Whistler is coming out with the WS-1095 not quite out yet .. that is a far superior radio. It should be a few more weeks yet. It is a mobile / base unit equivalent to the WS-1080 from what we can tell so far. But no details publicly released yet.
New Whistler WS1080
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Whistler is coming out with the WS-1095 not quite out yet .. that is a far superior radio. It should be a few more weeks yet. It is a mobile / base unit equivalent to the WS-1080 from what we can tell so far. But no details publicly released yet.
stingray327
Member
This is the scanner that has a detachable front plate for some reason?
Ed6698
Active Member
Can we keep this about the WS 1080. I know I diverted off a little bit when I started talking about Eneloop Pro batteries, but I was still keeping it with use in the 1080. The 1095 has a thread already.
Also to repeat my first experiment with the Eneloop Pro batteries and the WS 1080, I was able to get 13.5 hours run time on a charge. To me that is impressive, I am going to recharge them here a little later and give them another run.
Also to repeat my first experiment with the Eneloop Pro batteries and the WS 1080, I was able to get 13.5 hours run time on a charge. To me that is impressive, I am going to recharge them here a little later and give them another run.
You're right. This thread is a mess. I was just being nice and answering the question. I had a thread that I started go the same way ... it seems to have really gotten off track and the original issue was never dealt with.
Back to original programming. I do think that the title of this thread is a catch all for the 1080 and was destined to be the way that it is.
Ed6698
Active Member
Actually there was no issue to begin with in this thread, just my experiences with the radio. I thought maybe other users of the WS 1080 could talk about their ownership of the 1080.
Halfpint
Member
Since, as far as I can currently tell without buying basically what would be for me a 4th GRE-800 by buying a WS-1080, I already have enough, for now, HH scanners of this ilk I'm throwing in my 2 cents about battery type usage.
I used to almost exclusively use the very best rechargeables and chargers taking great care charging and discharging them. Over the years I found myself with a multitude of boxes with dead `rechargeable' batteries and discovered that if I wanted to get rid of them `correctly', even living fairly close to a `metropolis' that supposedly had a place or two where I could take them for disposal I had to go through all sorts of hassles doing so.
Then, on top of all that, no matter what brand HH radio or scanner I had I discovered that even with taking care of how I charged them with the charging circuits in the scanners/HHs *or* with my `special' `dedicated' chargers at home I was not getting the `life' one should expect out of them. At that time I was also working in the electronics `industry' (For a while I actually worked for `good ole' "BatWings' selling and maintaining both mobiles and HHs for both private and PS systems.) and started talking with several others doing the same about this. While we really couldn't easily convert the `commercial' HHs over to being used with `disposables' (There were *some* attempts made by some of the more `adventurous?' people in the group that did cobble together some `interesting' ideas!) there were some more `general user' units available from others at that time that *did* offer battery packs that used `disposable' batteries that we were able to use as `testbeds' *and* we quickly discovered that as long as it was possible to provide external power for a reasonable time in use even with the `state of the art' at that time it was pretty much a `wash' both in `useable time' and basic cost of `use' using the `disposables'. (BTW, we did try quite a few different `protocols' with both individual `cells' / `batteries' along with `factory' `battery packs'.)
Now I *will* grant that there have been some great strides made with *both* `disposable' *and* `rechargeable' between then and now. But, even for quite a few users, these days, *especially* `scannists' and the more `casual' HH users, keeping a pack or two of high quality `disposables' around as the `normal' `gear' along with also taking advantage of a `mobile' power cable/adapter, and maybe also a proper `wallwart' one can get a lot more useage `time' with the `disposables' than with the `rechargeables'. (Add in the fact that one can pretty much also pick up quality `disposables' just about anywhere and, at least for me and a lot of other people *I* know and am around, `rechargeables' take a `backseat' for my HH scanners and even the occasional `walkietalkie'. [Unfortunately I *do* have some `walkietalkies' that don't take `disposables' very willingly/well and I basically `live with' that when I use them.]) BTW, I am *not* a `money bags' person. I'm basically a poor farmer just doing my best to keep the family farm and am proud to be the fourth generation on said farm.
