New PRO-96...Not Liking It So Far

[JohnnyGalaga]

Okay, so I'm tracking a type II system. If I scan my ID list in closed mode, there's no way to manually step through each talk group in my ID list. It just displays "Scan up..." and there's no way to make it stop on an ID. You'd think you could just hit manual to make it stiop scanning, but that takes it out of trunk mode and you get blasted with the control channel.

When the scanner does stop on an active ID, it doesn't even show what the scan list number is.

And the only way to scroll through and choose a single talk group to listen to is to take the stupid thing OUT of trunk mode first by hitting 'PGM.'

To search for new ID's, you can't just hit the search button, you have to put it in OPEN mode. Well excuse me. And then while it's in open mode, you can't even just hit manual to get back to your ID list.

While it's scanning your ID's in closed mode, it doesn't even show you which ID lists you're scanning.

This scanner is not user friendly at all...

Yikes . . .

 

[pfish]

Okay, so I'm tracking a type II system. If I scan my ID list in closed mode, there's no way to manually step through each talk group in my ID list. It just displays "Scan up..." and there's no way to make it stop on an ID. You'd think you could just hit manual to make it stiop scanning, but that takes it out of trunk mode and you get blasted with the control channel.

Hit manual, press PGM and then Trunk to show your ID list.

Press PAUSE or hold TRUNK while on a talkgroup os pause on a TG.

This is all explained in the manual.

When the scanner does stop on an active ID, it doesn't even show what the scan list number is.

Press Func+Trunk while scanning.

And the only way to scroll through and choose a single talk group to listen to is to take the stupid thing OUT of trunk mode first by hitting 'PGM.'

To search for new ID's, you can't just hit the search button, you have to put it in OPEN mode. Well excuse me. And then while it's in open mode, you can't even just hit manual to get back to your ID list.

This is by design. Thats why theres an open or closed option.

While it's scanning your ID's in closed mode, it doesn't even show you which ID lists you're scanning.

Again, Func+Trunk

 

[JohnnyGalaga]

Is there any way to see your ID list without hitting manual, because that puts the scanner in conventional mode.

 

[RolnCode3]

Is there any way to see your ID list without hitting manual, because that puts the scanner in conventional mode.

Unfortunately, no. I have to agree, personally, that the Unidens have this over the Pro-96. In order to get to your scan list, you have to go to conventional, then back into trunking. The other thing is that you can't just scroll thru the talkgroup list and listen as you scroll (which would be nice), but you have to then stop (press Func+Trunk) on a talkgroup to be able to hear it.

 

[JohnnyGalaga]

Exactly!! That's my whole point. This scanner has the versatility of a brick. I'm gonna try to get a refund tommorow.

Thanks to all.

 

[eyes00only]

I've had 5 or 6 scanners, but none were made by GRE, until I just got my Pro95. The 96 is also GRE. I HATE that you can't go to an ID, and wait for a transmission! Luckily it only cost me $130 to find this out, and not $500.

Jerry

 

[n4voxgill]

I think your decision to get you money back is the best course of action for you. This is not your average scanner and has a learning curve.

 

[RolnCode3]

I HATE that you can't go to an ID, and wait for a transmission!
Jerry

You can go to an ID and wait for a transmission. That's what we were discussing above. It's just more complicated than the Unidens.

 

[eyes00only]

You can go to an ID and wait for a transmission. That's what we were discussing above. It's just more complicated than the Unidens.

I apologize for popping into this forum, but have to ask. How can you do this on a Pro95. I just tried going to an ID, then pushing func/trunk, and it did not work. I had my Pro94 set to the same dispatch, and when it had a transmission, the 95 had nothing. Did I get to the ID the wrong way? I pushed program/trunk, then arrow up until I got to the ID.

Jerry

 

[Samuel]

well on the 96 its fuc/trunk not manual trunk...try that on the 95

 

[eyes00only]

well on the 96 its fuc/trunk not manual trunk...try that on the 95

Sam / I typed the wrong sequence. I did try func/trunk, and it did not work. I have tried & tried, and really think on the Pro95, the only way to hold on an ID is when you get a voice/ push & hold trunk. THAT SUCKS. I like to put my Pro94 on the "all Call" talkgroup, then if something comes up, they say which channel to go to.

Jerry

 

[JohnnyGalaga]

Hopefuly I'll be able to get my money back tommorow. There's no learning curve about it. If you have to jump though hoops just to select on a single talk group, then something's wrong.

Do you guys remeber the BC245 and how easy it was to use? Compare that to the PRO-96 and that's why I'm returning it.

Just about anything you want to change has to be done in conventional mode: selecting on a talk group, turning your ID scan lists off and on, & being able to scroll through your ID list. And every time you hit the MANUAL button to go into conventional mode, the scanner stops on the control channel, so you get enjoy the sweet sounds of Motorola OSW's in your ear.

