Is a SDS series worth it?

[bearcatrp]

Been looking at scanners last few months for a great air band scanner. BUT, I want it to be a multi purpose scanner. Been looking at the BCD15X real hard but is 11 years old. Seems like a great airband scanner but no DMR or other options. Air band is high priority but want to scan frequencies to see whats in my area to. IF I do get a SDS series, I would get all the additions like DMR etc.. BUT, is it worth $700 bucks. I want a desk top! Swore after I sold my 436 I would not get another scanner. My R30 does allot except DMR. My Icom IC 705 doesn't have mil air. So, would you invest in a SDS200? I know encryption is becoming more as time goes on which makes me skeptical buying a SDS200 unless the SDS200 is good on other areas like airband and such. Am stuck at a crossroads at this time ! Thanks.

 

[jonwienke]

The SDS200 picks up milair just fine if you have an antenna tuned for the band. Like a discone.

 

[ka3aaa]

way over priced in my opinion

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

BUT, is it worth $700 bucks.

This has been asked countless times here and it ultimately boils down to one question: Is your area plagued with simulcast sites? If so then YES, the SDS's are definitely worth the investment

 

[bearcatrp]

Have 4 towers that broadcast simulcast as far as I know. Am familiar with the 436 so kinda looking at the 536 so save a few bucks. Both are similar but the SDS series does a better job on serious simulcast issues. Screen on the SDS is friggin awesome. My R30 does a great job with phase one but do miss the specific identification of the locked in frequency. Could get it close with the R30. Got that dam itch that needs scratching!

 

[ofd8001]

The 536 is a reasonable choice as long as you are not having simulcast issues. You probably would have known if you did on your 436. Now if you are thinking about an outside antenna, you might be introducing a little more simulcast distortion. Good reception is the enemy when it comes to simulcast distortion, as strange as it seems.

Other than a more interesting screen/display and significant improvement in simulcast, the SDS 200 and 536 are fairly comparable.

 

[bearcatrp]

Already have a discone antenna outside. When I had my 436, I hooked it up periodically scanning other freqs. Didn't need outside antenna for P25, picked up great on antenna that came with it. Thanks for the replies folks. Will hold off on any purchase for a bit to think about this.

 

[bearcatrp]

Bit the bullet and ordered a SDS 200.

 

[trentbob]

As far as the price goes, early 1975 I bought a Electra bearcat 101 which was a programmable scanner using codes and tabs on the radio. This meant you did not have to buy crystals anymore you could just program in a frequency. I paid $399.99 at Lafayette Electronics. In today's money that would be about $1,900. In 1978 I bought RadioShack's first keyboard programmable radio made by GRE Japan and that was $399.99 in today's money that would be about $1,700.

I would have paid more for both radios just to get my hands on them. Kind of makes the SDS radios look like a bargain.

 

[bearcatrp]

Think I paid $400 for the Bearcat 210 back in the day. Still have it collecting dust. Think it was 1986 when I got it. How things have changed since then.

 

[trentbob]

Yep the 210 was Electra's first keyboard direct entry offering in the late 70s. To keep this on topic and show relevance the SDS series is innovative and is the only consumer scanner that can compete with professional commercial radios and pagers that can handle simulcast transmissions.

Programmable scanners of the late 70s were innovative also as they eliminated crystals. You could hear any frequency you wanted just by programming it on a keyboard. That stuff was Space Age. The cost, extremely high... People paid it because they felt it was worth it.

Interesting note that the Electra Bearcat 210 became the Bearcat 210xl and 210xlt ... They were made by Uniden as Uniden bought the Electra company in 1983... Those radios were worth it then and these SDS radios are worth it now.

 

[bearcatrp]

I plug in the 210 once in awhile. Works like a champ.