Whislter TRX-2 vs Uniden BCD996P2

[JMR3865]

Ok; This may not go here but I need help. I couldn't post in either forumn because I'm looking at 2 different brands. Im 50/50 on going with the Whistler TRX-2 or the Uniden BCD996P2.

Whats everyone's opinions?

 

[doctordialtone]

Whats everyone's opinions?

I love the 996P2 scanner. It's a great scanner with great sound and great reception.

All of my scanners are Unidens. They stand behind their products and seem to have fewer issues.

Whistler's future commitment to the scanner market has been called into question.

They abandoned completion of their latest design.

I suggest Uniden.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Both scanners are roughly the same age 3/4 years old. For a tech based consumer item, both are getting a little stale.

Take a look at the RR Wikis for both scanners. It will help you compare.

Whistler's commitment to the hobby is up in the air, whereas Uniden's commitment is very obvious. There are features as yet to be released with the SDS platform and rumors of a SDS500.

I would go with Uniden, and a SDS at that. Keep in mind the SDS is not entry level, if you might be challenged by tech it could be frustrating.

 

[IAmSixNine]

What will you be monitoring?
Many people have said they like the 996P2 reception and audio. Some say it has above average LSM reception, meaning it works a bit better where other scanners have had issues. But ultimately its not designed for LSM systems. You will need an SDS model for that.
If your planning to monitor DMR trunking systems the Unidens actually trunk the system properly. Whistlers monitor all the voice channels for proper voice activity. So if your monitoring a busy system the Whistlers will give you less of a chance to properly follow a conversation.
I have a Pro668 and WS1080 and use them the least out of all my scanners. I have several 996P2 at work on my desk and my go to portable (scanner) is BCD436HP. But i also have A couple Unication G4 pagers and a few other commercial Motorola radios. But this is a topic for two scanners

 

[JMR3865]

Thanks. I will be monitoring conventional and 2 P25 Phase 2 trunked systems; nothing spectacular. Which is more user friendly? It's for my 80 year old father. What is LSM?

Why can't we just have crystal scanners again!

 

[56FB666]

Why can't we just have crystal scanners again!

Because we don't have a time machine

 

[gmclam]

If you are just going to import the RR DB "as is", then considering the TRX-2 is ok. However, there are significant limitations to the EZ Scan software that makes using the TRX-1/TRX-2 difficult at best. You can't organize channels as you want. You can't organize Talkgroups as you want. The software does not allow "copying" or "cutting" to the clipboard (or anywhere else). It's a one-way process. While you can import from a file or the clipboard, that is limited to conventional channels and talkgroups. You'll need to manually enter trunked sites, frequencies, band plans and the like.

I was able to set up a BCD996P2 in less than an hour by using programming in my PSR-500 (Win500). I was not able to do that with a TRX-1 (hand-held version of the TRX-2). There are a lot more issues when comparing these two radios, and for some, the TRX might be a better choice. But like I first wrote, unless you're just using the RR DB "out of the box", it is an uphill battle.

 

[fxdscon]

What is LSM?

LSM = Linear Simulcast Modulation

Check these articles:

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Simulcast_Distortion

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Simulcast

.

 

[Ubbe]

I guess you will program the scanner for him so both will be almost as easy to use, when you use the quick keys on both to enable and disable each system if he wanted to. But when locking out a frequency with interference or a TG with a long uninteresting conversation, you have to remember that with the TRX2 when you power it up the next time, you will have to go into the menu system and manually release the lockouted channels and TGs. That is done automaticly in the Uniden on the next power cycle. Also the receiver performance in the 996 are better than the TRX when it comes to interference rejection and handling simulcast and the squelch function in the TRX are very strange and doesn't let you monitor weak transmissions. It also has a memory SD card that are another source of failure. If you want to continue scan to skip a TG or channel you just turn the 996's rotary but on the TRX you have to push the arrow button which is real tough to do and you'll need to have the scanner bolted down. It's almost an impossible task to manually select a TG or channel in the TRX but very easy to do in the 996.

The few things that TRX are better at are loud and excellent sound quality from the internal speaker and has a good system for alerts and lights and a good recording and playback system. But the TRX are also more expensive so I would say that the Uniden 996P2 are generally speaking superior to a Whistler TRX-2.

/Ubbe

 

[cherubim]

The TRX series has considerably larger memory capacity, recording capability and better DMR reception (imo).

The 996P2 inherits all the limiations of the XT line - the main one being a 500 talkgroup limit for trunked systems.

 

[gmclam]

...But when locking out a frequency with interference or a TG with a long uninteresting conversation, you have to remember that with the TRX2 when you power it up the next time, you will have to go into the menu system and manually release the lockouted channels and TGs. That is done automaticly in the Uniden on the next power cycle. ...

The Skip button on the TRX models work like the LOUT in the later GRE models. By default when you press SKIP it "soft locks out" the channel and will be automatically unlocked on the next power cycle. Fn Skip makes it "permanent". There is an option to reverse that action where Fn is a temporary lock out and Skip is permanent (but that's not the default).

 

[JMR3865]

Thanks All

I have to get the whistler scanner for my truck anyway due to the remote head feature so I will get that and if my father doesn't like it, I will swap it out with the uniden. I guess best of both worlds

 

[MisterLongwire]

Had the Whistler...got rid of it fast...you asked a simple question- I'll give you a real simple and short to the point answer (compared to others)- Get the 996P2 or the 536. You are wasting your time with Whistler. Simple question/simple answer

 

[allend]

I would go with the Uniden BCD996P2. I have both radio's and the BCD996P2 radio is superior but you still need to purchase the NXDN and the DMR which is worth it and for the price and the support of the radios I would stay with Uniden

 

[TomDavisSr]

The Skip button on the TRX models work like the LOUT in the later GRE models. By default when you press SKIP it "soft locks out" the channel and will be automatically unlocked on the next power cycle. Fn Skip makes it "permanent". There is an option to reverse that action where Fn is a temporary lock out and Skip is permanent (but that's not the default).

On my TRX-1 if I hit the skip button on a channel it is locked out until I manually restore it. Doesn’t happen for me on a power cycle of the unit. YMMV


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[YoShep69]

The Skip button on the TRX models work like the LOUT in the later GRE models. By default when you press SKIP it "soft locks out" the channel and will be automatically unlocked on the next power cycle. Fn Skip makes it "permanent". There is an option to reverse that action where Fn is a temporary lock out and Skip is permanent (but that's not the default).

Not true, skip and lockout are both permanent requiring action to unskip or unlock the object. A power cycle will NOT do it.

 

[gmclam]

In EZ Scan: under the Advanced Features Tab, under the Receive/PCIF Options; there is a check box for "Button Options". Skip button functions as Skip or Lockout. Skip will restore after power cycle, Lockout will not.

 

[Ubbe]

https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/trx-2-skip-or-lockout.387406/post-3135257

/Ubbe

 

[YoShep69]

In EZ Scan: under the Advanced Features Tab, under the Receive/PCIF Options; there is a check box for "Button Options". Skip button functions as Skip or Lockout. Skip will restore after power cycle, Lockout will not.

No, that is not how that works. A power cycle will restore nothing.

 

[JMR3865]

From EZ Scan help menu:

"The difference between the Skip and L/O flags is the ability both in the computer application and the TRX-2 to clear the Skip flags. In the TRX-2, choose the "Restore Skipped" menu option to clear this flag. In the computer application, click on the "Clear Skipped" button to perform the same task."