Compare G4/G5 to SDS100

[03msc]

If you have (or have had) an SDS100 and a G4/G5, how do they compare as far as receive, audio, etc., on P25?
Programming wise, how steep is the curve for the Unication?
I realize this is the Unication forum so I expect most everyone here to like them but just curious how you would say they compare.

 

[Enjoi19]

Receiving - Somewhat similar but, with Unication having a receiver made specifically for certain bands only, you definitely get the advantage. Newer models seem to be able to combat cell interference better too.

Audio - I find the Unication speaker clearer and louder.

Programming and use case is where this really differs. Be aware of the differences and knowing this isn't a "scanner", you're getting 1 site and system at a time per knob position. In a case like mine where all I want to listen to is the on one site at a time, it's great.

Programming just takes a minute to wrap your head around that part. Software is free and you have a premium subscription so, you can download it right now and start playing and import frequencies easily.

If you want a stellar receiver, it's great. But if you want a scanner and to be able to do "anything", get the SDS.

 

[RaleighGuy]

If you have (or have had) an SDS100 and a G4/G5, how do they compare as far as receive, audio, etc., on P25?
Programming wise, how steep is the curve for the Unication?
I realize this is the Unication forum so I expect most everyone here to like them but just curious how you would say they compare.

Please remember, the SDS scanners and a G4/G5 are two totally different types of receivers, the Unication will only monitor one system and site at a time, where as the scanners will monitor multiple system/sites. The unication will only monitor 64 programmed TGs at a time unless you use a wildcard.

That said, the G4/G5 does a great job with audio and reception, it also has very good range and hand off between sites if you are traveling.

The bigger question is how do you want to use it, what are you hoping to monitor, as well as frequency ranges (like aircraft, VHF, UHF, 700, 800) if you need a wide range stick with the SDS, if your needs are limited then consider the Unication.

 

[03msc]

@Enjoi19 and @RaleighGuy ::

Thank you both. I do currently own a SDS100 but continually hear good things about the G4/G5 and like the smaller size in comparison. Have also heard battery life is better (?). I enjoy 'tinkering' with scanners and so the Unications have always caught my eye.

So for monitoring separate sites, you just have to turn the knob to hear a new site? I guess that limitation is one I wasn't thinking of.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Thank you both. I do currently own a SDS100 but continually hear good things about the G4/G5 and like the smaller size in comparison.

The small size is great, as is the Bluetooth connect ability (though sometimes it can be difficult to connect). You can monitor without anyone seeing the pager or headphones.

Have also heard battery life is better (?).

Battery life averages 10-14 hours depending on battery age and type of operations you are doing with the pagers.

So for monitoring separate sites, you just have to turn the knob to hear a new site? I guess that limitation is one I wasn't thinking of.

Yes, say my local system, I can have site 1 on knob one and site 2 on another, but I can only listen to one at a time. There is a way to program it to automatically change sites as you travel, but it doesn't base it on site boundaries, rather reception strength, which can cause an issue.

 

[Enjoi19]

So for monitoring separate sites, you just have to turn the knob to hear a new site? I guess that limitation is one I wasn't thinking of.

Along with that, if separate sites are needed, you have to program them as separate "systems" too, or else it'll have all sites together and pick the first one it locks on to.

My example is my own region where we have 4 sites on a system, north-south-east-west. When there's a fire call in the East, the talkgroup is on the East site. It will not necessarily be on the other sites, so if I have it set to lock on to any site of that system, I may not hear it.

 

[03msc]

How many frequencies can be programmed for a site? Like, would it be possible to program the freqs from multiple sites as one 'site' on the Unication? I haven't looked at the programming so no idea here...

 

[Enjoi19]

How many frequencies can be programmed for a site? Like, would it be possible to program the freqs from multiple sites as one 'site' on the Unication? I haven't looked at the programming so no idea here...

It would grab the first good control channel frequency and work off that - and you'd need to set it to a wildcard entry for NAC and system. It's a proper trunk tracking receiver so, it'll lock onto a CC and follow voice channels to selected talkgroups in your list.

