Official PRO-2096 Discussion Thread

[blantonl]

An Update from the Pro-2096 Development Team

The PRO-2096 is on schedule and currently store availability is anticipated in January 2005.

We have been testing the PRO-2096 here for a couple of months now in both mobile and base configurations and we are very impressed with this radio! Many users have noticed the similarities between the PRO-96 and the PRO-2096. As we stated in our March update, the PRO-2096 "will be the perfect companion to the PRO-96 handheld unit". Does this mean that it is a "repackaged PRO-96"? Of course not. While the features and user interface are very similar, a total PCB redesign, numerous firmware changes, and a new front panel and case design were needed to make the PRO-2096 a reality. We got a good laugh when we read one user's comments that "this (the PRO-2096) should have only taken a couple of hours (to design)". A tremendous amount of effort went into the PRO-2096 design, with numerous iterations of design review, revisions and testing. These things take time.

For those who were looking for new features, like more channels, talkgroups, I-calls, LTR, etc., you'll have to wait - nothing was done in this model to jeopardize clone compatibility with the PRO-96. What you will get with the PRO-2096 is an excellent base/mobile scanning receiver with all the features of the PRO-96, including the excellent analog and digital performance and the V-Scanner storage system. The keypad and display are fully backlit with a dimmable backlight control. If you mount your PRO-2096 in your dash, you'll be able to clone or program your radio anytime without removing it - the PC/IF connection is located in the front of the radio. So is the earphone jack - so you can listen to your radio without irritating the XYL. Speaking of dash mounting, some users will remember that the PRO-2067 would fit into a DIN dash opening easily, but required special tricks to actually mount it there. The PRO-2096 has true DIN-E compatibility - just install the DIN sleeve in the dash and the radio locks in place. If you choose not to mount in-dash, a sturdy mounting bracket is included that allows for under dash or overhead attachment, or doubles as a desktop stand. The PRO-2096 makes an excellent desktop radio.

We freely admit our bias towards GRE products but as scanner enthusiasts we can safely say that this is one of the BEST base/mobile scanners we have ever seen from any manufacturer. You'll know something is different right away when you remove it from the box - the unit has a "rock solid" feel to it. When you fire it up for the first time, you will think you are listening to a professional grade public safety radio. The audio is very loud and very clear. The high contrast display is easily readable from several feet away. This is a great radio for your car and your shack, and it will be equally at home in professional applications, such as public safety and media.

 

[KT4HX]

Thanks Lindsay. Nice to have that kind of info. It certainly sounds impressive, and has piqued my interest more than a picture and a few cursory comments here and there.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

Re: An Update from the Pro-2096 Development Team

The PRO-2096 is on schedule and currently store availability is anticipated in January 2005.

We have been testing the PRO-2096 here for a couple of months now in both mobile and base configurations and we are very impressed with this radio! Many users have noticed the similarities between the PRO-96 and the PRO-2096. As we stated in our March update, the PRO-2096 "will be the perfect companion to the PRO-96 handheld unit". Does this mean that it is a "repackaged PRO-96"? Of course not. While the features and user interface are very similar, a total PCB redesign, numerous firmware changes, and a new front panel and case design were needed to make the PRO-2096 a reality. We got a good laugh when we read one user's comments that "this (the PRO-2096) should have only taken a couple of hours (to design)". A tremendous amount of effort went into the PRO-2096 design, with numerous iterations of design review, revisions and testing. These things take time.

