Some people just gotta ice skate uphill.
SDS100 your likes / dislikes
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Some people just gotta ice skate uphill.
I'm sure you read their return policy before ordering...
Returns with Zip Scanners are fast and hassle-free. You can return products within 2 weeks (14 days) of when you receive your item(s) for a refund or replacement. If you receive a defective or incorrect product, we will cover all costs involved in getting you a new product and/or returning the original product. You will never incur a cost if you receive a defective product or if we make a mistake. All returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee; details below.
https://www.zipscanners.com/policies
Bronty
Member
I have worked with the guys from Zip Scanners in the past and they have been very reasonable. I would give them a call and give them a chance.
I always be careful to read all of the terms and conditions so that I understand when I make purchases. I really like to support small businesses and go out of my way to do so (even if it costs me a little more).
I would expect that they will replace a defective unit for you. If you want a refund, I would expect that you would pay the re-stocking fee. As another option, if it were me, I'd get the replacement unit and if I didn't want it, I would sell it (NIB) as I know these things are in high demand.
As for me, I am going to wait it out. I have confidence in Uniden to resolve any issues. That's a personal decision, but after being in the hobby for over 30 years and seeing the amount of time Upman dedicates to it's customers (despite complaints, etc.)., it is the reason I am comfortable sticking with Uniden.
woodpecker
Member
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- Aug 7, 2005
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- 733
Its the rose tinted spectacles worn by certain people.
Or more likely, the fact that others are monitoring the same system with the same model scanner and getting great results. But don't let facts get in the way of your narrative...
woodpecker
Member
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- Aug 7, 2005
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- 733
APX8000
Sarcastic Member
Ok, so then if numerous people have “defective units” then where is the quality control? How do I know the next unit that I might be purchasing will work properly?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Originally Posted by KR7CQ View Post
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.
Well I know where I WON'T be buying my SDS100 now.
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.
Well I know where I WON'T be buying my SDS100 now.
That's a valid point, but also hardy unexpected for a brand new product.
Boards tend to attract complaints / people needing help - nothing unusual about that.* Considering that there are relatively few complaints / issues compared to people posting about improved performance - or not posting at all - several things are apparent: there have been defective units released into the wild/QC could be better; performance has been improved for many people - me included; and the SDS100 doesn't perform to expectations on Harris P25 systems (also an issue for some with Unication radios.) Then there misfortunes of location, topography and system design can affect even professional grade equipment.
* I complained about a particular vendor's sales practices, although ultimately everything worked out.
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Which is an advantage with buying from a large retailer like Amazon (when it becomes available.) Something to consider for sure.
Just out of curiosity, has anyone made videos yet comparing the SDS100 to a Unication and/or XTS/APX? I'm really curious to see comparison reviews...
That would be interesting.
I ran my SDS100 next to a notebook computer running Unitrunker 2. When a TG came up on UT2, the SDS100 produced the expected output (once I fixed a Service Type issue.) It decoded almost flawlessly at my home location, a marked improvement over my other scanners, and on par with my G5 which is set on a single TG. Note that I am not in a fringe area, and I listen almost exclusively to trunked 700/800 radio systems: a mix of Moto SmartZone, Astro P25 P1/P2, and occasionally Harris systems while on the road.
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Changed my opinion
Yeah it's bad form to follow up on one's own post. Whatever.
But after playing with the SDS100 for a couple more days, I'm revising my opinion. I'm still disappointed that it doesn't seem to work any better on the local Harris system, but I think I understand now that this is because I'm lucky that my 436HP works so well on it. If I set it in one of the "sweet spots" in my office it chugs away all day, and I hear most (if not all) traffic.
The audio on the SDS100 is great, and it actually works when moving around. Another difference I've noticed is that it locks onto the control channel almost instantly when turned on unilke the 436HP which takes 30-60 seconds to find the CC.
I also found out last night that I *can* pick up the Harris P25 system from one of the adjacent counties, at least to some degree. I don't get all the audio, and the audio isn't always clear, but the SDS100 sits on the control channel quite nicely. My 436HP won't even pick it up at all. I think what I need is an outside antenna (I'm using the RS-800 antenna on both) but that's probably going to have to be a 2019 purchase since I've more than used up my scanner allowance for 2018!
Yeah it's bad form to follow up on one's own post. Whatever.
But after playing with the SDS100 for a couple more days, I'm revising my opinion. I'm still disappointed that it doesn't seem to work any better on the local Harris system, but I think I understand now that this is because I'm lucky that my 436HP works so well on it. If I set it in one of the "sweet spots" in my office it chugs away all day, and I hear most (if not all) traffic.
The audio on the SDS100 is great, and it actually works when moving around. Another difference I've noticed is that it locks onto the control channel almost instantly when turned on unilke the 436HP which takes 30-60 seconds to find the CC.
