Pro-18 Digital Trunking Scanner - Post release Thread

[scruggsy]

OK, the guy at Radio Shack gave me some "enercell" Radio Shack brand batteries, I ran the scanner on batteries alone while playing around with it and trying to program, the batteries lasted about 2 hours tops! so I recommend some good rechargeable batteries for this device.
after getting the software downloaded and updated, the programming was extremely easy.
it's gonna take some time getting used to the control pad!

 

[DaveIN]

The Pro-18 on Cyber Monday sale for $100 off and free shipping at RadioShack.com (today only) and Scannermaster (until Dec. 1st). Then it's back to full $500 (were it will not sell well until the next sale, IMHO).

 

[DaveIN]

It's back to $449 until 12/10/11, same for Scanner Master. Anyone get one from Scanner Master?

 

[Jakemcgraw]

I just got mine yesterday , but it was purchased off ebay from a seller that has an r.s. store. I paid $ 363. for mine brand new in the box. Seems to work good so far,, i like this different way of programming a scanner. Only small problem i had, was the included small antenna, fit the scanner very loosely,,but i had a stock 6 inch gre antenna on hand, and that works decent so far. I have the gre 800 mhz also, i may give that a try sometime, even tho we dont really have much anything here on 800 mhz, i know it works on other bands. My overall opinion, its a good scanner, nice rubberized case, solid built,,,if you can get it for under $ 400. as i did , its a good buy !

 

[farful]

I purchased the Radio Shack Pro 18 five weeks ago and an very satisfied with it. It is very easy to download the selected frequencies and place them into the right talk lists. I did not bother to hook it up the PC. I just followed the instructions in the book to program them direct to the IScan. The reception is very good. I live in the Ozark Mountians where the reception is usually poor. I can safely say this little radio does a good job of bringing in the staions with a good tone. When I travel to a new area, it is a snap to download that state and city frequencies. The downloading of the Trunking is a snap too.

I had a little trouble finding a USB DC 5V/500mA adapter at radio shack. However one was quickly obtained through Amazon for less than $5. I think I heard that someone was having a problem listening to their scanner while the USB DC Adapater was active. This can be overcome by removing the batteries and turning on the scanner or by using plain ol' copper top batteries. As one previously stated the 500mA can not do a good job charging batteries and powering the radio, so just eliminate the charging.

 

[Jakemcgraw]

Most cell phone charger adapters work good for the Pro-18 , I just searched out ebay for a very compact one and purchased a blackberry usb 5V / 750 maA brand new in its factory wrap $2.49.

 

[DaveIN]

If you put the battery switch to Alkaline, then it should bypass charging and allow external power via the USB port.

Can you post any pictures of the Pro-18, Les? I see you mention a rubberized case. Sounds like the GRE PSR-700 case style. Interesting, that the case is different from the Pro-107 iScan case.

 

[Jakemcgraw]

Sorry i dont have access to post any pics at this time Dave, The entire case, with the exception of the flat black finish of the front panel is all rubberized, including the speaker grill area,,,really feels nice in the hand . I also noted when i first removed it from the box and its accessories, it doesnt come with the same swivel style Belt Clip as the Psr-800. It has the same standard one that's been on the past several models. One note:, if anyones interested, I looked at the psr-800 Belt Clip sold at GRE parts, I believe it sells for approx $ 8. , and it fits the Pro-18 and also the Gre models from the psr-100 , 300, 310 and 500, as well as their radio shack equivalants.

 

[Bob_61]

For the life of me I don't understand why someone would buy a stripped down version of the PSR-800? Am I missing something? It can't be the price which is higher than the 800... :twisted:

 

[Jakemcgraw]

Pic of my box the pro-18 came in from the website i purchased it from. This other was posted elsewhere before, you can see the rubberized case somewhat in this stock photo.

 

[Jakemcgraw]

For the life of me I don't understand why someone would buy a stripped down version of the PSR-800? Am I missing something? It can't be the price which is higher than the 800... :twisted:

I didnt need everything the psr-800 has, The pro-18 is very sufficient for me, My above post i mentioned i paid $363. for mine brand new.. Just my opinion , i like the overall look of the pro-18 a little better, and the rubberized case is very nice. Also to me the control keys are bigger on the pro-18 and doesnt look as bare as the 800 keypad layout, although they are both nice scanners.

