SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 At First Glance

[spotsyrick]

You're darn tootin....... there is NO WAY I would dump $650.00 on a Uniden scanner based on the previous 436/536 debacles, especially as an early adopter.

Have any of the Uniden Engineers even looked at a G5? Battery size and usage time? size? etc.....? Performance?????

Has anyone seen the big fat rear end modified huge battery modification they made AFTER release? It's ridiculous. The thing heats up? Sure it does because they decided a christmas tree display with 9 thousand lights and excessive data would be a good idea. Unreal.

Numerous responding posters made my point....they gave you a BNC adapter that doesn't work!!! You have to buy a third party item to make it work. Think about that for a minute. The BNC adapter the engineers at Uniden provided DOES NOT WORK! LOL

And despite tons of hype about better simulcast reception, reports are that it is hot or miss depending upon your surrounding location and system. No better or worse than the 436. Apparently analog VHF and UHF sucks big time just like the 436.

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice? No way.

Once does not need to own the unit to comment about what is being reported across the internet about a particular radio.

First off the BNC adapter that Uniden provided DOES WORK!!!!!!! LOL I have been using since I got the scanner when it first became available. Second, why would the Uniden engineers look at the G5? IT'S NOT A SCANNER................Your in a thread about the SDS100 yet you don't have one, I get it, come in here and bash Uniden and promote the G5.

 

[WILSON43]

Everyone does not need to buy a adapter. It is available if ppl want it. Stating that everyone needs to buy one is misleading.

OK, I'll amend my comment....

Why does the supplied BNC adapter not work properly and why must folks buy a different adapter, let's say from Jon, to make antennas work properly on this $650.00 radio?

 

[mule1075]

OK, I'll amend my comment....

Why does the supplied BNC adapter not work properly and why must folks buy a different adapter, let's say from Jon, to make antennas work properly on this $650.00 radio?

The bnc adapter works properly some people just don't like the form of it. The ones Jon sells do not make the antennas work any different.

 

[WILSON43]

It is no good on simulcast systems, but works well on everything else I have programmed into it.

You are not spreading the truth as others have stated the BNC adapter works. You're saying it doesn't work at all. I'm not a fanboy and was quite upset with the 436 not working on simulcast.

However, I'm seriously looking into a scanner that can cover more than a couple of bands. Some of us can't use a Unication pager to cover our needs. It gets so tiring reading the comparisons between Unication and Uniden. They are two distinct products designed for two distinct markets. I like to listen to the air bands, so Unication is out.

No need for caps/shouting. It doesn't help the persuasion factor.

Not trying to persuade anyone, just my opinion. CAPS are not shouting but artfully placed to make a point. I never said the BNC adapter doesn't work at all. If it worked then there would be no reason for Jon to be selling better versions. Clearly there is an issue and it has been discussed on multiple threads in these forums. But heck, if yours works, good for you.

The comparisons will always be made based solely on simulcast performance which was the much heralded marketing cry from Uniden via Upman. So, if you are comparing simulcast performance only, there will always be the inevitable comparison to a radio that actually works well there.

Which leads me to close with another point you made for me. When you cram every band into a radio, including the air band, you simply cannot expect stellar performance consistently across those multiple bands. Not even at $650.00. Throw in digital and P2 simulcasting and you are demanding a lot from one receiver and something is gonna suffer. In this model multiple things suffer.

The point of my position here is not Uniden bashing or to promote the G5 as was mentioned in some remarks. I am fully aware this is not a popular position in a Uniden forum. However, if we as hobbyists and end users ever hope to get to a point where these companies produce radios that actually work well for what want to hear, we must be honest and hold the vendor to the highest standard. Especially as prices leave the "hobby" range, and venture into serious commercial grade radio territory.

And yea... that battery fix is U G L Y !!!!!

 

[WILSON43]

The bnc adapter works properly some people just don't like the form of it. The ones Jon sells do not make the antennas work any different.

Wow, that makes absolutely no sense.

Maybe Jon can design a new battery and compartment that doesn't make the form factor look like the radio added 400 lbs to it's derriere......

 

[KE4ZNR]

The point of my position here is not Uniden bashing

Dude all you do in every post in the Uniden forums is bash Uniden.
Look back at your post history and it is obvious that your only goal is to
whine about anything Uniden related. And it is getting very old.
If you can't contribute anything other than negativity in your posts then take your incessant whining elsewhere.
Thanks!
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[belvdr]

I never said the BNC adapter doesn't work at all. If it worked then there would be no reason for Jon to be selling better versions. Clearly there is an issue and it has been discussed on multiple threads in these forums. But heck, if yours works, good for you.

