Is Whistler Still in the Scanner Business ?

[hiegtx]

As stated there is nothing official although I would not be surprised but it could just be circumstances with a move or something else, but no new scanners in years and not much inventory out there.
I enjoyed their radios at one time and hope they could support current users, but the market(Uniden) passed them by years ago. If so, might be some good deals out there if you want to take a chance😵‍💫

I don't know if these are the beginning signs of a shutdown, or severe supply chain issues. As far as scanners go, when Whistler first announced the purchase of the former GRE's intellectual proper (designs for scanners), I wondered if they were truly expanding to that product line, or were simply going to 'ride that horse' until sales dropped to levels too low to continue the product line. Their foray in announcing the TRX100 & TRX200, 'simulcast fighter' scanners, with other interesting features, then, after a year, and past the promised release date first announced, the possible new models were dropped, indicating, at least to me, that they did not have a technical departmental capable of designing effective new scanner models.

While the WS1040 & WS1065 are useful for those with mostly conventional channels, and no simulcast sites or P25 Phase II systems, the design is dated, with the only changes from the original GRE PSR500 & PSR600 (released in 2007) being slight modifications to accommodate replacement of internal components where the original parts are no longer available.. Other than those changes, these were still 17 year old designs, not capable of upgrades via firmware.

Scanners are not Whistler's only product line that appears to be on a downhill slide. A couple of years ago, when I was looking for an aftermarket back up camera for my SUV, there were at least a dozen Whistler models, with various features. listed on Amazon. At present, there are none. Radar detectors, Whistler's original claim to fame, are also scarce. While Amazon still lists a number of Whistler models, virtually all are tagged as "temporarily unavailable". Those with Amazon pricing have a notice on the product's page (see this example) that Amazon is working hard get back in stock. They are still accepting orders, with the provision that you would be notified when an estimated delivery date was obtained. Amazon is also stating that they will not charge you for the item until it actually ships. It remains to be seen whether this is simply a supply problem, or a sign that Whittler is winding down the business as a whole.

 

[Insulator]

Just for my curiosity, correct me if I'm wrong, but has Uniden had "supply chain issues" as Whistler is claiming? I decided not to get on the waiting list for the TRX-2, but bought the SDS200 and turned right around and ordered a 996P2 and couldn't be happier.

 

[buddrousa]

I have not seen Whistler claim Supply Chain Problems.
They Claimed
#1 TORNADO
#2 New Building to damaged to operate out of
#3 Moving to new building
Facts against Whistler
For almost a month after the TORNADO the Whistler Servers were operational
For over a month no answer phones or emails
Website works a few weeks and then is on and off again
LACK OF WHISTLER SUPPORT PERSON in the forums in the office on the phones.
If those that were her remember WHISTLER WENDY went missing in action and was missing for months from the forums then the excuse came out she want to try a different job.
Now WHISTLER WILLIE having the same MIA.

 

[Insulator]

10-4. I was going on the mention of supply issues on the post at 1:36. Oh well. I guess it is what it is.

 

[mikewazowski]

Folks, let's try and stay on-topic.

Thanks.

 

[buddrousa]

Looking up Whistler information annual sales 10 Million Total Employees 2023 15 Total Employees 2024 8
Product Management 1
Sales 1
Accounting 1
Others 5
So out of the 5 you have 1 Receptionist 1 doing repairs 1 shipping and warehouse workers
Source The Whistler Group, Inc. Financial Overview, Employee Count, and Competitors

 

[eryoung2k]

Wow that is awful!!! Welp that's that

 

[a727469]

If true, these numbers seem amazing that they can even function. Who’s doing R&D or engineering!? Also looks like employee count has gone down last year to this year. What about their other items like radar detectors, dash cams, inverters etc…Might be an opportunity for someone to part time or full time offer repairs.

 

[ka3nxn]

After further investigation, I think I'll go with the SDS-200. Uniden has been a time-proven scanner manufacturer. Thanks for your input.

I would sell this POS for a door stop, and grab a Uniden SDS-100 if I didn't have to have major dental surgery. I've never been happy with the fact that they never allowed anyone else to make a programming software like Butel. I guess if I'm a real glutton for punishment I can try and program this thing by hand, but that does nothing for downloading the complete library.

 

[ka3nxn]

Didn't I read somewhere that they were in the process of moving?

You might start by outlining your issue, which Whistler scanners you have and the system(s) you are trying to hear. There's a lot of very smart folks here

Mike

Their voicemail says that they would be up and running by Oct 1st, I just called them and as Oct 20th, they play the same message that says they will be open Oct 1st. I think they're done.

