great news. I have both GRE and UNIDEN scanners and am very happy with both
Whistler Group acquires GRE's assets to manufacture Radio Shack scanner product line
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Pro-18?
Since Whistler will be making radios for RS, what will happen to the Pro-18? From what I understand, GRE made the Pro-18. I wonder if this radio will be phased out. From my understanding, the Pro-18 won't work on Phase II systems. Any thoughts?
Since Whistler will be making radios for RS, what will happen to the Pro-18? From what I understand, GRE made the Pro-18. I wonder if this radio will be phased out. From my understanding, the Pro-18 won't work on Phase II systems. Any thoughts?
Whistler Group Acquires GRE's Assets To Manufacture Radio Shack Scanner Product Line
Lindsay,
Might this eventually result in another sub-forum under the Scanners and Receivers Forums or will it simply be under the existing Radio Shack sub-forum? I am assuming the latter, since these will simply be sold through Radio Shack.
Jim
Lindsay,
Might this eventually result in another sub-forum under the Scanners and Receivers Forums or will it simply be under the existing Radio Shack sub-forum? I am assuming the latter, since these will simply be sold through Radio Shack.
Jim
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SquierStrat
Member
There may be the creation of a "Whistler Scanners" sub-forum, since they announced they will also be releasing their own line of scanners
No, the PRO-18 won't work on Phase II systems while the PSR-800 will. There are also some other differences between the models, such as recording ability.
I would expect there will be a PRO-18 clone (or similar) model in the future sold by RS.
Joe M.
Well first,
Congrats on the move, Lindsay. The setup looks nice. But I don't think you'll be seeing me as a neighbor anytime soon. It's already about 20-30 degrees too cold for me here in the northeast so I'd be able to enjoy the Summer up there but not any of the other seasons. Looks nice though. Enjoy!!!
Second and back on topic I didn't see the examiner link until long after I posted yesterday. I'm crossing my fingers the 800 picture and mentioning what it does that no other scanner does will answer my question and mean the PSR line will be back at some point as well under whatever name they chose to release them on. I'm now going to be cautiously optimistic on this and between this announcement and whatever we can hope from Uniden soon will be hoping for the best (or at least the ability to not have to store away $700 to pick up a used 800).
Congrats on the move, Lindsay. The setup looks nice. But I don't think you'll be seeing me as a neighbor anytime soon. It's already about 20-30 degrees too cold for me here in the northeast so I'd be able to enjoy the Summer up there but not any of the other seasons. Looks nice though. Enjoy!!!
Second and back on topic I didn't see the examiner link until long after I posted yesterday. I'm crossing my fingers the 800 picture and mentioning what it does that no other scanner does will answer my question and mean the PSR line will be back at some point as well under whatever name they chose to release them on. I'm now going to be cautiously optimistic on this and between this announcement and whatever we can hope from Uniden soon will be hoping for the best (or at least the ability to not have to store away $700 to pick up a used 800).
unitcharlie
a Kentucky DB Admin...
Awesome news.... Glad the move went well....
Pro-18 Under Whistler?
Yes, I would expect there to be some changes regarding this model. Yeah, I knew about the lack of Phase II and inability to record. I find this to be an exciting time, particularly when the folks on here were saying GRE would not ever recover. I kept my optimism and now it has paid off.
There is one more thing that concerns me. In the following article, they mention that the folks at Whistler want to jump in with both feet & reduce the cost of the digital radios. Whistler Group aquires GRE scanner line - Philadelphia In Pictures | Examiner.com
I don't know if they were referring to the elevated prices seen on Scanner Master or Ebay for the PSR 800.
This, might end up being a blessing & a curse. For the more responsible listeners, it would be a benefit. Most of us know to keep our mouths shut when we hear sensitive traffic on the radio. Typically, we don't follow surveillance (closely) or interfere with LE efforts. For me, I surely keep my distance.
However, if the price of digital radios goes reduces, which I seriously doubt due to the proprietary costs of these digital radios, scanners will be back in the hands of the general public.
When I've talked to some in LE, they have felt that the price of a digital scanner is out of the reach of most in the public sector. I suppose they are referring to cheaper analog models versus digital. I hope this does not influence and/or encourage the national trend toward encryption.
What are your thoughts about this?
Yes, I would expect there to be some changes regarding this model. Yeah, I knew about the lack of Phase II and inability to record. I find this to be an exciting time, particularly when the folks on here were saying GRE would not ever recover. I kept my optimism and now it has paid off.
There is one more thing that concerns me. In the following article, they mention that the folks at Whistler want to jump in with both feet & reduce the cost of the digital radios. Whistler Group aquires GRE scanner line - Philadelphia In Pictures | Examiner.com
I don't know if they were referring to the elevated prices seen on Scanner Master or Ebay for the PSR 800.
This, might end up being a blessing & a curse. For the more responsible listeners, it would be a benefit. Most of us know to keep our mouths shut when we hear sensitive traffic on the radio. Typically, we don't follow surveillance (closely) or interfere with LE efforts. For me, I surely keep my distance.
However, if the price of digital radios goes reduces, which I seriously doubt due to the proprietary costs of these digital radios, scanners will be back in the hands of the general public.
When I've talked to some in LE, they have felt that the price of a digital scanner is out of the reach of most in the public sector. I suppose they are referring to cheaper analog models versus digital. I hope this does not influence and/or encourage the national trend toward encryption.
What are your thoughts about this?
LIScanner101
Completely Banned for the Greater Good
Wow, this is EXCELLENT news! I am glad that GRE has found new life, well, it's not really GRE anymore, it's somebody else, but I'm still pleased this is happening. I have a PRO-163 and a BCT15X, never made the jump to a digital scanner because I really wanted a PSR-800 but didn't want to spend the megabucks. Looking forward to what Whistler can do with this line!!
