Is mine genuine?

[DaveNF2G]

I have read so many complaints online about poor reception, bad audio, mysterious noises, display issues, and so forth, in connection with the SDS-200. I have owned one for a couple of months now and have experienced not one of these maladies. I'm beginning to wonder if I actually own a genuine Uniden SDS-200.

 

[jaspence]

I believe a lot of the gripes for both Whistler and Uniden are due to what some hams call "appliance users". If it is electronic and plugs in, they expect no more effort is needed than to turn it on and all will be well. I live in an area that some consider a simulcast mess, and even my old Pro 106 gives very good reception in most situations. Sometimes you want to listen in a location where there are signal problems, but unless you are willing to pay a great deal more for the radio that won't happen. Even my Motorola HT is garbled occasionally.

 

[garys]

I'm more satisfied with my SDS200 now than I was when I bought it back in February. The firmware is just gets better and I've been doing some antenna swaps on my truck to see which antenna works best. Ironically, right now it seems that the long out of production AS MONR752 is doing the best job. Super great on VHF and UHF, pretty good on 800. It's a bit weaker on 900, but certainly acceptable.

Too bad they don't make them any longer.

Anyway, the SDS200 is a great scanner.

I have read so many complaints online about poor reception, bad audio, mysterious noises, display issues, and so forth, in connection with the SDS-200. I have owned one for a couple of months now and have experienced not one of these maladies. I'm beginning to wonder if I actually own a genuine Uniden SDS-200.

 

[XPS720]

I was having high volume on tone frequencies on my SDS200 at low band, like 33.7400 to 33.9900 MHz. I set the offset volume to -2 on all frequencies i listen to. What a big improvement. On my DMR and Trunk frequencies I changed the offset volume to +3 as no I hear low volumes very well. It always great to hear new improvements or fixings.

 

[hiegtx]

I have read so many complaints online about poor reception, bad audio, mysterious noises, display issues, and so forth, in connection with the SDS-200. I have owned one for a couple of months now and have experienced not one of these maladies. I'm beginning to wonder if I actually own a genuine Uniden SDS-200.

I have one of the first SDS200's shipped, but I'm also not seeing the issues others describe, including the hum. Don't take that as saying many of the complaints are not valid, only that I have not personally had the same issues.

 

[blackbelter]

I have had my SDS 200 since May and experienced none of the mentioned issues. My 436 works flawlessly as well . Looking to purchase a Unication G5 for a more portable applications .

 

[werinshades]

I'm also an early adapter and purchased one in January. After the filter settings were added in firmware, my analog reception has improved and in some systems, now performs and sounds better than my 536 on the same system. Yes, maybe we all received one of those "new" SDS 200's and didn't know it.. P25 simulcast issues are no longer an issue to monitor.

 

[woody_46]

After the filter settings were added in firmware, my analog reception has improved and in some systems, now performs and sounds better than my 536 on the same system.

Agreed. Mine is great and the receive is better than my 436. For VHF Hi i just set hold on a weak weather channel and set the filters for the strongest signal and left it alone. It might take a little effort depending on your area.

 

[TailGator911]

Certainly, the hum issues are valid, and obviously a concern for Uniden, but it is also apparent that the hum issue (and others as noted) is with a minority of owners. As with all electronics, there is going to be a few lemons. If you bought an SDS200 and it works great out of the box it's not because you got a 'good one', it's just that some people have a 'bad one'. The majority of SDS200 owners are satisfied customers . I have 2 SDS200s, both issue-free, and an early adopter of the SDS100, the only issue being the broken battery compartment clip. Uniden sent me the part, warrantied and free, and I installed it myself. Bada-boom-bada-bing. (Thank you, Uniden Support - Jenna!) Now I have 3 SDS scanners that I consider top of the line. With zero issues. IMO, best scanners to hit the market in a very long time.

JD
kf4anc

 

[iMONITOR]

I have read so many complaints online about poor reception, bad audio, mysterious noises, display issues, and so forth, in connection with the SDS-200. I have owned one for a couple of months now and have experienced not one of these maladies. I'm beginning to wonder if I actually own a genuine Uniden SDS-200.

