This indeed is an odd question, but it's for a friend (concerning el-cheapo scanners).

[trentbob]

... and the winner is!

I recommended the 125 to him, with the 75 as a backup. I explained the pro and cons with an emphasis on the 125's display on the active channel readout. I monitored and logged all the local frequencies for a week with my SDS100 and referred to the traffic of which he was interested in, the most hits, and signal quality. Every single candidate frequency of interest to him was of the conventional analog variety. In the end he went with @rhodester 's <<Walmart recommendation>>. The $80.00 bill turned him on and he said, and I quote, "I don't need no stinking display, I'm just gonna listen." Old farts have a unique way of phrasing things, don't ya think?

Thanks everyone for your valuable input!

Well it's good you got that task out of the way. It is odd that he just wants to listen but doesn't care about what he's listening to LOL. I'm sure he's not going to remember what agency or service each frequency represents.

Alpha numerical display for a passive novice is so important so they can just look and see what they are listening to LOL, what do they know from frequencies.

Let us know how he likes it, 10 to 1 he will ask you, how do I know what I'm listening to ... you tried.

 

[PDXh0b0]

... and the winner is!

I recommended the 125 to him, with the 75 as a backup. I explained the pro and cons with an emphasis on the 125's display on the active channel readout. I monitored and logged all the local frequencies for a week with my SDS100 and referred to the traffic of which he was interested in, the most hits, and signal quality. Every single candidate frequency of interest to him was of the conventional analog variety. In the end he went with @rhodester 's <<Walmart recommendation>>. The $80.00 bill turned him on and he said, and I quote, "I don't need no stinking display, I'm just gonna listen." Old farts have a unique way of phrasing things, don't ya think?

Thanks everyone for your valuable input!

sounds like a real snapper, since moving to the woods, I mostly use a whistler 1010 and old pro-2044, total investment $50 via to separate FB market purchases, the chatter stays pretty busy, nothing like ,WCCCA's old simulcast system, but active enough to keep cabin fever at bay. that 125 looks nice.

 

[6079smithw]

Yeah, while he does not need 800Mhz, even a BC-800XLT would work for him, but even if he would accept used, I'd NEVER give up mine.

Same with my BC-350A. Bought it around 2005 IIRC. Compact analog unit with great 30-50 mHz. sensitivity.
Sort of a pain to set up is its only drawback. But like Mr. Omega, no way would I let it go. BTW I've used it in Mason County
when I visited a friend in Shelton and it was great for VHF fire and 460 Sheriff. Good also for WSP until they went P25.

That being said, it sounds like your buddy will enjoy the 125.

 

[Omega-TI]

Let us know how he likes it, 10 to 1 he will ask you, how do I know what I'm listening to ... you tried.

Actually, I think he'll be good. If it's a fire or medical dispatch he'll know by what they are saying, same for Sheriff. He'll probably have no more than ten channels in it. He was telling me it's going to be mostly for "background noise". He's been kind of lonely in the house since his wife died. I do however plan to print up and laminate a cheat sheet of channel/frequency/service for him though.

 

[Scan125]

Well I have the UBC75XLT (as well as the UBC125XLT) and it is a good little scanner AND it gets the 8.33kHz airband steps correct unlike the 125 models. I'm sure the guy will like what he gets/has and won't need to upgrade later, but if he does then at least he won't have wasted $100s and then ditched the hobby after finding it is not all it is cracked up to be