SDS200 Remote Head currently being tested by Uniden Beta Testers???

[garys]

So, are they testing the mythical SDS200 remote head with the equally mythical SDS500?

Mythical in the sense that there has been no confirmation from Uniden that either product exists.

I think we should wait for the SDS500 and see what that would bring. We got SDS100 that is a portable and SDS200 that are a mobile/base so what could the SDS500 be to top that? The unused USB ports on the scanners must be ment to be attached to some device.

/Ubbe

 

[cognetic]

I think we should wait for the SDS500 and see what that would bring. We got SDS100 that is a portable and SDS200 that are a mobile/base so what could the SDS500 be to top that? The unused USB ports on the scanners must be ment to be attached to some device.

/Ubbe

Well, Ubbe, there you go making sense again LOL
I think that 03msc aptly expresses some sentiment many of us feel and you are doing the same in expressing our hopes for improved designs in not-so-distant -future offerings.

It could be that we get both.
Yay!! win:win!!

Personally, I’d like to see what else they can do with the SDS200 in the meantime.... I want a “real mobile” upgrade in my vehicles - though I am quite satisfied with my SDS100 set-up for now. Imagine if they came up with an industry game-changing remote touchpad “head”. At a $500 or less add-on, I’m all in.... take my money.

That could help Uniden gain some consumer experience/feedback for the SDS500 with an even better design. And guess what, when that comes out $1000ish or less.... quess what? Take my money and gimme =

This is how the amateur radio industry works already. Love the ICOMs, Yaesu, K3s, all of their advancements.


-cognetic

 

[Ubbe]

It was all rumors for SDS100/200/500 but the 100 and 200 where true so there's no reason to doubt that a SDS500 will be announced, maybe after this summer. Why would anyone with insite release rumors about SDS100/200 that turned out to be real products and then lie about the SDS500?

/Ubbe

 

[mancow]

I missed the 500 rumor. What is that purported to be?

 

[mule1075]

I missed the 500 rumor. What is that purported to be?

Nothing just a rumor.

 

[Hit_Factor]

I saw the remote sds200 head unit and touchscreen sds500 today at Hamvention.

It was in the SDR showcase suite. There were tons of people so I couldn't get close to snap any pics. But a lot of hams did, so the photos should be posted by now.

73, K8HIT
Icom: IC-7300, IC-PW1, ID-5100A, ID-51A Plus 2, IC-R30, Hytera PD782G, Kenwood TH-D74, Uniden SDS100, DVMega, SDRplay RSPduo

 

[ShyFlyer]

I saw the remote sds200 head unit and touchscreen sds500 today at Hamvention.

April Fools Day was several weeks ago.

 

[buddrousa]

Ya but now it is May Moron's Day

 

[n1chu]

I haven't seen this specific information posted anywhere on Radio Reference thus far, so I figured I would share it for those who may be interested.

I just finished reading a very thorough review of the Uniden SDS200 in the April 2019 issue of The Spectrum Monitor. The review was written by Larry Van Horn, N5FPW, who was previously affiliated with Grove Enterprises and Monitoring Times magazine. The SDS200 review is on pages 9-14 in that issue.

On page 13 of the review Mr. Van Horn states the following:

"There is information now that indicates that the Uniden Beta Testers may be testing a remote head for this unit that would aid in mobile installs."

For those who would would like to read the entire 6-page SDS200 review in the current April 2019 issue, you can purchase individual monthly issues of The Spectrum Monitor ($3 each) and/or subscribe here: The Spectrum Monitor - Powered by Network Solutions.

I found Van Horn’s review spot-on... and had previously posted my experiences with the Uniden SDS radio’s that wholely agreed with Van Horn. But since my findings are strictly “One Man’s Opinion”, they didn’t carry the same weight as the very well respected Van Horn. As you can imagine, I was pleasantly surprised to see Van Horn’s review.

The remote head idea is not new to Uniden however. The last time they tried marketing one was a failure and was discontinued. (I own one, presently sitting in my junk drawer!)
However, it worked, was fully function-able But it was priced way to high. The physical size was also a drawback... too large. But, when it was discontinued, the used market was rife with offers to sell and the price met or exceeded the items original cost! That’s why I kept mine. Who knew where the market was going with these-only time would tell!

Here’s hoping Uniden has learned from their previous experience and markets a remote head for the SDS’s that are reasonably priced and a bit more compact.

 

[03msc]

I found Van Horn’s review spot-on... and had previously posted my experiences with the Uniden SDS radio’s that wholely agreed with Van Horn. But since my findings are strictly “One Man’s Opinion”, they didn’t carry the same weight as the very well respected Van Horn. As you can imagine, I was pleasantly surprised to see Van Horn’s review.

The remote head idea is not new to Uniden however. The last time they tried marketing one was a failure and was discontinued. (I own one, presently sitting in my junk drawer!)
However, it worked, was fully function-able But it was priced way to high. The physical size was also a drawback... too large. But, when it was discontinued, the used market was rife with offers to sell and the price met or exceeded the items original cost! That’s why I kept mine. Who knew where the market was going with these-only time would tell!

Here’s hoping Uniden has learned from their previous experience and markets a remote head for the SDS’s that are reasonably priced and a bit more compact.

