No back light on keypad??

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

Why in the world didn't Uniden put a keypad back light on this radio? I'm borrowing one to see how well it works on my county's new system (pretty well actually) and I can't see the damn keypad in the dark.

This is supposed to be one of their top tier scanners, and they couldn't find a way to light up the keypad? Ggrrrrrr.

Other than that, it's a pretty nice little scanner.

 

[WQPW689]

Does the backlight not illuminate with a momentary press of On/Off?

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

Does the backlight not illuminate with a momentary press of On/Off?

For the display, yes. The keypad, no.

 

[justabigham]

A lighted keypad would have been nice but given the BCD325P2 only has two AA's it would have been added drain on the batteries. The keypad is made of very white rubbery feeling material and very easy to read in poor lighting. It is much more readable than my other scanners and being non-lighted is not an issue for me.

 

[Voyager]

This is supposed to be one of their top tier scanners

No, it isn't. It's their entry level digital portable.

 

[Bearcatman911]

Just say NO!!!

Why in the world didn't Uniden put a keypad back light on this radio? I'm borrowing one to see how well it works on my county's new system (pretty well actually) and I can't see the damn keypad in the dark.

This is supposed to be one of their top tier scanners, and they couldn't find a way to light up the keypad? Ggrrrrrr.

Other than that, it's a pretty nice little scanner.

It's because Uniden has an apparent issue with 4 batteries.....2 with a back lite keypad would be dead in 4 hours if you left it on...so

 

[N5XTC]

Why I prefer my 396XT. Nice display, backlighted keys, etc. Does not do P2 though. so far, this is not an issue for me. Runs on 3 batteries though. No big deal, they are rechargeable so who cares! if you don't need P2, why not get a 396XT. I know of no issues with this radio, unlike the others with clock and dimming display issues. Can pick it for $265 NEW if you really look.

 

[Bearcatman911]

Tiny

Why I prefer my 396XT. Nice display, backlighted keys, etc. Does not do P2 though. so far, this is not an issue for me. Runs on 3 batteries though. No big deal, they are rechargeable so who cares! if you don't need P2, why not get a 396XT. I know of no issues with this radio, unlike the others with clock and dimming display issues. Can pick it for $265 NEW if you really look.

Except the display is dismally small....

 

[justabigham]

Why I prefer my 396XT. Nice display, backlighted keys, etc. Does not do P2 though. so far, this is not an issue for me. Runs on 3 batteries though. No big deal, they are rechargeable so who cares! if you don't need P2, why not get a 396XT. I know of no issues with this radio, unlike the others with clock and dimming display issues. Can pick it for $265 NEW if you really look.

You are right on with your recommendations. But, I needed P2. If there was a 396P2 I would most likely have one sitting here. There was not and I bought a BCD325P2. I figured I would just suck it up and use it until something better came along, but I have to tell you I am liking this scanner very much and I look forward to using it much more than the others now. While the keypad is not lighted it is a little larger and easier to use. The feel is very good. The display is larger and brighter and much easier to read. It only uses 2 AA batteries and that was a concern. Big deal. I have many packs of Ni-Mh AA batteries that I now rotate in and out of it. Yes this is a pricey entry model but so far I am enjoying and using it more than any others here on the shelf.

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

No, it isn't. It's their entry level digital portable.

Well, maybe so, but in my mind (and wallet), anything that is digital is top tier.

It's because Uniden has an apparent issue with 4 batteries.....2 with a back lite keypad would be dead in 4 hours if you left it on.....so

Hell, I think the batteries died in about 4 hours even with no backlight on in the display.



I'm going to buy one regardless since it seems to be the only scanner that will work, at least at my location, on our new county wide simulcast system. I'll just use a USB cable to power it so I can at least have the display on all the time.



edit to add...the Wiki needs to be updated since it show that the 325 has a back lit display & keypad.

 

[N5XTC]

You are right on with your recommendations. But, I needed P2. If there was a 396P2 I would most likely have one sitting here. There was not and I bought a BCD325P2. I figured I would just suck it up and use it until something better came along, but I have to tell you I am liking this scanner very much and I look forward to using it much more than the others now. While the keypad is not lighted it is a little larger and easier to use. The feel is very good. The display is larger and brighter and much easier to read. It only uses 2 AA batteries and that was a concern. Big deal. I have many packs of Ni-Mh AA batteries that I now rotate in and out of it. Yes this is a pricey entry model but so far I am enjoying and using it more than any others here on the shelf.

