New Guy question

[CitizenT]

After growing up with a scanner in my room as a kid and listening to it at all hours of the night, I have decided to jump back into the hobby after 20+ys.

I was seriously considering the BCD396T when I heard the announcement of the 996. Now I don't know what to do. Should I wait a good six months for a 996 or should I bite the bullet and get the 396 now? Is there that much a difference between the two. I live in CT work in New York City (take a train to work) and will use it all over the Northeast in my truck. Purpose is purely hobby/fun. Although I do think the scanner would be real handy in a crisis.

Alos, with this announcement, will the 396 drop in price?

Thx
Tom

 

[ofd8001]

396 or 996

What you do rests on what you want to do. If you will be content with your scanner always being in one place only, then the mobile/base version is the answer. I think the reception is a tad better with that kind.

If you anticipate a desire to take the scanner with you to different places, then your only answer is having the portable.

Another benefit for having a portable is if you are out of power at your home. Having a scanner you can listen to that uses batteries may tell you why the power is out, and how long it may take to get it back. Your mobile scanner won't be working if you do not have power (though I suppose you could rig up some batteries).

I never had a portable scanner before I got my 396, but I've had a boatload of base/mobile units. I think I made the right choice. Having said that, I can't wait until the 996 is available, because I'm gonna get one.

 

[CitizenT]

Can you get the 396 as a base unit? What is a Mobile/Base unit? Seems to contradict. Sorry for my absolute ingnorance on this. All these models can be rather confusing.

What is the comparable base unit to the - BCD396T?

 

[W4KRR]

Can you get the 396 as a base unit? What is a Mobile/Base unit? Seems to contradict. Sorry for my absolute ingnorance on this. All these models can be rather confusing.

What is the comparable base unit to the - BCD396T?

Right now there is no mobile or base equivalent to the BCD396. The closest thing will be the 996 when it comes out next spring.

A base/mobile unit is a unit that is designed to be mounted in a vehicle, or can be used on a table or other surface, in other words, not a hand held portable, not designed to be carried around.

 

[CitizenT]

Ahh. So will the 996 be a handheld/portable or a base/mobile unit?

 

[Dubbin]

base/mobile http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21662

 

[CitizenT]

Many Thanks Guys. Looks like I'm going to get the portable/handheld BCD396!CAn't wait to get it.

Thx again

 

[safetyobc]

Have you looked at the info on the Wiki pages?

BCD996T http://www.radioreference.com/wiki/index.php/BCD996T

BCD396T http://www.radioreference.com/wiki/index.php/BCD396T

Lots of info available there. I can tell you the 396 is an awsome scanner. I have one and love it.

 

[CitizenT]

Thank You

I've just checked those pages out myself. Very informative. I must admit that this stuff is a bit greek to me, even in the wiki pages. Your one on one help is invaluable. It really is amazing to me how good a forum like this can be. I mean, think about the wealth of information here AND the people to help explain it! 20 yrs ago I would have walked into the electronic store and listened to a sales guy tell me about the radio and would have made a very uninformed purchasing decision. I would have probably gone through three radios before I knew which end was up. Today,via the forum, I am able to ask questions and get real answers. I have the enitre world at my fingertips with excellent, somewhat-nonbiased, accounts on the real world performsnce of the products.
I hope someday that I can offer such advice to another guy lost in the shuffle.
Well, i'll be buying my radio real soon. I have a hunch you havent heard the last of me!

: )

tom