Where to purchase

[snyderdobes77]

I think I am going to go ahead and try the SDS100, I was just wondering if anyone has a vendor they prefer over another? I was pretty close to going with the Zip Scanner guys for a couple of reasons but since I have only had them answer 1 email with a question I had (which btw they did not answer), I have also tried their live chat function on their webpage which they never responded to. ( the questions I was asking had to do with their buying of old scanners and I wanted to ask them about the no tax thing they advertise). So I was just wondering where everyone else has been buying (other than amazon).

 

[KB4REA]

Hands down, MTCradio.com for me. Purchased my last 3 radios from them in the last year (BCD536HP, FT-70D, FTM-500D). Unfortunately, you missed all of the end-of-year goodness. Great sales across the board including the SDS-100 & 200. Definitely join their email list because specials on scanners (and anything else) can come and go randomly and quickly.

 

[GILLIG40]

Uniden SDS100 Digital Police Scanner In Stock

Free shipping over $100, great deals on cool stuff, ham radio, icom, kenwood , yaesu, wouxun, MTC, scanner, two way, commercial

www.mtcradio.com

I agree with KB4REA. Purchased 2 SDS200s from them. No sales tax if you live outside of Texas. Free shipping and alway packaged well. Both scanners arrived in two days. They do have great sales.

 

[hiegtx]

I think I am going to go ahead and try the SDS100, I was just wondering if anyone has a vendor they prefer over another? I was pretty close to going with the Zip Scanner guys for a couple of reasons but since I have only had them answer 1 email with a question I had (which btw they did not answer), I have also tried their live chat function on their webpage which they never responded to. ( the questions I was asking had to do with their buying of old scanners and I wanted to ask them about the no tax thing they advertise). So I was just wondering where everyone else has been buying (other than amazon).

I would not advise purchasing from Zip. Other members here on Radio Reference have had mixed experiences with Zip. Some had no trouble at all. But others had a number of issues that the dealer should have resolved, or at least assisted, but Zip just ignored them. In most cases, Zip charges more for accessories, such as the upgrades for DMR & NXDN, than other dealers. Of course, you should not buy these from a dealer, as once you register the scanner on Uniden's site, they are by far the cheapest. For the DMR upgrade, Zip charges $99.99. ScannerMaster is at $75.00 But, once you register your scanner on MyUniden, the cost is $60. The NXDN & ProVoice upgrades are $50 direct from Uniden. ScannerMaster charges $75 for each of these. Zip is at $89.99 for NXDN or ProVoice. I would not purchase the ProVoice upgrade. That format is no longer supported by the manufacturer. All but a few systems that used to be ProVoice have migrated mostly to P25, which is supported by default with the scanner. No upgrade needed for P25.

I'd also advise against paying a dealer to "setup" or "optimize" your scanner. That's not much more than updating the database for you, and adding any firmware upgrades, if needed. That's easily done by you after installing Sentinel on your PC. I also would avoid paying for a dealer to program your scanner for you. That's usually around $40 for one county. Additional counties add to the cost. But all the dealer is going to do is add the systems Sentinel shows in your county. Again, once you install Sentinel, you can do that yourself. To get started, you can have the scanner use the main database, and load systems near you based on location & distance. After updating the database in Sentinel, by letting it connect via the internet, you can start listening. You can have Sentinel create a Favorites list for you, if so desired. But there are a large number of "how-to" videos on YouTube showing you how to create a Favorites list (programming) for your scanner.

You don't show your location in your profile, but in many cases, if you ask in your state's forum, you may find someone in your area that will share a programming file to get you jump started.