If P2 ever becomes a big deal here, I will get one myself as I like the size and style of it. until that point, i am enjoying the hell out of my 396XT. great little portable scanner that i highly recommend to anyone who needs digital, but not P2.

 

[Bearcatman911]

Well in all the years here in Indiana the 396 even the xt still had the baaarrrrp problem several times a minutesirritated the hell out of me. All the tweaking in the world never fixed it. I bought a new one 2 months back when I found out they were being discontinued hoping it was fixed.....not....gave it away.

 

[justabigham]

If P2 ever becomes a big deal here, I will get one myself as I like the size and style of it. until that point, i am enjoying the hell out of my 396XT. great little portable scanner that i highly recommend to anyone who needs digital, but not P2.

I own a BR330T, a BC346XT and two BCD396T's and loved them very much until I spent some time programming my BCD325P2. I still carry one of the BCD396T's daily but I now find myself squinting trying to see what is on the display. The larger display really spoils you.

 

[N5XTC]

Well in all the years here in Indiana the 396 even the xt still had the baaarrrrp problem several times a minutesirritated the hell out of me. All the tweaking in the world never fixed it. I bought a new one 2 months back when I found out they were being discontinued hoping it was fixed.....not....gave it away.

I do not understand. what is the "baaarrrp" problem? I have no problems with my 396XT except I just broke the plastic belt clip. have to order a new one. i love this scanner. no problems with it at all.

 

[Voyager]

It's likely a coverage issue which results in poor P25 decoding. Of course, "baaarrrrp problem" is widely open to interpretation as to what he means, but that's my best educated guess.

 

[N5XTC]

It's likely a coverage issue which results in poor P25 decoding. Of course, "baaarrrrp problem" is widely open to interpretation as to what he means, but that's my best educated guess.

thanks. i do not have any problems decoding any P25 systems around here with my 396XT. it's works great. i'd be another in a heartbeat.

 

[N5XTC]

belt clip

I had read about the belt clip on the BCD 396XT breaking. Mine finally bit the dust. I attempted to sit in the truck with the scanner hooked to my built, STUPID, do NOT do this. It stressed the belt clip and I heard the SNAP. now it will not stay hooked to the scanner. I just ordered TWO new for for $17 including shipping. since i was paying for shipping (belt clip was only $7), I ordered two just in case. Going to be more careful. The belt clip works VERY well, you just need be careful with it, it's only plastic. bearcat.com had the belt clip cheap and the cheapest shipping I found, though I did not spend a lot of time searching. just wanted to get it ordered to i have it by end of next week. otherwise, going to drop the scanner sooner or later. lol

 

[safetyobc]

I'm fine with no backlit keypad. Yes it would have been a nice extra but it would kill the battery life I think. And add cost to the production of the radio.

 

[radio]

I got my 352p2 yesterday. I wrote a review in another thread giving this thumps up. Now realizing that is does NOT have a back light keyboard, then it gets big time thumbs down!

The 396XT has a back light keyboard. The 325p2 is an UPGRADE? Only because it receives Phase 2. Otherwise, the 325p2 is a mistake.

I remember the uproar when the 246T came out. It did not have a back light. Then the upgrade 396 T did. Then the 396XT continues with that required feature. Now, this? What a bummer!

Yes, this only has 2 batteries as opposed to the 3 in the 996XT and the 396T, and with only have 2, the 325p2 is smaller. But all that is no excuse for missing a back light keyboard!

I got the 996p2 today as well. It is basically the same as the 996XT except for the Phase 2 capability. That one is a keeper.

Fortunately I do not live in an area that requires a Phase 2 radio yet. However other areas I visit do so I had to buy them.

I am extremely disappointed with the 325p2 now!

 

[Voyager]

Actually, the 396XT was the top tier scanner and was replaced by the BCD436HP.

The BCD325P2 was the first portable model in Uniden's entry level digital series.

You can't expect top tier features on a mid tier unit.

I'm surprised that no features were removed in the BCD996P2 line. But, maybe that lends credence to the theory that the backlit keypad was removed due to the available battery capacity which is only 2/3 that of the 396XT.