Official BCD996T Prerelease Thread

[MarkEagleUSA]

Not included could mean it's an available Uniden accessory

I see your point but would hope that Uniden wouldn't be that sneaky!

Hopefully in the coming days we'll hear more details from Paul.

 

[SCPD]

wheelchair Wrote:

Well with this Uniden GPS radio in my opinion kinda changes things. Anyboby with a GPS unit can import systems, donating/ or not donating. It wasn't like this before. Before your radio just came with systems already programmmed. Maybe it is still up to the user with the GPS feature.

If it works that way it will change things. But I am thinking the system information will be provided by Uniden via firmware updates and that information has until now been provided by RR.
I guess we'll see what the specs are to know for sure. But you are correct, if there is profit being made from the information on RR by Uniden, it should be "shared" at the very least.

 

[kikito]

Hey, this radio just got announced in time for me to beta-test it on my upcoming road trip from Alaska to Texas!

And I already have and use a GPS with external antenna, etc. on my truck.

 

[kikito]

IUniden also has a GPS radar detector that remembers false alarm locations too, in case you did not know that.

I've been using one of those for the past couple of years.

 

[kikito]

Can I hear tears falling to the ground from the folks at GRE???

You can tell there's several people here that hate GRE or something, because in light of this wonderful announcement, all they can think about is the so-called "demise" of GRE. Don't forget that whether you like it or not, competition is good for the customers that buy this or any product.

If GRE goes away, I'll be afraid of Uniden turning into another Micro$oft due to the lack of any real competition.

If you like Uniden so much, fine, enjoy. But leave the competition alone if you don't care for them.

Think about it....

 

[rdale]

"But I am thinking the system information will be provided by Uniden via firmware updates and that information has until now been provided by RR"

No, all the Uniden scanners with preloaded systems came from RR. And the Pro96 V-Folders came from RR. So there's no reason to think the next round won't come from RR either.

 

[JoeyC]

I wanna know who is going to provide the database this GPS scanner gets its programming info from?

I wish they'd put their effort into better selectivity, AGC for digital and an audio circuit that can be heard over a whisper.

 

[kikito]

I was hoping for something useful!
What's next, a GPS-enabled coffee pot? :roll:

Did you read about all the rest of the new features and improvements on that same first page?

 

[kikito]

What I meant was we will see where most of them go to when they start selling them. Not so sure on how to go about this.

Maybe you can clue me in on what is meant by "Multisite Trunking"?

I think you're worrying that this scanner was meant only for Public Safety. Uniden always includes Public Safety in their announcements since they're also significant buyers and users of their scanners too.

The Multi-Site trunking features doesn't have anything to do with 'affiliating' to the site or anything like that either.

This scanner is for everyone that can and wants to buy it.

 

[kikito]

Holding FUNC and twisting the knob at the same time is a bit of a chore one-handed. It'd be nice if FUNC had some kind of software 'lock' so it could be 'held down' either for the next keypress or until the user commands it to be released. Kinda like the Scannerbase software does.

I think the better way to go to a specific talkgroup or frequency (especially one-handed) is by pressing Hold (if scanning) and then FUNC + Rcl.
That way you only have to use the knob to scroll and press when you find the system you want, then scroll and press on the group and the scroll and press at the TG or freq. It's pretty quick and simple.

 

[kikito]

ihow is it connected to the internet if im at the mall or WalMart or something? (in other words, nowhere near a computer, or the internet)

It's probably going to work like the 396 does now. All the database info is already programmed in on the radio and it requires periodical updates through firmware when there's enough significant changes in the info like Paul O. said in the past.

Is pretty neat as it is when you're doing a search with Control Channel only enabled and see the 396 automatically identify the system it found.

So that's probably the same concept on the 996.

 

[Otto]

A base model is sooooo good..... Its almost better than sex...

Wow there guy... You need to find better sex.. It's out there, trust me.

 

[K5MAR]

Did you read about all the rest of the new features and improvements on that same first page?

Yeah, it ain't bad, but everybody was focusing on the GPS thing, like they all focused on the fire tone feature. Both pretty much worthless, except for a niche market. I'd trade both for a factory remote head option. Something like my Alinco DR610 has, the head attaches to the front of the radio and is conected via a 3-4" cable, but you can buy the remote head mounting kit which has (had) the mounting bracket for the head and a longer cable. Now, that would be a useful feature!

All in all, nothing in this new scanner gives me any reason to step up from my 780s. After rebanding is completed, I'll see what's new on the market then.

Mark S.

 

[John_M]

kikito Wrote:

The Multi-Site trunking features doesn't have anything to do with 'affiliating' to the site or anything like that either.

Okay. So what you are saying is all it does is switch systems on it's own according to where the user is at, no more need for quick keys. What ever is in the scanners memory is what the GPS uses. I was not sure how GPS feature worked.

This scanner is for everyone that can and wants to buy it.

Really Kikito

 

[kikito]

I'd trade both for a factory remote head option. Something like my Alinco DR610 has, the head attaches to the front of the radio and is conected via a 3-4" cable, but you can buy the remote head mounting kit which has (had) the mounting bracket for the head and a longer cable. Now, that would be a useful feature!

Yeah, I would like a remote head option too but I hope that if they do it, they don't do it like the current Scannermaster way. From what I seen , you almost have to buy two of the same scanner to make one with the remote option.

 

[Schnoor1648]

I am thinking about getting a GPS and now that the BCD996T is coming out next year that will be a factor is my purchasing decision. My question is, do most GPS units have some sort of standard connector so that data can be read from them? I have been looking at a Garmin Quest or Quest 2 recently, but I may also consider a TomTom. I just want to make sure that whatever GPS I buy
that it is compatible with this scanner. Any suggestions on a good automobile navigation GPS that is likely to be compatible with the BCD996T?

 

[kikito]

Any suggestions on a good automobile navigation GPS that is likely to be compatible with the BCD996T?

I would say WE all have to wait until sometime later this week to find out more details about the GPS stuff.

 

[mciupa]

I would say WE all have to wait until sometime later this week to find out more details the GPS stuff.

Ya , until that time anyone want to buy $ 6000 worth of topographical maps? :roll:

 

[wesct]

my stereo in my car hasnt worked for some time now. now i know where the stereo is going!

wesct

 

[Voyager]

I find the 396 fairly simple to navigate between systems - so long as you have both hands free. (No smart comments please! ) Holding FUNC and twisting the knob at the same time is a bit of a chore one-handed. It'd be nice if FUNC had some kind of software 'lock' so it could be 'held down' either for the next keypress or until the user commands it to be released. Kinda like the Scannerbase software does.

The other thing I greatly miss on the 396 is the 'resume' key. If I don't want to lock out a signal but want to move on from it at some point, currently I am hitting Scan, which often, if the transmission is just ending, accidentally toggles the trunk system's ID Scan/Search setting, which I DON'T want. Hitting Hold twice accomplishes the Resume feature, but it takes extra time (and a second keypress).

Twist the scroll control one click (or more).

Joe M.