BCD325P2 or BCD996P2
- Thread starter N15squ
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Big factor is whether you plan to move the scanner around, or if it stays in one place. Other than that, they function the same.
wtp
Member
if you want to listen when the power goes out...
with a desktop you need 120 volts or a battery for 12 volts.
with a handheld you just need more little batteries.
and with all the lightning i can get here i don't ever plug in my 396T.
the desktops are hooked up to UPS's and hope a direct strike does not take place.
with a desktop you need 120 volts or a battery for 12 volts.
with a handheld you just need more little batteries.
and with all the lightning i can get here i don't ever plug in my 396T.
the desktops are hooked up to UPS's and hope a direct strike does not take place.
the 325 has gotten really chinsy in quality and uses two batteries which only last aprox 16 hours depending on how hard you use it and you will need a ton of spare barreries ready or on hand compared to the 396 which had three batteries which lasted a day and a half.
i would get the 996 with a car battery myself.
i would get the 996 with a car battery myself.
For the most part they do pretty much the same thing and performance appears to be equal. The BCD996P2 however has different colors for the display if desired. It also accepts "Upgrades" not "Updates" that add ProVoice, DMR and NXDN compatibility. Buy one now, the other later, problem solved!
wtp
Member
the 325 can be upgraded for NXDN, pro voice and DMR.
the 996p2 also does the upgrades or updates like the 325 does, besides they are the same receiver/scanner just packaged differently.
Just do yourself one favor and install a good all around antenna as high as you can, the performance will be dramatically improved.
Just do yourself one favor and install a good all around antenna as high as you can, the performance will be dramatically improved.
wtp
Member
these things happen.
i would not know it, but it is a factor for me wanting to get that one next.
and when i leave the house i keep a couple of extra batteries for a 396T and the wife's XT.
you never know.
i would not know it, but it is a factor for me wanting to get that one next.
and when i leave the house i keep a couple of extra batteries for a 396T and the wife's XT.
you never know.
As others have said, really depends on how you plan to use the scanner. If you are going to use it on your desk or in your vehicle then the 996 may be your best choice with the appropriate home or vehicle antenna. If you like the advantage of having it portable and not a lot of hassles then the 325 would be a better choice. I have preferred a handheld since I can just grab it and go, can use it anywhere. As for the battery situation, the 325 using two AA's and you'll get about 6-10hrs on a set of fully charged batteries depending on how much your using the back light and so on. You can buy q 4 pack of AA rechargeable batteries using 2 in the scanner and 2 charging in a stand alone charger always giving you a fresh spare set. When in the vehicle you can use the USB programming cable as a power source (wont charge while you are using the scanner), and plug into your vehicles USB outlet or the adapter than plugs into your 12v socket which will run off your vehicles battery and not your AA's. For extra power, you can buy the portable power packs pretty cheap now, and keep a couple of them charged for when you going to be out for extended times, use the USB cable to plug into the power pack and power the scanner. Extra AA batteries and a couple of power packs wont be that expensive and can keep your scanner powered for days when you don't have the ability to run off of home or vehicle power.
Just all depends on how you want to use the scanner, for portability i'd go with the 325, for a dedicated use (desk or vehicle) then I'd go with the 996.
Just all depends on how you want to use the scanner, for portability i'd go with the 325, for a dedicated use (desk or vehicle) then I'd go with the 996.
KeithJoseph
Still working on my amateur radio callsign.
The batteries I got with my 325 do not last 5 minutes off the charger
KeithJoseph
Still working on my amateur radio callsign.
Also can someone tell me how to put talkgroups in order in my scanner without hooking it up to a computer
georgesharpe
Member
These radios can be tedious to program by hand. Invest in a Premium membership, if you do have a computer, and use Freescan. It works like a charm!
KeithJoseph
Still working on my amateur radio callsign.
I do have a premium membership
Just want to verify that when you are using the 12 v socket to power the 325P2, it does NOT charge the batteries, so, therefore, it is not necessary to remove the batteries when doing so--correct?
jimg
doctordialtone
Member
The scanner asks you whether you want to charge the batteries, yes or no.
Thanks!
a29zuk
Member
There is no way to sort existing talkgroups using the scanner. You would have to delete them all then enter them in numerical order.
However, putting them in numerical order does not speed up the scan rate. The receiver picks up the talkgroup as the control channel dispatches them. It is not like scanning through a list of conventional frequencies where going from low to high(or high to low) would speed up the scan rate.
Jim
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