SDS200 Comparison Test - Phoenix

[KR7CQ]

Well put there Rich. It's about each individual, in each situation, having the correct tools in the tool box, and knowing how to use each tool for its purpose. I just can't help but to see the value in a device that I can hook to a rooftop antenna and have good 700 MHz P25 simulcast reception, along with systems in other bands and protocols, all in rotation on my favorites list when I want variety. If someone wants the ultimate P25 simulcast reception under $1,000, and that is the focus, then by all means get a G4/5. If you want one base scanner that can "do it all" including tough simulcast systems along with everything else, then the SDS200 is the only scanner out there that fits that bill until the long-anticipated and overdue competitor appears from the vapors.

 

[markjrenna]

A pallet of BacoBits is enough for eleven lifetimes.
.

Oh... I need to reduce my BacoBits intake then

 

[eaf1956]

Oh... I need to reduce my BacoBits intake then

I hear the SDS 500 dispenses Baco Bits.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[WX4JCW]

Here is the way I look at the whole SDSx00 vs. Unication thing, this is how I explain things to my customers torn between them:

Look at the Unication (G4/G5) as an Indy car and the SDSx00 as a pickup truck. The Unication does one thing, and does it really well, picking up digital simulcast stuff. The Indy car does one thing and does it very well too, but you aren't going to take it to Costco on Saturday and bring home a pallet of BacoBits.

The SDSx00 works almost as well as the Unication on digital systems but allows you the flexibility to do other stuff as well for a similar price point and easier programming.

I have a Unication G5 as well as both the SDS100 and SDS200 in the Phoenix area and all 3 seem to work great on the local P25 systems. There are areas in the Valley that I cannot hear the RWC on any of my older scanners from Uniden, Whistler, GRE or RS due to simulcast interference but all these areas work just fine on the Unication and SDS's.

The Unication is a compact single purpose radio that works great on digital P25 systems. I use my G5 for railfanning as well since it handles VHF analog and is small enough for my pocket. Due to the small size I can bring it anywhere but it needs to be preprogrammed for anywhere I go since it lacks ANY field programming ability and is limited in scope as to what I can do with it. It does me no good when I want to listen to stuff on the road or something on UHF etc.

The SDS100 on the other hand works almost as well on the digital simulcast stuff but I can also use it for almost anything else due to the easy programming and versatility. It is quite a bit larger so lacks the stealthiness of the Unication and the battery doesn't last as long but the simulcast performance is almost as good.

Neither radio is perfect, that is why I have both. If I had to choose only one I would have to go with the SDS as it does almost everything. If all I needed to listen to was a select group of channels in a digital trunked system then I would have chosen the Unication.

Rich You Nailed it, BTW how does the G5 do on Rail?

 

[N9JIG]

Rich You Nailed it, BTW how does the G5 do on Rail?

It actually does very well, reception is almost as good as the BC125AT. In my area railfanning is pretty much limited to a BNSF heavy branch, a lightly used UP branch and a bit further away the busy UP Sunset Route so I have a half dozen channels in a railfan knob. I usually use an R5 or BC125AT since I often want to listen to aircraft as well but will keep the G5 in the pocket when recording trains to include the scanner audio in the video.

 

[03msc]

It actually does very well, reception is almost as good as the BC125AT. In my area railfanning is pretty much limited to a BNSF heavy branch, a lightly used UP branch and a bit further away the busy UP Sunset Route so I have a half dozen channels in a railfan knob. I usually use an R5 or BC125AT since I often want to listen to aircraft as well but will keep the G5 in the pocket when recording trains to include the scanner audio in the video.

Are said rail videos posted online somewhere? YouTube channel, perhaps?

 

[N9JIG]

Some vids are at Richard Carlson but I have not uploaded a lot yet.

 

[etihparg]

BC796D works well for me, the old Moto Smartzone system, using a Larson "special" antenna mounted on the truck.

 

[blackbelter]

Comparing ( Side by Side) my G5 ( Blue band antenna) to my SDS 200 ( RS 800 Antenna) and 436 ( RS 800 Antenna):

Winner: Unication G5 by as much as 5 to 7 seconds faster ( Same frequency and same system). In a few occasion both scanners were deaf to a mobile transmission while G5 never missed a beat.

 

[03msc]

Comparing ( Side by Side) my G5 ( Blue band antenna) to my SDS 200 ( RS 800 Antenna) and 436 ( RS 800 Antenna):

Winner: Unication G5 by as much as 5 to 7 seconds faster ( Same frequency and same system). In a few occasion both scanners were deaf to a mobile transmission while G5 never missed a beat.

But is the 200 scanning? Sounds like it if you're saying the G5 has audio 5 to 7 seconds before the 200. I know anything can happen and is possible but it sounds like there are other factors involved...

 

[blackbelter]

SDS 200 and 436 are held on the same TG and the G5 is programed with that TG on one knob only. No other factors, G5 decodes it faster , following by both scanner audio which now missing the first 5 to 7 seconds of the transmission.

 

[jonwienke]

Holding on the talkgroup doesn't stop the scanner from scanning if multiple sites are in range. Did you have a site hold active?

 

[blackbelter]

While I still like my scanners , I discover that I enjoy my G5 even more as it completes my listening experience!
Thanks for all the inputs .

 

[03msc]

While I still like my scanners , I discover that I enjoy my G5 even more as it completes my listening experience!
Thanks for all the inputs .

You didn’t answer Jon’s question, above...

Still thinking it wasn’t a fair comparison so that’s why it’s important to know.

Not dissing the G5 but it is not a scanner.