Digital Scanner

[tneff]

There have been discussions comparing the Pro-96 and the BCD396T, what is considered to be the BET overall digital scanner (handheld) that does P25 ? Not being an expert by any means, there are several different mfg's listed on the board that I have not heard of nor have ever seen in person. Thanks

 

[iMONITOR]

While it's a little soon to tell, it looks like the new GRE PSR-500 will be the most bang for the buck. It's due out mid-to-late October. Same price as it's older brother, the PRO-96, $499.99.

You can read more about it here:
http://radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77870

 

[ka3jjz]

There are only 2 - GRE and Uniden. Both GRE and Uniden made RS scanners, but now GRE is coming out with their own models. It's a toss up - asking which one is 'best' is way too broad. Best audio, easiest programming, better front end resistance to overloading... you'll have to do better than that. It's like asking which auto manufacturer has the best model.

73s Mike

 

[DaveIN]

I think rdale said it best. " There are SO SO SO many of these threads. It is completely up to you. Determine which radio has the feature set that best suits what you listen to and how you listen to it".

 

[tneff]

I think 73s Mike may have hit on something here that many of us don't know, "There are only 2 - GRE and Uniden.". If there are only 2 mfg's for digital, then many questions are answered. Personally, I have or had no clue that there were not more companies making them. My question was not for what I am after, but a general overall who has the best. Thanks

 

[loumaag]

Again and Again and Again

I think 73s Mike may have hit on something here that many of us don't know, "There are only 2 - GRE and Uniden.". If there are only 2 mfg's for digital, then many questions are answered. Personally, I have or had no clue that there were not more companies making them. My question was not for what I am after, but a general overall who has the best. Thanks

That is not a good way to look at it either...although the two RS models (made by GRE) are exactly the same radio they sound different (different case, speaker) but operate the same. Uniden has several digital radios out right now (older and current) and they all operate differently, they all sound different and all have different feature sets.

Once again, as has been said over and over in these forums, there is no "best" overall one among the choices. It is all dependent on what you want to monitor, how you scan, and what is important to you. My favorite will not be your favorite; no one can make that decision (nor should you ask them to) for you.

 

[Raven95150]

The general consensus seems to be that the RS models are better performers and the Uniden models have more features. I have had a 396 for about a year, and just found a great deal on a PRO-96 the other day at a pawn shop. Listening to them side by side, I would say that I can tell no real difference in performance. I would have to say I like the 396 better, but I have had it for a while and I am used to it, The PRO-96 operates completely different and I am still learning it. I like the display and keypad format of the 396 better, and it is much smaller which makes it more convenient to carry around. I also like the swivel belt clip much better. The two things I do like better about the PRO-96 are that it has 2 knobs for volume and squelch and the batteries seem to last a little longer, probably because it uses 4 instead of 3 like the 396.

 

[N4JNW]

For me, when I had the Pro-96, it seemed to "pick up" on a P25 signal quicker than the 396 does. My 396 likes to display "LNK" for a second before it kicks over to P25. Sometimes some un-decoded P25 gets through on my 396T too. That annoying warble..

The Pro-96 didn't do that, and my Pro-2096 dosen't do it either.

I'll agree, the Bearcat 396T is a sweet scanner! It has lots of cool features that are fun to play with, and really make it a versatile scanner. But, when it comes down to P25 and VHF/UHF performance, the RadioShack/GRE's get my vote. It's just a matter of trade offs.

 

[a29zuk]

The overall consensus also seems that the 96 is more sensitive than the 396 and the 396 is less prone to overload. So if you live in a remote area the 96 would suit you better. The 396 would perform better in a metro area. That is what I got from reading all the threads, but I only have a 396 so I can't compare.

 

[sound_efex]

I've been in the market for a new HH. After carefully comparing the specs and features on the 396 and the 500, the 500 was favored by a nose until I took one last look to make sure I wasn't making an expensive mistake.

The published scan rate of the 500 is much slower {55 channels per second scan speed and 90 steps per second search speed}. Versus the 396 {Scan Rate: 100 channels per second (conventional mode) Search Rate: 300 steps per second (5 kHz step only)}

Unless GRE announces a download to compensate for this shortcomming, I'm giving half-a-grand to Uniden.