Is proscan really worth it over OEM programming software?

[Jondrew55]

Bob here, maker of ProScan chiming in. Thanks for trying out ProScan. Let us know of any snags. On the Web Server setup, see the document on my ProScan website. It's located in the lower right corner. Ignore the part about the BCD536HP if you don't have that model, and just go to the Web Server part.

There's a few things here that are not correct. I just want to clear it up so you will get a better understanding of how ProScan, Sentinel, and the scanner works.

1. On the Mass Storage / Serial Port prompt = ProScan has no control over that. A USB cable detected will bring up the prompt otherwise it will go into Serial Port mode. It's called 'Serial Port' mode which is the same as when the scanner is in normal operation (including the menus) or in other words, anytime the scanner is not in Mass Storage mode. If you have a SDS200 then there's another mode, FTP mode.

2. On the Sentinel showing in the com port - Sentinel doesn't use the comm port, It doesn't log or show a display. It just uses the Mass Storage mode for reading and writing the database, favorites, profile, and firmware.

3. Yes, when using ProScan, you have to switch from Serial Port to Mass Storage mode if you're using ProScan for logging or the display.

4. Sentinel doesn't directly import from the RRDB(Radio Reference Database). ProScan importing from the RRDB may seem to be clunky but maybe over time, your option may change or it could be due to the many options.

Hi Bob, Bob here,

thanks for clearing things up. ”Clunky” was probably not the right word. I knew after using the trial for less than an hour Proscan was a winner so I purchased it. The RR import is different and I like it. I really like the logging function. There’s probably dozens of other features I’m going to be exploring. I’m a Mac guy so I’m having to readjust to the windows OS. Great product and I highly recommend. Like any versatile tool, the user has to put the time in to learn it.

 

[EAFrizzle]

I've found ProScan to make programming a few sites and TGs on a regional TRS much easier than in Sentinel. Sentinel always wanted to add the entire system, even when trying to pick and choose sites and agencies (thanks, but I don't need 99% of TxWARN up here). With ProScan, I just need a map to learn where everything is up here. It  seems easier and more intuitive to me to be able to check and un-check boxes than to click multiple lines, then try to weed out the extraneous stuff.

Thanks for a great product!

 

[K9KLC]

Bob here, maker of ProScan chiming in. Thanks for trying out ProScan. Let us know of any snags. On the Web Server setup, see the document on my ProScan website. It's located in the lower right corner. Ignore the part about the BCD536HP if you don't have that model, and just go to the Web Server part.

There's a few things here that are not correct. I just want to clear it up so you will get a better understanding of how ProScan, Sentinel, and the scanner works.

1. On the Mass Storage / Serial Port prompt = ProScan has no control over that. A USB cable detected will bring up the prompt otherwise it will go into Serial Port mode. It's called 'Serial Port' mode which is the same as when the scanner is in normal operation (including the menus) or in other words, anytime the scanner is not in Mass Storage mode. If you have a SDS200 then there's another mode, FTP mode.

2. On the Sentinel showing in the com port - Sentinel doesn't use the comm port, It doesn't log or show a display. It just uses the Mass Storage mode for reading and writing the database, favorites, profile, and firmware.

3. Yes, when using ProScan, you have to switch from Serial Port to Mass Storage mode if you're using ProScan for logging or the display.

4. Sentinel doesn't directly import from the RRDB(Radio Reference Database). ProScan importing from the RRDB may seem to be clunky but maybe over time, your option may change or it could be due to the many options.

I think because I'm more used to using Unication pagers, and the RR import works "somewhat the same", I had less trouble finding what I needed when using Proscan. I like that you can be in USB serial port, and the software will kick it into Mass Storage mode to make a change, then after XX seconds return back to serial port. That's genius in my opinion. (or that's the way it seems to work anyway). While I've only touched on the basics of this software, I wish I would have had longer now, I might not have sold my 436 just recently. Thanks for some great software.

 

[K9KLC]

I've found ProScan to make programming a few sites and TGs on a regional TRS much easier than in Sentinel. Sentinel always wanted to add the entire system, even when trying to pick and choose sites and agencies (thanks, but I don't need 99% of TxWARN up here). With ProScan, I just need a map to learn where everything is up here. It  seems easier and more intuitive to me to be able to check and un-check boxes than to click multiple lines, then try to weed out the extraneous stuff.

Thanks for a great product!

Agreed 100%.