PRO 18 vs PRO 668

[retropcdos]

Actually IIRC Don Starr has stated in another thread that the PRO18 and GRE800 are the same unit, albeit with different firmware... So I think that would apply to the pro-668 as well.

Post 23:

http://forums.radioreference.com/2321853-post23.html

RF frontend pretty the only thing they haven't change much. From what I read in the past from someone that looked at the service manuals ( with schematics ) side by side for the Pro-18 and does NOT have the chipset or hardware in place to ever decode P25 Phase II regardless of firmware. If it was the same, someone would have hack a firmware onto it years ago, as won't have been to much of a issue

 

[TES]

RF frontend pretty the only thing they haven't change much. From what I read in the past from someone that looked at the service manuals ( with schematics ) side by side for the Pro-18 and does NOT have the chipset or hardware in place to ever decode P25 Phase II regardless of firmware. . . .

Where did you read that?

 

[scosgt]

RF frontend pretty the only thing they haven't change much. From what I read in the past from someone that looked at the service manuals ( with schematics ) side by side for the Pro-18 and does NOT have the chipset or hardware in place to ever decode P25 Phase II regardless of firmware. If it was the same, someone would have hack a firmware onto it years ago, as won't have been to much of a issue

According to Don Starr it can in fact be done with a firmware update. Which does not exist.

 

[Haley]

Like scosgt said, in the above thread this question is laid to rest. Don Starr answered it himself. The 1080, 800, 668 , and 18 are the same. The pro 18 just never got a firmware update. All the hardware is there according to Don. Mike

 

[1BMG1]

So ... thanks for all the responses.

If I am interpreting them correctly, the differences between the Pro 18 that I was using, and the Pro 668 that I am considering using are more feature oriented but not anything groundbreaking enough to give me appreciably better reception in my EBRCS l(P25 Simulcast) listening area ?

So - if I was unhappy with the 18, I'll prolly have the same frustration (garbled simulcast reception) with the 668 ?

And - it also sounds like there aren't any perfect alternatives (Uniden, etc) at the present time ?

Since the 668's are widely available online right now "post Radio Shack closure" I might just pick one up and experiment with it ... remember when I got my 18 the 668 was the more expensive of the two, with easier channel setup, record, and several other features not on the 18.

Of course none of that will help with my particular Simulcast issues ... but it doesn't sound like there are any clearly superior options right now...

 

[scosgt]

So ... thanks for all the responses.

If I am interpreting them correctly, the differences between the Pro 18 that I was using, and the Pro 668 that I am considering using are more feature oriented but not anything groundbreaking enough to give me appreciably better reception in my EBRCS l(P25 Simulcast) listening area ?

So - if I was unhappy with the 18, I'll prolly have the same frustration (garbled simulcast reception) with the 668 ?

And - it also sounds like there aren't any perfect alternatives (Uniden, etc) at the present time ?

Since the 668's are widely available online right now "post Radio Shack closure" I might just pick one up and experiment with it ... remember when I got my 18 the 668 was the more expensive of the two, with easier channel setup, record, and several other features not on the 18.

Of course none of that will help with my particular Simulcast issues ... but it doesn't sound like there are any clearly superior options right now...

The 668 has the LED and more playlists and Phase 2. The PRO-18 also lacks V Folders, but of course the workaround is just to insert a different Micro SD card with a different configuration. They are really about the same otherwise. And of course, reception might vary between individual scanners from the same lot.