Sounds like acquired a salesman sample!

Apparently they only made one.

 

[K2KOH]

Funny thing is I never had any real problems with my x36 models, either, other than the campaign problems. For whatever reason my 536 works quite well on simulcast. I bought the SDS 100 for the hell of it, no problems there either. I probably won't do the 200 until my 536 dies

 

[Joe_Blough]

Making fun of people who have problems with a $700 scanner ranks pretty high up there as one of the most childish things I have seen.

 

[iMONITOR]

Making fun of people who have problems with a $700 scanner ranks pretty high up there as one of the most childish things I have seen.

Who did that?

 

[Joe_Blough]

Who did that?

The original poster DaveNF2G and you. It is not only condescending but makes you two appear that you think you are better than everyone else.

 

[belvdr]

The original poster DaveNF2G and you. It is not only condescending but makes you two appear that you think you are better than everyone else.

I didn't read their posts in that context at all.

 

[iMONITOR]

The original poster DaveNF2G and you. It is not only condescending but makes you two appear that you think you are better than everyone else.

I was injecting a little humor, something the forums could use a little more of at times especially in these tense and emotional situations. I understand people are disappointed, stressed, even angry, I was one of them! I purchased a SDS200 that had problems. When I realized it was not something that could be resolved easily, and I couldn't live with and didn't want to accept after paying $700, I returned it for a full refund. When it became clear Uniden wasn't offering any options, I had no choice. I made the comment to DaveNF2G because he was one of the lucky ones. What's wrong with that? I certainly don't think DaveNF2G was making fun of anyone. He was simply pointing out that his hasn't been having all the problems being discussed in various threads. It's important that people communicate what's happening and what's not, in attempting to get to the bottom of this.

You feeling as though I was making fun of you and others, and being condescending is based on how you personally reacted to my post. How you interpreted the post from DaveNF2G and my reply as we think we are better than everyone else is beyond comprehension. It sounds like there is a lot more going on with you that I'm not aware of.

 

[woody_46]

Interesting... I did not see anybody poking fun at users with defective units when I posted in this thread. In reality I feel bad for anybody that received a defective unit. I'm in Canada and dealt with the clock repair issue for my 436. It wasn't a fun time. I saw this as a thread showing that not everybody received a defective SDS200 since many posts were in regards to the already proven "hum" issue.

 

[werinshades]

Interesting... I did not see anybody poking fun at users with defective units when I posted in this thread. In reality I feel bad for anybody that received a defective unit. I'm in Canada and dealt with the clock repair issue for my 436. It wasn't a fun time. I saw this as a thread showing that not everybody received a defective SDS200 since many posts were in regards to the already proven "hum" issue.

Loosen up everyone...it's just a scanner, not life and death.

 

[TailGator911]

Some threads that people post to voice their complaints about their SDS scanners are often derailed due to the frustration and anger that they are feeling that others are not. Emotions run hot when someone buys a top shelf high dollar item that they find to be faulty. Here in these forums it's easy to get angry and misread or misinterpret another poster's words and take them as a slight to you and your situation when most of the time the post is not intended that way. I didn't read any posts in this thread as insulting or demeaning. Maybe somebody is just having a bad day.

I only hope that the people who are having issues with their scanners get the issues resolved so they can enjoy this great hobby like they want to. I also hope some here can refrain from repetitive posts that are cajoling and baiting and petty in nature. Not what this forum is about. We come here from all walks of life to trade product information, technical know how, and industry knowledge among other things. Keep it real and, as werinshades just said, loosen up. It's just a scanner.

JD
kf4anc

 

[Bob1955]

I have had my SDS 200 since May and experienced none of the mentioned issues. My 436 works flawlessly as well . Looking to purchase a Unication G5 for a more portable applications .

Give Phil Litchenberger, Jr. a call from East Coast Pagers(Unication Dealer) at (347)829-7226 and tell him that Bob M. recommended him. He also owns W2LIE repeater and Monitor Long Island and he's a real nice guy too.
Hope this info helps you blackbelter.
Happy Labor Day weekend coming up!