Uniden Bearcat 760XLT opinions

[topgun1986]

Looking to possibly purchase a used Uniden BC 760XLT, as a second scanner in my shack. I currently own a Radio Shack Pro-163, but it seems to get overloaded with all the frequencies I currently have programmed. I would like to eventually own 3 scanners to help "separate" the frequencies I listen to.
But first I have some questions regarding the 760XLT, which will hopefully be my second scanner.

1) Does it support narrowbanding, which I believe starts at the 12.5khz steps?

2) Does it have text tags (alpha tags)?

3) How is customer support with Uniden?


The traffic I mainly listen to is PD, FD, HWY Patrol, EMS, some utilities.
I would like to listen to more Aircraft, Marine (I am only 10 miles from Mississippi River), FRS/GMRS.

 

[davedaver1]

1) No
2) No
3) I've paid to have my BC780XLT repaired and they were just fine for me.

I own a 760XLT and it's in constant use as my VHF lowband receiver (does fine in the other bands too) and I still like it, a real workhorse. I have the optional CTCSS board installed. I use it like you are proposing - it's dedicated to highway patrol and the other radios do much more of the scanning.

 

[jack103]

Try looking for a BC XLT 9000 no narrowband but it has 250 Alpha tags and will accept a tone board for pl codes

 

[topgun1986]

Thanks for the info. Especially on the BC XLT9000.

So what happens to all the scanners that do not support narrowbanding, after Jan. 1, 2013?
Will they all be obsolete in the U.S.?
Would like to purchase at least (2) more mobile scanners to use as base scanners in my shack, but being somewhat new to scanning, this whole narrowbanding has me nervous & confused.

 

[Nasby]

Don't worry about the narrowbanding issue at all.
Your scanner will round the frequency off and you won't notice much, if any difference.
For example, 154.8225 will become 154.8200 on your scanner.
And you will receive the frequency just fine. The audio may be slightly lower but that will happen in any scanner.

 

[garys]

The 760 was good for it's time, but it's 20 year old technology now. In addition to not having alpha tagging, it doesn't do any kind of trunking, doesn't have DPL, and the audio really won't sound that great on narrow band channels. Additionally, if you don't have the PL board option installed, you'll find that the front end is pretty porous and you'll get a lot of intermod.

I'd look for something along the lines of a 796XLT. A bit older technology, but much more modern than the 760. And, it's computer programmable as well.

 

[ausscan]

I have the AU version, UBC760XLT and it is by far one of my most used scanners. Love the sensitivity and the ease of use.

 

[topgun1986]

Thanks everybody for the input.