But what about actually using the features? It (the 106) seemed limited as far as how many TGs could be entered, the programming system was not intuitive at all. Really, the entire user interface was crap IMO. I'm all for "sensitivity" in a radio (God knows that"s the most important thing,) but if you cannot even get to what you want to listen to, either because you're limited to numbers of groups or you can't navigate to it in the first place, then what good is it?
Yeah, I'm frustrated, all right. I certainly understand where you pros (Jim, Phil, etc.) are coming from. I do not doubt your user reports. But I'm not exactly new to this stuff myself... got my first RS police radio (before scanners, young dudes) in the mid 1960's. I've owned nearly every type of scanner, probably 50 or more different units, in that time, up to and including the 396XT. And not one, NOT ONE was as "unfriendly" or difficult to use as the 106. And yes, I studied the manual.
"Sensitivity" varies from radio to radio, not just brand to brand. With all the variables possible between manufacturing and in-radio adjustment, even the pro radios can vary noticeably. For instance, I've sat in the radio shop at work, two new MaCom HTs in front of me, with one not receiving everything the other was. And these are $2700+ radios!
More often than not, the primary answer is the antenna. With a simple rooftop antenna (a ham radio VHF band "Ventenna") I have no difficulty with sensitivity with either the 396T or the XT. I don't bother with a separate antenna for each band (although I have them up and mounted) because it doesn't make any difference on receive. You simply need to get something up, as high and as clear of obstruction as possible, fed with a halfway-decent coax.
Other than that: in-radio adjustment (squelch, etc.) or simply being in a "dead spot" (far more common than you think) are possible reasons for a lack of "sensitivity."
OK, done ranting. I just get frustrated by simply trying to compare radios side-by-side without instruments... if you cannot measure, you cannot decide.
Thank you.