Customer Reviews

Uniden BC245XLT Handheld Scanner

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The only reason NOT to purchase this scanner is if you want to have a police scanner that allows alphabetic tags. Some of the newer radios let you program in not only the frequency but a description (alphabetic tag) so that when the radio stops scanning on a frequency you can see the name of the service you are monitoring.

This radio scans fast (100 channels/second) and is very solid in terms of reception. You can purchase a cable and software to program the scanner from your computer (and therefore avoid having to punch in each frequency on the tiny keyboard).

You CAN monitor BOTH conventional and TRUNKED frequencies at the same time! This is a big plus with this scanner as some others (including the 895) claim to trunk but only allow you to monitor either conventional frequencies OR trunked -- but not both.

Some competitors to this radio:

Radio Shack Pro-94: Essentially the same radio in a different case.

Radio Shack Pro-92: Has 500 channels, slower scan speed (25 channel/second), the ability to simultaneously scan both conventional and trunk frequencies. Allows programming via computer. Allows storage of alphabetic descriptions of what has been programmed into each channel.

Uniden BC 780XLT: Not released as of 11-2000 (scheduled for 12/2000 or 1/2001). Supposed to be a 500 channel scanner with alpha tags and 100 channel/second scan speed. Will have all capabilities of the 245. May produce a new handheld based on its design.

The Uniden BC245XLT is a scanning radio that many scanner enthusiasts would love to own. It is known as the Trunktracker II because of the ability it has to capture trunk radio frequencies. This is a recent scanner innovation.

The programming was relatively easy for someone who has experience with scanners. Basic scanner functions were easy to see and accessible. The trunk tracking ability is useful and great to use, once you figure out which type of system you are tracking.

The only problem found with this scanner was not even the scanner itself. The computer interface using the Smartscanner software seemed to work fine. However, the phone number, which you call to download scanner frequencies, would never complete the download.

Having been a scanner enthusiast for over 10 years, I recommend this as an excellent scanner for the radio enthusiast. It has clear sound, and the trunk tracking abilities work well!! With a wide range of frequencies, you will be able to keep up with all the action in your neighborhood.

I recently purchased a Uniden BC 245XLT handheld scanner and am generally very pleased with it. It is well designed, well made, easy to program manually, and has good sound quality. My only complaint so far is my inablity to use its new, highly touted "Smartscanner" feature to download frequencies from the Uniden/Bearcat national frequency database via a PC or external modem. To access the database via a PC, it is necessary to go to Uniden's Website, download a small program (that is zipped but not self-unzipping), install the program and, while it's running, dial a 900 phone number that's preprogrammed into the scanner. Unfortunately, it took me many frustrating and unsuccessful attempts to connect with the 900-number database using both my PC and, separately, an external modem before I discovered that my phone company, GTE Communications Corporation, routinely and automatically blocks 900 numbers from being dialed and that there is no way of getting around the block. While the scanner's operating guide mentions the possibility of a 900 block on one's phone line, since I had never requested such a block from the phone company, it had never occurred to me that there would be one as a matter of GTE policy. Thus, before buying a BC 245XLT with the hope of using the Smartscanner feature, a person should check with his/her phone company to make sure that 900-number calls can be made. If 900-number blocking is fairly common among phone companies, I think Uniden should switch to a non-900 number for frequency downloading. Or, if they maintain their policy of charging for downloads, they should consider making them available over the Internet through the use of a credit card and a secure server.

Would-be purchasers of the BC 245XLT should also be aware that Uniden's 800 Customer Service number, once one is able to get through, may be answered by someone who doesn't know much about the Smartscanner feature of the product. The first time I called and told the Customer Service representative that I was getting an "error" message on the scanner screen when I tried to dial the 900-number frequency database, I was told that that was because their server would not be operational for another couple of days. When I tried a couple of days later and still got an error message, another customer rep demanded to know, "Who told you that about our server?" but did give me some useful information about COM port settings in the software I had downloaded previously from the Uniden Website. On my next attempt and next error message on the scanner, a third and different customer rep told me that, after seeing the 1 900- prefix on my scanner screen, I would need to manually punch in the rest of the telephone number on the scanner keypad to be able to make the call. It was only when that didn't work that I called my phone company and discovered that there was a 900 block on my phone line. As a last resort, I called Uniden again and asked if there was any way, other than using the 900 number, to download frequencies. She told me she would have to ask her supervisor and, a couple of minutes later, gave me another 800 number to call. When I called that number, which I think was the Bearcat Radio Club, and told the person who answered about my Smartscanner problem, she replied, "I don't know nothing (sic) about that." As is often necessary these days, I then asked, "Is there someone there who does?" A fairly knowledgeable-sounding person then came on the line and suggested that some purchasable third party software might do the trick. I haven't tried this yet but, in these matters, hope springs eternal, I guess.

