Backlight Life span: 2096/96/97/2051 (newer GRE's)

[whooey]

I know the older scanners (Pro-2006) are known for their backlight going bad (Dimming over time).

I was wondering if they have improved on this feature and installed a better light that will never go dim over time.

Your thoughts and input appreciated,

Brandon G.

 

[astrodanco]

I know the older scanners (Pro-2006) are known for their backlight going bad (Dimming over time).

I was wondering if they have improved on this feature and installed a better light that will never go dim over time.

The newer scanners use LCDs with LEDs to illuminate them. They'll last a very long time indeed.

 

[safetyobc]

I am curious about the same on my BC246T, I leave the backlight on almost all of the time. Bout how many years we talkin? Estimate.

 

[n4voxgill]

Yeah, those 2006 were really bad, most needed a new back light after only 10 to 15 years of service.

 

[eyes00only]

Yeah, those 2006 were really bad, most needed a new back light after only 10 to 15 years of service.

Do I detect a bit of sarcasm here :roll: .

Jerry

 

[SAR923]

I don't know exactly what kind of LED's are used in these displays but the worst lifespan I've seen quoted for LED's is 10,000 hours and the best is around 100,000 hours. If we assume that RS and Uniden used LED's with a 50,000 hour lifespan, that works out to a little less than a six year lifespan if you have it running 24x7. By that time, everything in the world will have been rebanded, in which case we'll all probably have to buy new scanners anyway, or everything will be encrypted and it will be a moot point.

 

[W4KRR]

The PRO-2004, 2005, and 2006's did not use LED's, they used an electro luminescent panel (sp?) which did dim over time. Many would eventually fade out until they didn't work at all, like the one in my PRO-2006 did. I replaced it with one I purchased off of eBay.

 

[eyes00only]

I'm putting my trust in you all. Today I started leaving the light on my Pro 95 on, but only when plugged in.

Jerry

 

[SAR923]

I wouldn't put too much trust in us. I don't have a 95 but, assuming it has the same backlight as the 92, those are grain of wheat bulbs and not LED's. The life span of these small bulbs can either be quite short, like 500 hours, if they are run at full rated voltage, or practically forever if they are something like a 12 volt bulb being run at 8 volts. The backlight on my 92 is so dim that I suspect the bulbs are being run at less than their rated voltage but I don't know that for sure. Maybe someone else has more definitive information.

 

[pro92b]

I wouldn't put too much trust in us. I don't have a 95 but, assuming it has the same backlight as the 92, those are grain of wheat bulbs and not LED's.

The PRO-92 and PRO-95 both use LED's, type LN1371(H)-6U made by Panasonic. They are listed in the parts lists for both radios available on the Radio Shack web site. I have changed the LED's in my PRO-92 and the old parts were LED's, not grain of wheat bulbs.

The PRO-95 runs the LED's at higher current and may also have a more efficient light pipe so the display is brighter.

 

[eyes00only]

Thanks pro92b.

Jerry

 

[SAR923]

Thanks for the correction, Pro92B. I'm really suprised to find out my 92 has LED's for backlighting. The backlighting is so dim and uneven that I just assumed they must be GOW bulbs. You'd think they could have done a little better job with LED's.