SDS100 your likes / dislikes

[eaf1956]

Likes: Display, IQ Tech for simulcast, Menu for changing FAV list and SYS list toggles displaying what each is assigned

DisLikes: Not having a menu item to display and toggle DEPT QKs.

Yeah I know you can use things like 1.1.1 but who can remember them all or what Dept you assigned to what QK

 

[APX8000]

Why do negative reviews or issues become “bad units.” My take is that is is performing great on some systems and not so great on others.

I liked the honesty of the post, especially how the G4/5 with its little stubby is pulling in systems further away, without distortion compared to the SDS with its factory antenna.


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[KR7CQ]

I thought you were going to get with Rich to see if you have a bad unit?


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No, I've realized that my particular unit is a lost cause, not worth another minute of my time...it fails too badly, in a few key areas, to be worthy of any further work. I will give Uniden the benefit of the doubt at this point and say this must be a defective unit. Not angry, not upset at all, this is how early adoption can go in some cases. I will wait until the "street price" falls to a point where I can find a deal on offer-up or CL or ebay and give another unit a chance at some point, but for now I'm 100% done, with an RMA, and the unit will ship back later today.

I'm very happy with my G4's at this point, and they will serve my simulcast purposes for now.

 

[mkt853]

Is there any device that works perfectly on every system? The SDS100 is a big improvement on digital systems that have typically been problematic for scanners. Will it work great on 100% of systems? Nope and no unit probably ever will. But it does dramatically improve the majority of digital systems that often times were painful to monitor. So far it's more thumbs up than thumbs down.

 

[KR7CQ]

Why do negative reviews or issues become “bad units.” My take is that is is performing great on some systems and not so great on others.

I liked the honesty of the post, especially how the G4/5 with its little stubby is pulling in systems further away, without distortion compared to the SDS with its factory antenna.


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Exactly. I tried as hard as possible to leave bias out of this, and to be honest I don't have much bias, as I am an equal opportunity buyer / user of radio toys. I will also try the Whistler out when it comes. Brand loyalty has limited value to me, it's about the rubber meeting the road. My results are only MY results, from one particular unit, but my 2 cents have been officially shared.

***Let me throw one thing out though. I truly hope that more of those who claim the SDS100 is so much better than the 436 post comparison videos just like I did to provide evidence of what they are seeing, with their equipment, in their unique situation. Let's also see the SDS100 match the G4/5 side by side for five minutes on video. I know that YMMV as they always say, but video backup is nice if you want to add extra weight to your comparison, IMHO.

 

[TailGator911]

You can get a USB battery charger like this and scan for days
https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-26500mAh-Portable-Lightning-Micro-USB/dp/B01HRAG2KM

Buddrousa - I own this exact same charger model/make and I swear by it. I travel extensively and it is by far my best friend on the road. I travel with my iPhone, iPad, Dell laptop, TRX-1, Yaesu VX-7R, Canon EOS Rebel T7 digital camera, and I switch them all in and out constantly charging something and it is a workhorse. My ONLY complaint would be the size (over a lb. it is hefty) and it is not FCC compliant and cannot be in my carry on electronics backpack. But, that's ok, it probably wouldn't fit anyway har-har

JD
kf4anc

 

[jonwienke]

***Let me throw one thing out though. I truly hope that more of those who claim the SDS100 is so much better than the 436 post comparison videos just like I did to provide evidence of what they are seeing, with their equipment, in their unique situation. Let's also see the SDS100 match the G4/5 side by side for five minutes on video. I know that YMMV as they always say, but video backup is nice if you want to add extra weight to your comparison, IMHO.

https://forums.radioreference.com/u...71823-sds100-vs-436-simulcast-recordings.html

Not video, but internal recordings from the 436 and SDS100 monitoring the same site on the same system connected to the same antenna for the same time period. The SDS100 is the clear winner in both cases, especially in the Washington County (weak signal) comparison. I know my 436 performs well, as I've had it for over a year, and have done several comparisons with my 536 and other radios on a variety of non-simulcast traffic.

If you tested your SDS100 in a variety of locations, I would be inclined to say you got a bad one.

 

[jonwienke]

You can get a USB battery charger like this and scan for days
https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-26500mAh-Portable-Lightning-Micro-USB/dp/B01HRAG2KM

This one is similar capacity for about half the price:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FDK2G2C/

 

[maus92]

Why do negative reviews or issues become “bad units.” My take is that is is performing great on some systems and not so great on others.

I liked the honesty of the post, especially how the G4/5 with its little stubby is pulling in systems further away, without distortion compared to the SDS with its factory antenna.


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From my perspective, the OP's issues are not typical, based on what others have posted - some that monitor the same system (but obviously not from the same location.) Clearly he has tried to resolve them, but for some reason doesn't want to eliminate a possible causal factor by exchanging the radio for another unit. I find that a bit perplexing. Certainly he has taken the time to write about his experiences, why not pursue a replacement? If it were me - and I actually wanted to permanently keep the radio in my quiver, I go the exchange route before giving up.

My own experience with the radio is that it shows marked improved in decoding P25 audio (almost perfect) on a SmartZone system compared to my 436 and 996P2, which were only fair (and the PSR-800 was poor.) Its performance on the statewide P25P2 is likewise almost flawless.

 

[radio3353]

...Brand loyalty has limited value to me, it's about the rubber meeting the road...

Sooooo nice to see this. Yes, it is performance that counts. The name on the face plate is meaningless. Unfortunately, for many here the name is what counts and it taints the Uniden and Whistler threads. Thanks for your thorough reporting of your experience and your professional demeanor. 73.

