Easier to use scanner?

[Machria]

Will do, thanks again. I was just looking at images of the scanner, the keyboard is a HUGE improvement over the bearcat scanners right off the bat. It looks like the keys are labeled with what they actually do, very few "2nd" type keys which I can't stand, and they also ALL look backlit properly.

I can't believe I haven't seen this scanner before....

Anyone want to buy a BCD396xt?

 

[DonS]

I can't believe I haven't seen this scanner before....

Me neither. It's Whistler's version of the GRE PSR-500/600, which has been around since 2007.

 

[Kanecoradio22]

Easier to use scanner

This might help. I have a RS Pro-197 with a feature "Searching for objects using FIND". This feature allows you to search for locked out objects or for objects containing a text string that you can specify. FIND can locate talkgroups, conventional objects, talksystems, and search tag fields. Check online for the operating manual for this scanner or the similar GRE radios and locate "Searching for Objects using FIND.

 

[pkneeyahx]

IMHO, ease of use requires a certain amount of effort on the part of the user. is it too much to ask for people to research things for themselves? What happened to figuring things out? And if it's too hard to figure out, maybe then it's just not for you.

 

[DonS]

This might help. I have a RS Pro-197 with a feature "Searching for objects using FIND".

Yes, the PRO-197 is the RadioShack-branded version of GRE's PSR-600.

 

[Machria]

Whistler WS1040 and WS1065.

PGM EDIT FIND Text <enter characters> OK <scroll through results> MAN

Are you aware if the WS1088 has this same feature/function? I believe that is a newer model, correct?

 

[Machria]

IMHO, ease of use requires a certain amount of effort on the part of the user.

Yes it does. Nobody has a problem with that. AND, it also requires some effort from the manufacturer. I put my effort in learning how to utilize the bcd396, programming it 10 different ways, asking questions online to see if I'm missing anything.... BUT so far, Uniden has put forth very little effort on ergonomics. Their interface is horrendous and missing critical ergonomic features to make the unit usable in my opinion. And as previously mentioned, I do know what I'm talking about on this subject as I have professional experience with it for 30+ years.

is it too much to ask for people to research things for themselves? What happened to figuring things out? And if it's too hard to figure out, maybe then it's just not for you.

You know what, your right. We should shut this site down. In fact we should shut the entire internet down because communicating with people and asking questions to learn and research things is ridiculous. We should all just go to the library, pull out index cards and research everything ourselves. I should stop asking questions and just go and read every page of the 37 manuals from ALL of the different scanners available today, and figure out which scanner has the feature I'm looking for.

Silly me!

 

[Machria]

Are you aware if the WS1088 has this same feature/function? I believe that is a newer model, correct?

I called Whistler support and they informed me the WS1088 does not have this feature currently. However, they did give me there "suggestion box" email and asked that I submit it to them for consideration. Done promptely of course!

Fingers crossed they add it to the next firmware update. If it's in it, I'll buy one!! There's some incentive for them!

 

[rwier]

Considering the features vs. the size, the 396XT should be known as an engineering marvel, not a failure.

 

[Machria]

Considering the features vs. the size, the 396XT should be known as an engineering marvel, not a failure.

The size of these scanners is actually quite large comparatively for what they do. I personally don't care how small or big they are, I just want them to actually be usable!

Have you ever used a smartphone? 1/20th the size of a scanner, and does a hell of a lot more than a scanner does.

 

[lucky43113]

There is no pleasing some people to me learning these scanners is half the fun, experimenting not sure what a feature is or does try it and find out. People want things so dumbed down it's not even fun to use anymore.

 

[Machria]

There is no pleasing some people to me learning these scanners is half the fun, experimenting not sure what a feature is or does try it and find out. People want things so dumbed down it's not even fun to use anymore.

Agreed. Learning them is half the fun.

However, this has nothing to do with learning anything, or dumbing anything down. It has to do with having he ability to acomplish something very simple that we should have the ability to acomplish byut don't. And when you hit a road block like that, it takes all the fun out of it.

 

[rwier]

The size of these scanners is actually quite large comparatively for what they do. I personally don't care how small or big they are, I just want them to actually be usable!

Have you ever used a smartphone? 1/20th the size of a scanner, and does a hell of a lot more than a scanner does.

Sorry, I realize now I was out of order.