I've seen both on Amazon. They look the same. But there has to be a difference.
same radio different caseSo, they both have all the same features?
So, they both have all the same features?
Just to reaffirm, yes. The main difference is that Whistler is making it now, and there will be firmware updates for the 1040/1065 scanners.
Even Win500 has been updated to work with the Whistlers.
Larry
Can firmware updates to the ws1040 bring in Apco-p25 phase 2 ?
or can it be updated to select mute on encrypted digital transmissions ?
If not, whatever updates they may issue won't amount to a hill of beans.
Certainly not justifying the charge of $250 more than a Pro-651
Has anyone actually compared the two (Pro-106 & Pro-651) side by side for any differences in sensitivity, P25 decoding etc ? I suspect that any differences might be attributed to firmware revisions and method of programming.
The PRO-651, using the newer Radio Shack programming cable, is full duplex. So when you upload/download programming data, it's twice as fast!
My personal experience, the P25 CQPSK simulcast decode on the PRO-651 (and PRO-652), are substantially better, and clearer than what they were on the PRO-106 (and PRO-197) scanners.
For those of you monitoring Macomb County, Michigan, this has been a serious issue. The newer Whistler manufactured, Radio Shack branded scanners perform extremely well on this system!
Testing my 106 vs my 651 using Arc 500 software with a large file containing 579 conventional objects, 266 Talkgroups and 87 Trunk Systems they both loaded the file nearly at the same rate - it was too close to measure: Approximately 30 seconds to upload and 8 seconds each to download. I detected no significant difference. My Arc 500 is loaded on an Alienware Aurora Windows 7 system.
As far as audio quality, sensitivity, etc, I can't detect any differences here with my programming. I suppose it could differ with different frequencies. But for what its worth this is my experience.
I just noticed, the difference in upload/download speeds must be in the programming cable. I am using my old GRE PSR-500 cable that came with that scanner in 2008. You did qualify your upload/download comparisons with that cable. That is interesting that the cable would make that much difference. I don't think I will be upgrading my cable though, for the small difference in time I can't see spending $33 or so for a newer cable.
I'm surprised the newer programming cable was just as fast with the earlier GRE generation scanners. It doesn't make sense that GRE would manufacture/sell a programming cable that didn't take full advantage of the full duplex capability of the radio's interface, if it exist.
Regarding the performance comparison, it may be unique to P25 simulcast systems, using CQPSK modulation. On Macomb County's system in Michigan, the difference is irrefutable.
Can firmware updates to the ws1040 bring in Apco-p25 phase 2 ?
or can it be updated to select mute on encrypted digital transmissions ?
If not, whatever updates they may issue won't amount to a hill of beans.
Certainly not justifying the charge of $250 more than a Pro-651
That's awesome, I am glad to hear their are advantages with the newer 651! I hope it didn't sound like I was arguing with you. I was only stating that with the systems I am listening too, in L.A. which is mostly APCO Project 25, I can't hear the difference. I don't know which modulation they use around here. I would love to learn though.
So I might know what to listen for in the future, could you please share in detail how the 651 sounds better in Macomb County with their simulcast system? Also, how would I determine the type of modulation being used on a local system?
Minasha brought up an interesting question: Can the 106 or 651 (or others) be set up to mute encrypted digital transmissions? That would be a big bonus for me as the noise drives me nuts - that's a short trip anyway but I would love to mute that racket.
Absolutely not. Those scanners never had that option like the 800/1080/1088.
Larry
The PRO-651, using the newer Radio Shack programming cable, is full duplex. So when you upload/download programming data, it's twice as fast!
No problem, I didn't think you were arguing with me.
Simulcast is when the P25 system is using several antenna sites on the same frequency. Macomb County, Michigan currently has 9 different sites. This creates what is called a multi-path problem. Professional radios can usually tolerate this without distortion. Scanners will often sound like someone is talking under water, or as some say, it sounds like "Donald Duck".