Don't buy the BR330T

[scosgt]

OK, now that I got your attention, there are display problems with this radio!
The orange backlight is GREAT - in the dark!
In room light, you can not see the display without the backlight.
It is totally unreadable in a car in daytime - side by side with my 396T, which is perfectly readable.
The polarization on the lens is in the wrong direction - staright up, polarized sunglasses block the view, sideways the bright orange display shines through!
There is not enough contrast between the background (which is darker than that on the 396) and the letters. You just can't see them. In bright daylight, the backgroud appears GREEN, especially thru sunglasses (the display on the 396 does not). The background on the 396 is reflective, contrasting nicely with the dark lettering. The background on the 330 is NOT REFLECTIVE, giving no contrast in bright light.
AGAIN, this radio is just unusable in a car in the daytime, even held up near the top of the dash where the light can hit it.
OK, here is an update:
First of all, the clear lens cover (the part that has "NASAR" written on it, is polarized in the wrong direction!!!
When in dim daylight and I turn on the backlight, wearing polarized sunglasses, it is dim and green, but when I turn the radio 180 degrees (sideways) the display is nice bright orange!
Now the polarization on the 396 is the exact opposite - straight up it is clear, sideways it is blocked.

The background on the LCD appears green when wearing polarized sunglasses. Without the shades, it appears grey. But it does not have the reflectivity of the 396 - side by side the the car, the 396 is perfectly legible, the 330 is just unreadable, with the shades on or not. Something is seriously wrong with the design.

I advise not to buy the BR330T until Uniden admits and addresses this problem. You may be sorely disappointed, I for one just can not see the damn display in daylight,
Now I know I am the only one complaining right now, but I got one of the very first units. Others will for sure see this problem

When I brought this up on the Yahoo Group, Paul responded to me to take off the protective film (hey, I'm not an idiot) and to turn up the contrast. Paul, I have or have owned just about every scanner that ever existed. I am not a novice. This scanner has a display problem that needs to be addressed, and I will continue to post about this until Uniden agrees to address it, or someone takes this thing off my hands.
BTW, the reception on the scanner is great, the problem is the display in daylight.

 

[hjvan]

Scosgt,

I already just posted a question to you on the 330 board, but now I see that you've started a new thread on this. I understand that you're upset by this, but not certain that it requires so many different postings on your part. Nonetheless, I will be interested to see if this is just your unit or if others have similar complaints. Like I said in my response over on the 330 thread, I find it hard to believe beta testers wouldn't have caught this. Maybe its just your unit?

 

[hjvan]

Does anyone else out there own a 330 and a 396 or 246 who can compare screens (and maybe even submit a pic) so we can verify Scosgt's claims?

 

[scosgt]

Yes, please post some pics

If I have a defective radio (and I can get Uniden to look at it) I will gladly have it repaired. But I fear this is a design defect that needs to be corrected.

 

[rdale]

I've got all three... I do like the orange better than blue, and the background of the 330 is slightly darker but readability isn't an issue for any of the radios.

 

[scosgt]

Take it into the car

In daylight next to the 396. And wear sunglasses.

Then come back and tell us what you see (or don't see).

 

[jpm]

I guarantee Uniden will listen and fix the issue..as we saw with the silk screen issue. You must of got a monday or friday made scanner. Uniden listens not the other guys.

 

[rdale]

I'll try all, but if all this complaining is because you are wearing sunglasses and can't see - I think I have a suggestion ;>

 

[rhutch]

Have you talked to Uniden yet or do you just complain on every list? If you have what have they said?

 

[Dubbin]

In daylight next to the 396. And wear sunglasses.

Then come back and tell us what you see (or don't see).

That gets a big fat :roll:

 

[rhutch]

AS for Paul asking if you took off the film. If you deal with the public you would know that you sometimes have to tell them very simple things. How's does Paul know what you know. I use to repair TV's, went to a persons house, tried their tv, didn't come on, look around back, plugged it in to the wall and it worked fine.

 

[scosgt]

The only way to define this problem is to bring it to peoples attention. Others will have the same experience. Very few of these radios are out there at this time. Once people realize there is a problem Uniden will be forced to take notice. That is the point. For me to call Uniden at this time and try to explain this, they will not fix this problem. First they need to identify that there is a problem.

