First off, I recognize that I am asking a question only I can answer but, thought I would solicit opinions. I have a BCD436. its OK I guess. There are some P25 simulcast systems near me and some conventional P25, but there is still a lot of analog around. Maybe I am missing some simulcast transmissions, maybe not, but I am definitely missing analog stuff. A lot of signals that should be easy to hear (can easily hear them on my Ham portable) come in as static or not at all.
Of course we want a scanner to be a jack of all trades (or at least I do) but it seems everyone focuses on the P25 simulcast with this radio. What little I am hearing is that the SDS100 is marginally better on these but only the same or perhaps a little worse on analog signals. It seems the more we ask these radios to do, the worse they get at everything. I swear my radio got worse when I added the DMR option. If I was buying for the first time this would be a no brainer, but can anyone who only occasionally listen to LSM or similar systems justify the $700 to "upgrade" to this radio? Would my enjoyment of plain old analog improve? Be the same? Worse? Becuse other than the I/Q tuner there really is no change from the BCD436. Oh I know it is water resistant and have a cool color screen and all that, but as far as monitoring capability, it really seems just to be a fancier 436.
For those who have taken the plunge, thank you for being the pathfinders, but if you were me would you blow $700? Oh don't get me wrong, I want this radio and will probably splurge sooner of later. I just want to make sure I am not fooling myself as to what to expect from it. Not looking to be talked into or out of it and ultimately I will make the decision, but if anyone want to share their opinion it would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Of course we want a scanner to be a jack of all trades (or at least I do) but it seems everyone focuses on the P25 simulcast with this radio. What little I am hearing is that the SDS100 is marginally better on these but only the same or perhaps a little worse on analog signals. It seems the more we ask these radios to do, the worse they get at everything. I swear my radio got worse when I added the DMR option. If I was buying for the first time this would be a no brainer, but can anyone who only occasionally listen to LSM or similar systems justify the $700 to "upgrade" to this radio? Would my enjoyment of plain old analog improve? Be the same? Worse? Becuse other than the I/Q tuner there really is no change from the BCD436. Oh I know it is water resistant and have a cool color screen and all that, but as far as monitoring capability, it really seems just to be a fancier 436.
For those who have taken the plunge, thank you for being the pathfinders, but if you were me would you blow $700? Oh don't get me wrong, I want this radio and will probably splurge sooner of later. I just want to make sure I am not fooling myself as to what to expect from it. Not looking to be talked into or out of it and ultimately I will make the decision, but if anyone want to share their opinion it would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.