Bottom line, to select on a talk group, I have to press MAN to get out of trunking, listen to the hiddeous control channel while I press an up or down arrow to get off the control channel so I don't have to sit there and listen to it any longer, then press FUNC + TRUNK, scroll to the talk group, and then press FUNC + TRUNK again.

How stupid is that?? Now let's say I wanna go up or down one talk group. Guess what? I have to go through the same whole stupid procedure all over again! It doesn't even let you use the up/down arrow keys to scroll through your ID list. You have go back into conventional mode!!

On my BC250D? All I have to do is hit manual or move the VFO knb and I'm ready to scroll.

I've always been more of a Uniden fan anyway, but I thought I'd try something new and boy was I sorry. I'll never buy another GRE scanner again. From now on, it's Uniden all the way.

 

[Voyager]

Hopefuly I'll be able to get my money back tommorow. There's no learning curve about it. If you have to jump though hoops just to select on a single talk group, then something's wrong.

So go buy a BC296D and then complain about having to jump through hoops JUST TO HEAR THE P25 AUDIO!

And then if it's not compatible with another system, you have to jump through hoops EACH TIME YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE OTHER SYSTEM! That's RIGHT - you MAY NOT be able to SCAN more than one P25 system at a time. That's the case in the Pittsburgh area! There are several P25 systems around and it seems they EACH use a different setting on the Unidens. I have a PRO-96, so I can scan all at the same time.

There is an easier way to go directly to a TG, but I think we will all be more happy if you go with the Uniden.

BTW, your BC245XLT didn't have Alpha tags (let alone a 4-line display), or 5500 channels, or P25 decoding, or any of the many other advances in technology. Sorry they didn't have the perfect scanner, but get one now before you have to deal with dynamic memory! That will add yet another layer of complexity to the scanners.

Joe M.

 

[RolnCode3]

There is an easier way to go directly to a TG

Joe M.

Well mine's not going back to RS, so how do you do this? (and no, didn't do a search, just figured I'd ask)

 

[Samuel]

I really dont understand why its such a big deal that the scanner goes back to CONVENTIONAL mode. I can manually select a TG in under 3 seconds its not that difficult. It is a learning curve. But hey as was said some people like Unidens and some like GREs. Its like Chevy vs Ford.

 

[scanfan03]

The Pro-95 won't do the func trunk thing to manualy select a TG.

 

[markle]

I agree that the Uniden has a great thing in its ability to pick a talkgroup and the way the sub banks are set up, but the PRO 96 has such great sensitivity and the Control Channel only feature makes it possible to monitor large systems such as the Ohio MARCS statewide system with only programming in the CC's. With the Uniden's pick a plan CC only mode, there is too muh chance for error or no plan that fits everything on a large system. Better volume as well on the 96.

I have a Uniden 250 and a PRO 96 and find them both to be "keepers." but wish they could incorporate the best of each to the other. Guess in the real world that doesn't happen and competition is good for the consumer. Figure out what features you like most or need most and go with it. After 8 years here in Akron, OH, with a VSELP system, I'm just glad we went to APCO 25 and that Uniden and RS made a scanner that would monitor the system. Makes one less likely to whine about the "small stuff!" Also glad the Akron/Summit County System doesn't encrypt everything as some systems do.

 

[Thayne]

I'm just the opposite of this guy--The Unidens I have piss me off way more. If the PRO-96 just had dynamic memory so you could have a gazillion talk groups in it if you wanted it would be almost perfect for me.

I have a hard time with the Unidens because I'm too stubborn to learn all the differences between them and the Pro-96; and then there are differences in the 780 and the 785 and the 796 that you don't realize until you play with all of them (+ the audio does suck on the digital models)

At least it keeps me out of the bars most of the time

 

[whooey]

Hey galaga, just scan until your talk group comes up then press pause. Thats pretty easy too!!! Like atari compared to X-box!! :lol:

 

[loumaag]

Well first of all, choosing a specific TG on a Pro-96 is not as easy as it is on my 796D if my 796D is in ID SCAN mode (same as CLOSED on the 96); however, if the 796 is in ID SEARCH mode, the Pro-96 is a lot easier. Also, on the Pro-96 if you just press <PGM> then <TRUNK> you aree in ID List Edit mode (where you pick your TG to scan) and you are not hearing any CC noise.

And although the 796 is doing what I wanted it for, it certainly is not a better scanner for me (and I suspect a lot of other people). The lack of ability to scan more than one CC in a bank, tied to the fact that it only allows CC mode on 800 or 900 MHz systems is a real pain. Even on my 96, it takes two banks just to put all the CC & alt CC's for the state system here (SD) and there isn't a Uniden Scanner made that can monitor this entire system. Even doing a region is pretty much a stretch for Uniden, so to each thier own. Take your radio back to RS, they will give you your money and you can go spend it (plus a little) on a BC296d.