What's going on in the Whistler world?

[KA2ZEY]

I've spent all my time in the Uniden section being the owner of a BCD436HP. Are folks happy with their Whistler radios over all? Better than Uniden?

Also, in Uniden land, there is a ton of talk about future upgrade especially with DMR. Do you have that here as well? Any hopes for such an upgrade?

 

[buddrousa]

They are still waiting for the WS-1088 and the WS-1098 scanners that were to be released in November but have had their delays as well with no talk from Whistler Wendy about any new features added other than the keypad.

 

[safetyobc]

This is like asking if people think Ford is better than Chevrolet lol. You will get a ton of different opinions on what people think are better. But each are good in their own ways. I like both.

I am not aware of any statement from Uniden that says they are going to upgrade to DMR. They just issued a paid update to allow monitoring of Pro Voice.

 

[BeerNutz]

Over 4 years ago, this old grumpy Marine caught some flack for saying I liked the Mp3 inspired face plate, software programmed PSR-800/WS1080. Today, could we even think about manual programming?

Since my first GRE/Whister radio, I have not purchased a Uniden. For me, GRE/Whister was easier to program, setup and were more apt to work as advertised.

 

[KA2ZEY]

This is like asking if people think Ford is better than Chevrolet lol. You will get a ton of different opinions on what people think are better. But each are good in their own ways. I like both.

I am not aware of any statement from Uniden that says they are going to upgrade to DMR. They just issued a paid update to allow monitoring of Pro Voice.

Oh I know about the whole Uniden thing. I was wondering if there were any rumors in the Whistler camp about DMR updates? Or any updates for that matter. I thought maybe Whistler isn't so seeeeretive about these things.

 

[intimidator_32]

Universal Radio is listing the WS1098 at $519.95 and the WS1088 at $449.95 on their web page. It says the WS1988 is expected on 12/9/15.

 

[SCPD]

Oh I know about the whole Uniden thing. I was wondering if there were any rumors in the Whistler camp about DMR updates? Or any updates for that matter. I thought maybe Whistler isn't so seeeeretive about these things.

You guys will just try anything ... personally, I am sick hearing about it already. Same **** on multiple threads by the same person.

Time to give it a rest .. as neither Whistler nor Uniden will say anything. Considering that the user manual for scanners that are due out tomorrow are not even online .. they are not spilling any beans on anything anytime soon.

 

[UPMan]

I sure hope Whistler is more forthcoming that we are. I'd love to have a heads up on what they are planning to do a year from now so that I can be sure to have some competing features in place by then.

Which is exactly why neither of us is forthcoming...

 

[KC4RAF]

LOL, now that brightened up my day!

Trade secrets well kept....lol

 

[SCPD]

I sure hope Whistler is more forthcoming that we are. I'd love to have a heads up on what they are planning to do a year from now so that I can be sure to have some competing features in place by then.

Which is exactly why neither of us is forthcoming...

Thank you Paul .. will it help, sadly ... already know that answer.

Let the flood of stupid "when will Whistler / Uniden do .. " threads continue.

 

[teufler]

with the whistler/gre scanners, can you jump to a specific frequency or talk group .? I know with a uniden you can, just wondering if there was a way with the GRE.Whistler, RS scanners.

 

[DonS]

Also, in Uniden land, there is a ton of talk about future upgrade especially with DMR. Do you have that here [Whistler land] as well? Any hopes for such an upgrade?

You won't find promises or announcements of future upgrades or products in GRE / Whistler land.

You'll see announcements of available upgrades when they're available.

At worst, you'll see such announcements when the products/features have completed development and are going through any required regulatory process. Like the 1088 and 1098... they were described before you could buy them, but they were done, going through FCC, and/or on a boat at announcement time.

Also see, for example, GRE's non-announcement of Phase-II compatibility ... until it was actually available as an upgrade. GRE didn't (and Whistler doesn't) typically promise features or functionality until they actually work.

EDIT: and if I remember correctly, X2 and Phase II support were available for the PSR-800 before and/or without any announcement or promise from GRE. Tip: if you want to know about new features in your Whistler- or GRE-made scanner, look for firmware updates, not announcements or promises from the manufacturer.

 

[EricCottrell]

Hello,

I do find the situation interesting for a digital voice format that is on the way out and only affects 6% of the population. I am one of the 6%, although the ProVoice system of interest is transportation, not Public Safety.

I do wish Whistler would update the WS1065 and add Phase 2 capability to it. I have the earlier PSR-600 and it has some features I like that are missing from the WS1095/1098.

73 Eric

 

[DonS]

I do wish Whistler would update the WS1065 and add Phase 2 capability to it.

Unlikely. There are some hardware constraints.

 

[N8IAA]

Don, I believe he meant an updated 1065 like the 1098. Where it is capable of Phase II.
I, myself, would buy such a radio.
Larry

 

[Ensnared]

Perfunctory

Without a shadow of doubt, I am a GRE/Whistler man. I have been extremely disappointed with the Whistler response which I consider to be, at best, perfunctory. I don' see where Whistler has stepped up and hit a home run. No, they've basically repackaged radios without any innovation. From what I gather, the linear distortion associated with some of these radios, is still awful. So, I am waiting on a radio that: a) addresses linear distortion; b) works well on Phase II; c) has additional radio systems, even if it costs more.

It was no accident that Uniden released the ProVoice upgrade during December. Perhaps, this will stimulate innovation at Whistler.

 

[EricCottrell]

Don, I believe he meant an updated 1065 like the 1098. Where it is capable of Phase II.
I, myself, would buy such a radio.
Larry

Hello,

That is what I meant.

It maybe possible to update components, like increasing flash size, ram size, and/or processor speed without much redesign.

But I can also see the strategy of there is already a Phase 2 scanner with a keypad. The 1065 is the model for users who do not need Phase 2. It could also be the case that some features present on the 1065 were removed on the 1095/1098 to make room for other features.

73 Eric

 

[Septa3371CSX1]

Hello,

That is what I meant.

It maybe possible to update components, like increasing flash size, ram size, and/or processor speed without much redesign.

But I can also see the strategy of there is already a Phase 2 scanner with a keypad. The 1065 is the model for users who do not need Phase 2. It could also be the case that some features present on the 1065 were removed on the 1095/1098 to make room for other features.

73 Eric

I feel the same way, Eric. I wish they would come out with a version of the WS1040/1065 that does Phase 2 like Uniden did with the BCD325/996P2. Something like that would be very popular among the many of us who have enjoyed the PSR-500/600/Pro 106/197 units for so long and would love a model that can do Phase 2.