It's form factor. It makes perfect sense.

You sure did say it didn't work, twice in one post actually, and said you must buy a 3rd party adapter to make it work:

Numerous responding posters made my point....they gave you a BNC adapter that doesn't work!!! You have to buy a third party item to make it work. Think about that for a minute. The BNC adapter the engineers at Uniden provided DOES NOT WORK! LOL

Saying "does not work" is equivalent to "does not work at all", because there was no inferrence of "sometimes", "most times", or "usually".

If someone were to say "xyz does not work," one would read that xyz never works. An example would be, "The Uniden SDS100 does not work on encrypted traffic."

 

[mule1075]

Wow, that makes absolutely no sense.

Listen this is my last comment since you do not own nor intend on owning a SDS100 you have know idea what you are talking about. The adapter that came with the scanner new works just fine if you have chubby fingers like me you might prefer the one Jon is selling because it might be easier for you to grab. Again the only difference between the OEM adapter and the one Jon is selling is the form factor.

 

[fxdscon]

First off the BNC adapter that Uniden provided DOES WORK!!!!!!! LOL I have been using since I got the scanner when it first became available. Second, why would the Uniden engineers look at the G5? IT'S NOT A SCANNER................Your in a thread about the SDS100 yet you don't have one, I get it, come in here and bash Uniden and promote the G5.

Yep, he is one of the "usual suspects" when it comes to bashing Uniden.... providing a pseudo-review of something he has zero direct experience with.

Fortunately, most folks here realize his reviews have a signal to noise ratio far worse than that of any scanner ever produced.

.

 

[WILSON43]

Dude all you do in every post in the Uniden forums is bash Uniden.
Look back at your post history and it is obvious that your only goal is to
whine about anything Uniden related. And it is getting very old.
If you can't contribute anything other than negativity in your posts then take your incessant whining elsewhere.
Thanks!
Marshall KE4ZNR

I thought these forums were for open debate and expression of ideas.

Unfortunately when that runs contrary to popular belief it is whining and those comments and debate are not welcome.

Yes, I have many issues with Uniden held over from the 436 / 536 line which they sold with a similar bill of goods only to fail in many areas with those as well and basically abandone those models for the newer model with the great light show. Yes, I have an issue with companies like that and will “whine” until they change their ways.

What’s frightening is that there are many who agree but fail to take on the debate here as I have for fear of being labeled a whiner, malcontent, Uniden basher, etc.

I am done. Let the mediocrity from Uniden prevail.

 

[belvdr]

I thought these forums were for open debate and expression of ideas.

Unfortunately when that runs contrary to popular belief it is whining and those comments and debate are not welcome.

Yes, I have many issues with Uniden held over from the 436 / 536 line which they sold with a similar bill of goods only to fail in many areas with those as well and basically abandone those models for the newer model with the great light show. Yes, I have an issue with companies like that and will “whine” until they change their ways.

What’s frightening is that there are many who agree but fail to take on the debate here as I have for fear of being labeled a whiner, malcontent, Uniden basher, etc.

I am done. Let the mediocrity from Uniden prevail.

You could always buy one from Scanner Master, and if it doesn't perform well in your environment, return it. There are other options besides rehashing statements (some are untrue) over and over again.

 

[Movieman990]

Well, I enjoyed and understood the review by the OP and I know for a fact I will never have the need of the item itself as my interest will never be at that level. On the other hand all the rest of the thread seems like a waste of time, but like a car wreck it's hard not to look at it a bit.

In my questioning of why some hams look down on newbies I have received the advice (and am trying to take it) to just "move on". Ignore what you find to not fit your perceptions. If the poster in question is a PITA in Uniden threads....ignore him, don't feed him.

 

[KE4ZNR]

I thought these forums were for open debate and expression of ideas.

Of course they are. If they were not this thread would not be still be open.
There is, however, a big difference between "open debate and expression of ideas" and unfair constant non-stop bashing of a companies products with half-truths and inaccurate statements.
We get it: You don't like Uniden. Nothing they will ever produce will live up to your extreme standards. Please let those of us who do actually own their scanners discuss positives & negatives in peace without the constant bashing.
Thanks!
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[vikingegfd]

Don't know why people are buying adapter, the Uniden supplied adapter has been working for me for weeks. Depending on what I'm doing I switch out BNC antennas between the long condor and short Uniden couple of times a week.

