SDS100/SDS200: The new and improved SDS100

[tumegpc]

As you all might know that I was not happy with my initial purchase of the SDS100 which had a serial # just over 500. I recently purchased my second SDS100 from Amazon that now includes the larger battery. This one has a serial # above 5200.
Impressions so far:

I'm really enjoying the longer battery life between 7-8 hours. The battery is not the prettiest, but very stable upright on my desk. I do miss the smaller battery when holding it. Might try some camera grip tape.

I'm not noticing the heat that I was experiencing with my first SDS100. Even while charging it stays slightly warm but nothing that I would be concerned with.

VHF/UHF reception is better ! Comparing to the 436HP I would say the 436HP still has a slight edge.

Now this may be firmware related but so far DMR and NXDN modes are locking on better and seem to be holding through the conversation.

Keypad LED's are fine with just a little fading on the sides. Better though.

I don't know if there has been any hardware changes or I just got lucky with good one. Time will tell.

 

[rbrtklamp2]

Well I just shipped both of mine off to the repair depot hopefully they will come back working just as good as yours is.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[divison200]

Same here

Mine was scanning, but not receiving any transmissions, no signal strength showing up on the scanner,,,,returned to Uniden on the 5th of November.

 

[tumegpc]

Well I just shipped both of mine off to the repair depot hopefully they will come back working just as good as yours is.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Are yours from the first batch with small battery?

 

[tumegpc]

Mine was scanning, but not receiving any transmissions, no signal strength showing up on the scanner,,,,returned to Uniden on the 5th of November.

What a bummer, please keep us updated.

It sounds like when the SDS100 starts going south you're pretty much screwed. The only fix is a trip back to Uniden.

I bought a Square Trade warranty with this SDS100. If mine goes bad I'll get my money back and wait for Whistler.

 

[TailGator911]

Happy to say I am very pleased with my SDS100, no problems whatsoever. Maybe I got a 'good one' if there us such a thing. All I can say is this is one fine scanner radio.

Just a thought here.... I have heard it said many times that location is the key factor in having a good working SDS (or any scanner for that matter), but I wonder if there is a general misunderstanding about what 'location' actually means when it comes to programming the SDS. Most would surmise that 'location' would mean where you are located when using the scanner, geographically speaking. But, what some people might mean when they say 'location' is everything is that the LOCATION settings in your particular radio have to be set just right in order to receive. I just helped a friend out over the weekend with his SDS and his location settings and RANGE were all out of whack. His scanner was deaf except for the weather band. I readjusted and set everything for him (L&L and range) and badda bing badda boom, he now has a brand new working SDS100. I hope this location misunderstanding isn't causing a lot of people to give up on this radio. That would be a shame. Although geographic location may be a determining factor in the scanner's performance, the numerical location settings are certainly a big factor in how the SDS receives.

JD
kf4anc

 

[phask]

And that is no different that day one of the HP1. People either refuse to listen, RTFM, or what they they they comprehend is incorrect.

Happy to say I am very pleased with my SDS100, no problems whatsoever. Maybe I got a 'good one' if there us such a thing. All I can say is this is one fine scanner radio.

Just a thought here.... I have heard it said many times that location is the key factor in having a good working SDS (or any scanner for that matter), but I wonder if there is a general misunderstanding about what 'location' actually means when it comes to programming the SDS. Most would surmise that 'location' would mean where you are located when using the scanner, geographically speaking. But, what some people might mean when they say 'location' is everything is that the LOCATION settings in your particular radio have to be set just right in order to receive. I just helped a friend out over the weekend with his SDS and his location settings and RANGE were all out of whack. His scanner was deaf except for the weather band. I readjusted and set everything for him (L&L and range) and badda bing badda boom, he now has a brand new working SDS100. I hope this location misunderstanding isn't causing a lot of people to give up on this radio. That would be a shame. Although geographic location may be a determining factor in the scanner's performance, the numerical location settings are certainly a big factor in how the SDS receives.

JD
kf4anc

 

[rbrtklamp2]

Are yours from the first batch with small battery?

Yes they are and I am hoping Uniden will fix them so they work reliably on on VHF and UHF.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Bill1957]

Failed SDS 100

Mine was scanning, but not receiving any transmissions, no signal strength showing up on the scanner,,,,returned to Uniden on the 5th of November.

Mine also failed. Stopped receiving in the course of one afternoon. Noticed static on VHF receive and then nothing.Scans,just does not receive anything. Hope this is not the future for this scanner.
Bill

 

[55engine]

Just a question is there a recall on the radio for anything?

 

[hiegtx]

Just a question is there a recall on the radio for anything?

No active recall on the SDS100.


My impression is that many of the reported issues trace back to the early adopter purchases, which were 'pilot production'. It seems that there is quite a variance between units, whether it's from being missed by quality control when manufactured, or by some components that are not fully meeting expected performance, is something that is open to speculation. I could be wrong, but I think there are fewer issues with the later production models. I have one of the early units, but I'm not having any of the 'issues' reported, Probably pure dumb luck instead of any skill & control on my part.