For those who were looking for new features, like more channels, talkgroups, I-calls, LTR, etc., you'll have to wait - nothing was done in this model to jeopardize clone compatibility with the PRO-96. What you will get with the PRO-2096 is an excellent base/mobile scanning receiver with all the features of the PRO-96, including the excellent analog and digital performance and the V-Scanner storage system. The keypad and display are fully backlit with a dimmable backlight control. If you mount your PRO-2096 in your dash, you'll be able to clone or program your radio anytime without removing it - the PC/IF connection is located in the front of the radio. So is the earphone jack - so you can listen to your radio without irritating the XYL. Speaking of dash mounting, some users will remember that the PRO-2067 would fit into a DIN dash opening easily, but required special tricks to actually mount it there. The PRO-2096 has true DIN-E compatibility - just install the DIN sleeve in the dash and the radio locks in place. If you choose not to mount in-dash, a sturdy mounting bracket is included that allows for under dash or overhead attachment, or doubles as a desktop stand. The PRO-2096 makes an excellent desktop radio.

We freely admit our bias towards GRE products but as scanner enthusiasts we can safely say that this is one of the BEST base/mobile scanners we have ever seen from any manufacturer. You'll know something is different right away when you remove it from the box - the unit has a "rock solid" feel to it. When you fire it up for the first time, you will think you are listening to a professional grade public safety radio. The audio is very loud and very clear. The high contrast display is easily readable from several feet away. This is a great radio for your car and your shack, and it will be equally at home in professional applications, such as public safety and media.

:arrow: The " For those who were looking for new features, like more channels, talkgroups, I-calls, LTR, etc., you'll have to wait " part is interesting. I wonder if this means that they are actually going to come out with a radio scanner that is as good as the 96/2096 are good and include L.T.R, I-Calls, (and EDACS SCAT/Narrow/Wide and MOT VOC. would be good. ) Only time will tell. That sure would be awesome. If they did make an L.T.R. compatible scanner again, I would hope that it can be programmed like the 92, instead of like the Uniden ones because it makes it easier to program in the unknown LCNs and then to try to see where in the LCN scheme they fit.

 

[mlevin]

Yes!! Finally a scanner with a "rock solid feel, and professional grade audio"

 

[AZScanner]

Re: An Update from the Pro-2096 Development Team

The PRO-2096 is on schedule and currently store availability is anticipated in January 2005.... etc

It comes with a DIN sleeve? :shock: How cool is that?

AND... the PC/IF jack is UP FRONT?! Whoa! It's almost as if.....as if....

someone from GRE was.... you know... reading this site and stuff!

s c a r y.........

we are being watched.

:lol:

-AZ

 

[Voyager]

Re: An Update from the Pro-2096 Development Team

The PRO-2096 is on schedule and currently store availability is anticipated in January 2005.... etc

It comes with a DIN sleeve? :shock: How cool is that?

AND... the PC/IF jack is UP FRONT?! Whoa! It's almost as if.....as if....

someone from GRE was.... you know... reading this site and stuff!

Not really. It's designed to go into a DIN slot. It wouldn't make much sense to put it anywhere else but the front since that would be the only accessible side :!: (Unless you want to uninstall and reinstall the unit every time you make a programming change!)

Joe M.

 

[tonsoffun]

Hey Guys

How do you think the display will hold up to the cold?. I don't have a mobile(YET) so I don't know how it would react

Thanks in advanced

 

[scnnr]

Hey Guys

How do you think the display will hold up to the cold?. I don't have a mobile(YET) so I don't know how it would react

Thanks in advanced

:mrgreen:

In this country you better plan on mounting it so it can be easily removed on really cold nights. Especially for those that live on the prairies.

 

[mlevin]

Well if it's the same as the 96 display, then it won't hold up good. I remember last winter I left the scanner in the car for 2 hours in below zero temperatures. When I turned it back on part of the display was frozen, and it took about a half hour to to warm up.

 

[Trunkster2002]

clone pro-96 to 2096

I wonder since pretty much its a 96 put in a bigger box if we can clone our pro-96 to the new pro-2096. That would be a big thing to me.

 

[Voyager]

Re: clone pro-96 to 2096

I wonder since pretty much its a 96 put in a bigger box if we can clone our pro-96 to the new pro-2096. That would be a big thing to me.

It's been reported elsewhere that the 96 WILL clone to the 2096 minus some display backlight settings.

Joe M.