You'll need Sentinel installed to maintain the database in the scanner, as well as apply any firmware updates that might be released. You can have Sentinel create a Favorites list for you, based on your location & desired range. Or, use Sentinel to append frequencies & systems from the database in the software. Third party software, such as ProScan or ARC536, will let you import systems from the RadioReference database if you become a Premium Subscriber. That allows you to customize what you want, without a lot of "extra" channels that are not of interest. ARC536 is $35.95 from ScannerMaster for the Basic version. The "Pro" version, which adds an option to control the scanner via your PC, is $62.95. (Those costs are if you download the software for installation. If you'd rather get it sent to you loaded on a USB flash drive, add $9.00. My choice for programming, though, is ProScan. At it's $50 cost, that includes the PC control option as well as programming & logging activity. ProScan also can be used on a large number of other Uniden models. See the ProScan website for a list of supported scanners. The ARC program can be used only on the SDS100, SDS200, as well as the BCD436HP & BCD536HP models. You can download & install Sentinel before you get, or even order, your scanner, That way, you can 'test drive' it & start getting familiar with its uses & capabilities.

The Easier to Read manual is more 'user friendly' than the Uniden manual for the scanner, though either one can answer many of your questions and concerns. Don't overlook the Wiki page for the SDS100 as well as the FAQ page for the SDS100 & SDS200.

As KB4REA and GILLIG40 have noted, Main Trading often has special deals. You might need to partially go through the ordering process, adding the scanner to your 'shopping cart' to see special pricing, but you can bail out from that screen with having to immediately order.Whoever you buy from, consider shipping costs if they charge extra for that. Quite often, if someone runs across a current 'sale' from one of the dealers. they'll post that in a thread in this forum category.

I've had my SDS100 (as well as the SDS200) since they were introduced in 2018. It works well on the multiple simulcast systems here in the DFW metro area.

 

[snyderdobes77]

I would not advise purchasing from Zip. Other members here on Radio Reference have had mixed experiences with Zip. Some had no trouble at all. But others had a number of issues that the dealer should have resolved, or at least assisted, but Zip just ignored them. In most cases, Zip charges more for accessories, such as the upgrades for DMR & NXDN, than other dealers. Of course, you should not buy these from a dealer, as once you register the scanner on Uniden's site, they are by far the cheapest. For the DMR upgrade, Zip charges $99.99. ScannerMaster is at $75.00 But, once you register your scanner on MyUniden, the cost is $60. The NXDN & ProVoice upgrades are $50 direct from Uniden. ScannerMaster charges $75 for each of these. Zip is at $89.99 for NXDN or ProVoice. I would not purchase the ProVoice upgrade. That format is no longer supported by the manufacturer. All but a few systems that used to be ProVoice have migrated mostly to P25, which is supported by default with the scanner. No upgrade needed for P25.

I'd also advise against paying a dealer to "setup" or "optimize" your scanner. That's not much more than updating the database for you, and adding any firmware upgrades, if needed. That's easily done by you after installing Sentinel on your PC. I also would avoid paying for a dealer to program your scanner for you. That's usually around $40 for one county. Additional counties add to the cost. But all the dealer is going to do is add the systems Sentinel shows in your county. Again, once you install Sentinel, you can do that yourself. To get started, you can have the scanner use the main database, and load systems near you based on location & distance. After updating the database in Sentinel, by letting it connect via the internet, you can start listening. You can have Sentinel create a Favorites list for you, if so desired. But there are a large number of "how-to" videos on YouTube showing you how to create a Favorites list (programming) for your scanner.

You don't show your location in your profile, but in many cases, if you ask in your state's forum, you may find someone in your area that will share a programming file to get you jump started.

You'll need Sentinel installed to maintain the database in the scanner, as well as apply any firmware updates that might be released. You can have Sentinel create a Favorites list for you, based on your location & desired range. Or, use Sentinel to append frequencies & systems from the database in the software. Third party software, such as ProScan or ARC536, will let you import systems from the RadioReference database if you become a Premium Subscriber. That allows you to customize what you want, without a lot of "extra" channels that are not of interest. ARC536 is $35.95 from ScannerMaster for the Basic version. The "Pro" version, which adds an option to control the scanner via your PC, is $62.95. (Those costs are if you download the software for installation. If you'd rather get it sent to you loaded on a USB flash drive, add $9.00. My choice for programming, though, is ProScan. At it's $50 cost, that includes the PC control option as well as programming & logging activity. ProScan also can be used on a large number of other Uniden models. See the ProScan website for a list of supported scanners. The ARC program can be used only on the SDS100, SDS200, as well as the BCD436HP & BCD536HP models. You can download & install Sentinel before you get, or even order, your scanner, That way, you can 'test drive' it & start getting familiar with its uses & capabilities.

