Optoelectronics Scout 40 vs Digital Scout

[ATIS]

How does the latest models of the Optoelectronics Scout 40 compares with the Digital Scout in analog searching performance?

I'm interested to get one and both appeal to me as they have reaction tuning ability with ICOM receivers. Intend to use it primarily for analog search (VHF & low UHF).

I note that the latest Scout 40 no longer have backlight, a feature I desire. The Scout 40, however, have a longer battery run time over the Digital Scout which is appealing to me.
Also note @Ubbe Apr 2020 post of the existence of a "MarkII" model of the Digital Scout. @Ubbe would you be able to comment if this new Digital Scout model is one of the two versions mentioned in your May 2019 post or if it offers any improvements particularly for analog?

On a side note, with regards to charging:

• Is the charging ability similar between the Scout 40 and Digital Scout?
• How can one tell if the battery is fully charged?
• Is it a dumb charger that continuously charge the battery even when full?
• Can the device properly charge a NiCd battery pack of higher mAh rating (but similar voltage) if this is being used in place of the default NiCd battery pack (Scout 40 showing its battery is 650 mAh; no ideal for Digital Scout)?
• Can the device safely charge a NiMH battery pack with a much higher mAh rating (but similar voltage)?
• Can the device be charged when powered on/in used? I note Scout 40 manual says trickle charge will occur if charging when powered on which I understand as the battery will not deplete but cannot reach to a fully charged state when in used. No info for the Digital Scout.

Thank you!

 

[evilbrad]

just looked at that item "drool" too bad it ain't a tad cheaper.....would be fun to use

 

[eaf1956]

just looked at that item "drool" too bad it ain't a tad cheaper.....would be fun to use

Stimulus Money????

 

[Ubbe]

would you be able to comment if this new Digital Scout model is one of the two versions mentioned in your May 2019 post or if it offers any improvements particularly for analog?

I measured both the old and new Digital Scout using a signal generator in analog and using GSM and Tetra signalling and they followed the specs. I couldn't notice any difference in performance so probably only the added ports and similar mechanical things that differ.

I often change NiCd batteries to NiMH in different devices and have never seen any problem doing that. It's a standard charge IC that are a voltage sensing circuit in the Scouts.

For some reason the Digital Scouts never did any useful work for me. I probably didn't get more than 10 useful hits over their years of use. The Scout40 constantly get hits as soon as it is a constant signal nearby and not modulated more than 25KHz wide. The Aceco constantly get hits from my mobile phone and a lot more but some of it are false readings and cannot be trusted until verified.

I find Optoelectronics to be very helpful so try and email them with your questions as it was years ago I used the Scouts.

/Ubbe

 

[ATIS]

I measured both the old and new Digital Scout using a signal generator in analog and using GSM and Tetra signalling and they followed the specs. I couldn't notice any difference in performance so probably only the added ports and similar mechanical things that differ.

I often change NiCd batteries to NiMH in different devices and have never seen any problem doing that. It's a standard charge IC that are a voltage sensing circuit in the Scouts.

For some reason the Digital Scouts never did any useful work for me. I probably didn't get more than 10 useful hits over their years of use. The Scout40 constantly get hits as soon as it is a constant signal nearby and not modulated more than 25KHz wide. The Aceco constantly get hits from my mobile phone and a lot more but some of it are false readings and cannot be trusted until verified.

I find Optoelectronics to be very helpful so try and email them with your questions as it was years ago I used the Scouts.

/Ubbe

Thank you very much for responding with this info! Much appreciated.