TRX1 or SDS-100?

[jimg]

I'm trying to decide whether to purchase the TRX1 or SDS-100. I now have the WS-1088 and it does a good job, but I can't program NXDN systems.
What is your opinion?
jimg

 

[doctordialtone]

TRX1 or SDS-100

There's no comparison.

The SDS scanners are the only scanners specifically designed to monitor Simulcast transmissions.

If your area suffers from Simulcast, it's the only way to go.

 

[Daleb49]

In my opinion if your 1088 works okay then the TRX series is a lot cheaper and comes with free NXDN and DMR.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[SteveSimpkin]

If your WS-1088 does a good job then I would recommend a TRX-1. It is basically a WS-1088 with NXDN and will not require the learning curve of switching to an entirely different manufacturer scanner and software package. The main advantage of a SDS-100 is its ability to reliably receive P25 Simulcast systems. If you don't have to deal with Simulcast systems and your WS-1088 is working well for you then don't switch brands.

 

[baj76]

if you don't have Simulcast systems in your area...buy the TRX

 

[SMBaugh2]

I happen to own both and this is my 2 cents. I really like both my only problem is the lith.. battery on the SDS100 because mine will not last more than 3 and 1/2 to 4 hours so I usually have other scanners along with me to supplement the rest of the time once the SDS100 goes dead. I did have a conversation with the late Paul at Uniden about the use of the battery in this scanner and he explain that the AA batteries for this scanner was not an option. I have saw on here that the best way to explain the difference between the 2 scanners is SDS100 follows conversations while the TRX-1 opens up on any conversations. I know this explanation is confusing so I will just say if you want to spend the money then do it you can't go wrong. I'm sure there may be some better explanations.

 

[jonwienke]

Sounds like you never got the large battery that all current SDS100 scanners ship with, which gets 7-8 hours of runtime. You can get one for free from Uniden...

 

[SMBaugh2]

nope I got the large battery but I have heard other folks on here say the same thing. Now it could be my settings plus I like to listen loud so it could be other thing besides just being a lith...battery.

 

[djeplett]

The biggest reason to buy the SDS100 is if you have a simulcast P25 system that you are trying to receive, or if you'll travel to places that might have simulcast. It's awesome for that.

I had a TRX-1 and liked it but a local simulcast system brought it to its knees so I sold it and bought the SDS100 and I couldn't be happier.

In your case, if you need NXDN support and you don't have simulcast distortion to deal with go with the TRX-1. It will perform well and will save you a fair amount of money.

 

[fxdscon]

In my opinion if your 1088 works okay then the TRX series is a lot cheaper and comes with free NXDN and DMR.
Just my 2 cents.

Just an FYI for the OP...

I use both the Whistler scanners, and the Uniden scanners.

The free DMR and NXDN included with the Whistlers is free for a reason. The TRX series radios do not have the ability to properly trunk track those systems. They will only scan the voice channels without the ability to use the trunk tracking information from the control channel to accurately follow conversations. In small, rural systems with not much traffic, that may be satisfactory in those situations.

The Uniden scanners use a paid upgrade for NXDN and DMR because they must pay licensing fees on each scanner they sell to legally include the technology that uses the data from the control channel to accurately follow conversations on those systems. If you are in an area where those systems are very busy with lots of traffic, it could make a world of difference.


.

 

[trentbob]

if you don't have Simulcast systems in your area...buy the TRX

To the OP keep in mind that maybe you don't have simulcast systems now in your area but do some research and see if anything you want to listen to is in the process of switching over to a simulcast system.

What was said about nxdn is true. I have both radios and the TRX 1 does not work well on my nx48 system. The SDS does.

Also you did ask this question on the Whistler forum, probably would get more views on a general scanning thread.

The trx-1 technology, which is about 12 years old, started with the psr-800 made by GRE, it is a nice little radio. Works great on digital systems like smartzone type II.

Good luck with your decisions.

 

[budevans]

I'm trying to decide whether to purchase the TRX1 or SDS-100. I now have the WS-1088 and it does a good job, but I can't program NXDN systems.
What is your opinion?
jimg

I own both the TRX-1 and the SDS100. In my opinion the only reason to get the SDS-100 is if you have Simulcast issues. Since you don't the, TRX-1 is the more cost effective solution.

