Slyster
Member
OK... has it been long enough now? Still waiting to hear the final verdict on this new scanner compared to the PRO-96.
Better? Worse? Equal?
Tx.
Better? Worse? Equal?
Tx.
Final verdict?
- Thread starter Slyster
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mlconnell
Member
Well since the Pro-96 is flash upgradeable for the 800 Mhz rebanding but not the 700 or 900 rebanding I would say the GRE is the better radio. I am looking at those 2 myself and trying to decide. I've heard quite a few problems on the GRE.
Slyster
Member
Tx.. but I am more curious about it as a analog/P25 receiver as things are today... not referring to rebanding and all that stuff.. so how it is right now.. today?
Tom_G
Member
Excellent
Slyster,
I continue to be very impressed with the radio.
I have both a PRO-96 and a 2096 and I would say the PSR-500 is a cut above.
Since I installed the CPU and DSP upgrades, the radio is tracking the CT State Police system (Motorola 3600 baud APCO 25 Digital) flawlessly.
The digital audio is even better then the PRO's. More enjoyable to listen to.
EDACS and LTR tracking is very good also.
There are some cool features like the LED that I have been experimenting with also.
Its nice to get a visual indication when those "HOT" talkgroups come active....
I was thinking that I would keep my 2096 in the shack, but I am changing my mind....
I may have to get the PSR-600 when their available.
So YES, they are THAT Good........
Slyster,
I continue to be very impressed with the radio.
I have both a PRO-96 and a 2096 and I would say the PSR-500 is a cut above.
Since I installed the CPU and DSP upgrades, the radio is tracking the CT State Police system (Motorola 3600 baud APCO 25 Digital) flawlessly.
The digital audio is even better then the PRO's. More enjoyable to listen to.
EDACS and LTR tracking is very good also.
There are some cool features like the LED that I have been experimenting with also.
Its nice to get a visual indication when those "HOT" talkgroups come active....
I was thinking that I would keep my 2096 in the shack, but I am changing my mind....
I may have to get the PSR-600 when their available.
So YES, they are THAT Good........
Slyster
Member
Tx. Good feedback. I am still comparing the two (pro-96 and PSR-500) but since I only have the pro-96 this is all I have to go on. I would LOVE the LED colors.
EDIT: Where's the EDIT button for my first post? Thought I should mention what my question is for! The PSR-500.... but I can't... weird.. yet I could edit this post.
EDIT: Where's the EDIT button for my first post?
Thought I should mention what my question is for! The PSR-500.... but I can't... weird.. yet I could edit this post.
Last edited:
Slyster,
Between the 96 and the 500, it is the 500 hands down. The isssues with the P25 and decode problems are being fixed (the latest firmware upgrades have done a good job of it). The 500 has a ton more features, as already stated, will support 700 and 900 rebanding, supports MILAIR (if that is your thing), allows direct (though software is better) entry of multi table trunked systems (the 96 requires this be done through software).
There are two very good software apps to program the scanner with (PSREdit and Win500). Both are reasonably priced. The Win500 is made by the same guy who did the Win96 software, so any Win96 files can be imported, converted and uploaded to the 500.
The 500's object oriented memory is better than the straight banks of the 96 (plus you get 11 more 'banks' [read scanlist] with the 500). But it does take some getting used to.
The 500 is also slightly smaller than the 96 (see my photos).
One thing on the LED's that I have mentioned before. The darn thing is very very bright at night. You can change the colors, but (despite claims to the contrary) you cannot reduce the output.
The audio output of the 96 is much better than any handheld scanner I've ever owned (and I've owned 1 or 2 [dozen?]).
Between the 96 and the 500, it is the 500 hands down. The isssues with the P25 and decode problems are being fixed (the latest firmware upgrades have done a good job of it). The 500 has a ton more features, as already stated, will support 700 and 900 rebanding, supports MILAIR (if that is your thing), allows direct (though software is better) entry of multi table trunked systems (the 96 requires this be done through software).
There are two very good software apps to program the scanner with (PSREdit and Win500). Both are reasonably priced. The Win500 is made by the same guy who did the Win96 software, so any Win96 files can be imported, converted and uploaded to the 500.
The 500's object oriented memory is better than the straight banks of the 96 (plus you get 11 more 'banks' [read scanlist] with the 500). But it does take some getting used to.
The 500 is also slightly smaller than the 96 (see my photos).
One thing on the LED's that I have mentioned before. The darn thing is very very bright at night. You can change the colors, but (despite claims to the contrary) you cannot reduce the output.
The audio output of the 96 is much better than any handheld scanner I've ever owned (and I've owned 1 or 2 [dozen?]).
mikey60
Member
While PSREdit can't read p96 files directly, it can download the configuration from a Pro-96 or Pro-2096 scanner and do the conversion that way.LEH said:
If you reduce the level of each color, you reduce the intensity of the overall output. PSREdit has buttons on the screen that allow setting Full, 3/4,1/2, and 1/4 intensity of the defaults.LEH said:
Mike
LEH said:
I met a guy in Roanoke who simply put two layers of white label tape over the LED. All colors were visible in daylight, but much less intensity in the dark.
73/Allen (N4JRI)
I've had my PSR-500 since 19 October, and it definately beats my PRO-96. I've upgraded both the firmware and DSP, but I never had the problems that other folks have complained about with monitoring trunked systems.
Its worked great on conventional frequencies. I really like the combined PL/DPL/NAC search where it will tell you automatically which one of the three is in use. I use the LEDs to identify new talkgroups, when a private call is active, or when certain frequencies are in use (like mobile extenders.)
I also like the dynamic memory (it did take some getting used to), the 20 scan lists, and the 20 V-scanner folders. Have a seperate skywarn section is a great idea as well.
The spectrum sweeper works fantastic. Much better then my PRO-83, and even better then my old Opto Scout.
Its definatly a winner. I just wish they were cheaper, since i'd save up for another one!
Warren
Its worked great on conventional frequencies. I really like the combined PL/DPL/NAC search where it will tell you automatically which one of the three is in use. I use the LEDs to identify new talkgroups, when a private call is active, or when certain frequencies are in use (like mobile extenders.)
I also like the dynamic memory (it did take some getting used to), the 20 scan lists, and the 20 V-scanner folders. Have a seperate skywarn section is a great idea as well.
The spectrum sweeper works fantastic. Much better then my PRO-83, and even better then my old Opto Scout.
Its definatly a winner. I just wish they were cheaper, since i'd save up for another one!
Warren
LEH said:
in regards to changing the color and adjusting the brightness, have you played around with the settings for color changing in psredit? (i think it was that software). im talking about where you can set the color values to half, or one fourth, etc. they appear to be not nearly as bright at night..if thats what you want.
edit: ok i just saw mikey said that already. my bad.
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