 

[KE4ZNR]

Folks: Let me man up and offer dconti a public apology. As one of the mods of this forum I should have been more measured in my response. He is right that these forums are open to all opinions as long as they meet forum guidelines. So I do apologize to dconti for coming across too harsh in my criticism of his negative posts.
I do still believe that there is a big difference between constructive criticism of a companies products and baseless allegations and simple bashing of a company.
Thanks for everyone's input in this thread.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[jonwienke]

I do still believe that there is a big difference between constructive criticism of a companies products and baseless allegations and simple bashing of a company.

Same here.

If you want to complain about the battery life of the SDS100 not being as good as the 436, that's a fair criticism. But saying things like the reception of the 436 and SDS100 "sucks" and that the factory SMA-BNC adapter "DOES NOT WORK" and "Can this company EVER release a radio without silly design flaws" is opinionated bashing not based on facts. Especially when the individual has never owned a SDS100.

 

[KR7CQ]

I have been pretty critical of the SDS100 after testing it, and the fact that it needs such a gigantic battery, bigger than any of the smartphones out there, with much larger, higher resolution screens, much faster processors, etc., is at the least annoying. I would have also preferred that things other than waterproofing received that extra focus. However I've spent time with 5 or 6 436's and never found that the reception "sucks". And as far as LSM performance, I have always found that the 436 handles LSM challenges in a more intelligent way than the competition. The UHF noise issue was a miss, but it got fixed 100%, same for the display and clock issues. I have never seen video or firsthand evidence that the 436 reception "sucks" vs. the competition. I don't know anyone personally who has reported that 436 reception sucks. Just saying.

 

[belvdr]

I have been pretty critical of the SDS100 after testing it, and the fact that it needs such a gigantic battery, bigger than any of the smartphones out there, with much larger, higher resolution screens, much faster processors, etc., is at the least annoying. I would have also preferred that things other than waterproofing received that extra focus. However I've spent time with 5 or 6 436's and never found that the reception "sucks". And as far as LSM performance, I have always found that the 436 handles LSM challenges in a more intelligent way than the competition. The UHF noise issue was a miss, but it got fixed 100%, same for the display and clock issues. I have never seen video or firsthand evidence that the 436 reception "sucks" vs. the competition. I don't know anyone personally who has reported that 436 reception sucks. Just saying.

The 436 certainly sucks on Ohio MARCS. All I get is bloop-bleep-chirp repeatedly unless the department is not simulcasted between two towers within my range. Otherwise, it is a solid performer.

 

[KR7CQ]

The 436 certainly sucks on Ohio MARCS. All I get is bloop-bleep-chirp repeatedly unless the department is not simulcasted between two towers within my range. Otherwise, it is a solid performer.

To me that doesn't mean that reception sucks, it just means that the 436 doesn't demodulate LSM, which is just the nature of its design. It might very well be receiving solid signal from one or more towers, it just can't properly process two out of sync signals at the same time, and neither could any other scanner before the SDS100. In it's purest sense, "reception sucks" = deaf receiver. Being able to demodulate a signal, and then get clean intelligible audio to the speaker is another matter. We can receive a strong encrypted transmission and we can't decrypt it, but that's not bad reception.

 

[belvdr]

To me that doesn't mean that reception sucks, it just means that the 436 doesn't demodulate LSM, which is just the nature of its design. It might very well be receiving solid signal from one or more towers, it just can't properly process two out of sync signals at the same time, and neither could any other scanner before the SDS100. In it's purest sense, "reception sucks" = deaf receiver. Being able to demodulate a signal, and then get clean intelligible audio to the speaker is another matter. We can receive a strong encrypted transmission and we can't decrypt it, but that's not bad reception.

I agree with your assessment. I was thinking "reception" meant receiving decoded audio into my ears.

Hindsight is 20/20. Today, we all know the x36 models were not designed for simulcast systems, but back then we didn't. We made the assumption it would work and Uniden made no mention of it. It would have been nice for Uniden to say they likely wouldn't work with simulcast systems before we purchased them. That's a pipedream and I highly doubt any manufacturer would make such statements.