I really like my SDS100 and wouldn't get rid of it for anything, but they missed the target on one thing that even some CCR's can do.

[Omega-TI]

As scanners go, my SDS100 is great, I love it and I'll never get rid of it. With that said, about a week ago, I didn't know, because I never had the convenience before to compare it against. But I think Uniden missed the boat by not going the simple and easy drop in charger route like those incredibly cheap Baofengs. Some of you have already experienced broken door latches, and the inconvenience of having to open and remove the battery door to swap the battery or having to open the side flap and mess with a cord to plug it in so the radio can charge it.

If Uniden came out with a replacement style battery, door and drop in charger, I'd be all over that in a hot minute. Simply dropping it in the charging cradle before I go to bed at night is so nice.

 

[ka3jjz]

The sad thing is that hams have had tech for that for many years now; Uniden's design team has lived with blinders on for things like this

Mike

 

[sfb88]

I am curious to know if it is possible to achieve Uniden's desired level of water resistance with drop in charging. Maybe this is why they didn't do it.

 

[pb_lonny]

I personally prefer the drop in style chargers, having to remove a battery to charge it is not great in 2024. Image having to remove your mobile phone battery to charge it.

 

[wtp]

i used a motorola MT500 in the 80's that was 'weatherproof'
drop in charger for radio or battery.

 

[UTE-GE]

yes, a drop in would be much more convenient. I have cables at home, cables in the car, cables at work. Grab a cable of i am in a work vehicle.
Oy Vey! Cables everywhere!

 

[Omega-TI]

I am curious to know if it is possible to achieve Uniden's desired level of water resistance with drop in charging. Maybe this is why they didn't do it.

I dunno, but it would sure be nice of them to let the consumer decide for themselves if that was a priority to them and give them the option. I for one could care less about water resistance because mine is either in the house or car.

 

[wtp]

i live in Florida, there is a bit of water around here...

 

[redbeard]

I doubt water resistance has anything to do with it. If the whole battery cover is removable and able to hold a seal, I'm sure they could figure out a way for a pair of metal charging contacts on the back to as well. After all, the similar designed marine radio has it AND bluetooth.

MHS338BT

This rugged handheld Marine radio is rated IPX8 submersible and designed to float. Included features are a water activated emergency strobe light and flashlight, a drop-in charging cradle and Li-ion rechargeable battery. The MHS338BT also includes smart intuitive features and menus, and...

uniden.com

 

[w4amp]

There was a member here selling carbon latches for the battery cover. They work great.

 

[trentbob]

Perhaps little known fact, when the project manager Paul Opitz first envisioned the SDS 100, Uniden had to make a decision about a design for the radio and decided to go with a pre-existing marine radio made by Uniden.

The water resistance property of the 100 is not because they wanted to give you that benefit it's because it was already present on the marine radio.

That marine radio did not have a drop in charger and they decided not to design one for it, I guess that decision stands.

 

[trentbob]

I just noticed the typo, I meant to say Paul was product manager not project manager.😉

 

[a727469]

Perhaps little known fact, when the project manager Paul Opitz first envisioned the SDS 100, Uniden had to make a decision about a design for the radio and decided to go with a pre-existing marine radio made by Uniden.

The water resistance property of the 100 is not because they wanted to give you that benefit it's because it was already present on the marine radio.

That marine radio did not have a drop in charger and they decided not to design one for it, I guess that decision stands.

How many of us have dropped our sds100 into the water?💦⁉️😀

 

[trentbob]

Understood LOL. The biggest drawback was the recessed antenna mount that needed the O-ring to fulfill its water resistant rating so a lot of SMA antennas in our big Ziplock bags did not work.

A lot of people felt the same way, that they wouldn't be taking their radio out in the rain that often but it's only because it was a marine radio carcass. Turned out pretty good.