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

[garys]

Or he could just keep entertaining us with absurd observations.

I am sure you are right.....I mean Uniden went through all the trouble of producing models for beta testing and getting all of the FCC approvals in place just to screw with everyone and not release anything.<sarcasm>

I would suggest perhaps reading over the entire thread before embarrassing yourself any further.

 

[Starcom21]

The news of this release has been on "The Scanner Guys" youtube channel for months, even had the initial product announcement, before anyone else.

Yes, it does NXDN and DMR Conventional. TRUNKING and P25 NOT INCLUDED. NOT AVAILABLE.

WHAT they are NOT telling you (from what I have gathered): Some of this stuff matters to more advanced users, others may not care

1) Unsure if it displays the COLOR CODE or RAN. (or if it can be programmed for a specific code)

2) WILL NOT DISPLAY TALKGROUP NUMBERS. So you won't know what talkgroup is actually transmitting. You won't be able to only listen to a particular talkgroup and not another one.

3) WILL NOT DISPLAY UID/RIDs (Radio ID numbers). So you can't differentiate those talking or name the radios in the software
There is not enough room on the screen for this, plus with this type of scanner (Banks), I don't think it could work with a list of RIDs.

4) WILL NOT have "1 FREQUENCY DMR" type "UNIDEN TRUNKING" programming. You just enter in a frequency and it decodes the audio, but is not giving you the information (if you want, like, or are used to it in the previous models). This does not have the architecture, this is a BANK memory. (hardware driven radio, not software)
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We don't know what the future of Rail Scanning is going to be like when it moves to NXDN. There may or may not be any talkgroups in use, but I'm sure there will be Radio IDs. (some conventional NXDN uses talkgroups, but a majority just use "Group Call") 2 different railroads can use 2 different RAN codes. Are you able to program if for only 1 code (so you don't have to hear the other one?)
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All I'm trying to do, it help those that just want to go out and buy one immediately without thinking about it's full capabilities. I have not found a manual PDF yet. All the photos that I've see are very generic. The programming software really doesn't show a lot either.
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There is one photo that shows both "NFM and CAP+" on the screen, but it really doesn't make any sense, since this scanner is not capable of "CAPACITY PLUS"


One of the main photos for the item just shows the "Weather Priority" like that is the major selling point or something.

 

[georgesharpe]

I'm surely not embarrassed in any way. I'll just wait until say March 31st of 24, then let's see what is offered out there and at what price.

 

[JvdK]

I’m always wondering why people are writing whole sentences in capitals or even fat capitals. Do they think we don‘t understand it if it’s written in the normal font?

 

[Remon]

The news of this release has been on "The Scanner Guys" youtube channel for months, even had the initial product announcement, before anyone else.

You're wrong there. I started this thread on RR forums 5 days before the "The Scanner Guys" announcement on Youtube..

 

[trp2525]

...I'll just wait until say March 31st of 24, then let's see what is offered out there and at what price.

FYI Scanner Master has now listed the new BCD260DN base/mobile scanner on their website with a price of $349.99. (Product Code: 10-502071)

The Scanner Master price for the new BCD160DN handheld is $249.99. (Product Code: 10-502060)

Both product listings show drop-down menus for all of the available add-ons and accessories that Scanner Master is offering for the BCD160DN and BCD260DN scanners. It also states for both "Coming Early 2024" and "Stock Status: Out of Stock."

 

[JvdK]

Funny, if you select software it give’s you a choice of ARC125 (160DN) or ARCXT (260DN). On the BUTEL website I can’t find both scanner models though 🤔.

 

[cherubim]

I have the feeling that these so called new scanners that Uniden announced are all "pie in the sky" as still after several months of announcing these radios there is still no release date given. I am rather skeptical that they will ever be even made.

I'm skeptical that Uniden America's scanner division actually has a clue what they're doing. This is the writing on the wall and the beginning of the end for scanner production. What we have here from Uniden is a bone toss for scanner enthusiasts.

 

[buddrousa]

That will work very well for the intended market.
You can say the samething about gas cars.

 

[JvdK]

I'm skeptical that Uniden America's scanner division actually has a clue what they're doing. This is the writing on the wall and the beginning of the end for scanner production. What we have here from Uniden is a bone toss for scanner enthusiasts.

I always wonder if these guys with this kind of comments stay with their car in the garage and keep telling the mechanics that they are doing it wrong and how they should do it…..

I think these new models will work great for civil/military airband and railroad listeners. That’s where these models are designed for and they don’t need trunking. It’s like @JoeBearcat said before; these 2 new models ain’t replacing the SDS100/200 scanners. So if you want P25 or trunking these models stay available. However, I guess they never read the 34 pages with posts…..

 

[Ubbe]

What we have here from Uniden is a bone toss for scanner enthusiasts.

It's a bit unfortunate that Uniden have set a $350 pricepoint for the 260, as we can assume it is a $199 BCT15X hardware and add DMR and NXDN that Uniden have already developed and coded for other scanners, so that work are already done, and conventional DMR and NXDN that doesn't have any licence costs, then an additional $150 seems a bit unmotivated.

