Buying a new SDS200 or not!

[DSC45]

Good afternoon, I've been a loyal Uniden Scanner owner and listener for 40 years. Up till recently I've owned both the SDS100 and SDS200 Scanners.

Had some problems with reception w/both SDS scanners. Sold the SDS200 a while ago, but kept the SDS100 and listen to basically one police agency, The New Jersey State Police. I receive the NJSP well with the SDS100. It's really amazing!

I live in New Jersersey, Central Jersey, Somerset County, Town of Bridgewater. My home is situated very close to the Watchung Mountains. Because of this I gave up on the Somerset County Communications System.

Today, a new day for scanning, I was with a friend who owns both SDS units. This friend lives a couple houses away. He monitors the Somerset County Communications System. Unbelievable, this is crystal clear opps car to county, like your right there in the room with them!

He told me Uniden had an update a year ago with the firmware, made all the difference in the world. Also updated many repeaters.

I'm lost, want to re-purchase a SDS200 but have had a couple people here on RadioReference warn that this is a bad time to order a new one, and that being the supply shortage, and the SDS200 is not what it use to be. I'm confused by that statement. I've looked for a good clean used one, but pickings Arne't great

What should I do??? Please give me your opinion.

Thank you
Dave

 

[nessnet]

...and the SDS200 is not what it use to be.....

???????????????????

How has it changed?
There has been some parts substitutions because of "supply chain", but the radio itself (performance) has not changed.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I've looked for a good clean used one, but pickings Arne't great

Apparently you haven't checked the classifieds. Great deal on a used SDS200 "very good condition". Fair price for a unit with DMR upgrade installed (not my listing) Strike while the iron's hot

SDS200 digital scanner with DMR

Selling a SDS200 with DMR upgrade. Very good condition and comes with mounting bracket, program cable and power adapter. New this will cost $775 price $675 shipped Paypal add 3% M.O also accepted.

forums.radioreference.com

 

[tvengr]

Today, a new day for scanning, I was with a friend who owns both SDS units. This friend lives a couple houses away. He monitors the Somerset County Communications System. Unbelievable, this is crystal clear opps car to county, like your right there in the room with them!

Try your friend's SDS200 at your house and see if you can receive Somerset County. A couple of houses away can make a big difference in signal strength when dealing with RF. What antenna is your friend using?

 

[vince48]

Good afternoon, I've been a loyal Uniden Scanner owner and listener for 40 years. Up till recently I've owned both the SDS100 and SDS200 Scanners.

Had some problems with reception w/both SDS scanners. Sold the SDS200 a while ago, but kept the SDS100 and listen to basically one police agency, The New Jersey State Police. I receive the NJSP well with the SDS100. It's really amazing!

I live in New Jersersey, Central Jersey, Somerset County, Town of Bridgewater. My home is situated very close to the Watchung Mountains. Because of this I gave up on the Somerset County Communications System.

Today, a new day for scanning, I was with a friend who owns both SDS units. This friend lives a couple houses away. He monitors the Somerset County Communications System. Unbelievable, this is crystal clear opps car to county, like your right there in the room with them!

He told me Uniden had an update a year ago with the firmware, made all the difference in the world. Also updated many repeaters.

I'm lost, want to re-purchase a SDS200 but have had a couple people here on RadioReference warn that this is a bad time to order a new one, and that being the supply shortage, and the SDS200 is not what it use to be. I'm confused by that statement. I've looked for a good clean used one, but pickings Arne't great

What should I do??? Please give me your opinion.

Thank you
Dave

I will share my new experience with my SDS200. Before I purchased the SDS200, i was using my Icom 8600 for my VHF, UHF and P25 P1 scanning.

The Icom 8600 is recognized as a top class HF MW receiver. Its fast scanning with what I thought was excellent performing VHF and UHF reception. Plus I was using it via LAN and was very happy. It doubled as my daytime (VHF/UHF) and night HF radio.

I was very curious about the SDS200, but soured on Uniden because of the past radios I purchased 15 years ago.

Purchased a SDS200 a month ago and it just out performs the Icom hands down. Plus, it has Lan connection to boot. Best purchase I have made in years. I also purchased Proscan, the NXXDN and DMR keys.

I'm about to sell my Icom 8600 now with no regrets. Now your mileage may very, but my SDS200 is sensitive and a joy to use.

 

[bearcatrp]

Enjoy my SDS200 with proscan. Solid scanner. The SDS100 has its issues that’s holding me off from buying it. For now, my R30 is doing fine for my portable needs.