I *do* realize that for some users/uses `rechargeables' are the `batteries of choice' or `what the particular device was built with' and that is what one `lives with'. But, to dismiss `disposables' over `rechargeables', I feel is just somewhat of a false limitation on whatever piece of equipment may be being used. (And, also yes, I also know that some equipment may not be able to perform completely `up to specs' in some areas of said specs for various reasons. However, if all you can come up with *are* `disposables' and you really need said unit as long as you have the ability to get what needs to be done `disposables' shouldn't be dismissed `out of hand' just because they are `disposables'.
In my case my HH scanners are also my mobile scanners as I really cannot see basically duplicating what I use driving and walking around. Also, with the way a lot of the newer vehicles are these days finding a `safe', in more ways than not, way to mount a dedicated `mobile' scanner is near impossible to do without a lot of `hackwork' or making it harder to use. It also helps make it a lot less to be a possible `smash-n-grab' `object' with all the associated hassles that come with that. (I can keep my PSR-800, fairly well `hidden' be it under a coat or jacket or in my shoulderbag with a fairly discrete single piece `earbud' for listening while `afoot' and then drop it into a cupholder or slot while in a vehicle.)
Oh, well... Just my 2 cents worth. Your mileage may vary.
I used to almost exclusively use the very best rechargeables and chargers taking great care charging and discharging them. Over the years I found myself with a multitude of boxes with dead `rechargeable' batteries and discovered that if I wanted to get rid of them `correctly', even living fairly close to a `metropolis' that supposedly had a place or two where I could take them for disposal I had to go through all sorts of hassles doing so.
Then, on top of all that, no matter what brand HH radio or scanner I had I discovered that even with taking care of how I charged them with the charging circuits in the scanners/HHs *or* with my `special' `dedicated' chargers at home I was not getting the `life' one should expect out of them. At that time I was also working in the electronics `industry' (For a while I actually worked for `good ole' "BatWings' selling and maintaining both mobiles and HHs for both private and PS systems.) and started talking with several others doing the same about this. While we really couldn't easily convert the `commercial' HHs over to being used with `disposables' (There were *some* attempts made by some of the more `adventurous?' people in the group that did cobble together some `interesting' ideas!) there were some more `general user' units available from others at that time that *did* offer battery packs that used `disposable' batteries that we were able to use as `testbeds' *and* we quickly discovered that as long as it was possible to provide external power for a reasonable time in use even with the `state of the art' at that time it was pretty much a `wash' both in `useable time' and basic cost of `use' using the `disposables'. (BTW, we did try quite a few different `protocols' with both individual `cells' / `batteries' along with `factory' `battery packs'.)
Now I *will* grant that there have been some great strides made with *both* `disposable' *and* `rechargeable' between then and now. But, even for quite a few users, these days, *especially* `scannists' and the more `casual' HH users, keeping a pack or two of high quality `disposables' around as the `normal' `gear' along with also taking advantage of a `mobile' power cable/adapter, and maybe also a proper `wallwart' one can get a lot more useage `time' with the `disposables' than with the `rechargeables'. (Add in the fact that one can pretty much also pick up quality `disposables' just about anywhere and, at least for me and a lot of other people *I* know and am around, `rechargeables' take a `backseat' for my HH scanners and even the occasional `walkietalkie'. [Unfortunately I *do* have some `walkietalkies' that don't take `disposables' very willingly/well and I basically `live with' that when I use them.]) BTW, I am *not* a `money bags' person. I'm basically a poor farmer just doing my best to keep the family farm and am proud to be the fourth generation on said farm.
