Opted not to include an expensive option that many would never need nor use, so as to keep the sticker shock manageable.
sds100-GPS
- Thread starter bee
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Thanks Paul for keeping the options on a per user setup and for being able to keep using the addons that we have already spent money for to use on our new scanners. I am inline and my SDS100 should be one of the first of the batch shipped.
markjrenna
Member
Ordering as soon as it is available!
Wondering why Uniden would not just include a GPS as a standard part of the unit.
It appears to me that Uniden doesn't understand why people would use a handheld in a vehicle, where having GPS (especially built-in) really shines. Fortunately, they've made it possible to attach an external GPS to the handhelds, if one is willing and able to tame the rat's nest amount of wires and power cables.
Also fortunately, we have guys like jonwienke who can modify scanners with a much, much more elegant GPS solution.
I have 4 536's 4 996P2's 1 436 and inline to get a SDS100 why would I want to pay for 10 GPS units when I only need 2 and can switch them to any one of the 10 at any time?
Since time = money they would never actually do it, but I'd it would be interesting to see Uniden come up with a concept "halo" radio that incorporates everything everyone wants and include a full cost analysis. The reactions of all the schmoes who complain about the lack of certain features or obscure modes of operation would be absolutely priceless when they see the high-4 to low-5 figure price tag.
External GPS is fine for mobile or base applications. But for traveling an internal GPS on the 436 would be great. I think anyone that used a GPS enabled scanner would never go back to one without. Nice to be able to set distances so the scanner will not scan agencies when you get out of the "good signal level" area. The GPS makes the quality of scanner monitoring much more pleasant. With my 536 I travel across SC from one side to the other and only scan what is within a set distance based on GPS. To do that with a portable it requires an external GPS (Not even practical for transportation purposes) or do in internal modification to add an internal GPS. The only other option is to turn systems on and off manually based on where I am and that is just ludicrous. My concern there is what does that do to the warranty, say on the new SDS100? Will that void the warranty? I would think it would, but I may be wrong. Services that are willing to add an internal GPS are they considered an authorized Uniden Service Center or similar?
Not trying to beat this up, but with all that the new SDS100 is touted to be able to do I would have assumed that an internal GPS, or optional internal GPS, would have been considered. With new GPS technology I wouldn't have thought adding a GPS would cost that much more.
I might be wrong about all this, my opinion though. I am still a fan of Uniden scanners.
I'm not a Uniden authorized service center, and AFAIK my scanner mods void the warranty. That said, I haven't screwed up anyone's scanner so far.
I'm not sure I'm convinced that internal GPS would make a significant difference in cost. The retail price I pay for the modules is about $15 with shipping. I would estimate that buying in quantities of 1000+ would reduce that by as much as 50%, or just over 1% of MSRP. Most of what I'm charging for is the labor involved in making the correct sized cutouts in the correct locations in the case for the GPS and power switch, hand-fabricating the wiring harness with RFI filter ferrites, and hand-soldering everything together. Most of that would be eliminated if the unit was designed with internal GPS in the first place.
I know I'm arguing myself out of significant money by saying this, but I don't see how adding internal GPS could add more than $20 to the cost of the SDS100, and I'm pretty sure that most people would tolerate a 1-3% increase in total cost to include internal GPS. GPS-based scanning is like crack; you don't realize how much fun it is until you've tried it, and going back to anything else is like quitting cold turkey.
I would be happy to discuss the technicalities with anyone at Uniden, either UPMan or anyone else.
I'm not sure I'm convinced that internal GPS would make a significant difference in cost. The retail price I pay for the modules is about $15 with shipping. I would estimate that buying in quantities of 1000+ would reduce that by as much as 50%, or just over 1% of MSRP. Most of what I'm charging for is the labor involved in making the correct sized cutouts in the correct locations in the case for the GPS and power switch, hand-fabricating the wiring harness with RFI filter ferrites, and hand-soldering everything together. Most of that would be eliminated if the unit was designed with internal GPS in the first place.
I know I'm arguing myself out of significant money by saying this, but I don't see how adding internal GPS could add more than $20 to the cost of the SDS100, and I'm pretty sure that most people would tolerate a 1-3% increase in total cost to include internal GPS. GPS-based scanning is like crack; you don't realize how much fun it is until you've tried it, and going back to anything else is like quitting cold turkey.
I would be happy to discuss the technicalities with anyone at Uniden, either UPMan or anyone else.
bee
Member
I don't understand, will the GPS with the 536, or the 436, work with the SDS100.
Don't want to have to buy, another GPS.
Don't want to have to buy, another GPS.
The cabling is different, because the SDS100 uses a different connector for GPS than the 436 or HomePatrol models. But the same GPS can be used, provided it is supplied power and the signal is routed to the correct pin on the correct connector.
jasonhouk
Member
bee
Member
Can I order the cabling, from Uniden when the SDS, becomes available?
Thanks
Thanks
jasonhouk
Member
bee
Member
Thanks, Jason.
Hit_Factor
Member
I thought warranty law says the manufacturer has to prove the modification caused the failure before a claim may be denied.
Magnuson moss warranty act.
I think some people worry too much about warranties. To the point that they deny themselves real benefits. One of the Icom factory repair center guys is my neighbor, his rates are very reasonable. I don't worry about mods because he can fix most things for about $50 plus parts.
jasonhouk
Member
Just tested Uniden's BC-UTGC GPS adapter cable with the BC-GPSK & SDS100 for my trip back home from Columbus testing this evening.
Everything works flawlessly and I was scanning the Full Database, powering and charging the SDS100 simultaneously. The GPS puck & SDS100 is being powered/charged by my Anker Power Drive 2 through the adapter cable. I'd recommend a 2+ amp clean power source as the scanner can pull 1+ amp by itself at full volume, open squelch and being all lit up!
Houk
Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
Everything works flawlessly and I was scanning the Full Database, powering and charging the SDS100 simultaneously. The GPS puck & SDS100 is being powered/charged by my Anker Power Drive 2 through the adapter cable. I'd recommend a 2+ amp clean power source as the scanner can pull 1+ amp by itself at full volume, open squelch and being all lit up!
Houk
Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
Jason Thankyou for the NXDN sounds great.
Was that system in the RR Database or did you use LCN finder for the ID's?
Was that system in the RR Database or did you use LCN finder for the ID's?
jasonhouk
Member
Was in the RR database. I did however delete the confirmed LCN and ran the finder last year when testing NXDN on the X36HP series. That function worked well and confirmed all 9 LCN's fairly quick.
Houk
Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
Cool I am not dumping any current scanners just adding to the abilities of my stack.
Just tested Uniden's BC-UTGC GPS adapter cable with the BC-GPSK & SDS100 for my trip back home from Columbus testing this evening.
Everything works flawlessly and I was scanning the Full Database, powering and charging the SDS100 simultaneously. The GPS puck & SDS100 is being powered/charged by my Anker Power Drive 2 through the adapter cable. I'd recommend a 2+ amp clean power source as the scanner can pull 1+ amp by itself at full volume, open squelch and being all lit up!
Houk
Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
Have you come up with a GPS solution when not in a vehicle?
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