GRE CES New Product Announcements

[DonS]

ez scan also offers v scanners for up to 200 different scan list configurations

And there's one of the functional differences I mentioned

I'll point out, though, that it's not just "scan list configurations". Each "V-Scanner", like the PRO-96 and PSR-500 families, represents the complete operational (i.e. user) programming of the scanner.

 

[rmiller818]

So, given the fact that race scanners have been out for years, albeit ones that can also scan other bands, and the iscan was released for Christmas sales at Radio Shack, what is "radically new or innovative" here?

It is new and innovative to GRE's lineup of scanners?


Regardless, I wouldn't buy a digital iScan as it would more than likely be based on the current generation of scanners and the way they are built does not do the best job on simulcast systems. I would rather them build a scanner based on the way subscriber radios work, and from my understanding, they may have to do something similar to that in order to build a scanner capable of P25 Phase 2 (whenever the standard is set).

 

[AZScanner]

Regardless, I wouldn't buy a digital iScan as it would more than likely be based on the current generation of scanners and the way they are built does not do the best job on simulcast systems.

They sure seem to work well out here, and we've got one of the biggest and scanner unfriendliest simulcast systems in the nation. Much better than my old BC796, that's for sure.

If the digital iScan were available today and worked as well as the PSR-500 and Pro-106 do on the Phoenix RWC, I'd pick one up immediately.

-AZ

 

[NESN]

With the U.S and world economies in the state they are in, alot of companies are just fighting to survive.I don't profess to know GRE's or Uniden's financial status, but I would harbor a guess both are "treading water" till markets come back around. Meaning both are probably hesitant to invest big money into R&D for new models or major upgrades. I also am extremely disappointed with this showing, but I understand from a business point of view. This may be GRE's attempt to upgrade and stay "fresh" on the cheap. A large direct snail or E-mail campaign telling GRE & Uniden what the serious hobbyists want or "need" might do more to encourage them to kickstart a new round of R&D towards the "next big thing". JMHO.

 

[rmiller818]

They sure seem to work well out here, and we've got one of the biggest and scanner unfriendliest simulcast systems in the nation. Much better than my old BC796, that's for sure.

If the digital iScan were available today and worked as well as the PSR-500 and Pro-106 do on the Phoenix RWC, I'd pick one up immediately.

-AZ

All about location, at my house the reception is variable, sometimes they work fine, other days it is pretty rough, even with my yagi. Now, when I am out and about and closer to a site, not much of a problem at all.

I will agree this generation does do a better job than the older models and I do love my Pro-106 and 396XT but still they could be much better.

 

[DonS]

All about location, at my house the reception is variable, sometimes they work fine, other days it is pretty rough, even with my yagi.

I've heard that the best method, with a directional antenna, is not to "maximize" the signal from the desired site, but to "minimize" the signal(s) from the undesired site(s). (Note that the two are not necessarily the same).

You may find that "pointing the Yagi" slightly away from the desired site will increase your apparent SNR (where "S" is the signal from the desired site and "N" is the signal(s) from the undesired site(s)).

I don't know if you're already doing the above, but thought I'd point out that merely maximizing the signal from the desired site is not always the best idea.

 

[KB8UYC]

Time for Uniden to step up and show us jaded scannerheads something that will blow away GRE. What about it UPMan?????????
Larry

That will definatly never ever happen. GRE has crushed Uniden when it comes to digital scanners. Plain and simple.

 

[rmiller818]

I've heard that the best method, with a directional antenna, is not to "maximize" the signal from the desired site, but to "minimize" the signal(s) from the undesired site(s). (Note that the two are not necessarily the same).

You may find that "pointing the Yagi" slightly away from the desired site will increase your apparent SNR (where "S" is the signal from the desired site and "N" is the signal(s) from the undesired site(s)).

I don't know if you're already doing the above, but thought I'd point out that merely maximizing the signal from the desired site is not always the best idea.

While I have noticed an improvement with the yagi I have not done anything to really optimize it as I don't really know how. It is pointed in the direction of the nearest site to me.


However, what I was getting at is it should not be needed if the scanners were built to handle digital in the same manner as the subscriber radios.

 

[DonS]

While I have noticed an improvement with the yagi I have not done anything to really optimize it as I don't really know how. It is pointed in the direction of the nearest site to me.

"Optimizing" it may require some experimentation. Just point it slightly away (either direction) from the desired site.

However, what I was getting at is it should not be needed if the scanners were built to handle digital in the same manner as the subscriber radios.

There are hardware/software methods of overcoming the simulcast problems. Unfortunately, that could result in the scanner manufacturers charging for their products in the same manner as the manufacturers of the subscriber radios. "You get what you pay for" does apply sometimes.

 

[ltjweiss]

lets stay on subject (being pissed at GRE)

 

[CStarr59]

Can someone post some pics of these new scanners? I would like to see a close up of the 700 if possible.

 

[scannerfreak]

Can someone post some pics of these new scanners? I would like to see a close up of the 700 if possible.

Someone already did:

Jeffrey Pryor KC8NNO (jpryor223) on Twitter

 

[CStarr59]

Someone already did:

Jeffrey Pryor KC8NNO (jpryor223) on Twitter

Thanks scannerfreak, i must have missed that post. I'm not a twitter fan thats most likely why i jumped over that post. I like the look of it and would like to see and hear it in person, and compare it to my current Pro-107

 

[rmiller818]

After looking at the ad for the race scanner, is the intercom system and mobile phone interconnect built into the scanner? It also says "Top LCD indicates car number" so is that saying it has 2 LCD screens? One on the front and one on the top?

 

[RoninJoliet]

DonS's article is correct , here in ILL on the new IL-Starcom digital multisite system my antenna in the ATTIC is much better hidden away on the problem towers, i also have a small "beam" in the attic and the BACK of the beam receives the signal better from a "tower-site" than the front !!...My RS197 actually receives better than my Uniden 996XT on Starcom800/700 digital system....

 

[ltjweiss]

hey heres a question on this psr-700 or the rs pro-107, is the ctcss and dcs tones already programed with the frequencies that need them?

 

[DaveIN]

As I understand it in the RadioShack Pro-107 will use/display the CTCSS/DCS as it is set in the database. It will also display the found code using the search function, but there is no way to store it from the radio keypad. Hopefully this is improved in the PSR-700, as is the keypad pictured at the CES.

I'm also hopeful the database import for trunked systems will be improved so that smaller playlists can be made without importing the entire trunked system first, as well as the old database files deleted automatically from the program database and SD updates. It would also be great if the conventional playlist data was updated with the latest database download without having to delete the existing playlist and re-import the playlist data using the latest database file.

This could be a few reasons to wait for the PSR-700 EZ Scan model to come out instead of purchasing the Pro-107.

 

[torontokris]

thats your opinion.. not shared by everyone though

GRE has crushed Uniden when it comes to digital scanners. Plain and simple.

 

[Citywide173]

That will definatly never ever happen. GRE has crushed Uniden when it comes to digital scanners. Plain and simple.

Whether they have, or haven't, the fact remains that the marketing claims made via email and the products that have been released are an insult. GRE seems to believe that I'm too dumb to program a PSR-600 based on the "Revolutionary" claim they made, and quite honestly, I have no desire to give them any more of my money.

 

[usswood]

As I understand it in the RadioShack Pro-107 will use/display the CTCSS/DCS as it is set in the database. It will also display the found code using the search function, but there is no way to store it from the radio keypad. Hopefully this is improved in the PSR-700, as is the keypad pictured at the CES.

I would assume this is the case because the PSR-500 has this option on the keypad