 

[rr60]

Hold it! Suggest having friend try the following using the SDS from your location.

Check NJICS Sites 28, 60, 8 and 7. Use TG search and make note of decode rates.

30 day return always a plus.

 

[DSC45]

I sincerely want to thank everyone who took the time to read my post, then reply with helpful thoughts. Sharing your opinions and experience is very helpful, for which I appreciate.

I'm Retired for fifteen years and have used this hobby of scanning to fulfill my time. Also credit to the members of RadioReference, and amazing how well run and dedicated RR is to the scanning industry.

Thanks so much!
David

 

[n1chu]

Try your friend's SDS200 at your house and see if you can receive Somerset County. A couple of houses away can make a big difference in signal strength when dealing with RF. What antenna is your friend using?

BEST ADVICE YET! Before you buy, try! And you have the ideal setup with your neighbor being close with a “like” scanner programmed correctly!

 

[gary123]

Share your results. Also there is no reason you should not be in the latest FW for the SDS200. Its easy to do. There are lots of posts and how tos available.

 

[JimD56]

I just purchased my 2nd SDS200 in addition to having an SDS100 as well. They have been amazing for me. The only thing that sucks is that I am absolutely surrounded by multiple different simulcast systems, hence Scannmaster and Uniden getting more of my money.

 

[tvengr]

The only thing that sucks is that I am absolutely surrounded by multiple different simulcast systems, hence Scannmaster and Uniden getting more of my money.

Same situation here! The SDS100 and SDS200 scanners and the Unication G4 and G5 pagers are the only radios which will receive my local and surrounding systems.

 

[palmerjrusa]

Same situation here! The SDS100 and SDS200 scanners and the Unication G4 and G5 pagers are the only radios which will receive my local and surrounding systems.

As far as P25 system decoding, my Unication G5 outperforms everything.

It decodes P25 systems in adjoining states with it's little stubby antenna that the Uniden SDS100/200s simply can't.

Amazing battery life too...

 

[werinshades]

As far as P25 system decoding, my Unication G5 outperforms everything.

It decodes P25 systems in adjoining states with it's little stubby antenna that the Uniden SDS100/200s simply can't.

Amazing battery life too...

But, it's not a "scanner", and if you only have one system you want to monitor at a time, then it'll be good.

 

[palmerjrusa]

But, it's not a "scanner", and if you only have one system you want to monitor at a time, then it'll be good.

Yeah I know, it's not a conventional scanner and has some limitations still, it's an amazing performer, commercial grade construction too, built like a tank.

 

[tvengr]

As far as P25 system decoding, my Unication G5 outperforms everything.

It decodes P25 systems in adjoining states with it's little stubby antenna that the Uniden SDS100/200s simply can't.

Amazing battery life too...

Can't beat them for decoding P25 simulcast systems! I have two G5's. The problem is that they can only receive one system and one site at a time and you are limited with frequency coverage. You are also limited to 64 talkgroups per system on each knob position. The G4 receives 700/800 MHz only. The G5 receives VHF/700/800 OR UHF/700/800 depending upon the model. There are 4 UHF frequency ranges depending upon the model.

 

[werinshades]

Yeah I know, it's not a conventional scanner and has some limitations still, it's an amazing performer, commercial grade construction too, built like a tank.

Yes, have read the Unication forums and I know it has it's share of problems too.

 

[JimD56]

I had a Uni G4. Great unit receiving BUT it couldn't keep up with my "Multiple" Simulcast systems. Just stick with an SDS, you will be happy, and you will keep it.

 

[palmerjrusa]

Can't beat them for decoding P25 simulcast systems! I have two G5's. The problem is that they can only receive one system and one site at a time and you are limited with frequency coverage. You are also limited to 64 talkgroups per system on each knob position. The G4 receives 700/800 MHz only. The G5 receives VHF/700/800 OR UHF/700/800 depending upon the model. There are 4 UHF frequency ranges depending upon the model.

Yep, was considering buying another G5 for one particular WV P25 system that's not covered in my current unit.

 

[vince48]

Yep, was considering buying another G5 for one particular WV P25 system that's not covered in my current unit.

i too have a G5 UHF/700/800 and it is a great sensitive handheld, I just recently purchased a SDS200. My Unication G5 is for sale in case anyone is interested.
My SDS200 does what I need and want and to boot, it receives my P25 2 systems as well as the G5