GRE keeps on updating...what about you Uniden???

[manross]

Well I agree and disagree with the adage of expecting upgrades etc. What I mean is if the upgrade is to fix a bug or something that does not allow the scanner to operate "AS ADVERTISED", then it should be offered for free. If an upgrade is offered for some sort of enhancement, then I think I would have to pay a reasonable fee for that. If your like me and do exhaustive research into something your buying to get the features you want at a price your willing to pay, then I myself don't expect anything else for free (features/enhancements) on what I bought. If a scanner brand you are considering doesn't offer something you want/require then I myself will look elsewhere or wait till that feature becomes available from the get go. This is an inherent problem I see with our hobbies hardware requirement. There is no standardization between the two major manufactures. They are close, but this thread just proves this is true (i.e. ESK). I am fortunate enough to be able to afford both brands and I see myself purchasing GRE products in the near furture if Uniden doesn't come out with a product that covers all of the things I require/desire in a scanner. No brand loyalty here, just my needs.....for what it's worth

 

[K7TKR]

What I did before radios with firmware updates came was to go to the store and order new crystals-and I liked it.

 

[K7TKR]

What did all you guys do before scanners came out that had firmware that could be updated? That's right.....sit there and wait for the new model. Now that the firmware can be updated you think you are owed the world. Just more proof that we are in the age of entitlement.

Personally, for myself, before I had one of these programmable scanners with ever shifting firmware, I went to the store (Radio Shack) and ordered new crystals.

I also have a hard time understanding why a body would fork out half a grand for something then gripe about it. A body should know what a body is buying before he goes and does it. Uniden is going what they think best, as is GRE. Buy one and be happy. This is getting almost as bad as less filling vs. tastes great.

 

[GlennGlenn]

Personally, for myself, before I had one of these programmable scanners with ever shifting firmware, I went to the store (Radio Shack) and ordered new crystals.

I also have a hard time understanding why a body would fork out half a grand for something then gripe about it. A body should know what a body is buying before he goes and does it. Uniden is going what they think best, as is GRE. Buy one and be happy. This is getting almost as bad as less filling vs. tastes great.

Its funny. I am new here and in the market for a scanner as we speak. These are the exact same debates we have on out radar detector forums about which is better etc. For example, Escort/Passport just came out with a new unit, called the 9500iX. The X is significant since it includes redlight and speed cameras location notification through its GPS in addition to the radar/lidar capabilities. The gold standard (of which I own BOTH) was the Valentine-1 (called the V-1). The problem is, the V-1 is not upgradeable on-line as is the NEW Passport 9500iX. Thus raises the question, which is better??

Anyway, my head is exploding here with all the technology and rebanding this and that and digital versus non-digital and who offers what upgrades for firmware (you guys sound like the radar detector guys, so you're not alone.) Trust me, I've Wiki'd this for hours and know more than I want to know. Here's what I want from you: What is the current gold standard in scanners that I can buy right now for any cost? (boy , did I open a can of worms???) Seriously, is it Uniden, GRE or what??? I want the latest and greatest regardless of the cost? I want to be able to sync with GPS as well. I know Uniden has that. Passport includes it. Does anyone have a scanner that has it built in???

 

[K7TKR]

I don't know that there is "Gold Standard" for scanners. Uniden and GRE are not the only boys on the block when it comes to this stuff. AOR, Kenwood etc also make radios that "scan". AOR, as a matter of fact, has very good rep and a very loyal following but they are fairly pricie. Anyway, in my mind, Uniden I think has the most name reconization in the market-they've been at it a long long time. Are they the best-no. Are they the worst-again no. It all comes down to features. And that is a decsion that you have to make.

I can say personally that I used a Pro96 for a long time ( the fore-runner to the GRE500) and was pretty good, and I had zero problems with. But then the 396 and 996 came along, the first with the wonderful dynamic memory capabilities and I fell in love. I am a trucker okay? I program in stuff along what ever route I'm running-and sometimes that means three or four states worth of info. And the 996 accomplishes this easilly, and without fail. Simpley put, for me, the 996 meets MY needs whereas the GRE products don't.

And Finally. I don't nit-pick nor complain. This is what I've spent my money on. It works. It works great. The thing has saved my but more than once-in several situations.

Probably didn't answer the question. But then, I don't think there is a right answer to your question.

 

[letarotor]

Thank you!

"While most software manufacturers offer UPDATES, very few offer free upgrades (btw, good job Proscan). Same as hardware, does you brand new Sound Card get replaced with next years model for free? Does your car engine get free upgrades to make it more fuel efficient? Sounds ridiculous when you hear that I bet.....Most software has to be updated. MS will make changes because of security issues but also because of little enhancements. That forces just about everyone else to change/alter their code to work with what MS has done. Companies don't do it because they want to, they have to. If MS didn't fix their issues, they would lose major customer contracts = millions of dollars. I think it's ridiculous to be anticipating firmware updates. If they make changes, fine. If you don't like your radio, get rid of it and get something else, you would do it for any other radio that you didn't think was 'upgradeable', why not do it with the one your whining about now."

Thank you LordJ, I couldn't have said it better myself, the prosecution rests it's case!!! I've owned about a half dozen laptops since my first; a Apple IIC. This is the first I've ever heard of a "firmware upgrade" for a laptop? Especially one that was free!

There is no "Gold Standard" for scanning receivers, which is good. Gives the companies in the business more flexibility. I own numerous scanning receivers, each has its stong points and its weaknesses. There is no one unit I like better than the other, they just perform differently. For instance I really like the PRO-97/2055/164 models for their extra volume, reception capabilities on conventional frequencies, and LTR decode capability. I especially enjoy the GPS feature on the BCD996T while on trips for hands free scanning. And I really like the NAC decode and radio ID feature on the PSR-500 and it's crisp clear digital sound. I've owned ICOM and AOR units, and always go back to the scanners that have the capability to isolate frequencies using CTCSS, DCS and NAC tone codes because there is so much radio interference while on the road. Without the codes, the listening experience is misserable.

Mark