BCD160DN/BCD260DN: On the fence about the BCD160DN

[bobruzzo]

I was looking for a decent handheld scanner to use in my car. I have a small car and no place to put mobile rig. Right now I am using an old Bearcat 30 channel analog HT. It works fine but limited in coverage. I was checking out the BCD160DN and it seems to be something I might like. I like to listen to all the DMR activity here, ham radio and lots of businesses use it and coverage is good with my Anytone 878 DMR HT. The only thing I dont like is that you can't plug the radio in for power, its strictly battery powered. I want to keep radio in car and not have to keep fussing with charging/changing batteries. Is there some kind of gadget I can make to eliminate the need for using batteries on this radio?

 

[Enjoi19]

It has a USB port that will power the scanner.

 

[bearcatrp]

You can use an external usb battery. Mine works great. But, if you really need to plug into your car, consider the 325P2 which has DMR and NXDN that requires payment but mine plugs into my USB port in my truck. You get P25 with it too.

 

[a727469]

Check out some of the threads on the 160..some people like it others say it is not as sensitive in comparison to other radios..I have not owned one since it offers nothing unique for me..others love it, I guess…I frankly second the above poster recommending the 325…much more flexibility and coverage, easy to plug in etc, but it does come at a higher cost. I power it mostly with a car jump starter like this both in the house and car at times…yes it is overkill but it can also start the car and runs a very long time. you could use it to run a radio in the car and heaven forbid as a jump starter. Just keep it charged!

https://www.amazon.com/DBPOWER-Starter-Portable-Battery-Booster/dp/B0CCDJLMNL?ref_=ast_sto_dp

 

[rf_patriot200]

I was looking for a decent handheld scanner to use in my car. I have a small car and no place to put mobile rig. Right now I am using an old Bearcat 30 channel analog HT. It works fine but limited in coverage. I was checking out the BCD160DN and it seems to be something I might like. I like to listen to all the DMR activity here, ham radio and lots of businesses use it and coverage is good with my Anytone 878 DMR HT. The only thing I dont like is that you can't plug the radio in for power, its strictly battery powered. I want to keep radio in car and not have to keep fussing with charging/changing batteries. Is there some kind of gadget I can make to eliminate the need for using batteries on this radio?

There is a battery eliminator available for the 878's that plugs into a 12vdc lighter socket. powerwerx.com has them.

 

[bearcatrp]

Just to add to my last post, the external USB batteries are not that expensive and last around 24 hours of continuous scanning. I have my 325P2 and external battery with connection cord in an old army ammo pouch. It fits perfect. Currently have 5 usb batteries for 2 radios, the 160 and the 325. Hard to beat the price of the 160 that includes DMR and NXDN for $249

 

[bobruzzo]

Just to add to my last post, the external USB batteries are not that expensive and last around 24 hours of continuous scanning. I have my 325P2 and external battery with connection cord in an old army ammo pouch. It fits perfect. Currently have 5 usb batteries for 2 radios, the 160 and the 325. Hard to beat the price of the 160 that includes DMR and NXDN for $249

After averaging out other radio options, for my needs the 160 beats them all. I suppose I can deal with the battery situation. But I still hear reports of the sensitivity not being that good. I live in a sub-metropolitan area and close to most of the agencies I listen to so maybe sensitivity wont be an issue. So I am inclined to maybe buy this radio. Can you use Sentinel to program it or is the software you can download from Uniden OK? And can you charge the batteries with the supplied USB cable?

 

[fxdscon]

Can you use Sentinel to program it or is the software you can download from Uniden OK?

The Sentinel software is not compatible with the BCD160DN or the BCD260DN scanners. If you're already using ProScan, that is compatible with those scanners.

 

[bobruzzo]

The Sentinel software is not compatible with the BCD160DN or the BCD260DN scanners. If you're already using ProScan, that is compatible with those scanners.

OK great. Can the batteries be charged with the supplied USB cable? Like if you plug the cable into computer or small phone-type wall wart?

 

[bearcatrp]

It has its own software for programming, no sentinel. From what others have posted, allot said it suffered from overload for them but it hasn’t for me. I’ll look for what you would need if you want to use the external battery setup I use and post it. You will like it but up to you if you want to go through allot of internal batteries.

 

[tvengr]

Be aware that the BCD160DN and BCD260DN are for conventional frequencies only. They cannot trunk track DMR or NXDN trunked systems.

 

[bobruzzo]

Be aware that the BCD160DN and BCD260DN are for conventional frequencies only. They cannot trunk track DMR or NXDN trunked systems.

OK. I listen to mostly non-trunked DMR business freqs. There's a lot of them around here, and close by. The only trunked Dmr system here is a HUGE 900 mhz system with many users. The antenna tower is about 8 miles northwest of me. And the only trunked NXDN is a few radio-phone systems. But mainly I like the ham and business DMR. Not much NXDN here but I am sure in future it will pick up. One hospital uses it.

 

[bearcatrp]

Here is what I have for external battery setup:

https://www.amazon.com/Aibocn-External-Battery-Flashlight-Smartphones/dp/B00VWV8LD4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Aibocn&qid=1704680992&s=wireless&sr=1-1&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/CERRXIAN-9Inch-Cable-Charge-2-Pack/dp/B01N5PHSJE/ref=asc_df_B01N5PHSJE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309773039951&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5023236876492134158&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019603&hvtargid=pla-569789268448&th=1

this will give you about 24 hours of continuous scanning. Get 2 or more as it takes about 5 hours to recharge them when run down all the way.

 

[bobruzzo]

Here is what I have for external battery setup:

https://www.amazon.com/Aibocn-External-Battery-Flashlight-Smartphones/dp/B00VWV8LD4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Aibocn&qid=1704680992&s=wireless&sr=1-1&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/CERRXIAN-9Inch-Cable-Charge-2-Pack/dp/B01N5PHSJE/ref=asc_df_B01N5PHSJE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309773039951&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5023236876492134158&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019603&hvtargid=pla-569789268448&th=1

this will give you about 24 hours of continuous scanning. Get 2 or more as it takes about 5 hours to recharge them when run down all the way.

GREAT! I think I might order that too.