 

[Dubbin]

The only way to define this problem is to bring it to peoples attention. Others will have the same experience. Very few of these radios are out there at this time. Once people realize there is a problem Uniden will be forced to take notice. That is the point. For me to call Uniden at this time and try to explain this, they will not fix this problem. First they need to identify that there is a problem.

But there is no problem if all this has to do with is wearing polarized (or any) sun glasses.

 

[scosgt]

No, the problem is that the display is very hard to see unless there is direct sunlight on it. In a car, the unit would normally be in shadow, and only have direct sunlight when the sun is right behind you in the morning or evening.
Under those conditions, the backlight does not help at all, and the display is almost impossible to see.
Most people with any sense wear sunglasses on a bright day in the car, and that REALLY zaps the display because it is already too dark. The 396, right next to it, is fine. Sunglasses or not. Please stop the silly posts about take off the sunglasses. I paid a lot of money for this radio, and I am not the only one to report that the display is too dark. So few of these are out there that the problem is not yet widely known, but it is indeed a problem. Just take your 330 and 396 out in the car on any normal day. The 396 is super easy to read in daylight, the 330 is nearly impossible. They need to fix this, take a look at the photos I posted in the Yahoo groups. There is absolutely a problem.

 

[John_M]

Does adjusting the contrast help at all? If there is a problem (Bad Display) your scanner is under warrenty.

 

[scosgt]

As to the contrast

The adjustment works fine. The display is really nice with the backlight on.

I went into a Chinese restaurant, which had nice bright overhead lighting. The display looked awesome (until I shifted the scanner so it was not directly in the light).
But the display, and specifically the background, is just too DARK. There is not enough contrast between the dark text and the (should be light) background. That is the problem. And in shadow, in a car, the backlight is ineffective (as is the backlights on many scanners under these conditions) and the display is about impossible to see. There is just not enough light bouncing off the background. The 396 background is more "silvery", and works great in the car. I doubt this is a defective unit, there seems to be a design problem. Just like with the screen print issue. Which everyone doubted until it started to happen to them!

 

[scosgt]

And by the way, the reception and audio on this scanner are OUTSTANDING. I would hate to have to give it up, but I do need to be able to use it in the daytime.

 

[JPasquini]

This scanner has a display problem that needs to be addressed, and I will continue to post about this until Uniden agrees to address it, or someone takes this thing off my hands.

Scott,

I agree - YOUR scanner looks like it may have a display problem. Contact the dealer and get it replaced with a new unit or ask for a refund. If for some reason that's impossible, place a warranty call with Uniden. Either way, your problem gets addressed.

That being said, unless other 330 owners also start posting similar display problems (your unit's display looks problematic even WITHOUT any mention of polarized sungalsses ), it's probably premature to start claiming that the entire 330 lineup has a defect.

 

[Dave_N]

I just received my BR330T today but haven't had much time to mess with it tonight.

I did notice that the display cover is sort of textured, and not smooth like other scanners I own. I thought that this was maybe to resist scratching or make it less reflective. ??? Maybe this is what's causing the poor display characteristics in sunlight. Does the 396 have a textured display cover, or is it smooth?

I haven't had mine out in the sun yet, but the display is harder to read in dim lighting than my Pro-95 or Pro-83. I think this has more to do with the resolution and size of the LCD screen and display characters themselves though. And the textured display cover makes the characters just a little fuzzier than a clear cover would, in my opinion.

 

[scosgt]

YES, you got it!!! The textured cover, I was saying "opaque", but that's what I meant. It:
MAKES THE CHARACTERS A BIT FUZZY, ESPECIALLY IN LOW LIGHT (NOT NOTICABLE WITH THE BACKLIGHT ON)
SEEMS TO RESTRICT THE LIGHT FLOW TOO MUCH, MAKING THE DISPLAY DARK AND HARD TO READ.

The 396 and 256 have smooth lens covers (although the 246 is very prone to scratches). They are much clearer to the view.
Please post your in car results when you can!