GRE @ CES 2009 in Las Vegas

[KC2GVX]

I was lucky enough to have my winter Las Vegas vacation fall in line with the dates of CES 2009 this year. I also was lucky enough to get a code from an e-mail from GRE to register for the show free of charge. So, I walked through and enjoyed, but made my way over to the GRE booth. They had all their models on working display (same set up as the Dayton Hamvention). I was talking to the gentlemen (I forget their names) and they gave me a LED flashlight keychain, and a hat that says GRE Scanners. Also, they told me they are working on a new scanner that will be modeled after the I-Pod touch. It will be a compact size and be programmed and operated through the touch screen method that is found on Apple I-Pod touch and I-Phone. As always, the staff was very nice, but I did not get any more details on it. Interesting concept, and I hope they will go through with this idea.

 

[guitarbrian30]

Impressive idea.

Blackberry with scanning hardware. All it needs now is to do my dishes and rub my feet after a hard day at work.


What is next sending a man to the moon? Maybe again?

 

[torontokris]

Sounds like a great idea... however

the touch screen may not have longevity (like a regular scanner working for 10++ years)...
i had an iphone that the touch screen went after a year..
and once the touch screen is gone is useless (as it has no keys)

 

[Tom_G]

I am hoping for remote heads on all the mobile radios.
And I mean "REAL" remote heads that can actually turn the radio on and off and perform ALL functions..... and not be too big and chunky...
Not like some other manufacturers did......... :lol:

 

[hoser147]

Sounds good, see what the future brings. As far as the touch screen longevity, Im sure those issues have had to be addressed on the phones that are out there and I don't see the need to use the screen near as much as on a phone Txting type device.

 

[DaveIN]

Touch screen gives you more flexability on operation that is not tied to a hard control. You could also turn the display, graphically show things that the usual dot matrix display doesn't work well with. Could have great potential. You could have a UniTrunker style display too.

 

[DaveNF2G]

I want a hat!

 

[Universaldecoder]

You can have it now! Ok, somewhat. All you need is an Iphone with a player that streams from the net

As an example, you can go here with it....

http://mobile.scanamerica.us/index.php?t=l&s=Michigan&c=Oakland&f=mi_oakland

http://mobile.scanamerica.us/index.php?t=l

 

[dougjgray]

You do have be more careful with a touch screen (fragile) versus buttons, but I have a dell Pocket pc and that has a very similar digitizer as the iphone and it still works after 5 yrs. maybe a little different it was design to work with a stylus verses finger but very similar as far as the digitizer hardware goes, but I us my fingers some times as well

 

[KB8UYC]

I believe in GRE, but I have to say that I think this is a stupid idea. What they currently have is working and working well. I think they should work on a remote head, work on enlarging the display just a bit more and I am sure there are other things, but making a scanner that is touch screen and the size of a blackberry does not interest me at all.....Come on GRE, dont disappoint us!!

 

[captncarp]

Still think they should put ALPHA Tags in there entry level scanners.

 

[hoser147]

On the other side it would be great to have a scanner that size, would be great for carrying while out and about. You could take it with you and not have the hassle of a big scanner to lug around, and be able to go about your business , with out all the questions you get, like in the thread about What do people in your town say about carrying your scanner on you. In past threads there have been several request's for a smaller scanner, I believe GRE is listening to Us.

 

[Zaratsu]

ehhh. I like buttons on my scanners and touch pads on my ipods.


I think what they may be trying to do is to improve the programability of a scanner by getting around the limitations of the numbers of buttons on a scanner. Make a menu-driven system that is intuitive, rather than bound to a system of keys with multiple key-shifts. Essentially, give you what makes computer control of a scanner so great, without needing the computer.


Scanners went beyond the capability of their faceplates when they began handling digital and multiple trunking systems.


Lets see how it plays out. This could be the biggest change in scanner tech since the changeover from crystals to non-volitile memory. It could also be the biggest "meh" ever too.


Remember that GRE has a HUGE investment in small screen technology too. It would be nearsighted for them NOT to work on applying the technology.

 

[bbtkd]

You can have it now! Ok, somewhat. All you need is an Iphone with a player that streams from the net

Exactly - I discovered these feeds when I got a Touch for christmas. Now rather than buying a digital handheld for the local systems (like I once had) I'm looking for a cheap digital base so I can setup a feed, then can listen to it on my Touch, on my Centro, at work, etc.

 

[kd6ecz]

I'd rather see GRE concentrate on making their handheld scanners a little smaller and a bit more durable. I'm afraid that if I drop my PSR-500 that it'll break into a million pieces. I'm not sure if that will happen or not since I dropped my Pro-96 once shortly after I bought it and the case only chipped and didn't break but it would be nice to have a more durable case anyway.

 

[tunnelmot]

yeah, clear on that one.

I think the market would go bonkers over a rugged, semi-commercial spec radio. Heck, what about teaming up with Relm/BK, or Kenwood, or somebody just to get their casings, or work with their suppliers. I would line up for one. That would be more useful to me than a touch screen.

To be fair, a touch screen would be cool for the mobiles, but portable: rugged, rugged, rugged is the way to go.

 

[FJB2022]

yeah, clear on that one.

I think the market would go bonkers over a rugged, semi-commercial spec radio. Heck, what about teaming up with Relm/BK, or Kenwood, or somebody just to get their casings, or work with their suppliers. I would line up for one. That would be more useful to me than a touch screen.

To be fair, a touch screen would be cool for the mobiles, but portable: rugged, rugged, rugged is the way to go.

Rugged is the way to go. I called GRE awhile back and ask if they had plans to make a rugged housing for the PSR-500 and they said no but they might consider it on the next model. My housing is all beat up so I would love to see this happen.

 

[petrol88]

So, where is this iPod scanner they talked about? It has been 8 months...no product? I think they were blowing smoke somewhere (you didn't happen to bend over when you were at their booth, did you?).

Maybe they'll have a bigger cigar at APCO show.

 

[Rad-1]

Wish GRE would concentrate on something new like control channel only for EDACS systems so you don't need the LCN order and voice frequencies. Not sure if this is even possible but it would be nice.
What about OpenSky? More and more of these systems are going up and know one can monitor.

 

[jehm1212]

Wish GRE would concentrate on something new like control channel only for EDACS systems so you don't need the LCN order and voice frequencies.

I think that would be technically impossible. EDACS control channels only give out the LCN on voice grants, so you have to have the frequencies in your scanner and in the right order. There is no standard band plan like for Motorola systems.