BCD160DN/BCD260DN: Is this a new Uniden model? BCD260DN

[Ubbe]

The factory in Vietnam didn't set up all their tooling process to only produce 25 scanner for beta testers, they probably produced 1000 scanners. Those can be sold for $299 and will be sold out in a week. Then after 30 days, when they can't be returned, they have produced a couple of thousands more scanners that can be set at $249 to really attract buyers to get an extra scanner. It will be pretty much useless for a first time scanner buyer as all P25 and trunked systems will be out of reach, so it's aimed at people who wants one additional scanner to what they already have that already receives all P25 and trunked systems. For railroad fans it would be a better buy to get a used commercial 2-way radio at the same price range that has much better performance.

/Ubbe

 

[phask]

The factory in Vietnam didn't set up all their tooling process to only produce 25 scanner for beta testers, they probably produced 1000 scanners. Those can be sold for $299 and will be sold out in a week. Then after 30 days, when they can't be returned, they have produced a couple of thousands more scanners that can be set at $249 to really attract buyers to get an extra scanner. It will be pretty much useless for a first time scanner buyer as all P25 and trunked systems will be out of reach, so it's aimed at people who wants one additional scanner to what they already have that already receives all P25 and trunked systems. For railroad fans it would be a better buy to get a used commercial 2-way radio at the same price range that has much better performance.

/Ubbe

Who said there were 25 Beta testers ?

 

[Ubbe]

Who said there were 25 Beta testers ?

Probably less but perhaps 25 pre-release scanners sent out when including the demo samples and such but they are not hand built. Vietnam made at least 1000 or 2000 until they ran out of components 2 years ago and Uniden have those stashed away somewhere until their storage rooms are filled from current production lines to allow every retailer to have their shelf's filled at the official release day.

/Ubbe

 

[03msc]

Source?

 

[Akuriko]

my thought is will it be all sold out once released That is a good question to ask.

 

[trp2525]

my thought is will it be all sold out once released That is a good question to ask.

If you (or anyone else) wants to be a "very early adopter" of the BCD160DN and/or the BCD260DN, I don't believe you will have a problem getting your hands on inventory from the initial-release batch of radios if you do your homework beforehand.

Right now Zip Scanners (FREE shipping on orders over $99) and Bearcat Warehouse (FREE shipping on orders over $200) already have webpages dedicated to the 2 new models. One would think that those 2 retailers in particular will be offering pre-orders as soon as they have solid pricing information and inventory availability dates and quantities from their Uniden distributor(s).

Even though they don't currently have any webpages/listings for the 2 new models, I would keep a very close eye on the following online scanner retailers for ordering/pricing information on the 2 new models which may be posted on their websites in the not too distant future:

Scanner Master
Ham Radio Outlet
Giga Parts
Factory Outlet Store
Webtron-X
Main Trading Company

Of course the "old-timers" here on RR will remember that The Ham Station (from Indiana) and Universal Radio (from Ohio) used to be involved in the initial release/pre-orders of any brand-new Uniden scanner models when those 2 companies were still in business!

 

[Akuriko]

i wonder once pricing is released for the 2 new models if amazon will start to sell em.

 

[bearcatrp]

i wonder once pricing is released for the 2 new models if amazon will start to sell em.

Just guessing but around $350 for the handheld and $400 for the desktop. With Uniden including DMR and NXDN, which they pay royalties, will pass that down to the buyer.

 

[Akuriko]

Just guessing but around $350 for the handheld and $400 for the desktop. With Uniden including DMR and NXDN, which they pay royalties, will pass that down to the buyer.

If Uniden charges that much for the new scanners I think people will invest in the 15X or the 996p2 or 325p2 or even the 125at,355n,365,436 hp, or 536 hp before paying those prices, lol for a new scanner.

maybe what i should be looking at is a comparison of the former models to the new models and price and see what you get, lol

 

[marcotor]

One thing Uniden can count on is scanner users are as notoriously cheap as hams when it comes to new equipment. And apparently have few nickels to rub together, in spite of choosing what has always been an expensive hobby.

 

[Akuriko]

do you think Uniden will discontinue any other models to roll out the new scanners?

 

[Ubbe]

Just guessing but around $350 for the handheld and $400 for the desktop. With Uniden including DMR and NXDN, which they pay royalties, will pass that down to the buyer.

Companies that sell DMR radios like TYT and Wouxen have a DMR license and others like Icom are a full paying member of the DMR association that automatically gives access to all patents. Uniden are a license holder but Whistler have never been on the lists as a license holder or as a member. So probably conventional DMR decoding doesn't cost Uniden anything extra, as using P25 technology seems to require so Uniden have excluded that in these scanners to keep the cost down.

Digital Mobile Radio Association | Members of the Association

The DMR Association provide the ultimate service to our members as we focus on the commercial applications of DMR comprised in DMR Tier II and dmr Tier III.

www.dmrassociation.org

DMR Essentials Licensing Program - Motorola Solutions EMEA

Digital Mobile Radio is a standard emerging in Europe. Learn more about Motorola DMR technology and how you can license DMR technology.

www.motorolasolutions.com

/Ubbe

 

[Akuriko]

i guess the question should be how many people use dmr or nxdn? where I live i haven't found much at all, however it doesn't mean it isn't there,

 

[GTR8000]

i guess the question should be how many people use dmr or nxdn? where I live i haven't found much at all, however it doesn't mean it isn't there,

There is a ton of DMR/NXDN out there. Much of it is trunking, however, meaning these two models won't be of much use.

 

[Akuriko]

There is a ton of DMR/NXDN out there. Much of it is trunking, however, meaning these two models won't be of much use.

Thanks for the reply I was just trying to learn about dmr and nxdn, seems these radios were meant for a niche market of railroaders, only time will tell if it's true but I am always willing to learn new things.

 

[JvdK]

There is a ton of DMR/NXDN out there. Much of it is trunking, however, meaning these two models won't be of much use.

Funny, not trunking doesn’t stop Whistler from selling their TRX-1 and TRX-2 from selling.

 

[Akuriko]

again funny as the Whistler 1040 handheld and 1065 base station is just a rebranded trunking system as well.

 

[bob550]

Lack of trunking capability doesn't necessarily prevent you from monitoring a trunked system. Comms for any given agency may come up on a consistent frequency that doesn't change much. I used to find that to be true for a local PD/FD who would generally always utilize the same two analog frequencies, PD on one and FD on the other.

 

[KevinC]

There is a ton of DMR/NXDN out there. Much of it is trunking, however, meaning these two models won't be of much use.

The lack of trunking is obviously due to the government restricting the manufacture of trunking scanners now.

 

[GTR8000]

The lack of trunking is obviously due to the government restricting the manufacture of trunking scanners now.

Absolutely, and of course the lack of P25 capability with these new models, which is going to be very heavily restricted going forward. Everything will require a special license from the FCC/FAA/USDA/USPS to obtain P25 capability, and all current P25 systems and repeaters will send out special packets that will disable all currently unlicensed P25 devices at a future date, forcing compliance. In addition, the "BIG E" will be implemented on all radio systems and channels around the same time, along with encrypted TDMA P25 control channels so that you won't even be able to watch the activity anymore, much less listen to anything. Oh yeah and the government is going to force all analog channels to go digital, which has been secretly in the planning stages for many years, it was hidden within the narrowband mandate back in 2012 but is going to shock a lot of people when it happens.