Dealer Setup or Do it yourself ?

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osros

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On HP and BCDx36HP scanners dealers offer the preprogramming and optimization services at extra cost. I relaize we can put in our own zip code and the on board database with pick out the correct channels but is anything else they offer for this extra cost worth it? Is there anything there Im missing that really need to do.

The extra cost is not gonna kill the deal its just wondering if its worth it, if its more geared toward new users who are clueless or is there a benefit even to experienced users.

Thanks
 

rwier

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On HP and BCDx36HP scanners dealers offer the preprogramming and optimization services at extra cost. I relaize we can put in our own zip code and the on board database with pick out the correct channels but is anything else they offer for this extra cost worth it? Is there anything there Im missing that really need to do.

The extra cost is not gonna kill the deal its just wondering if its worth it, if its more geared toward new users who are clueless or is there a benefit even to experienced users.

Thanks

The following may not be helpful, as I offer no assistance to those that would use a "zip code" to surf a database, but maybe someone else might find the following amusing.

I have always used software (if available) to "program" scanners. With one exception, I am not able at my age to actually remember the various scenarios involving the programming. However, I do clearly remember the situation with my first HP-1.

The day I ordered the scanner, I downloaded the free software (Sentinel) from the Uniden website. Within 24 hours, I had created a half dozen (or so) Favorite Lists that I still use today. Over time I changed "text" in the FLs so that what shows in the screen is more informative. The following two days waiting on shipping were not enjoyable, lol. Having no idea if my FLs were functional, I loaded them into my newly arrived HP-1 scanner and was pleasantly surprised at the positive result.

My personal opinion: If I heard of an individual or business that offered to "program" one's new scanner for MONEY, I would have a very poor opinion of that person or business. Heck, If you can correctly identify your scanner, your software, and your scanning needs/desires, you will get responses here on RR from those that would do it for you for a smile!
 

n5ims

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Do it yourself. For the cost of the dealer programming (or often for less), you can get the software to do it yourself. Invest a few hours learning that software will pay for itself many times over.

Remember that the dealer programming is a one shot deal. You'd better get it 100% right the first time or you're stuck with what you've got. And that's assuming that nothing will change in the future (which it will). If you do it yourself, you can afford to do it 90% right the first time and tweak it a few times to get things working exactly as you want (e.g., that talkgroup labeled PD SWAT may now be assigned to PD Parking Detail but nobody has updated the database with that change so instead of listening to exciting PD action, you're hearing the meter maids talking about which snack shop to grab a sandwich at).
 

K2KOH

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When I worked part time at Radio Shack, I had the software for most of the scanners. I used to program the scanners for the customer free of charge.
 

jonwienke

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"Dealer setup" for any of the newer scanners is a scam. You can download and install the latest nationwide DB in a couple of minutes through Sentinel.
 

AA6IO

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if its more geared toward new users who are clueless or is there a benefit even to experienced users.

To answer your question directly, it is geared toward new users who are clueless. No benefit to experienced users at all. As someone else said, spend a few hours learning how to do this yourself, and you will be happy you did.
Steve AA6IO
 
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