The Easier to Read manual is more 'user friendly' than the Uniden manual for the scanner, though either one can answer many of your questions and concerns. Don't overlook the Wiki page for the SDS100 as well as the FAQ page for the SDS100 & SDS200.

As KB4REA and GILLIG40 have noted, Main Trading often has special deals. You might need to partially go through the ordering process, adding the scanner to your 'shopping cart' to see special pricing, but you can bail out from that screen with having to immediately order.Whoever you buy from, consider shipping costs if they charge extra for that. Quite often, if someone runs across a current 'sale' from one of the dealers. they'll post that in a thread in this forum category.

I've had my SDS100 (as well as the SDS200) since they were introduced in 2018. It works well on the multiple simulcast systems here in the DFW metro area.

Thanks for all the info, I agree I did not plan on doing any of the dealer set up. I have had a TRX 1 for a couple of years now and of course the EZ Scan is pretty easy to use, I probably would move on from the TRX even if Whistler had not disappeared there are some things I like about it and some things I don't. I am ok with using computer programs so I am not really that concerned about using the proscan or Sentinel I am pretty sure I can muddle through it. I do wish the Proscan had some better YouTube videos (maybe I just have not found them yet). I really appreciate all the information you have provided it is really helpful. I will check out the MTC radio place. I am located in Eastern Washington State. I would say I am a casual scanner enthusiast, so my concern has been the SDS would be more radio then I need but better to have to much then not enough. I was in law enforcement many years ago and my son is currently a local LEO so it's fun to keep up on it. Again thank you for taking the time and responding.

 

[Insulator]

I use Scanner Master for all scanners and accessories. I highly recommend them and had no problems for many years.

 

[hiegtx]

All the comments I've seen, from members that have purchased from MTC, are positive. I have not purchased from them (at least, not yet) isn't because I'm wary of them. Since I am in Texas, if I purchased there, the 8.25% state sales tax would negate most, if not all, of any discounted price savings.

You might not "need" the SDS scanner right now, but simulcast systems are growing in use in many areas, not just urban metros. If, at some point, you travel with your scanner, it's almost guaranteed that somewhere along the way you'll encounter simulcast systems, either as you pass through some urban areas along the way, or if your destination is in or near a large metro area.

 

[jtwalker]

Bearcat Warehouse
Ham Radio Outlet
MTC Radio
Scanner Master

Lower price is good if you can find it amongst these places, but don't forget about shipping and sales tax.

 

[hiegtx]

Bearcat Warehouse
Ham Radio Outlet
MTC Radio
Scanner Master

Lower price is good if you can find it amongst these places, but don't forget about shipping and sales tax.

Currently, ScannerMaster is noting free shipping on the SDS100, but that is not always the case.

I would incur sales tax if ordering from HRO, as they have a location in Plano, which is north of me in the DFW metro area.

At the price point for the SDS and other P25 capable scanners, Amazon would have free shipping, but in my case, still the sales tax penalty.

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

Another "up vote" for MTC. Fast shipping, and for me, there was no sales tax (IN resident here).

 

[snyderdobes77]

All the comments I've seen, from members that have purchased from MTC, are positive. I have not purchased from them (at least, not yet) isn't because I'm wary of them. Since I am in Texas, if I purchased there, the 8.25% state sales tax would negate most, if not all, of any discounted price savings.

You might not "need" the SDS scanner right now, but simulcast systems are growing in use in many areas, not just urban metros. If, at some point, you travel with your scanner, it's almost guaranteed that somewhere along the way you'll encounter simulcast systems, either as you pass through some urban areas along the way, or if your destination is in or near a large metro area.

I would agree with you, which is why I am going to go with the SDS, probably will be the last scanner I would buy, I would expect it would last until everything is encrypted

 

[hill]

I have good luck from Bearcat Warehouse.. with them.very.close to my work where I get all my deliveries it's always the next day when I receive the items.