that means going into the menus. I find the PSR 600 a lot easier to configure for easy access than the BC246T.

 

[gmclam]

You can do a lot with 20 lists

Basically imagine being able to take 1800 channels and arrange them anyway you want to.

I'd like to organize my 1800 channels as 100 lists of 18 channels. LOL. It is not quite that flexible. The limiting factor is that there are only 10 number keys and a limited amount of space on the display, otherwise 100 scan lists would be better.

But the OP wrote: "Is it true, there are only 20 scanlists for the WHOLE radio?" and is clearly not understanding the power of those scan lists. Back in the days of crystal and early programmable scanners, each channel had a lock out. Then along came the idea of banks which was a huge improvement. Now you have these "banks" (lists) which do not waste memory if you don't use a specified number of frequencies/talkgroups in each. While 20 is a small number, it is a lot better than what we've had before.

 

[iMONITOR]

Actually there are 22 scan lists if you get creative! You can use the Favorites List, and the SkyWarn List for anything you want.

 

[SDBud]

The comparison to Uniden is quick keys. My 246T has only 10 quick keys, which means essentially 10 scan lists. Sure, you can set quick keys on groups as well as systems, but that means going into the menus. I find the PSR 600 a lot easier to configure for easy access than the BC246T.

But the Uniden has 10 scanlists in EACH AND EVERY system. That's 10 x 100 scanlists.

THAT is the smarter way to do things.

For example, I have one system for San Diego PD. In that system, there are lists for each division that's in use, 1 list for Detectives, and a list for the command channels. That's 9 lists JUST in that one system.

If I CAN'T do that (like in the 106), I can't listen to just ONE area, unless I lock out everything else, THEN I have to unlock the others when I want a different area.

VERY unwieldy.

 

[SDBud]

scalists

But the OP wrote: "Is it true, there are only 20 scanlists for the WHOLE radio?" and is clearly not understanding the power of those scan lists. Back in the days of crystal and early programmable scanners, each channel had a lock out. Then along came the idea of banks which was a huge improvement. Now you have these "banks" (lists) which do not waste memory if you don't use a specified number of frequencies/talkgroups in each. While 20 is a small number, it is a lot better than what we've had before.

Oh no, I FULLY understand the lists, but I was HOPING I didn't.

You have apparently not used a recent Uniden Trunker. They ALL have 20 lists PER SYSTEM, and 10 'quick keys' that can turn on or off 10 of those 20 IN EACH system.

Sure, not perfect, but WAY better than only 20 scanlists in the whole radio (15, 246, 396, 996). If Uniden had 1 extra kay on the radio, they could allow 100 lists per system, and each could be turned on ad off.

 

[kayi4cle]

Well, technically there are 22 Scanlists. The 20 main lists that can be enabled all together (or not), plus Favs (21) and WX (22) which fly solo when enabled. You enable Favs by pressing that key, and WX by pressing FUNC plus WX. You can put anything you want in Favs and WX (doesn't have to be favorites and weather). To return to the regular lists, press Scan.

As to why someone would want a radio with limited scanlists: They were practically giving them away in the holiday sale, so some of us couldn't resist. And once you get it, it kind of grows on you. I have found it has good receive, clear audio, and I like the colored flashing LED. I needed a digital handheld and it more than fills the bill. But, I'm not saying it's the only radio you should have. It's just a nice take-along radio for the more important stuff I monitor.

 

[SDBud]

scanlists

The limiting factor is that there are only 10 number keys and a limited amount of space on the display, otherwise 100 scan lists would be better.

That's 10 DIFFERENT lists PER system, not one big list that you can break into 10 pieces.

List 1 in system 1 is NOT the same list as system 2, or 3, or any other, unless you WANT it to be.

If I need more than 10 lists to keep things separate, I can put 10 into a system, then duplicate that system and put 10 NEW lists into that one, and so on.

Here in San Diego, For example, I have the same 'system' 4 times. First, there are the RCS South Fire talkgroups, split into 7 lists. Next is Mutual Aid, which has 6 lists, South Law which has 10 lists, and South Sheriff which has 7 more lists. That's 30 lists already.

My North RCS zone is pretty much the same, and then there are about 12 other systemss, each with IT'S own lists.

Thus, I have GREAT ability to turn active only the TGs I really want to listen to, and leave the rest off. I can't see any way to do that on the 106.

 

[SCPD]

you could have a million scan lists ands makes no diff, you can only listen to so much on one scanner without loosing info on whats going on hence most of us will have multiable radios.
i like the 106/197 and like the unidens as well there just a little different.

 

[SCPD]

That's 10 DIFFERENT lists PER system, not one big list that you can break into 10 pieces.

List 1 in system 1 is NOT the same list as system 2, or 3, or any other, unless you WANT it to be.

If I need more than 10 lists to keep things separate, I can put 10 into a system, then duplicate that system and put 10 NEW lists into that one, and so on.

Here in San Diego, For example, I have the same 'system' 4 times. First, there are the RCS South Fire talkgroups, split into 7 lists. Next is Mutual Aid, which has 6 lists, South Law which has 10 lists, and South Sheriff which has 7 more lists. That's 30 lists already.

My North RCS zone is pretty much the same, and then there are about 12 other systemss, each with IT'S own lists.

Thus, I have GREAT ability to turn active only the TGs I really want to listen to, and leave the rest off. I can't see any way to do that on the 106.

in your last line thats simple just lock out the system you dont want to hear

 

[jnewell]

I have a 246 and a 600. I find the 600 easier to dial in and out of without having to stop what I'm doing and really give the scanner my full attention. This is definitely YMMV territory. If the Unidens work better for you, that's great - no one's going to take them away from you. Just don't buy the GRE!

 

[johnyvico]

grrrr

talking to people with the uniden scanner are like talking to the democrats gre/radioshck = republicans unidens stinking democrats . yea there are 22 scanlist but its 22 scanlist and 20 v-folders each folder holds 1800 freqs do the math . 20x1800 and i do travel and used 3 separate v-folders

 

[ratboy]

After playing with a friend's Uniden, buying my 197 and PSR-500 were no brainers for me!

 

[kayi4cle]

I have a 246 and a 600. I find the 600 easier to dial in and out of without having to stop what I'm doing and really give the scanner my full attention. This is definitely YMMV territory. If the Unidens work better for you, that's great - no one's going to take them away from you. Just don't buy the GRE!

I so agree with you that this is a YMMV subject.

All radios have good qualities, and I personally prefer Uniden's dynamic memory system for the same reason the original poster mentioned. In large metro areas it's nice to have that capability. But I don't let that keep me from enjoying Radio Shack and GRE radios.

You said it best - just don't buy what you don't like. Anyway, it seems that enough bandwidth has been wasted on this subject!

 

[raisindot]

talking to people with the uniden scanner are like talking to the democrats gre/radioshck = republicans unidens stinking democrats . yea there are 22 scanlist but its 22 scanlist and 20 v-folders each folder holds 1800 freqs do the math . 20x1800 and i do travel and used 3 separate v-folders

Excuse me, but I am a lifelong Democrat AND an owner of both the GRE PSR-500 and many Radio Shack scanners over the year. I have NEVER owned a Uniden, but not because of brandism.

And before this comment gets modded, I would just say that GREs are much more akin to Democratic principles--the scanner limits your freedom to operate exactly how you want to, but does so in the interest of creating the best overall balance of performance and functionality. The Unidens, like the Republicans, offer a more freeform experience, with nearly unlimited levels of freedom and ways to set things up your own way, offering many more possibilities for screwing things up.

Suzie