 

[lebrunmn]

I guess if I'm a real glutton for punishment I can try and program this thing by hand, but that does nothing for downloading the complete library.

You're not completely out of luck... they still have their download page up & running. That'll get your their "EZ Scan" software and v.889 of the library. Not ideal, but you're not stuck with a door-stop either.

The link was posted by someone else, earlier in the thread, but here it is again:

Downloads

Please note that some Download links may direct you to download a file from a Dropbox page. Scanner Downloads Select your model... TRX-1 TRX-2 TRX-1E (International) TRX-2E (International) WS1040 & WS1065 WS1080 & WS1088 WS1095 & WS1098 -- Legacy Scanners -- Pro-18 / Pro-668 / PSR-800 -...

whistlergroup.com

 

[gmclam]

If true, these numbers seem amazing that they can even function. Who’s doing R&D or engineering!? Also looks like employee count has gone down last year to this year. What about their other items like radar detectors, dash cams, inverters etc…Might be an opportunity for someone to part time or full time offer repairs.

My thinking is that they hired someone for R&D and then announced the TRX-100/200. Then the R&D ended and they canceled those products. As we all know, Whistler has really never performed any (true) scanner R&D.

 

[joec157]

But they have not updated the library file in at least a month. Is that correct?

 

[a727469]

My thinking is that they hired someone for R&D and then announced the TRX-100/200. Then the R&D ended and they canceled those products. As we all know, Whistler has really never performed any (true) scanner R&D.

Makes sense but I still wonder how one person could do repairs on their entire product line per the above source. Even if the numbers are off a bit, with everything they are selling and have sold this would mean there is literally no support.
It seems hard to believe that all of us cannot get a straight answer from them. Even if they were moving, you would think they would keep communications with their customers alive and active. Very sad😢

 

[buddrousa]

Whistler is a Company that sales things. All Scanners were designed by GRE and GRE was bought out by Whistler. China is building the Scanners from the Design that GRE made. Makes you wonder if all their products are others designs.
Just makes you wonder what was said to Don Starr.

 

[Ronaldski]

One thing though is those are the ones on the company payroll. So many companies these days and for awhile just want to be in the business of making money and not have to deal with people on the payroll.
So they very much could have more and makes sense to me is that are other contractor companies that work for them.

 

[gmclam]

Makes sense but I still wonder how one person could do repairs on their entire product line per the above source. Even if the numbers are off a bit, with everything they are selling and have sold this would mean there is literally no support.
It seems hard to believe that all of us cannot get a straight answer from them. Even if they were moving, you would think they would keep communications with their customers alive and active. Very sad😢

R&D and repair are two different jobs. I do both, but not usually at the same time. A repair person makes a lot less than someone performing true R&D. I can see Whistler obtaining GRE rights and thinking they could hire someone and move forward only later to learn of the huge upfront costs and what it really takes to develop a serious product. Selling is all good, but over time those designs are no longer meaningful in this fast-paced world of new technologies.

 

[hiegtx]

R&D and repair are two different jobs. I do both, but not usually at the same time. A repair person makes a lot less than someone performing true R&D. I can see Whistler obtaining GRE rights and thinking they could hire someone and move forward only later to learn of the huge upfront costs and what it really takes to develop a serious product. Selling is all good, but over time those designs are no longer meaningful in this fast-paced world of new technologies.

It probably did not help that Don Starr had a 'falling out' with Whistler. If they had remained on good terms, he might have been able to at least give some advice.

As far as the 'employee count' goes, they likely contract out repairs as well as order fulfillment, with a Whistler employed 'point of contact' or onsite rep to keep things in order.

If you scroll through their product gallery online, almost everything is tagged as 'notify me when back in stock'. And, as I noted earlier, some categories such as backup cameras, on Amazon, are devoid of Whistler products. The patient may not have been officially declared dead, but the coroner may be on the way to make the announcement.

 

[a727469]

R&D and repair are two different jobs. I do both, but not usually at the same time. A repair person makes a lot less than someone performing true R&D. I can see Whistler obtaining GRE rights and thinking they could hire someone and move forward only later to learn of the huge upfront costs and what it really takes to develop a serious product. Selling is all good, but over time those designs are no longer meaningful in this fast-paced world of new technologies.

Definitely aware of the difference. Not sure how you do both!😉. Also, I forgot as someone stated, they never really came up with a new radio product so they really had no need for R&D☹️ Yes, as you stated so well,with the fast-paced technologies, they were left behind.

 

[buddrousa]

Wendy always talked about John in Repairs last I heard a name it was John