Official BCD996T Prerelease Thread

[dfw1417]

Connections to GPS's

Almost all interfacable GPS units utilize a cable which has a computer connection to the 9pin serial port. That is up until around late last year. Both GPS units I have Magellan and Tracker have cables which connect to the computer through the 9pin serial port. Both of the GPS units and MOST if not all GPS units interface using the standard NEMA 0171 protocol. This is the common denomenator protocol or basic protocol that ALL GPS units support and some support more advanced messages. So Uniden will most likely follow the lead of most manufacturers and require or support the standard NEMA 0171 protocol in order to be compatible with the widest range of GPS units. Likewise they will most likely support the STANDARD 9pin serial port for the GPS connection since that is what most GPS unit cables interface with.

Just my thoughts.

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?

 

[rjviola12]

Gps

Both my son and I use the DeLorme USB GPS with several DeLorme versions. It also has WAAS which helps. We both have the 296D radios which serve us well. A radio that incorporates all the above is super. I am on the road alot, and that would sure make for a nice easy drive... no buttons to push ( I hope). Of course, I guess one would always wonder what radio system they are listing to, so eyes might not be on the road. This whole package sure sounds exciting to us.
Paul, keep us informed, this seems fantastic.

Rcihard

 

[K5MAR]

NEMA 0171? I just checked one of my Garmins, and there is no listing for 0171. APRS (an amateur radio thing) uses NMEA 0183 (two versions of this, a 1.5 and a 2.0). The same GPS (a 12XL) plugs into my laptop and works with Street Atlas mapping software using the same NMEA 0183 2.0. My 12XL also has NMEA 0180 and 0182. But even a quick Google doesn't turn up a 0171 (except as part of some UK phone numbers. :lol:

I'm already running two GPS receivers in my truck, one for the APRS rig and one for the mapping software. Space on the dash is getting kinda tight!

Mark S.

 

[SCPD]

"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.

Isn't that what I said? I was suggesting that along with the initial preloads that periodic updates will be available via firmware updates--such as the last 396 updated information from the database.

 

[SCPD]

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....

Where I am GRE hasn't taken the trouble to make themselves available to be competition. I like the look of the 2096 but don't feel I should have to buy online or drive south of the border for it so you see...They're not all that on the ball, are they. It's not a slam, just a fact/opinion.

 

[SCPD]

delete. sorry

 

[kikito]

Where I am GRE hasn't taken the trouble to make themselves available to be competition. I like the look of the 2096 but don't feel I should have to buy online or drive south of the border for it so you see...They're not all that on the ball, are they. It's not a slam, just a fact/opinion.

I kind of agree, I just don't think it benefits US, the hobbyists, to be slamming the only other competitive scanner manufacturer. But if that's what it takes to get them to 'wake up' so to speak, then be it.

 

[HoDo]

I have a Garmin StreetPilot 2610, that has a small connector on the back and a USB on the other end to connect to the computer and download info. I hope it works with that.

 

[N7OLQ]

I know the GPS features are cool (My Garmin 76C has both serial and USB connections), but I'm more excited about the temporary lockout feature! I've been wanting for this since I got my first synthesized scanner. While all the high-tech features are great, the temp LO is something I'll use every day to bypass noise and annoying conversations.

 

[safetyobc]

I know the GPS features are cool (My Garmin 76C has both serial and USB connections), but I'm more excited about the temporary lockout feature! I've been wanting for this since I got my first synthesized scanner. While all the high-tech features are great, the temp LO is something I'll use every day to bypass noise and annoying conversations.

I agree. I probably won't buy this scanner cuz I have no use for such a scanner since I have my BCD396T. But maybe the temp lockout will be included on future models.

 

[HoDo]

Sorry to sound ignorant but i have the 396T and what is the temp lockout feature? What is the difference between temp and regular lock out. When you hear something you dont want to hear you press L/O and then you can hold L/O to clear it, correct?

 

[rescue161]

Sorry to sound ignorant but i have the 396T and what is the temp lockout feature? What is the difference between temp and regular lock out. When you hear something you dont want to hear you press L/O and then you can hold L/O to clear it, correct?

I am assuming that it's more like a nuisance delete rather than actually locking out the channel. I assume (again) that once you temp-lockout a channel, then it will be unlocked, so to speak after a few minutes or if you cycle the scanners power or scan modes.

 

[nwadler]

I love that they are coming out with new inventions and this one sounds like it will be a revolutionary step forward for the scanner industry, but what about the people who want a basic apco scanner that will do the basics with alpha display for less than a boat load of cash. I see new products come out and all the price does is go up, up, up. I dont want to detract from this thread so once again I cant wait to see it on shelves and maybe it will drive other scanner prices down.

 

[rdale]

$500 is not a boatload... We've always gone with $250 for the scanner and $250 for the digital license, so don't really expect it to get much cheaper.

 

[KB8UYC]

Just my 2 cents worth:

While it is great that Uniden is coming out with a new digital scanner this is great! However, there are many more "features" that I believe are more of a priority than GPS. While GPS to most is an added feature, look at what it has done to the scanner. It has raised the Price of it!!!

Rather than adding all these new features, I mean add a couple along the way, but why is uniden not focusing on building a better unit, and clearing up the audio etc.....you guys know what I am talking about but this addition on GPS is just too much for a scanner. All it does is raise the price of the scanner that is already priced high


Eric

 

[rdale]

"It has raised the Price of it!"

The price is barely more than the BCD396T, and it has more features... And I didn't read that they weren't going to work on the audio.

 

[kikito]

Ibut what about the people who want a basic apco scanner that will do the basics with alpha display for less than a boat load of cash.

That's why there's the Pro-96, BC250D and BC296D, which used are even cheaper.

 

[kikito]

While GPS to most is an added feature, look at what it has done to the scanner. It has raised the Price of it!!!

I don't think the price is going to be that much higher than current models.
If anything, the price went up due to the radio being a redesigned one plus in a mobile configuration.

And just in case, the GPS is not included with the radio.

 

[dfw1417]

Sorry, I was tired.. It is NEMA 0183 which is the standard. Opps..

NEMA 0171? I just checked one of my Garmins, and there is no listing for 0171. APRS (an amateur radio thing) uses NMEA 0183 (two versions of this, a 1.5 and a 2.0). The same GPS (a 12XL) plugs into my laptop and works with Street Atlas mapping software using the same NMEA 0183 2.0. My 12XL also has NMEA 0180 and 0182. But even a quick Google doesn't turn up a 0171 (except as part of some UK phone numbers. :lol:

I'm already running two GPS receivers in my truck, one for the APRS rig and one for the mapping software. Space on the dash is getting kinda tight!

Mark S.

 

[PhilipPeake]

Ok, so I hit the 200 entry limit on trunked system channels pretty quickly - any suggestions on working around this?

All I could come up with was creating two entries for the same system setting "SCAN" rather than "SEARCH" (and so missing any new channels tha come up)?

Any idea why an arbitrary limit anyway? Given that they moved to dynamic memory allocation, any limits anywhere seems a bit odd.