If you own an RH-96 and it's just in a drawer...sell it. I had one and after I got a different vehicle and changed scanners in my truck, I sold it on eBay...for $250! I usually just do a buy it now listing but I wasn't sure how much it might bring so for it I started the bidding at $100 and it ended 7 days later at $249+shipping. They are rare and a hot item for some who really need it. I actually got a message through eBay from another user after the listing ended asking if I had another one and that they'd pay the same or more for it if I did. Unfortunately I only had one. I had bought it used for $120, used it a few years, and sold it for $250. Not bad.

I assume a new remote head, if one is created, will be more like a touchscreen to mimic the 200 with the main knobs - vol, sq, and fn/select - around it. We'll see.

 

[eaf1956]

If you own an RH-96 and it's just in a drawer...sell it. I had one and after I got a different vehicle and changed scanners in my truck, I sold it on eBay...for $250! I usually just do a buy it now listing but I wasn't sure how much it might bring so for it I started the bidding at $100 and it ended 7 days later at $249+shipping. They are rare and a hot item for some who really need it. I actually got a message through eBay from another user after the listing ended asking if I had another one and that they'd pay the same or more for it if I did. Unfortunately I only had one. I had bought it used for $120, used it a few years, and sold it for $250. Not bad.

I assume a new remote head, if one is created, will be more like a touchscreen to mimic the 200 with the main knobs - vol, sq, and fn/select - around it. We'll see.

The SDS 200 doesn't have a touch screen

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[ofd8001]

The lack of a remote control "something or another" has kept me from giving more thought to an SDS 200. Not enough mounting space for the full unit.

For better or worse, I've had to move on to other methods for dealing with our simulcast system.

 

[norcalscan]

I assume a new remote head, if one is created, will be more like a touchscreen to mimic the 200 with the main knobs - vol, sq, and fn/select - around it. We'll see.

NO touch screen, please. For mobile operation it needs to remain tactile. Keep the eyes on the road and the fingers find their spot easily by feel. Touchscreens 135% of the time require eyes on the screen. That extra 35% is for the inevitable glare, fingerprint smudges hiding the button displays, and aiming the finger just right to press the right button in a busy/complex display, especially when not centered to the display (sitting in driver's seat while head unit is 20-30degrees to the right.) All 135% of that is deadly in a vehicle.

Solutions properly designed for mobile will have tactile markers on certain buttons, and audible positive/negative feedback for action items.

 

[03msc]

The SDS 200 doesn't have a touch screen

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I know. I meant the head could have one for interaction, along with basic knobs, instead of completely copying the existing face of the 200. I should have clarified originally.

 

[03msc]

NO touch screen, please. For mobile operation it needs to remain tactile. Keep the eyes on the road and the fingers find their spot easily by feel. Touchscreens 135% of the time require eyes on the screen. That extra 35% is for the inevitable glare, fingerprint smudges hiding the button displays, and aiming the finger just right to press the right button in a busy/complex display, especially when not centered to the display (sitting in driver's seat while head unit is 20-30degrees to the right.) All 135% of that is deadly in a vehicle.

Solutions properly designed for mobile will have tactile markers on certain buttons, and audible positive/negative feedback for action items.

I actually figure their solution will be something like an app that runs on a device (phone or tablet) and connects to the scanner in some way and then controls it via the app. Similar to how the Siren app was supposed to work (or does) but with some additional control. I would prefer something more like what you described (or I was trying to describe above) but I suspect that IF this is actually going to happen it will be more along the lines of an app instead of a physical remote head/faceplate. We'll see...

 

[eaf1956]

I know. I meant the head could have one for interaction, along with basic knobs, instead of completely copying the existing face of the 200. I should have clarified originally.

Oh ok I can understand that

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[norcalscan]

I actually figure their solution will be something like an app that runs on a device (phone or tablet) and connects to the scanner in some way and then controls it via the app.

I like an app, but I think that fulfills an entirely different niche. I use Freescan on some old iPhones to remotely control my live scanner. Works great for remote control around the house, or on the road somewhere. But for a mobile radio mount, it needs to be hardware securely mounted to the dash/console. I have no problem leaving proper remote heads in 99% of the locations I park, visible to all. Thieves could care less, and it takes time to remove. But a phone or handheld device in a little cradle with a cute mini-USB charging cable just screams like an easy $20 hit for a meth addict.

 

[03msc]

I like an app, but I think that fulfills an entirely different niche. I use Freescan on some old iPhones to remotely control my live scanner. Works great for remote control around the house, or on the road somewhere. But for a mobile radio mount, it needs to be hardware securely mounted to the dash/console. I have no problem leaving proper remote heads in 99% of the locations I park, visible to all. Thieves could care less, and it takes time to remove. But a phone or handheld device in a little cradle with a cute mini-USB charging cable just screams like an easy $20 hit for a meth addict.

True. But a phone or mini tablet would be easier to store than a full radio head IMHO. Again, who knows if this is the route they go - if they're even going to have a remote head for real - but I was just surmising based on today's tech and the Siren app, etc.

 

[Radio-Man]

A remote head for the SDS-200?? Sign me up!!

 

[DaveNF2G]

Using an app on a phone while driving is illegal in several states. Not a good solution.