For railfans it's a much better choice using a second hand professional NXDN radio that can also do analog that has a much better receiver performance in the often interference prone 160MHz band. For a non-railfan it is the lack of DMR/NXDN trunk and P25 that makes it unsuitable. The 260 doesn't really attract any type of scanner user. The 160 are at a better position that it offers DMR and NXDN, although only conventional, in a $250 portable scanner that can compete with a $150 BC125AT's performance, but the price difference are once again a bit unmotivated.

/Ubbe

 

[JvdK]

It's a bit unfortunate that Uniden have set a $350 pricepoint for the 260, as we can assume it is a $199 BCT15X hardware and add DMR and NXDN that Uniden have already developed and coded for other scanners, so that work are already done, and conventional DMR and NXDN that doesn't have any licence costs, then an additional $150 seems a bit unmotivated.

For railfans it's a much better choice using a second hand professional NXDN radio that can also do analog that has a much better receiver performance in the often interference prone 160MHz band. For a non-railfan it is the lack of DMR/NXDN trunk and P25 that makes it unsuitable. The 260 doesn't really attract any type of scanner user. The 160 are at a better position that it offers DMR and NXDN, although only conventional, in a $250 portable scanner that can compete with a $150 BC125AT's performance, but the price difference are once again a bit unmotivated.

/Ubbe

I guess you’ll find the motivation in the price of microchips and other parts. Price’s are rising fast for these parts as there is a global shortage for microchips. This and COVID were the reason why the release of these new models got delayed.

 

[trp2525]

Funny, if you select software it give’s you a choice of ARC125 (160DN) or ARCXT (260DN). On the BUTEL website I can’t find both scanner models though 🤔.

That is incorrect information on the Scanner Master "Choose Software" drop down lists on their BCD160DN and BCD260DN web pages.

The correct BuTel software for both the BCD160DN and BCD260DN is ARC260 as seen on the BuTel USA shop website ($39.95 but use code UNIDEN for a 10% discount at checkout).

 

[fxdscon]

That is incorrect information on the Scanner Master "Choose Software" drop down lists on their BCD160DN and BCD260DN web pages.

The correct BuTel software for both the BCD160DN and BCD260DN is ARC260 as seen on the BuTel USA shop website ($39.95 but use code UNIDEN for a 10% discount at checkout).

Looks like Scanner Master did a cut and paste from other scanners for the new ones. The "Choose PC Cable" drop down box for the BCD260DN shows the "Uniden USB-1" programming cable as an available accessory for that scanner.

 

[Ubbe]

I guess you’ll find the motivation in the price of microchips and other parts. Price’s are rising fast for these parts as there is a global shortage for microchips. This and COVID were the reason why the release of these new models got delayed.

Yes, that could be a reason. But the BCT15-X are still sold at $199. If we assume that the 260 are using the base from a BCT15-X then the cost for development and sourcing of components have already been done and as there's no trunk or talk group management the 260 more or less only adds pure digital to analog voice conversion, that might be possible to do with the processor alone and not even needing any additional DSP chip, as it is the only thing the CPU needs to do when scanning have stopped on a channel.

/Ubbe

 

[JvdK]

Yes, that could be a reason. But the BCT15-X are still sold at $199. If we assume that the 260 are using the base from a BCT15-X then the cost for development and sourcing of components have already been done and as there's no trunk or talk group management the 260 more or less only adds pure digital to analog voice conversion, that might be possible to do with the processor alone and not even needing any additional DSP chip, as it is the only thing the CPU needs to do when scanning have stopped on a channel.

/Ubbe

At least the 260DN is almost half of the price of a Whistler TRX-2 with almost the same specs🤔

I guess since they started Uniden America as a separate company they’ve made “some expenses“. If I remember it correctly @JoeBearcat said that Uniden America is also developing other new models. And last but not least let’s not forget the costs caused by the COVID pandemic. All this together, including the higher prices of components, could cause some significant raise in prices.

 

[Butelsoftware]

Our software for the BCD160 and BCD260 will be ARC260 and will be available at Scannermaster. Current info on their website is incorrect.

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

 

[trp2525]

Zip Scanners posted on their website today (01-08-2024) their pricing for the new BCD160DN and BCD260DN scanners. For both scanners it states "NOW TAKING BACKORDERS!" and "Expected ship date: Feb 2024."

BCD160DN handheld at Zip Scanners is $380.00.

BCD260DN base/mobile at Zip Scanners is $532.00.

As of right now, Zip Scanners' price of $380 for the BCD160DN is $130 more than Scanner Master's price of $249.99 and their price of $532 for the BCD260DN is $182 more than Scanner Master's price of $349.99.

 

[JvdK]

That’s a big difference!😳

If the prices at Zip Scanners for the 160DN/260DN are correct, then it for sure will have a big (negative) effect on sales. You will be better off with a BCT 15-X or a 436HP/536…

 

[tvengr]

In Uniden Downloads, the BCD260DN manual is now available. If you download the BCD260DN in English, the manual is in French. If you download the BCD160DN in English, you get the BCD260DN in English. Oops!