Best bang for the buck?

[NS9710]

I have a Uniden BCD160DN, have been dealing with scanners since 1996 or so (guesstimate).

I’m looking at upgrading to a new scanner, I am pleased with it’s performance and ability to pick up literally everything, I had a BCD436HP, and a few SDS100s, and a 369XT, I am just wondering if there is a scanner out there that is still being manufactured that will follow trunking formats, without sacrificing on the rail and air band too significantly?

Edit:

I also don’t have a whole lot of money available to spend, and will need to save up, but I don’t want to get something cheaper that won’t last long, furthermore, I want something with a little better battery life, the 369XT and 436 was perfect in this regard, I just diff know if there was an additional option I was overlooking.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Define "sacrificing". As I've told you on numerous occasions here you should focus on the antenna and less so on the receiver. If you feel you're having trouble with air and rail then pick up a good quality VHF antenna or two covering those bands, perhaps something along the lines of this. I've had great results across all bands with this Comet multi-bander. Extend for the lower bands, collapse for upper bands.

 

[bearcatrp]

If I recall from your last posts, you don't have much simulcast issues. If this is the case, go find a used Uniden 325P2. Great all around trunking scanner. Whiskey3jmc is correct though, a good antenna is what makes any radio shine. I have both the 325p2 and the comet antenna. Don't think you will find a better setup for the money.

 

[dmfalk]

Ah, more users of the Comet W100RX! 🙃 I've been praising that antenna for some time!

 

[kc2asb]

After nearly 30 years in the hobby, you should know by now that there is no "perfect" radio that does everything well. I received my first scanner as a gift in 1988 and have been playing with radios ever since. Each radio I have owned (or still own) has its strong points and weak points. I use them accordingly

That being said, I have not read any complaints about the 325P2's VHF performance. I agree with @bearcatrp - get a used 325P2. There may be more coming up for sale on RR and elsewhere, with the SDS-150 release imminent. Also, I agree with @Whiskey3JMC - get a good quality antenna for VHF.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[ecps92]

After nearly 30 years in the hobby, you should know by now that there is no "perfect" radio that does everything well. I received my first scanner as a gift in 1988 and have been playing with radios ever since. Each radio I have owned (or still own) has its strong points and weak points. I use them accordingly

That being said, I have not read any complaints about the 325P2's VHF performance. I agree with @bearcatrp - get a used 325P2. There may be more coming up for sale on RR and elsewhere, with the SDS-150 release imminent. Also, I agree with @Whiskey3JMC - get a good quality antenna for VHF.

Good luck in your quest!

Exactly

Scanners are a tool
Use the right/correct tools for the application

VHF Antenna for VHF Bands
P25 Scanner for P25
Analog for the legacy stuff Air, Marine)

 

[bearcatrp]

Have you tried putting all the frequencies you want to hear in your 160? The 160 scan rate it pretty good.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Have you tried putting all the frequencies you want to hear in your 160? The 160 scan rate it pretty good.

OP wants to trunk with the scanner which rules out the 160

II am just wondering if there is a scanner out there that is still being manufactured that will follow trunking formats

 

[bearcatrp]

OP wants to trunk with the scanner which rules out the 160

I know that but it does get close. I currently do that with my R30. Have my entire state P25 system in my R30. It gets pretty close to trunking provided I select the 3 counties around me. Have grouped by county. Can always try before spending money on another scanner.

 

[NS9710]

The county is on a P25 Simulcast system, however the BCD436 didn’t have any issues with it

If I recall from your last posts, you don't have much simulcast issues. If this is the case, go find a used Uniden 325P2. Great all around trunking scanner. Whiskey3jmc is correct though, a good antenna is what makes any radio shine. I have both the 325p2 and the comet antenna. Don't think you will find a better setup for the money.

 

[NS9710]

I want something with P25 and trunking, which as we all know, the 160 does not do.

Define "sacrificing". As I've told you on numerous occasions here you should focus on the antenna and less so on the receiver. If you feel you're having trouble with air and rail then pick up a good quality VHF antenna or two covering those bands, perhaps something along the lines of this. I've had great results across all bands with this Comet multi-bander. Extend for the lower bands, collapse for upper bands.

 

[NS9710]

As Whiskey3JMC stated, I just need something with the ability to run P25, DMR, and NXDN with trunking abilities.

I know that but it does get close. I currently do that with my R30. Have my entire state P25 system in my R30. It gets pretty close to trunking provided I select the 3 counties around me. Have grouped by county. Can always try before spending money on another scanner.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Did you sell your 436 & SDS'es? Are you looking for handheld only? Only other handheld that meets your criteria aside from the aformentioned two is the BCD325P2 but as you probably understand you'll need to purchase the DMR & NXDN upgrades. I'm omitting the Whistlers since they don't technically trunk track. But yeah, as I mentioned you'll want to toss the stock antenna aside and get one that adequately covers your bands of interest

1.4 Monitoring DMR

 

[kc2asb]

As Whiskey3JMC stated, I just need something with the ability to run P25, DMR, and NXDN with trunking abilities.

Are you going to keep the 160DN? Unless you insist on having everything in one radio, keep the 160DN for rail, aircraft, etc and buy a used 325P2 as others have previously suggested. Nothing wrong with using two scanners!

 

[NS9710]

Yeah I sold them both

Did you sell your 436 & SDS'es? Are you looking for handheld only? Only other handheld that meets your criteria aside from the aformentioned two is the BCD325P2 but as you probably understand you'll need to purchase the DMR & NXDN upgrades. I'm omitting the Whistlers since they don't technically trunk track. But yeah, as I mentioned you'll want to toss the stock antenna aside and get one that adequately covers your bands of interest

1.4 Monitoring DMR

 

[NS9710]

I would rather have an all-in-one scanner.

Are you going to keep the 160DN? Unless you insist on having everything in one radio, keep the 160DN for rail, aircraft, etc and buy a used 325P2 as others have previously suggested. Nothing wrong with using two scanners!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I would rather have an all-in-one scanner.

go find a used Uniden 325P2. Great all around trunking scanner.

I agree with @bearcatrp - get a used 325P2.

Only other handheld that meets your criteria aside from the aformentioned two is the BCD325P2 but as you probably understand you'll need to purchase the DMR & NXDN upgrades.

and buy a used 325P2 as others have previously suggested. Nothing wrong with using two scanners!

Lastly:

If you feel you're having trouble with air and rail then pick up a good quality VHF antenna or two covering those bands

I'm done here...

 

[K9KLC]

Seems he already had a 436 that he claimed didn't have simulcast issues where he's at, a couple upgrades and he would have had what he wanted. I'm not sure what he's after here. The 325P2 keeps coming up so maybe that's where he's at as long as he understands it will need upgraded for DMR and NXDN if he's wanting those.

 

[bearcatrp]

Will admit the 325p2 does have issues on simulcast sometimes. It does fairly well on just about everything it is capable of doing.

 

[kc2asb]

I would rather have an all-in-one scanner.

I get it, but I recommend keeping the 160DN and saving up for a used 325P2. Using two radios means less chance of missing calls. Maybe one day all you feel like listening to is Rail, so grab the 160DN and go railfanning.

Since you sold your 436HP and SDS, it seems that listening to the county trunked system is secondary to your monitoring interests, and can wait until you save up the funds for a used 325P2.

Just my 2 cents, and it's free.