You can download the software right here and check it out:

https://www.unicationusa.com/_files/archives/9bbbf0_730896fd1cab4089a567d58f1df5aeb2.zip?dn=G-Series%20PPS%20V0.4.0.41.zip

 

[K9KLC]

All depends on what your monitoring goals are. In my area 95% or more of our PD's and fire are on a simulcast system. I use Unications to monitor that and have various knob positions for other systems in the area. I've tried other devices including an SDS100 I borrowed and nothing has come close to the audio quality, size and battery life of Unication's I have.

There is a learning curve to getting them programmed but as a premium member you simply import from RR into the PPS and then write to the pager.

Just remember it's NOT a scanner and has limitations. If you can live with 1 system (site) at a time, it's your unit.

 

[K9KLC]

would grab the first good control channel frequency and work off that

And it's not always the closest one or the one you think it will grab.

 

[blackbelter]

My primary and only monitoring sites are all P25P2/ Simulcast systems , having said that :

Pros:

1. Recieveing audio is crisp and strong.
2. Using the supplied stubby antenna, I can monitor sites +/- 30 miles from my QTH
3. Never have I experieced a drop off key up.
4. Built like a tank and easily carried.
5. Battery life.
6. It just works.

Challenges:

1. Not a hobby scanner . By design, the recieving sites are limited to one at a time.
2. Fragile antenna and USB connectors.
3. Repairs beyond the warranty +/- $200.
4. Programing can be challenging.

G5 is my go to and reliable unit and I am confident that I will never miss a call by monitoring more than one site at a time.

 

[kb8q]

How many frequencies can be programmed for a site? Like, would it be possible to program the freqs from multiple sites as one 'site' on the Unication? I haven't looked at the programming so no idea here...

Good question. Yes you could put the control frequencies of multiple sites into one Zone/Channel. However, it will tend to stay on the first one it lands on unless you’re moving around some distance. You may not hear the same traffic on different sites. You could also put the 64 talk groups on each of multiple knob positions with different single sites and switch knob positions depending on what you’re trying to listen to or where you are. I do both of those. You can create many different zones with 8 knob positions each.

 

[doc62]

I have a G4 and an SDS100. With my county’s simulcast system, the G4 picks up transmissions faster than the SDS100. If it is a short transmission the SDS100 may not even pick it up. Also the UID’s does not always display on the SDS100 unlike the G4. I use the SDS100 when traveling outside of my county.

 

[03msc]

Very insightful info!

 

[z96cobra]

Just another possible "issue" with the G5. If you want to monitor VHF and P25, you can only monitor one or the other per knob position. I love my G5 and take it everywhere I go. I haven't even powered on my SDS-100 in well over a year.

I set my G5 to have my county and the 7 surrounding counties on their own knob position, so it's easy to switch while driving. If I go out of state or to different counties, I have a few other zones to switch to. It only takes a few seconds to switch zones, then you have 8 more knob positions.

 

[JimD56]

For ME SPECIFICALLY in Fort Lauderdale/Miami Metro area dealing with numerous 700/800mhz "Simulcast" Systems.
My Unication G4 is Much Better than the SDS100 (AND SDS200) on all systems with reception sensitivity and audio. When I am at home however, SDR Trunk beats BOTH my Unication G4 and SDS's.

 

[ResQguy]

Just another possible "issue" with the G5. If you want to monitor VHF and P25, you can only monitor one or the other per knob position. I love my G5 and take it everywhere I go. I haven't even powered on my SDS-100 in well over a year.

I set my G5 to have my county and the 7 surrounding counties on their own knob position, so it's easy to switch while driving. If I go out of state or to different counties, I have a few other zones to switch to. It only takes a few seconds to switch zones, then you have 8 more knob positions.

That's not exactly true. I'm sure you meant to say "VHF conventional or trunking P25 7/800MHz" because monitoring a multi band VHF/7/800 P25 trunking system like Wyolink definitely is possible.