I've seen both on Amazon. They look the same. But there has to be a difference.
What is the difference between a PRO-106 and a PRO-651?
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kc2kth
Member
Only difference is the 106 was made by GRE, the 651 is renamed as its now made by Whistler. Otherwise it is the same radio. Whistler has come out and said as much. Love my 106, like my Uniden 436 just as much, plus the 436 is more capable being a few years newer. Just saying, the 106/651 is a bit long in the tooth - more comparable to Uniden's 396xt I would say.
So, they both have all the same features?
N8IAA
Member
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
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.
shadcall
Member
As has ARC 500
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
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
Spitfire8520
I might be completely clueless! =)
No, it lacks the hardware to do so.
I (being not at all qualified) think it might be possible, but I don't think it will happen.
MSRP says $600, but Amazon and Google say differently. Some 3rd party sellers are willing to let it go for $370, which is $20 more than the current price for the Pro-651. Scanner Master has it for $400. You get a programming cable and AC power supply adapter for the difference in price. Both of these would require a separate purchase when buying the Pro-651.
robo21
Member
I have both radios. The only difference is that my CPU version on the Pro-651 is 2.8 and the CPU version on the Pro-106 reads 2.1. The GRE PSR-500 updates the CPU to ver. 2.3 so I am looking for the update for the Pro-106.
Side by side, I can hear no difference in the two radios. I love them both. I sold my GRE PSR-500 and bought the 651 new and got a good used 106. They sound every bit as good as the 500 and they should all 3 are basically identical.
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!
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!
robo21
Member
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.
robo21
Member
Sorry if I was unclear, I am using an "ancient" GRE programming cable from 2008 when I purchased my first digital scanner, the PSR-500. This was the cable with teal colored, transparent circuit board case attached. Very cool looking but apparently not as fast as the newer Radio Shack release. I say cool looking because of the colorful teal case and the flashing red and green LED's which can be seen inside while transferring data. It may be a little slower (30 seconds for a big file) but it sure is pretty! LOL
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?
robo21
Member
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.
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".
N8IAA
Member
robo21
Member
I am considering the newly released 1088, thanks, this tips the scales a little in pulling the trigger sooner rather than later.
robo21
Member
My neighbor lent me his Radio Shack programming cable, Cat. #20-546, there is a sticker on this unit that has 09A11 printed on it. I tried uploading and downloading with this cable. Not only was it not faster than my old GRE cable but it was 5 seconds slower on the upload to scanner (35 seconds) and 2 seconds slower on the download from scanner (10 seconds). Again, this is with a rather large scan list (579 conventional objects, 266 Talkgroups and 87).
Apparently, this must be the older Radio Shack programming cable.
iMONITOR, What is the Cat. # of the cable you are using?
Thanks for the info, now I will know what the problem is should that ever crop up.
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