Wait for 8200III?

[n0ypd]

Hey guys is it worth waiting longer for the upgraded 8200III digital radio or buy a cheaper 8200MKIII then send in for the upgrade? tia
Mike

 

[n0ypd]

No thoughts what so ever ?

 

[prcguy]

I upgraded my MKIII and its hard to say which way is better, it would depend on the price of a new P25 unit. There have been some NIB surplus govt versions for sale in the $400-$450 range and that takes some sting out of the overall cost of an upgraded unit.

I look at the 8200 series more as a special purpose receiver and not a police scanner. The P25 upgrade works and the recovered audio is fine but battery life is worse with the upgrade and other scanners seem to offer more features and their P25 offerings are a more mature product. And for a lot less $$.
prcguy

 

[n0ypd]

Thanks for the reply,I do have a homepatrol for my main scanner now,so the P25 was not that important,but mostly required. Has there been any word about when the new P25 AOR 8200 will be coming out?
Mike

 

[Onetechyguy]

8200 surplus units

Hi, where have you seen surplus 8200's for that price? The cheapest I see any is $600 on ebay for a new unblocked unit. Thanks

 

[prcguy]

Keep checking Ebay, a guy had about a dozen and they are gone but others pop up every month. The US Govt versions will be advertised as unblocked and they have an infrared LED display option.
prcguy

Hi, where have you seen surplus 8200's for that price? The cheapest I see any is $600 on ebay for a new unblocked unit. Thanks

 

[Onetechyguy]

8200

Ok, thanks. I'll have to keep checking ebay then. Do you know the name of the seller? I was going to go with one for $619 that is on ebay now but will wait until I find the surplus ones for cheaper. Plus they have the Ir feature which is cool. Just hope they are put on ebay again. Thanks

 

[n0ypd]

I decided not wait for the newer model,and just ordered the 8200MK3
I hope i have no regrets.

 

[Onetechyguy]

Hi mike,

I don't think you'll regret it. It's a great radio, I used to have one and regret selling it. I am looking to get another one but am trying to get the best deal on a new unblocked one. Can I ask where you got yours from?

Thanks, Rick

 

[n0ypd]

Ordered from ScannerMaster.I just don't have any interest in buying from Ebay anymore.

 

[n0ypd]

Got my 8200 yesterday,and i gotta say i feel like an idiot trying to figure out their manual.Pretty confusing IMO>

 

[prcguy]

Its a little cumbersome at first but it will grow on you. The best thing I did was download a free computer interface for loading up channels and groups, I forgot what its called but it really works great. I think someone on this group recommended it a few months back.
prcguy

Got my 8200 yesterday,and i gotta say i feel like an idiot trying to figure out their manual.Pretty confusing IMO>

 

[MarkWestin]

Look for a programmer called "Greenlight". It is worth having even though you might not have the very expensive interface cable. It will help you to understand how the 8200's memory structure works..

Mark

 

[n0ypd]

Thanks for the help guys,your great.

 

[prcguy]

I found the site for what I think is really great software for loading channels in the 8200. See:
AR8200 Toolkit

 

[n0ypd]

Yippee,my AOR with the digital upgrade should be at my door tomorrow,and i gotta say they sure were quick.

 

[n0ypd]

I found the site for what I think is really great software for loading channels in the 8200. See:
AR8200 Toolkit

This only works for with the right control cable,right? I tried with a USB cable,and i get nothing.

 

[prcguy]

Let us know if you experience any P25 traffic where the radio does not quiet between transmissions and instead makes a long blurrrrrrrrrp sound.
prcguy

Yippee,my AOR with the digital upgrade should be at my door tomorrow,and i gotta say they sure were quick.

 

[n0ypd]

I am getting some P25,and some blurrps,but i think those channels are encrypted..How do you know for sure if it's digital,other than the sound? The V in lower left corner ??

 

[n0ypd]

Where else can i buy control cable for the radio? I don't think you can use the USB cable for that or can you? I hope you don't mind guy i may have more questions.