I *do* realize that for some users/uses `rechargeables' are the `batteries of choice' or `what the particular device was built with' and that is what one `lives with'. But, to dismiss `disposables' over `rechargeables', I feel is just somewhat of a false limitation on whatever piece of equipment may be being used. (And, also yes, I also know that some equipment may not be able to perform completely `up to specs' in some areas of said specs for various reasons. However, if all you can come up with *are* `disposables' and you really need said unit as long as you have the ability to get what needs to be done `disposables' shouldn't be dismissed `out of hand' just because they are `disposables'.
In my case my HH scanners are also my mobile scanners as I really cannot see basically duplicating what I use driving and walking around. Also, with the way a lot of the newer vehicles are these days finding a `safe', in more ways than not, way to mount a dedicated `mobile' scanner is near impossible to do without a lot of `hackwork' or making it harder to use. It also helps make it a lot less to be a possible `smash-n-grab' `object' with all the associated hassles that come with that. (I can keep my PSR-800, fairly well `hidden' be it under a coat or jacket or in my shoulderbag with a fairly discrete single piece `earbud' for listening while `afoot' and then drop it into a cupholder or slot while in a vehicle.)
Oh, well... Just my 2 cents worth. Your mileage may vary.
stingray327
Member
With all of my other hanhelds I have used Costco AA batteries 48 for $12.00
stingray327
Member
I saw an advertisement on this unit in the Scanner Master website.
Halfpint
Member
Hmmmm... I think I've got a Costco somewhat close to me and I just may see about picking up one of those `packs' and see if I can discover just who they are getting them from. There was a time, *several* years ago that if one checked carefully one could actually buy `Sam's Club' repackaged AAs that were actually `relabeled' `top of the line' DURACELLs for pretty close to *half* the price! (Sometimes even less if one was able to get the use of the `crisper' drawers of a spare `fridge' to extend the storage time by buying the *BULK* / `Case lot' package and save even more.) Unfortunately, `Sam's Club', at least where I live, hasn't been really all that much of a better deal for pretty much a lot of things we can actually really save on by buying from them anymore. With the constant creep of `civilization?' that seems to be almost unstoppable along the `Front Range' now days it's pretty much a `wash' when it comes to being able to get a lot of things like `disposable' batteries just as cheap or even cheaper just by keeping an eye out for `specials' at places we'd normally shop at anyway. And, as I've noted... I pretty much always am using either a `wallwart' or `power outlet and cable' to power my HHs and only relying on the batteries for those times I can't do so. ('Course, I *do* also have quite a few other scanners I also use, too. *GRIN!* It's not like my HHs are my*only* scanners, just ask SWMBO! *CHUCKLE!* )
While I am, admittedly, waiting for the WS-1095 to finally `arrive' more so than actually going ahead and buying a WS-1080 or 2 I expect that I will eventually breakdown and end up getting probably a couple after I've gotten, and played around with a couple WS-1095s just to have a couple for `The Collection'. In a way it could possibly `classified' as some sort of `addiction'? *WAN GRIN!*
stingray327
Member
Costco puts their name on these batteries 48 pk for $12.00 Kirkland brand. I have been using them in handhelds for years. Never did care for rechargeables though now they supposedly got better NIMH rechargeable. I'll stick with the Costco batteries as they last longer and are reliable as far as being fully charged up as far as storage goes.
KSDeputy
Member
I had a Uniden BC436HP portable and after reading the negative things, sent it back within 30 days. This was long before the Whistler scanners even came out. I am now reading about the Whistler scanners trying to decide about them. I have 6 analog scanners that are now next to worthless, so I am very leery about buying another one, taking my time and studying them.
My 436HP is like wise going to have much the same fate. But I cannot return it .. as I am in Canada and returning would cost me about $100 in shipping costs, between what I have already paid and shipping it back.
