SDS200 and BCD996P2

[midnightsteel]

I'm taking a hard look at the SDS200. Is the $300+ price difference worth it as far as performance and features?

 

[doctordialtone]

Is the $300+ price difference worth it as far as performance and features?

The major advantage of the SDS series is the elimination of Simulcast Distortion.

If your area suffers from that, then I guess it's worth it.

The 996P2 is just as capable except for that.

 

[qcomnet]

I am ENTIRELY frustrated by simulcast distortion (996p2) and will likely fork over the extra dough at some point. Daily pain to need to re-orient the antenna (smack dab in the middle of two of the sites) just to get audio and then it's still not consistently decoding transmissions.

 

[lands818]

I’ve had a 996P2 since shortly after they came out and LOVE this radio, but it does not handle simulcast effectively. I’m in process of acquiring a SDS200 (see my ‘Decisions...decisions’ thread here in the prospective forum) as there are some simulcast systems in my area. The other thread has some good comparison info on the 2 scanners. To me, the SDS200 will be a nice compliment to my 996P2.

 

[doctordialtone]

To me, the SDS200 will be a nice compliment to my 996P2.

I'm sure you mean "complement".

I agree. It all depends whether you think it's worth the expense,

 

[lands818]

I'm sure you mean "complement".

I agree. It all depends whether you think it's worth the expense,

Good catch, I earned that one! (And to think I often play grammar police in my mind).

 

[allend]

Actually I would buy both. Having both radios would give you the best of both worlds. Just don't buy that crap Whistler Radio stuff.

 

[Bob1955]

I'm taking a hard look at the SDS200. Is the $300+ price difference worth it as far as performance and features?

I do NOT think it is worth the $300 difference. Too many defects with the Bearcat SDS-200 and the Bearcat BCD-996P2 is a proven winner in fact, I just purchased one for $319.00 brand new. I have been using it almost one month on analog, digital, trunking conventional and so far, so good. I had owned a Bearcat BCT-15X back in 2013 and sold it. I also have a Baofeng GT-5TP for monitoring police/fire too and use that in the SUV.
Hope you have a good Labor Day weekend.

 

[iMONITOR]

I currently own two BCD996P2's and am very content with them at my location. I'm in the middle of a very large simulcast system, 12 sites last time I checked and they handle it well with very little distortion but 90% of the time they're every bit as good as the SDS200, again for me at my location. Not everyone is that lucky. I had a SDS200 for a short time and it too handled simulcast well. It has the advantage of loading the entire RR database on a Micro SD memory card. My BCD536P2 also has the Micro SD advantage, but those cards can be problematic in all scanners. I really liked the larger form factor of the SDS200, the screen real-estate serves more information when/if needed and the larger fonts are a plus! I did return the SDS200 and kept the 996P2's and 536HP.

 

[midnightsteel]

I think I will put the sds200 on my wish list. I may need to put in some more time with the 996p2

 

[trentbob]

I use both the 200 and the 996 p2... if you have problems with simulcast distortion secondary to LSM the SDS series definitely works. The 996 P2 is the best radio for everything else. The two radios paired together makes for a good well-rounded listening post. Imo.