Official PRO-2096 Discussion Thread

[qoatzecotl]

I think it's a GREAT looking scanner. I am, however, disappointed with the small display. They're repeating a mistake made with the PRO-2067, which it is very much like. I had hoped they would use the larger display of the PRO-2053, but I suppose compromises must be made for a DIN-E size unit...

It won't be any time soon, but I will be getting one for my feed...I need to win the Mega Millions SO BAD!

And I'm willing to bet that CQPSK WILL be included. If not, then the download for the DSP would probably work...

 

[KT4HX]

Well its not a gorgeous looking thing, and I can live with that. Howver, as with others, I am very disappointed with the display issue. Just another Pro-92/Pro-2067 fiasco as Matt pointed out. I already have a BC-796D, and had thought I might go ahead and get a 2096 anyway to compare, but not so sure now. I much prefer the display on the Unidens. I think I will sit idly by and see how this progresses and what people say about it before making up my mind fully. I have a Pro-96 anyway, so I think I'm covered for a while. :wink:

 

[redfox355]

That sure is ugly... unlike some of you guys, I can't stand the silver! The small screen is bad enough, but the silver just makes like look like all the other cheap plasticky childrens toys that the shack sells! Urghhhh.. *shudder*

When will they make them the good old black or grey casings that actually look like a professional and sophisticated piece of radio equipment (which it is!)...

If I got one, I would honestly spend a lot of time repainting the front plastic face...

 

[KC1UA]

I drive a 2004 Toyota Tacoma and currently use my PRO-96 when mobile. I think if the 2096 has the same backlighting there is not going to be a viewing problem with it.

That said, I must admit that I wear contact lenses that allow me to see a gnat's arse at 500 yards...

I will eventually get one. I'm done with the Uniden scanners while mobile. The PRO-96 has such superior digital audio quality. Uniden's lack of AGC blew me out of the truck when digital signals were received.

The 2096 is certainly not the prettiest thing I've ever seen, but I'll take performance over beauty anyday.

 

[mlevin]

Well said, you took the words right out of my mouth. Function always beats looks.

 

[KT4HX]

I also agree performance is the key factor. However, that being said, I can't say I've had any issues with the 796D. And, at least to me, the display size is a performance issue as much if not more, than an aesthetic one. I want and need to be able to see whats going on while I'm driving. And with my old eyes, I need as much display area as I can get! :shock: But I may well get a 2096 for a test drive. If it doesn't meet my needs, it can go back within the grace period. At least I can have a more objective opinion once I've done that.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

No scanner ignores encrypted APCO-P25 transmissions.

:arrow: Well they should ignore them. If you cannot listen to them, then what is the sense in NOT ignoring them?
They should add L.T.R.!

 

[blantonl]

If you ask me, I think the radio is really nice looking, and will be a welcome addition to the shack. I personally like the silver look - it looks very professional.

I plan on replacing a pro-2067 with this scanner. The 2067 will be exclusively deligated to LTR work...

 

[scnnr]

But I may well get a 2096 for a test drive. If it doesn't meet my needs, it can go back within the grace period. At least I can have a more objective opinion once I've done that.

Jeez, how I miss being able to do that at Radio Shack Canada. I hate that they got out of selling scanners here in Canada. The only one that they offer by ordering is the older BC245 and they are asking the ridiculous price of $499 Canadian. That works out to, get this my American friends, 386.638 USD Jeez, you can get it down in the States for under 200.

Anyhow back to the 2096, I like the looks of it and will wait and see what the reviews say about them before thinking of ordering one up.

Randy

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

:arrow: How much?

 

[mikey60]

No scanner ignores encrypted APCO-P25 transmissions.

:arrow: Well they should ignore them. If you cannot listen to them, then what is the sense in NOT ignoring them?
They should add L.T.R.!

It's not as easy to do as it appears, at least not on 9600 baud systems. When I started working on Pro96Com, I more or less stumbled across the encryption flag. It's only transmitted at the start of the transmission and is not included in the channel use updates, so if the radio misses the initial channel grant then it won't know the conversation is encrypted until it gets to the voice channel. How easy or difficult it is at that point to determine if it's encrypted I don't know.