 

[KR7CQ]

From my perspective, the OP's issues are not typical, based on what others have posted - some that monitor the same system (but obviously not from the same location.) Clearly he has tried to resolve them, but for some reason doesn't want to eliminate a possible causal factor by exchanging the radio for another unit. I find that a bit perplexing. Certainly he has taken the time to write about his experiences, why not pursue a replacement?

I have yet to see specific reporting like mine from Phoenix, especially with comparison videos to back up claims. I've seen that a few guys sat in one spot where the SDS100 worked well on Simulcast G. I also know that beta testers in the area have had good results, but I must have missed their video comparisons done along the same lines as what I took the time to create and post. I'm happy to be brought up to speed though if you can share links here.

Why not pursue a replacement? I don't want to spend more of my own money shipping this one back, and then potentially shipping another one back, tying up capital in the meantime. I don't use the USPS for high dollar item shipping, and UPS / Fedex isn't cheap with insurance for that amount. Also, my time is worth a lot to me. I've simply invested enough time on the SDS100 for now. The next time I buy one it will be used, and a lot cheaper, that's just my decision.

To add insult to injury, I just found out that zipscanners wants to take $100 off of my refund because of a "restocking fee"....on an apparently defective unit, where I have to pay the return shipping. I've emailed them in hopes that they think twice on this, so we shall see what happens.

 

[Bronty]

I think I may have a bad unit as well. When using my SDS 100, I felt I was getting A LOT less RXs compared to my TRX-1 (Not apples to apples, I know). That was bothering me. So I ended up picking up a 436 (Brand New) - and did a test over a 45 minute period with both the SDS 100 and the BCD436HP next to each other, stock antenna - same full database (updated) programmed against my zip code with same 10mi radius. The SD100 received 12 recordings and the 436 received 96 recordings.

Also for some reason the button on top doesn't pop out when it's pressed in like the 436. I wasn't sure if that was normal (i.e., would loosen up over time).

I am going to contact the dealer to see about an RMA. I really love the scanner, I just want it to work right.

I reset the scanner and replicated testing 3 times with similar results, also tried custom favorites with the same results

 

[KR7CQ]

I think I may have a bad unit as well. When using my SDS 100, I felt I was getting A LOT less RXs compared to my TRX-1 (Not apples to apples, I know). That was bothering me. So I ended up picking up a 436 (Brand New) - and did a test over a 45 minute period with both the SDS 100 and the BCD436HP next to each other, stock antenna - same full database (updated) programmed against my zip code with same 10mi radius. The SD100 received 12 recordings and the 436 received 96 recordings.

Also for some reason the button on top doesn't pop out when it's pressed in like the 436. I wasn't sure if that was normal (i.e., would loosen up over time).

I am going to contact the dealer to see about an RMA. I really love the scanner, I just want it to work right.

I reset the scanner and replicated testing 3 times with similar results, also tried custom favorites with the same results

I've had people message me and post on youtube with similar comments. We may be in the minority, but we're far from alone. I truly don't doubt that some are having great luck with this unit, but I'm not one of them. In answer to several people, yes, I've tested in all of my usual haunts, and the results are all poor. Nowhere, anywhere, at any location, does the SDS100 surpass the performance of my 436. Nowhere, no way, under any circumstances, other than conventional UHF sensitivity which isn't what my main gripe involves.

 

[jasonhouk]

I've had people message me and post on youtube with similar comments. We may be in the minority, but we're far from alone. I truly don't doubt that some are having great luck with this unit, but I'm not one of them. In answer to several people, yes, I've tested in all of my usual haunts, and the results are all poor. Nowhere, anywhere, at any location, does the SDS100 surpass the performance of my 436. Nowhere, no way, under any circumstances, other than conventional UHF sensitivity which isn't what my main gripe involves.

If I'm correct in saying/adding UPMan directly messaged you to get contact information because a Beta Tester near you was willing to meet to compare units?

I'd take advantage of that opportunity if you have time in your schedule.

Houk

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[Outerdog]

To add insult to injury, I just found out that zipscanners wants to take $100 off of my refund because of a "restocking fee"....on an apparently defective unit, where I have to pay the return shipping. I've emailed them in hopes that they think twice on this, so we shall see what happens.

Hopefully, you asked them to review their own return policy...

https://www.zipscanners.com/policies

 

[radio3353]

Hopefully, you asked them to review their own return policy...

https://www.zipscanners.com/policies

This in their return policy is what will bite him...

If you're not able to pick up as much in your area as expected the restocking fee still applies.

unless he can prove what is defective.

 

[jonwienke]

This in their return policy is what will bite him...

If you're not able to pick up as much in your area as expected the restocking fee still applies.

unless he can prove what is defective.

Which is going to require a comparison with another SDS100. If his unit underperforms, and another SDS100 matches or beats the Unication, then that would be pretty definitive.

 

[Outerdog]

This in their return policy is what will bite him...

If you're not able to pick up as much in your area as expected the restocking fee still applies.

unless he can prove what is defective.

He already has. The reception on the SDS sitting next to the G4 (and the 436) is proof enough to any reasonable person -- or any 6-employee retailer wishing to protect their reputation. Either the SDS is defective in its design or his particular unit is defective. It's not receiving properly, full stop.

 

[buddrousa]

If it were me I would be meeting the beta tester and take up the offer.

 

[IssaquahMonitor]

arc536

Has anyone used the new ARC to progam their SDS100? if so any tips