BC246T vs BC245XLT/BC8T

[k9swx]

I currently have a BC245XLT and BC8T, but I was considering selling them both to purchase a 246T. Besides the obvious advantages of tons more memory channels, alpha tagging, and the RF CloseCall feature, what other advantages or disadvantages would there be of 'upgrading' to the 246T? Has anyone done any side-by-side comparisons of these radios? I'm mainly curious to see how sensitive the receiver is in the 246T. I'd be using it with a normal stubby antenna as well as an external mag mount in the car. Most of what I would be monitoring is the conventional freqs as we don't have too many trunked systems around here.

Thanks to all!

Stan, K9SWX

 

[safetyobc]

The small size is a plus! I had a 250D when I got the 246T. Because I never put the 246t down and never turned on the 250, I sold the 250. The reception was equal if not better than the 250 on VHF-High. I use a Antennex mag mount when mobile and a Scantenna at home and the factory duck while at work. I take this radio everywhere! I am very happy. After you get the hang of the memory setup you'll dread having to use banks and channels again, at least I do. You can look at Mark's scanner page for comparison's. Side By Side Comparison

Hope this helps you out. Just pick the three radio's you mentioned and most of the info is side by side. Nice site to compare radios.

 

[k9swx]

Thanks for the link to that site, looks pretty nifty! I'm looking for some first hand reviews of these side-by-side. There's a few scattered in the 35 page BC246T thread saying stuff like 'since i bought my 246, I haven't picked up my 245xlt'. That's cool, but I just want to know why. Thanks again!!

Stan, K9SWX

 

[safetyobc]

The reason I haven't picked up my 250 is because of the size of the unit and the battery life. My 250 had a battery pack which only lasted about 4 to 6 hours. The 246T I am using 2500 mAh Energizer rechargeables that last 10 to 12 hours. I'm not sure if the 245 uses the bat pack or not but the AA batteries is definately a plus on the 246T. The size easily fits in your pocket and can walk around about anywhere and no body is staring at the radio on your side. The memory set up and functionability of the 246 is untouched by any other scanner on the market! The close call feature is awsome. Especially if you are out of town and pull up on a fire scene or accident scene, the close call gets you in on the action. Everyone has a preference, I would definately reccommend the 246t to anyone, but would also suggest getting the programming software, it will make life easier. I have the ARC246 software and love it!

 

[k9swx]

My 245XLT has a battery pack in it that I picked up from Lee's Electronics, lasts quite awhile. However, I can't just stick the 245 in my pocket and go like you can with your 246T. Everyone seems to talk about the 246T's unique programming and that sounds very interesting to me. I've been used to banks since I started scanning and it's nice to see them starting to break away and go a different direction. Keep the comparisons coming, I appreciate it!

Stan, K9SWX

 

[safetyobc]

Well the programming is awsome! I set up my 246T in regions. I live in S. Arkansas which is mostly rural police and fire on VHF-High freqs so I set it up like this. The set up options are almost endless. I have almost every county from Little Rock south programmed in. Including the State Police and some other trunked systems just in case I travel through. The 246T doesn't use channels but to show you how I set it up, I named it a channel. Just an example of how the setup can be done:

System 1: Region 1

Group 1: Bradley County

Channel 1: City Fire
Channel 2: City Police
Channel 3: County Fire
Channel 4: County Sheriff

Group 2 Ashley County

Channel 1: City Fire
Channel 2: City Police
Channel 3: County Fire
Channel 4: County Sheriff

Group 3 Drew County

Channel 1: City Fire
Channel 2: City Police
Channel 3: County Fire
Channel 4: County Sheriff

 

[JnglMassiv]

Here's another thread asking about the same question.

I have a BC245xlt that I got new in 1999. It is a nice unit and was often by my side these 6 years. However, when I heard about the 246T, I was interested. I got mine a little before Christmas.

I don't think I've turned the '5 on since I got the '6. The '6 is pretty much equal or better in every way.

I'll admit that the new dynamic programming scheme did throw me for the first few hours. After I had the breakthrough mental click, I realized its really a superior way to manage the scanner's memory. Its not difficult to do, the learning curve is just a bit longer.

This is my first scanner with alpha tags. Wow. I've been missing this for years and never realized it! Man, when I think back to trying to remember all those talkgroups numbers on a busy TRS...sheesh. Never again!

If you go with a 246T, I really, really recommmend the ARC246 software. Read the 246T manual to get the terms down (like system, group, quick key), then use the software to make a system.

I'm a bit on the fence about the batteries. I like that they are regular cells but I wish they lasted longer. I just keep 2 pair and always put the dead pair into the charger as soon as they are dead. I suppose if I had to choose between the small size and 2 extra batteries, I'd go with Uniden's choice of size priority.

Really, if you like the BC245xlt, and you can wrap your brain around the programming, you will really like the BC246T. In my opinion, its quite a bargain, too.

PS...Here's my advice for an antenna

 

[k9swx]

Thanks for the detailed review and comparison. How is the sensitivity of the 246 vs the old 245? (I know you haven't turned the '5' on since you got the '6', but I'm sure you've compared them just a tad!) This sounds like a winner to me, I just need to get the BCT8 and BC245 up for sale and see what I get out of them.

Stan, K9SWX

 

[JnglMassiv]

How is the sensitivity of the 246 vs the old 245?

I'm from Chicago and I go to school in Milwaukee. I've always had strong, urban signals and can't really speak to the sensitivity. Plus, I've been using an aftermarket antenna since I got the '6. I don't remember any particularly grave reviews in the 35 pages of BC246T sticky thread.