Well, GRE actually didn't recover. They (apparently) sold their IP to Whistler. I agree with everything you say, but the only reference to price I read in the article was that they want to tackle the over-inflated price of the PSR-800 today. That simply may mean creating a market for new PSR-800 clones that will sell for the prices they used to sell for rather than the market-driven mark-ups that they have commanded recently.
I expect those prices to be down soon anyway.
But, if they plan on addressing many radio system types as mentioned in that article (assuming MotoTRBO, NexEdge, ProVoice and the like), then the cost will likely be right back up there due to the licensing fees.
And yes, digital costs a lot more than analog - even in the two-way radio industry where digital costs 5 to 10 times more than analog radios. High end digital radios are approaching the 5-figure realm.
Joe M.
Lower Prices?
No, GRE didn't recover as a company, but the radio chassis might have survived. I don't know whether a new case will be forthcoming. I really don't care as long as the guts are decent.
I don't consider Whistler to be one of the better companies when it comes to Radar Detectors, but the same applies to Uniden. Beltronics & Passport/Escort (under same parent company) & Valentine lead the pack.
At present, I don't know what Whistler is making these days. I'm happy they decided to branch out into the scanner market. Also, it is great news hearing that some of GRE staff were kept in the loop. I don't know how many GRE workers survived the move.
I will sit back & patiently wait on these new models while saving my money. For now, my PSR 500 will work just fine. I also like the fact that they will be making digital radios with & without keyboards.
Cheers.
No, GRE didn't recover as a company, but the radio chassis might have survived. I don't know whether a new case will be forthcoming. I really don't care as long as the guts are decent.
I don't consider Whistler to be one of the better companies when it comes to Radar Detectors, but the same applies to Uniden. Beltronics & Passport/Escort (under same parent company) & Valentine lead the pack.
At present, I don't know what Whistler is making these days. I'm happy they decided to branch out into the scanner market. Also, it is great news hearing that some of GRE staff were kept in the loop. I don't know how many GRE workers survived the move.
I will sit back & patiently wait on these new models while saving my money. For now, my PSR 500 will work just fine. I also like the fact that they will be making digital radios with & without keyboards.
Cheers.
Now that is just out in the realm of true pipe dreaming. Just like the thought process along the lines of Whistler making an ProVoice capable scanner... Not happening. When will the reality of PV being an proprietary to HARRIS only digital format sink in? Just like if the now almost extinct Motorola VSELP systems. Never was or will be a VSELP scanner due to the proprietary format. But soon that won't matter since support ends for ALL EDACS systems in 2 years. Same with OpenSKY on the proprietary format.
Possibilities do include an LTR NET, LTR Passport, LTR MultiNET (especially seeing as those formats are also going away over the next few years and being replaced by DMR formats. DMR - MotoTRBO type is also a possibility. NXDN/iSDN... Probably NOT.
And before anyone even goes there on encryption breaking scanners - NO, NO, NO, and Heck NO! So please don't turn this into pure stupidity by even going there. TETRA and that other Trunking format, not really an market in USA, Canada for those formats, so not gonna happen in reality. And yes its the US, and Canadian markets that are primarily being looked for. Ther may be a small UK market, including the Australians, but that is about it. Other nations that buy scanners, are buying them for their intel branches of military and CIA type agencies. Again, tiny markets. And that would be mainly third world, and very poor nations. Your big boys have better gear than a scanner for monitoring comms, as well as encryption breaking, and etc ad infinitum.
Possibilities do include an LTR NET, LTR Passport, LTR MultiNET (especially seeing as those formats are also going away over the next few years and being replaced by DMR formats. DMR - MotoTRBO type is also a possibility. NXDN/iSDN... Probably NOT.
And before anyone even goes there on encryption breaking scanners - NO, NO, NO, and Heck NO! So please don't turn this into pure stupidity by even going there. TETRA and that other Trunking format, not really an market in USA, Canada for those formats, so not gonna happen in reality. And yes its the US, and Canadian markets that are primarily being looked for. Ther may be a small UK market, including the Australians, but that is about it. Other nations that buy scanners, are buying them for their intel branches of military and CIA type agencies. Again, tiny markets. And that would be mainly third world, and very poor nations. Your big boys have better gear than a scanner for monitoring comms, as well as encryption breaking, and etc ad infinitum.
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tjkruck
Member
this is great news... i bought my PRO-197 and then found out that GRE was defunct..... maybe now i can do something about my scanner being desensitized.... <my bad
LarrySC
Member
There is a fix for 197 being desensitized. Less antenna , not more. Learn to use ATT. My range on 197 is better that n any scanner ever. Good Luck.
Any proprietary format IS possible. They only need to get a license to add it. Is it likely cost-prohibitive, yes, but it is possible. BTW, MotoTRBO is also a proprietary format (at least parts of it, if not all).
Some of what Whistler has posted is interesting for other formats not currently offered, so maybe TRBO is one they are looking at adding. It's likely the most popular format out there not covered currently. Of course, encryption on a TRBO radio is only a mouse-click away.
Yes, encryption likely will never happen due to FCC prohibitions.
Joe M.
box23
Member
MotoTRBO is Motorola's version of the open DMR standard with proprietary stuff built on top. To implement all the functions of 'TRBO a license would be required, but a DMR scanner could be made without. NXDN is also open now, I believe.
Whistler scanners will include: handheld and desktop/mobile digital scanners with full keyboard, a handheld scanner with USA/Canada database built in.
http://www.dealerscope.com/article/whistler-enters-into-radio-scanner-market/
http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/whistler-enters-radio-scanners/108535
http://www.dealerscope.com/article/whistler-enters-into-radio-scanner-market/
http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/whistler-enters-radio-scanners/108535
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