I also found out last night that I *can* pick up the Harris P25 system from one of the adjacent counties, at least to some degree. I don't get all the audio, and the audio isn't always clear, but the SDS100 sits on the control channel quite nicely. My 436HP won't even pick it up at all. I think what I need is an outside antenna (I'm using the RS-800 antenna on both) but that's probably going to have to be a 2019 purchase since I've more than used up my scanner allowance for 2018!
wnjl
Member
Amongst very impressive performance, I only have one complaint? Maybe more of a question (I made a token effort to search the forums for this but could not find anyone bringing it up yet):
Is there a way to get the custom Radio ID you created to show in the Advanced Trunk System display, as opposed to the TGID? The Radio ID alert works as expected - but I have not yet figured out how to show the custom Radio ID instead like the 436 can do. Is this possible?
Is there a way to get the custom Radio ID you created to show in the Advanced Trunk System display, as opposed to the TGID? The Radio ID alert works as expected - but I have not yet figured out how to show the custom Radio ID instead like the 436 can do. Is this possible?
First Impressions
My SDS100 arrived two days ago. As a 436 and 536 owner, it was easy to get the SDS100 up and running in just a few minutes. Without having had time to adequately observe receive performance, here are some other initial observations (in no particular order):
The new display design is really nice. Although, as Uniden points out, it is difficult to read in bright sunlight. The detailed Conventional / Trunking displays provide a lot more information than most other scanners (and some commercial radios).
The unit seems to get warm to the touch. My 436 does not seem to have that issue.
The battery does not last as long as I would expect. Uniden says they are aware of this issue and will replace the battery at no charge when a better model is available.
An external GPS appears to use the same miniature USB connector as the charger / PC cable. I was hoping it would be the same connector as the 436, since I already have that cable. I should have caught that when I looked at the prototype at Dayton. It would be nice to have a pin-out, so I could make my own cable.
The display shows model BCD536HP when the scanner is first turned on. Not sure why it does not say SDS100? I did do a firmware upgrade the first time I connected to Sentinel.
I cannot seem to get the Virtual Scanner function work work on ARC536PRO. Not sure if Butel has added SDS100 support, yet.
I hope that a true I/Q output might become available through the "future" USB port. It would be a plus to be able to use third-party applications (i.e ADS-B decoder and other software) that accept an I/Q input.
The user manual really should have more detail than what is currently included. YouTube videos help, but I would Iike to have a more complete document that I can refer to when I'm not on-line.
That's it for now. I'll add more after I spend more time with my new toy.
Dave
W9QL
My SDS100 arrived two days ago. As a 436 and 536 owner, it was easy to get the SDS100 up and running in just a few minutes. Without having had time to adequately observe receive performance, here are some other initial observations (in no particular order):
The new display design is really nice. Although, as Uniden points out, it is difficult to read in bright sunlight. The detailed Conventional / Trunking displays provide a lot more information than most other scanners (and some commercial radios).
The unit seems to get warm to the touch. My 436 does not seem to have that issue.
The battery does not last as long as I would expect. Uniden says they are aware of this issue and will replace the battery at no charge when a better model is available.
An external GPS appears to use the same miniature USB connector as the charger / PC cable. I was hoping it would be the same connector as the 436, since I already have that cable. I should have caught that when I looked at the prototype at Dayton. It would be nice to have a pin-out, so I could make my own cable.
The display shows model BCD536HP when the scanner is first turned on. Not sure why it does not say SDS100? I did do a firmware upgrade the first time I connected to Sentinel.
I cannot seem to get the Virtual Scanner function work work on ARC536PRO. Not sure if Butel has added SDS100 support, yet.
I hope that a true I/Q output might become available through the "future" USB port. It would be a plus to be able to use third-party applications (i.e ADS-B decoder and other software) that accept an I/Q input.
The user manual really should have more detail than what is currently included. YouTube videos help, but I would Iike to have a more complete document that I can refer to when I'm not on-line.
That's it for now. I'll add more after I spend more time with my new toy.
Dave
W9QL
Hit_Factor
Member
W9QL, change the target device to sds100 in the sentinel tools menu before writing to the scanner.
That's why it has the wrong scanner model on startup. Also look over the present settings, make sure they are west you need .
That's why it has the wrong scanner model on startup. Also look over the present settings, make sure they are west you need .
SlimPikins
Member
I'm loving my SDS 100 so far. I spend a big percentage of my time mobile listening to P25 simulcast. It decodes on the go way better than my 436. So far I'm a happy camper.
You should be able to go into Customize on the Display Options and replace any of the fields with the Unit ID Name one to show your custom Radio IDs.
APX8000
Sarcastic Member
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