MIke

 

[james32746]

The only things I would consider a must have: PC interface port, Audio out port for spaeakers, P-25 capabilities on both 3600 and true P-25 (9600), 700 ability, mil air, and LTR. Secondary: regular FM, as that is what your car stereo is for DUHHHHHHHHHHH, TV reception, since its all going to Digital HD and leaving regular airwaves anyway, who need it?! And what would be nice is a low bandwidth broadcast cable that comes standard with it for internet broadcast....and of course the software lol!

On top of that:

Discriminator Tap output jack built in

EDACS Narrowband/SCAT Trunking

Nextel Direct Connect monitoring, but thanks to the FCC, this won't happen!

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

The only things I would consider a must have: PC interface port, Audio out port for spaeakers, P-25 capabilities on both 3600 and true P-25 (9600), 700 ability, mil air, and LTR. Secondary: regular FM, as that is what your car stereo is for DUHHHHHHHHHHH, TV reception, since its all going to Digital HD and leaving regular airwaves anyway, who need it?! And what would be nice is a low bandwidth broadcast cable that comes standard with it for internet broadcast....and of course the software lol!

On top of that:

Discriminator Tap output jack built in

EDACS Narrowband/SCAT Trunking

Nextel Direct Connect monitoring, but thanks to the FCC, this won't happen!

:arrow: I thought that Direct Connect was NOT a phone type of feature but a two way radio sort of thing.
You mean to tell me that this scanner goes even further and features or could feature this? Wow, awesome dude.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

The only things I would consider a must have: PC interface port, Audio out port for spaeakers, P-25 capabilities on both 3600 and true P-25 (9600), 700 ability, mil air, and LTR. Secondary: regular FM, as that is what your car stereo is for DUHHHHHHHHHHH, TV reception, since its all going to Digital HD and leaving regular airwaves anyway, who need it?! And what would be nice is a low bandwidth broadcast cable that comes standard with it for internet broadcast....and of course the software lol!

On top of that:

Discriminator Tap output jack built in

EDACS Narrowband/SCAT Trunking

Nextel Direct Connect monitoring, but thanks to the FCC, this won't happen!

:arrow: I thought that Direct Connect was NOT a phone type of feature but a two way radio sort of thing.
You mean to tell me that this scanner goes even further and features or could feature this? Wow, awesome dude.

Too bad that it cannot do V.O.C..

 

[PJH]

The Astro radios can be programmed (by system/personality) as.. C4FM, CQPSK or WIDE depending on the system. It is entirely possible to have a radio with all three modes enabled in it. Again, by system or personaility, not all at the same time.

Most Astro (non9600) Smartzone systems use WIDE, and Astro Smartnet systems programmed C4FM...at least in my area.

User with digital scanners in the Hamilton county, OH area are having problems with grabbled transmissions and the raw data thing for a long time. It's too the point were we can pretty much forget about going mobile with are scanners. I know that the XTS radios on the system arent having these problems like the scanners are. The funny thing is that the Clermont county, OH C4FM system comes in better when driving around the Hamilton county area then the Hamilton county CQPSK system. Clermont county is far away from my monitoring area.

 

[rdale]

"You mean to tell me that this scanner goes even further and features or could feature this?"

Absolutely not... He was just stating what he'd like to see in a scanner, nothing to do with the radio nor any other likely. Clearly unrelated to the thread overall!

 

[tonsoffun]

The Equipment under Test (EUT) is VHF/UHF Programmable AM/FM-9600 BPS Digital Trunking
Handheld Scanning Receiver PRO-2096 CAT. NO. 20-496.
Please refer to the attached specifications sheets in Appendix A for more details.

This is on page 4 off the fcc pdf files. I guess they think it's HANDHELD. :?

Take care

 

[PJH]

Sure! Just hold it in your hand!

 

[transam76]

Im glad i bought the 96 when i did. Im very disappointed with the look of this scanner (pro2096). The display is a way too small, if i was going to have it in my car i would like a bigger display, not just something stuck in a little dinky corner. And there are no new options on this at all, no provoice, no LTR, not even I-call feature, which i thought forsure they would put in. I guess ill just wait for Uniden to come up with something in a mobile-base for provoice someday. Im very happy with the pro96. But this i don't know!

 

[qoatzecotl]

I think it was stated from day one that this was going to be a PRO-96 in mobile gear. Why would anyone expect it to do anything new?

The GRE design team stated it would be akin to the PRO-2067. I had hoped they would have found a better screen to use, but I can live with it, just as I have with my PRO-2067 all these years...