Need Help Picking a Scanner...

[ES13Raven]

Hi,

I am a newbie to scanning and I am looking into buying my first scanner. I want to be able to listen to the police activity in my area.

I'm looking to spend under $150 for a handheld scanner.

Which ones in this price range have the best features and is easy to use?

 

[Bucko]

It appears that all public safety is FM high band & UHF so you could go with a Pro 97 which is on sale for $149.99 plus tax, of course that will run you over that price. The 97 is a good deal for that price for what it does. I believe there are Unidens that are under $150 range like the BC95 & BC 92 but don't have the features the Pro 97 has for the money.

 

[n4voxgill]

you can get a radio shack pro84 for $49.95 on line at radio shack.com

 

[JohnSPWD]

Do you want a mobile or Hand held?I would go with the BCD996T.if you have to have the hand held then go with the 396.

 

[Mtirv]

Um.. Theres nothing Digital there, and nothing interesting is trunked. Also notice his money requirement.

Go with the pro-84 if you don't need Alpha-Tags. Its only $50 and will do what you need.

If you do need alpha tags, take the pro-97. It will let you listen to anything trunked in your area and has alpha tags.

 

[ES13Raven]

Thanks for the replies...

Is the antenna that comes with the pro 84 decent, or does it need a better one for more range?

 

[Mtirv]

It is not great. If you can afford the upgrade, it would probably be a good idea. With it I get lots of static from frequencies just a county away. Its not necessary, but if you have the money, do it.

 

[ES13Raven]

It is not great. If you can afford the upgrade, it would probably be a good idea. With it I get lots of static from frequencies just a county away. Its not necessary, but if you have the money, do it.

Which one do you recommend?

Go with the pro-84 if you don't need Alpha-Tags. Its only $50 and will do what you need.

Which scanners under $150 have alpha tags?

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Grog]

Which scanners under $150 have alpha tags?

When the pro97 is on sale, it's $149.99 :wink:

You can get a used pro93 or pro95 on the cheap, between $50-80 or so. They don't have the nice bright backlit keypad, nor ctcss/dcs, but they are still a good 1st scanner.

I used a pro93/2053 (2053 is the base version) for several years, and they are still good scanners.

If you can swing the $150, get the pro97, if you're not sure, get a good 93 or 95.

 

[mfn002]

Do you want a mobile or Hand held?I would go with the BCD996T.if you have to have the hand held then go with the 396.

I think he said UNDER $150. Those scanners are $500 and up!

 

[bernnie]

don't think you are goping to find anything for that price unless you get it from a pawn shop or its HOT thats going to do you a lot of good for that price sorry ~!!

 

[mfn002]

Yeah, most scanners are $200 and up (even on eBay).