Since you are already used to programming the WS-1088, the TRX-1 programming is very similar to the WS-1088.

When it comes to finding new DMR and NXDN systems, the TRX-1 is far better at it. The Uniden 436 & SDS-100 have a Search feature that is supposed to capture the system info for DMR & NXDN. But it's performance in that area is inferior to the TRX-1. There's just no comparison.

In summary, the TRX-1 is a lower cost. It's easier to program. It ID's DMR & NXDN (Color Codes, RAN) far better than the Uniden scanners.

 

[Dark_Side]

SDS-100 "Good Scanner"
Provoice Decoding very poor
Does track true DMR/NXDN Trunking
The fixed battery is drawback
and does not charge while in use

TRX-1 "Fair"
The antenna is very ez to snap at
the circut board and the board is incased in metal shield
it decodes NXDN/DMR Subaudiable not true

!! Get the 436HP !!
The only thing notes is
LSM Trunking
if you use LSM Trunking
the SDS-100 is the only scanner
to handel this for you

 

[trentbob]

SDS-100 "Good Scanner"
Provoice Decoding very poor
Does track true DMR/NXDN Trunking
The fixed battery is drawback
and does not charge while in use

TRX-1 "Fair"
The antenna is very ez to snap at
the circut board and the board is incased in metal shield
it decodes NXDN/DMR Subaudiable not true

!! Get the 436HP !!
The only thing notes is
LSM Trunking
if you use LSM Trunking
the SDS-100 is the only scanner
to handel this for you

The sds100 does operate while charging the battery.

 

[baj76]

SDS-100 "Good Scanner"
Provoice Decoding very poor
Does track true DMR/NXDN Trunking
The fixed battery is drawback
and does not charge while in use

TRX-1 "Fair"
The antenna is very ez to snap at
the circut board and the board is incased in metal shield
it decodes NXDN/DMR Subaudiable not true

!! Get the 436HP !!
The only thing notes is
LSM Trunking
if you use LSM Trunking
the SDS-100 is the only scanner
to handel this for you

SDS 100 does charge while in use..go to battery settings and "Set Charge While On" option to enabled

 

[jonwienke]

If you plan on scanning while traveling, definitely get the SDS100. With a GPS, it will automatically turn things on and off so you're always scanning nearby stuff, even on a cross-country drive. And if you travel, you're a lot more likely to encounter simulcast systems that are kryptonite to every other scanner besides the SDS models.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I bought a TRX-1, had it maybe less than a year then sold it along with my 436HP to fund my SDS100, great decision on my part. Yes the DMR & NXDN right out of the box is nice with the TRX but only the Uniden radios properly trunk track these modes. As others mentioned as have I ad-nauseam on these boards, simulcast performance is second-to-none with the SDS's. Even if no simulcast systems exist in your area, it's always best to future-proof, especially if you take it with you while traveling as I do

Provoice Decoding very poor

I never had any issues decoding the one remaining Provoice system in my area, but individual results do vary

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

SDS-100 "Good Scanner"
Provoice Decoding very poor
Does track true DMR/NXDN Trunking
The fixed battery is drawback
and does not charge while in use

TRX-1 "Fair"
The antenna is very ez to snap at
the circut board and the board is incased in metal shield
it decodes NXDN/DMR Subaudiable not true

!! Get the 436HP !!
The only thing notes is
LSM Trunking
if you use LSM Trunking
the SDS-100 is the only scanner
to handel this for you

Yes, it does.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

The fixed battery is drawback

"Fixed" isn't the word here. Fixed means not able to be removed. The battery is proprietary and though it can be removed I do agree it can be a drawback to not operate on AA's as does the 436. But the SDS's power demands are much higher

and does not charge while in use

Press menu button: Settings > Battery Options > Set Charge While On > Enable

 

[fxdscon]

I never had any issues decoding the one remaining Provoice system in my area, but individual results do vary

Same here. In one of the areas I frequent regularly, there is a very large and extremely busy public transit system that runs almost entirely on a Provoice system. The SDS scanners monitor it exceptionally well.

.