 

[TinEar]

I see on the FCC pages that this radio will not receive UHF Air. Nothing from 225-406 mHz. Very disappointing.

 

[Voyager]

I see on the FCC pages that this radio will not receive UHF Air. Nothing from 225-406 mHz. Very disappointing.

Neither will the PRO-96 stock. You enable the extended range via software.

Joe M.

 

[doctordave]

Joe,

When you "enable" the extra freq coverage on a '96 via software.....will the unit then operate on those freqs when standing alone....or must you be connected to the PC in order to continue copying the UHF Mil-Air?

Also....any way to force the 96 (via software, etc) to accept narrow-band (so called splinter freq) VHF-Hi such as 154.1975?

Thanks.

Dave

 

[Pro-95]

When you "enable" the extra freq coverage on a '96 via software.....will the unit then operate on those freqs when standing alone....or must you be connected to the PC in order to continue copying the UHF Mil-Air?

Once the scanner has been programmed via the PC, they are in there and you can carry your scanner out to recieve signals. Even removing the batteries won't remove the freq's from your scanner database. Well until the caps die off and the juice completely drains from your scanner in a couple of months. The frequencies will even clone without problems.

Also....any way to force the 96 (via software, etc) to accept narrow-band (so called splinter freq) VHF-Hi such as 154.1975?

Yes and No.

Yes: The tuning capabilities of the chips inside even the Pro-95 will tune on the fly so being close in frequency the scanner *should* find the signal and lock on. From discussions here the signal however will be weaker than normal so it will sound fainter.

No: Neither the scanner nor will the software (unless there has been some change from the PRO-95 version) accept 154.1975 without rounding the frequency. Then utilizing the tuning chipset to take over to find the frequency.

Caveat: If you are monitoring a frequency (via search or tune) say 154.1975 and save/store that frequency the scanner will save it as 154.1975..... until you either copy, clone or dump the frequency out of the scanner then the rounding will take place.

The only real problem that may occur is if you are monitoring two splinter or narrowband frequencies that are side by side then I'm fairly certain the scanner will become confused and you'd get either both frequencies at the same time or maybe even nothing. I've not run across this situation yet so I'm speculating here.

 

[loumaag]

Also....any way to force the 96 (via software, etc) to accept narrow-band (so called splinter freq) VHF-Hi such as 154.1975?

Just for the record. This was a poor choice for an example, as the Pro-96 will program 154.1975 just fine as is. The step size in that range is 15KHz. A better example would have been 157.3125, which is in a range where the step size is 60Khz and programs as 157.3150; however, it has little or no effect on the reception of the signal. In this example we are talking about a difference of 500Hz on a signal that is probably 11MHz wide. (11.0000Mhz vs 0.0005Mhz). The minimum passband appears to be ~15Khz (0.0150Mhz) so in theory from the Pro-96's standpoint 157.3150 and 157.3125 are really the same thing.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

Well if it's the same as the 96 display, then it won't hold up good. I remember last winter I left the scanner in the car for 2 hours in below zero temperatures. When I turned it back on part of the display was frozen, and it took about a half hour to to warm up.

:arrow: Well you are lucky at least that it didn't completely freeze up so the display did NOT work anymore.

 

[fireant]

One should never leave a scanner in such extreme conditions its not good for the electronic devices at all. I always take mine inside to avoid any problems or if I am going somewhere that I cannot take it inside I leave it at home. I have lost a scanner by doing this before so I learned the hard way and with the costs of them today cannot afford to do that anymore.

fireant

 

[mlevin]

Well if it's a mobile, isn't by definition supposed to stay in the car? You would think they would make them more resistant to this sort of stuff.

 

[KT4HX]

Well if it's a mobile, isn't by definition supposed to stay in the car? You would think they would make them more resistant to this sort of stuff.

Well, I have had a BC780 in my truck for over 3 years now, both in the heat and the cold, and its performed flawlessly. But, maybe I've just been lucky. :?: