Pro 651 vs. WS 1040

[wyesguy]

First, my apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere; I could see no reference to it. I am considering a new Pro 651 or WS 1040. I see the comparisons made on the Radio Shack descriptions for each, the Whistler website, and the Scanner Master website comparing the two. They seem to indicate they are essentially identical, in the way the GRE and RS versions of the 106 were. But looking at the specifications, one can see different freq coverage. Even the Scanner Master describes the WS1040 as having a speaker located at the top [their photo does not, though], as the GRE model did, as opposed to the Pro 651's being mounted at the bottom of the unit, as the Pro 106 did. So my question - is there a significant difference btwn the 2 models and is one worth considering over the other? Scanner Master has them both offered w/ the WS 1040 being $50 more. Scanning in Maryland, to the extent that matters. Thanks for any help.

 

[Spitfire8520]

First, my apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere; I could see no reference to it.

It has been discussed several times, but it's understandable that you may not have seen it floating around. Such an example can be found at http://forums.radioreference.com/ra...hat-difference-between-pro-106-pro-651-a.html

They seem to indicate they are essentially identical, in the way the GRE and RS versions of the 106 were. But looking at the specifications, one can see different freq coverage. Even the Scanner Master describes the WS1040 as having a speaker located at the top [their photo does not, though], as the GRE model did, as opposed to the Pro 651's being mounted at the bottom of the unit, as the Pro 106 did.

Scanner Master had an instance of laziness when first updating the WS1040 page after basing it off the PSR-500. They basically did a find & replace of the word "GRE" with "Whistler" and "PSR-500" with "WS1040" and called it good, so it's understandable why you probably found a reference of the speaker located on at the top. I'm not aware of a significant difference in frequency coverage, but I could be wrong.

So my question - is there a significant difference btwn the 2 models and is one worth considering over the other? Scanner Master has them both offered w/ the WS 1040 being $50 more.

I don't recall exactly, but I think the WS1040 might come with the programming cable and an AC power adapter where the Pro-651 does not. I'm not entirely as I haven't purchased the WS1040 myself and there hasn't been much discussion on what you get with the box. Other than that, the company that you deal with if you're having product issues and not much else.

 

[hiegtx]

It has been discussed several times, but it's understandable that you may not have seen it floating around. Such an example can be found at http://forums.radioreference.com/ra...hat-difference-between-pro-106-pro-651-a.html

Scanner Master had an instance of laziness when first updating the WS1040 page after basing it off the PSR-500. They basically did a find & replace of the word "GRE" with "Whistler" and "PSR-500" with "WS1040" and called it good, so it's understandable why you probably found a reference of the speaker located on at the top. I'm not aware of a significant difference in frequency coverage, but I could be wrong.

The original manufacturer, GRE, had to issue a firmware update, to delete certain frequency coverage. I believe this was in the upper 700MHz range. I don't recall all the details, but there was something about the scanner covering bands it was not supposed, receiving signals on the image. Like Spitfire, I doubt there is a difference in frequency coverage.

I don't recall exactly, but I think the WS1040 might come with the programming cable and an AC power adapter where the Pro-651 does not. I'm not entirely as I haven't purchased the WS1040 myself and there hasn't been much discussion on what you get with the box. Other than that, the company that you deal with if you're having product issues and not much else.

You're correct. The WS1040 comes with both the ac adapter and the pc interface cable, required for firmware updates and also if using software for programming.

The Ham Station currently has the WS1040 for $379.95. Or, according to this thread, Radio Shack will put the Pro-651 on sale for Black Friday for about $300.00. ScannerMaster might have a sale as well.

 

[wyesguy]

Thanks for your thoughts, which are much in line with mine. While I did see the comparisons btwn the old Pro 106 and the new Pro 651, I was actually noting the differences btwn the new Pro 651 and the new Whistler version. The Radio Shack descriptions even show different specifications/coverages for each. It seemed mostly a wash for me, but was just wondering if the extra $50 for the WS model was worth it, in terms of coverage. My suspicion is not. I'm adding to a Pro 197 and 106, so I already have the accessories/cables. etc.. Thanks again.

 

[N8IAA]

Thanks for your thoughts, which are much in line with mine. While I did see the comparisons btwn the old Pro 106 and the new Pro 651, I was actually noting the differences btwn the new Pro 651 and the new Whistler version. The Radio Shack descriptions even show different specifications/coverages for each. It seemed mostly a wash for me, but was just wondering if the extra $50 for the WS model was worth it, in terms of coverage. My suspicion is not. I'm adding to a Pro 197 and 106, so I already have the accessories/cables. etc.. Thanks again.

The 106/197 and the Pro-651 are the same scanners. The 106/197 were made by GRE, and the 651 is made by Whistler. There is no difference between the 651 and the 1040, other than the color of the face of the scanner, and the extras that come with Whistler version.
HTH,
Larry

 

[puzzleriddle]

It has been discussed several times, but it's understandable that you may not have seen it floating around. Such an example can be found at http://forums.radioreference.com/ra...hat-difference-between-pro-106-pro-651-a.html


Scanner Master had an instance of laziness when first updating the WS1040 page after basing it off the PSR-500. They basically did a find & replace of the word "GRE" with "Whistler" and "PSR-500" with "WS1040" and called it good, so it's understandable why you probably found a reference of the speaker located on at the top. I'm not aware of a significant difference in frequency coverage, but I could be wrong.



I don't recall exactly, but I think the WS1040 might come with the programming cable and an AC power adapter where the Pro-651 does not. I'm not entirely as I haven't purchased the WS1040 myself and there hasn't been much discussion on what you get with the box. Other than that, the company that you deal with if you're having product issues and not much else.

Programming cord & adaptor comes with both the hand held and the base model
r