Official BC-RH96 Remote Head Pre-Release Thread

[wjf]

As small as the 396 is they could almost shove the guts from one in the back of that and make a complete micro mobile.

You're on to something with your comment....

But then again, since I just use the belt hook and attach my 396 to the visor, what is the real difference (as it relates to 396 users)?

Afterthought for UPMan - how about adding Bluetooth or something wireless to negate having to run wires?

 

[SCSDRO]

Considering this add-on will more than likely be used in a vehicle, hows about a larger display? Surely not everyone is satisfied with the current sized lcd.

 

[wolter]

However, red is the optimal color to preserve ones night vision. So when you get out of the car at night, you aren't still seeing the glow of the scanner face ten minutes afterwards. This is why there are red filters on GI flashlights, etc.

This may be true if you drive everywhere at night without your headlights on.

 

[KK5FM]

This may be true if you drive everywhere at night without your headlights on.

This used to be referred to as "401 patrolling" from back home. Good way to sneak up on people!

 

[hotdjdave]

This may be true if you drive everywhere at night without your headlights on.

Like when you are sitting in your car, parked, monitoring; or doing a surveillance.

 

[wolter]

Like when you are sitting in your car, parked, monitoring; or doing a surveillance.

If I ever did anything like this and I must have optimum night vision where I don't have a few seconds to adjust...if...I would prefer to have a multi-level dimmer so I could turn down the brighness.

A red background may work in complete darkness. But studies show that it isn't a good choice for typical every day situations because of contrast visibility. In fact, it is borderline poor. Remember: we're talking about using it as a background, not illuminating something in the distance like a flashlight.

Here is a link to a color visiblity chart that I found without much effort that supports this; I'm sure others are available if one searches well. Note which color is at the top with more then 95% visibility.
http://www.mindspring.com/~cramskill/colorcht.gif

 

[2112]

Excuse if this has been mentioned before:

An accessory that I think would be neat-o with the BC-RH96 would be a docking station for the portable scanners... something that could be hard-wired with the remote head in the vehicle. That way, one portable could serve several vehicles AND go with the user on the belt.

Of course, this would take some redesign with the radios in order to make convenient connections for power, data, RF, audio, etc. while leaving them convenient for out-of-dock, regular portable use. It's been done before, though...

Thank you Paul & Uniden, for your innovation.

 

[Asmitty0010]

anything new on the BC-RH96 remote head?

 

[joetnymedic]

Know what would be perfect? Some type of drop in unit similiar to a drop in charger so that the scanner just gets dropped in for power, an external antenna then a line to the external speaker. That would be much better than having to manually hook everything up, then manually unhook everything. This way if you use the unit portable too, whether at a scene or whatever you just drop in and pick up. I'm sure there'd need to be mods to the production of the radios which might leave people such as myself out in the cold, but they can produce some units for the older radios too so this way everyone can have one.
joe

 

[hotdjdave]

Know what would be perfect? Some type of drop in unit similiar to a drop in charger so that the scanner just gets dropped in for power, an external antenna then a line to the external speaker. That would be much better than having to manually hook everything up, then manually unhook everything. This way if you use the unit portable too, whether at a scene or whatever you just drop in and pick up. I'm sure there'd need to be mods to the production of the radios which might leave people such as myself out in the cold, but they can produce some units for the older radios too so this way everyone can have one.
joe

It's called a ConvertaCom (by Motorola). I always wished for the same thing. The radio would have to built with the idea that a "convertacom" was going to be used, though.

 

[ResQguy]

Regency had a scanner "convertacom" about 20 years ago, I guess it didn't catch on.

 

[hotdjdave]

Convertacom

A few "convertacoms":

Just in case someone out there didn't know what we were talking about.

 

[jonny290]

I am incredibly, ridiculously ready for the RH96 to come out. The only thing I'd really like to see is the ability to connect multiple radios and switch the controller to each one via software (I am not installing a serial switch in my vehicle, sorry Uniden)

 

[yaesumofo]

I doubt that Uniden will tell us what the OS is. That would open the door to modifying the firmware ala the linksys routers, where the entire way they work has been hacked.
Imagine doing that with a 396.
I wonder if the OS for this isn't actually built into a new firmware update in all of those radios, Where the brains of the remote is actually the radio. Just a thought please go easy.

I just notices the prices that the scannerMaster remote heads were selling at (more than $500)
I don't know how many they sold but they weren't cheap.

I doubt we will see this on the market for less than $175.00

Color Leds will most likely match the original radios, My guess is we will see amber and Blue as options.

Just my thoughts.
It doesn't feel like we know any more than we did on the first day of the announced product. How about some more information UPMAN.
Yaesumofo

Actually, I think is uses COBOL.

Gary

 

[jpjohn]

We are about three months after the announcement date and (hopefully) about two months until a release date. Here are a couple of questions I'd like to throw out for discussion. I know we would be guessing in some cases and maybe UPMan can comment further on some of these:

1. I see on the wiki that the mockup is black in color. Would it be fair to assume that black will be the color???? I know that should generate some discussion!!

2. Any more info on the backlight color?? Hopefully not red - my opinion.

3. If I read correctly and nothing has changed, the head will need a power and serial connection. The serial connection was to be a "mini stereo" connection. While I don't know exactly what that is, will the power and serial connection wire be included with the unit? Length of included wire?

4. I'm guessing the connecting wire, both power and serial, won't require a big routing hole if need be for your particular mounting situation.

5. Will another mounting bracket be included allowing you to keep the original mounting bracket on the radio?

6. Is the release date still scheduled for Feb, 2007? Any chance it could be earlier?

I for one as really excited about this enhancement!!

 

[UPMan]

1. It will be solid black with white (light grey) key markings and a chrome "scroll" knob.

2. Display is red.

3. 10-foot serial cord that can be extended with commonly available headphone line extenders (3.5mm stereo plug). Cigarette-lighter plug-terminated DC power cord (about 4 ft). Both included.

4. Wires can route below the back surface (there is a channel for routing). Nothing "sticks out" of the back when connected.

5. U-bracket is included.

6. Still on schedule. No chance for earlier.

Field testing is about complete w/no major issues, so unless there are factory problems (rare) I'm looking forward to releasing it to the wild in February. I will have samples at CES hooked up and running.

 

[jpjohn]

Awesome!!

Thanks for the quick reply and further information that you provided.

 

[bctrl1]

I doubt that Uniden will tell us what the OS is. That would open the door to modifying the firmware ala the linksys routers, where the entire way they work has been hacked.
Imagine doing that with a 396.
I wonder if the OS for this isn't actually built into a new firmware update in all of those radios, Where the brains of the remote is actually the radio. Just a thought please go easy.

Why does it have to use an OS?

 

[safetyobc]

Why red? Cheaper LEDs? The green is so much easier to see (in my opinion). I was hoping that it would be green like on the BCD996T. Because the red on the BCT15 hard to see at times.

Oh well, we can't have it all. It will still be a great product.

Thanks for the update!

 

[hotdjdave]

Red

Yuck! Red. :evil: Boo! Hiss! Hiss!

Besides that, outstanding.