But one of my friends is going to buy it. Thankfully he is a Uniden fan. Me .. not so much. I have a PSR800 .. and love it. Very very well designed radio and the Whistler WS-1080 would be almost identical .. just with future support and potentially added features.
stingray327
Member
I was at Costco today and you might be interested in this since you prefer the rechargeables as Costco sells Enelop rechargeable batteries with charger for $30.00 I think it comes with 4 AAA batteries (solared powered) and 6-8 AA batteries. Anyway it comes with alot of batteries with the charger. Probably a great deal for rechargeables.
Sounds good. I already have a very good charger the MH-C- Maha 801-d charges 8 at a time and conditions them which really helps versus a fast charge.
Ed6698
Active Member
Well so far these Eneloop Pro batteries are working great in the WS1080. I am not even keeping track on how many hours they last, before they need recharge. Now just have to decide on getting more, or trying some of the regular Panasonic Eneloops. I got about 1 1/2 years of daily use out of the Sanyo Eneloop XX which is the equivalent to the Pro from Panasonic. I am going on over 1 1/2 years on the set of regular Sanyo Eneloops I have. I like that the regular Eneloops are supposed to last over 2000 charges vs 500 for the Pros, there is a trade off between the 2 types. I have not bought any AA or AAA alkaline batteries in 2 years now since going with the Eneloop line of batteries. I could just imagine how much money I would have spent on Akalines over that time period vs the Eneloops.
stingray327
Member
I only remember the NiCads rechargeable batteries and they never held a charge long enough for storage.
What makes these Eneloop batteries so different and special? Is this a new type of chargeable battery over Ni-Cads? Alklines will still last longer on scanner than the 8 hrs. using rechargeables. Per 436 it says it needs 14 hours to charge it through the scanner. The Alklines I just replace it with a new set.
What are the advantages and disadvatages with today's rechargeables vs. today's alkline batteries?
Ok .. Stingray327, not to turn this thread into a battery thread but it is too late already.
But other than very cold weather performance where NICd batteries excelled .. there are better types now. You are about 20 years in the past.
So .. newer NiMH are good and store for a year with losing typically about 10% of their capacity. But things like smartphones and more modern devices use Lithium batteries of some sort.
But .. apparently in as early in 2016 there is a new technology that will allow us to charge our batteries in like 30 seconds. If I was a company like Duracell I would be patenting that technology as it is worth billions or much more in future sales.
So .. another tip, only cause I am nice today. Buy one of these chargers and a set (ok 2 sets .. even if I have 6 sets) of good NiMH batteries and you are good to go. This is one if not the best chargers on the market for what we scanner people need. Batteries .. Eneloops / Pansonic Pro or any major brand like Duracell 2500+ MAh batteries will be fine. http://www.mahaenergy.com/mh-c9000/
So .. go out and buy some rechargeables .. alkaline batteries are so old school and in the end a very costly alternative and not good for our planet environmentally.
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stingray327
Member
$69 just for the charger? I think I will go the Costco route at $30 and get the charger and all of those batteries that come with it.
Ed6698
Active Member
advantages and disadvantages rechargeable vs. alkaline batteries
8 regular Eneloop batteries will last longer then probably 1000 alkaline batteries in a scanner radio used daily, I am just estimating, but on the low end for the alkalines.
I would not get the charger at Costco, you need to have a good charger. I have 2 of those chargers that edmscan linked to. In the long run 2 sets of Eneloop batteries and 1 charger will cost far less then the 1000 Alkaline batteries that I would burn through
8 regular Eneloop batteries will last longer then probably 1000 alkaline batteries in a scanner radio used daily, I am just estimating, but on the low end for the alkalines.
I would not get the charger at Costco, you need to have a good charger. I have 2 of those chargers that edmscan linked to. In the long run 2 sets of Eneloop batteries and 1 charger will cost far less then the 1000 Alkaline batteries that I would burn through
Ed6698
Active Member
Just ordered another set of the Panasonic Eneloop Pro's from Target.com The 4 pack is on sale for $19.99 and free shipping. I am not going to put them in my cycle of rechargeables until actually need them.
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