CommRX
Member
Before I begin, I would like to say I have been scanning for more than 20 years. While, as a general rule, scanners have become way more sophisticated, and manufacturers are listening, there are still emerging trends which I do not care for.
Recently I sold my 396T as I have wanted a 396XT for a year or so. I’m currently in the market for a new digital scanner, and I really have interest in Uniden’s HomePatrol scanner, however there are a couple of things I have concerns over.
1) Is it possible to program my own frequencies into my own separate memory "bank"? This seems to be a topic of many discussions, with the general answer being no. I need details, as I cannot afford $500 to find out I can't program my radio with my frequency list. For instance - my Milair bank - using Unidens software (or freeware). I have lots of scanning interests that are not of trunking nature.
2) After watching youtube videos on the HomePatrol, there appears to be 4 animated circles that constantly move in and out while scanning. Can this be disabled? It looks very annoying.
Another disturbing trend in scanners seems to be getting away from numeric keypads. I love the look, textured case, and screen on the PSR-800, but it looks more like a MP3 player than a scanner. I’m not saying it isn’t an excellent receiver; I’m just old school and want numeric buttons for quick on the fly frequency entry.
Silver painted plastic needs to go by the wayside as well. They look “techy” and cool for 6 months until the paint starts wearing off, and then a $500 radio looks like a Dollar General closeout. I had already replaced the keypad on the 396T, while black plastic-cased radios 10 years older with rubber buttons still look brand new.
I have considered trying a PSR-500, however unless some advances have been made in software, trying to import frequencies into scanners such as the Pro 92, 95 etc from a copy / paste out of Excel was always a pain. Any suggestions for good software to import data (copy/paste from Excel) on a GRE? (Clearly I have been running DMA scanner software for some time)
This is not intended to start a brand war, just looking for some opinions on the aforementioned concerns before I purchase a new radio.
Recently I sold my 396T as I have wanted a 396XT for a year or so. I’m currently in the market for a new digital scanner, and I really have interest in Uniden’s HomePatrol scanner, however there are a couple of things I have concerns over.
1) Is it possible to program my own frequencies into my own separate memory "bank"? This seems to be a topic of many discussions, with the general answer being no. I need details, as I cannot afford $500 to find out I can't program my radio with my frequency list. For instance - my Milair bank - using Unidens software (or freeware). I have lots of scanning interests that are not of trunking nature.
2) After watching youtube videos on the HomePatrol, there appears to be 4 animated circles that constantly move in and out while scanning. Can this be disabled? It looks very annoying.
Another disturbing trend in scanners seems to be getting away from numeric keypads. I love the look, textured case, and screen on the PSR-800, but it looks more like a MP3 player than a scanner. I’m not saying it isn’t an excellent receiver; I’m just old school and want numeric buttons for quick on the fly frequency entry.
Silver painted plastic needs to go by the wayside as well. They look “techy” and cool for 6 months until the paint starts wearing off, and then a $500 radio looks like a Dollar General closeout. I had already replaced the keypad on the 396T, while black plastic-cased radios 10 years older with rubber buttons still look brand new.
I have considered trying a PSR-500, however unless some advances have been made in software, trying to import frequencies into scanners such as the Pro 92, 95 etc from a copy / paste out of Excel was always a pain. Any suggestions for good software to import data (copy/paste from Excel) on a GRE? (Clearly I have been running DMA scanner software for some time)
This is not intended to start a brand war, just looking for some opinions on the aforementioned concerns before I purchase a new radio.