 

[DaveIN]

it doesnt come with the same swivel style Belt Clip as the Psr-800. It has the same standard one that's been on the past several models. One note:, if anyones interested, I looked at the psr-800 Belt Clip sold at GRE parts, I believe it sells for approx $ 8. , and it fits the Pro-18 and also the Gre models from the psr-100 , 300, 310 and 500, as well as their radio shack equivalants.

That's too bad. I wouldn't recommend any other belt clip for the PSR-800, so this is another difference that you need to pay an additional $8 dollars for.

Has the display been improved at all? My PSR-800 would suck in dust behind the keypad area and static electricity would migrate the large white particle in behind the LCD bezel.

If you could, please snap a picture of the front case LCD area when you can.

Thanks for the update.

For the life of me I don't understand why someone would buy a stripped down version of the PSR-800? Am I missing something? It can't be the price which is higher than the 800... :twisted:

Bob, as for the price it should be noted what you loose in Menu features and now belt clip, but sales at <=$400 is a good selling price, however the self educated internet shopper can find better deals on the full featured PSR-800 with just a quick Google search.

Other than the unknown, such as what the DSP version is, and if it decodes X2-TDMA or not, it should be the same receiver as it's sister. It would be good to know if it's an option for those who have X2-TDMA. I'm guessing this is the only good reason to purchase one at the current sales prices.

Come on folks, who is able to test the Pro-18 on their X2-TDMA system?

 

[Jakemcgraw]

My Pro-18 Pics..

If you put the battery switch to Alkaline, then it should bypass charging and allow external power via the USB port.

Can you post any pictures of the Pro-18, Les? I see you mention a rubberized case. Sounds like the GRE PSR-700 case style. Interesting, that the case is different from the Pro-107 iScan case.

Heres a few pics Dave of my pro-18,,,i forgot my cell phone has a half decent camera.

 

[RoninJoliet]

No offense, but that sure is a "plain" looking scanner....Usually you see buttons all over the place....But i guess it works great....Im old, bad with a computer downloading software and upgrades or i would have one...Im sure interested in if it will accept "Phase11-TDMA" because this week Motorola re-worked the ILL-Starcom Digital 700mgz towers in the Chicago area to prepare for this method....My town just bought Moto APX7000 radios cause they will join the system in May.....

 

[Jakemcgraw]

I agree its a little plain looking Ron..except for downloading the software disc that came with it ,to my pc,,i havnt used the software yet,,,I had my pro-18 loaded up with what i wanted in less than a half hour,,,Its fairly simplex,,,yet it does have a good many features and settings in it...Im using a stock gre 6 inch rubber duck ant. as on the psr-500 and ect.....It recieves very well, and im in the country with mountains around me. I find it recieves a bit better than my previous pro-197 base scanner. Just my opinion, i think where it lacks in control buttons, it makes up in performance.

 

[DaveIN]

Thanks for the pictures Les. I thought this was interesting.
Looks like the same case used on the PSR-800 with an insert where the LED would be. It must just have the rubberized coating applied. Do you have the PSR-800 also Les or just the 18?

 

[Bob_61]

I hope the rubberized coating does not come off! That will be a whole can of worms that us scanner "people" don't need...

 

[Jakemcgraw]

Thanks for the pictures Les. I thought this was interesting.
Looks like the same case used on the PSR-800 with an insert where the LED would be. It must just have the rubberized coating applied. Do you have the PSR-800 also Les or just the 18?

I only have the pro-18 ,,,Very good eye Dave..I picked up on that same thing as soon as it was taken out the box. I did want to mention another thing i read on before i got the scanner, I knew mostly all the differences between this and the psr-800 before i purchased, with the exception of the different belt clip, which i dont carry anyway, just the idea they used the cheaper one on the pro-18. Even though the sceeen is very nice on the 18,,it has a bit lower resolution than the 800, for some odd reason.....The psr-800 has it spec'd at 132 x 65 dots ,,and the pro-18 is 96 x 48 dots,,just a bit less,,not picking, just dont understand some of the choices made on specs these days.

 

[rwier]

......................................The psr-800 has it spec'd at 132 x 65 dots ,,and the pro-18 is 96 x 48 dots,,just a bit less,,not picking, just dont understand some of the choices made on specs these days.

psr-800 = 132x65 = 8580 (square dots)
pro-18 = 96x48 = 4608 (square dots)

8580/4608 = 1.86 That's 86% more area for the 800!

Not a statement about scanners, only a statement about the math. Your "just a bit less" needs fleshing out, lol.

 

[DaveIN]

Interesting. The display looks the same from the picture. 86% is a huge difference.