As police and fire radio systems become more complex with the advance of technology, Uniden has hit another home-run with the release of their Bearcat 245-XLT portable scanner. This radio not only scans standard "conventional" frequencies, but also allows you to follow sophisticated "trunking" radio systems (Motorola and Ericsson) now used by public safety agencies across the nation.....and it does this at a very low price. Unlike earlier trunking scanners, the 245 allows you to "trunk" multiple systems at once and scan conventional frequencies all at the same time! The scanner is also computer programmable and controllable, it has priority, weather alert, air, marine, railroad fast-scan capabilities, etc. It's an amazing radio you can use at home, on the road, at sporting events, too.

This scanner is Uniden's answer to key complaints about their first generation "Trunk Tracker" scanners. The BC-245XLT will now track multiple trunked radio systems simultaneously, it will scan conventional and trunked systems simultaneously, and it will now track EDACS (TM) trunked radio systems.

Other new features include computer interface port, "Smart Scanner" programmability via telephone modem (a feature requiring a 900-number call at $0.99/min.), and cloning capability.

Otherwise, this radio is similar in operation and functionality to its predecessor, the BC-235XLT. It features 300 channels, 12 band coverage from 29-956 MHz (excluding cellular and 512-806MHz), Service Search, attenuator, automatic display lighting, and other unique features.

On the downside, the radio delays for 5 seconds between scanning trunk systems even if no signals are detected.

Overall, this is a great radio for the money. It is the best available technology for scanning enthusiasts who want to monitor the modern trunked radio systems in use by numerous public service agencies worldwide.

I'm a newbie scanner and was looking for a good, all round scanner. I knew most of the bigger systems out there are using the "Trunk Tracking" technology, so decieded to buy a scanner that could track those systems (duh). After programming the freqs into the scanner banks (daunting at first but once you do the first couple it's pretty easy and quick) I was surprised by how 'quiet' certain airways were. After a little research I discovered that some of the larger agencies systems are actually DIGITAL, and this scanner can not listen into them. That was a little annoying. Uniden now have Digital scanners and Trunk Tracking III capability, so if your area is digital (check before you buy) then you might be better holding off for the newer generation scanner. Apart from that little snafu I am very happy with the product overall and have enjoyed several hours of listening to airport and other frequencies. Wish it could monitor FM and TV audio (I have a radio-reciever, yet can't listen to local radio broadcasts on it, seems a bit weird). There is a gap in coverage between 512 - 805 MHz for some reason, so I miss some airport tower chat. Not a huge deal. In summary, ignore some of the hype that it has Trunk Tracking II capabilities, if your area is digital, it makes no difference. I'll probably wait until the prices come down to a sensible level and get a digital & analog system. Happy Listening.

I purchased my BC245XLT with the idea of being able to take advantage of using Uniden's Smartscanner Technology and downloading my frequencies based on my area code. It seems that Uniden has dropped this feature as of February 2002 and according to one of their tech support people, have no intention of bringing this service back. So, if you can find the list of frequencies and then have the time to set each one, have at it. Personally, I would pick another manufacturer that advertises and stands behind their product's features.

I have always had a curiosity about "scanners", but never quite curious enough to buy one. I received a rather generous gift certificate for Christmas this year and decided to get something I might not ordinarily buy. I chose this particular Uniden, Bearctcat, Scanner. As stated in another review, to the beginner, the "art of scanning", can seem a little overwhelming. Rest assured, any effort exerted in learning how to use this scanner will pay off with many hours of listening enjoyment. My Bearcat II has been rock solid thus far and is for all intents and purposes a quality, user- friendly product. The manual refers to "third party software" that allegedly allows you to program your scanner using your PC. This software is quite pricey though. I would recommend spending some time learning your new scanner and determine how much you care to invest in this hobby before spending another 40.00 to 70.00 on software. Some of my friends who initially scoffed at my scanner purchase were quite shocked by the amount of information available via the airwaves. Several have now purchased one. I live in a Major City and continue to be amazed by the well-choreographed "dance" between dispatcher and L.E.O. I worked for a very tight knit S.O. for well over a decade, and as a natural consequence, I understand the terminology. A novice will want to pull many of the codes from the Internet and either learn them or have them easily available for reference. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine!?

In the handheld scanners with trunktracking possibilities world theres basically two options:... If you really need trunktracking then go with this Uniden because even tough its a "cheap" scanner it is still superior... to his counterpart, in most aspects. BUT if you dont care about trunktracking systems, DONT buy this unit. All Uniden handhelds scanners are built cheap and you can feel its cheapness all around. The material is poor and the sound, oh the sound its not good at all. In a scale of 1 to 10, sound is 5. This unit is easy to use, has a computer interface and its scan and search speed is very good. Its sensitivity is above average. But again, if you dont need trunktracking look for professional models (that in fact are not that expensive ...

I have had the BC245XLT for almost a week now. It is a very good radio, especially since it is the only radio now available that can scan both Motorola and GE (EDACS) trunked radio systems. The instructions are a little confusing, but well worth it to have this scanning capability. 300 channels makes it easy to scan most frequencies in your area!