The obvious competition for the PSR600 is the Uniden BCD996XT and its predecessor BCD996T. Both
radios offer new style programming, digital decoding and hundreds of features. As a user of the various
Uniden DMA scanners (BCD396XT and BCD996XT and predecessors) I have gotten used to the
programming methods used by the Unidens so I was apprehensive about learning the GRE method of
Scannable Objects, it all sounded pretty strange to me. As I worked with the PSR600 I learned how to
program various Scan Lists, Scannable Objects and Searches and discovered that it really wasn’t all that
difficult. It is no harder to learn than the Uniden method and some people may find the GRE method more
intuitive. If you have not already learned one method or the other you might find the GRE method easier to
learn.
The real question will likely be the feature set and comfort level you develop with the radio. If you have a
chance to play with both for a while do so. Download the manuals for both and see how well you
understand them.
While the PSR600 is a fantastic radio everyone will have ways they would have done it. I would have
created a quick reference card to allow explanations of the basic features that fit on a pocket or wallet. The
BCD996XT seems to reject strong signal interference better.
Operations on large networked trunked systems using the Roaming feature on the PSR600 is pretty good
but I think Uniden’s method of individual defined sites is better, especially on larger systems that have
more than 28 control channels altogether. On smaller scale systems however, the GRE is easier to program.
A few of the Uniden features that I really like are the Fire Tone Out, GPS and Remote Head system. These
are not available on the GRE. The GRE however handles some items better, such as during Search Events
it will display the CTCSS, DCS or NAC code without having to select either Analog or Digital like you do
on the Uniden. Also, the received code will remain on the display until there is another code decoded, the
frequency changes or the radio is put into another mode.
The PSR600 uses more conventional keyboard activity and volume/squelch controls. It has better audio,
especially on digital systems and has the unique V-Scanner feature. If you listen to LTR systems,
AutoMove system helps immeasurably to decipher the unusual channel locations.
Normal retail price for these scanners are from $450 to $500, a similar price as Uniden’s BCD996XT.
The GRE is better if these are most important to you:
* Better digital decoding, especially on simulcast systems.
* You prefer a radio with better audio.
* If you prefer separate volume and squelch controls.
* If you don’t want or need the extra features of the BCD996XT
* If you are not bothered by excessive strong-signal interference.
* If you need higher sensitivity.
* You like to have Virtual Scanners available to you.
You will want the BCD996XT if these are more important:
* You prefer a simpler but more detailed display.
* If you want the amazing feature-set of the BCD996XT
* You prefer the Banks/Systems/Groups method of programming.
* You need or want the GPS features.
* You will use the radio in a high interference area.
* You want to have a lot of channels available all the time.
* When fire tone-out capability is important.
* You monitor a large networked system with multiple sites.
Recommended Accessories
When people invest $500 for a scanner, they probably want to protect it, get some accessories to go with it
or otherwise add to the experience. Scanner Master (
http://www.scannermaster.com
) has a full line of
