Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very fine searching/scanning radio, September 1, 2008
This is a fine searching/scanning radio (with scanning defined as finding stations within the frequencies that have been stored by the user in banks of 10 with 20 banks available). It is very well made and should last a long time. Many of the numerous keys perform two functions, one as labeled and a second one using the FN key when pressed first. It is a fairly heavy hand-held unit with back-lighting supplied automatically only when needed or separately when desired by the user. This unit the new bc95xlt (or the newer designation bc95xltb) is an update of the earlier Uniden model that had railroad band searching (by individual channels) for example directly within the six pre-programmed service search bands, but now to do railroad listening you can simply specify one of the 10 unspecified frequency search bands instead. Other reviewers have found this change to be totally adequate even if you are a railroad enthusiast just like I am.
I am also into aircraft band listening and this is still designated within the 6 pre-programmed service band search sequence. Also, the weather bands which don't search automatically (since there are only 7 USA channels) are extremely clear with no static at all. I am extremely pleased with this unit and I am very glad that I was able to get it at this very low price (compared to the bc72xlt which is still just like the old version of the bc95xlt as can readily be confirmed on Uniden's own website).
The unit also has a nice built-in speaker that is surprisingly adequate for everyday listening, but also comes with a mini-plug jack for a monaural earphone (but not supplied surprisingly!). It also has a separate BNC antenna jack (and it does come with the antenna!) as well as analog controls for both squelch and separately for the speaker volume. The LCD display is very nice and easy to read and indicates a multitude of the numerous possible options such as: 1) Low battery indicator (for either regular Alkaline AA cells or Ni-Metal hydride rechargeable batteries with a switch internal to the battery compartment for setting which type is being used), 2) Searching the specific service band search types- Weather (WX), Police (POL), Fire, Aircraft (AIR), Marine (MRN by channel), HAM, etc., 3) Bank Scanning (for user or computer-stored frequencies), 4) Close Call-Capture listening for very nearby sources of unknown origin, 5) DELAY allowances for time departures between outgoing and incoming radio signals, etc.
CON: The unit's belt clip can only be removed by unscrewing the two screws directly from the back of the unit, but on the plus side, it will certainly stay on very snugly and securely when it is needed. Also the serial or USB cable as well as the software needed for using a PC to store frequencies automatically must be purchased separately directly from Uniden.
The unit also comes with an AC adaptor which is probably because the batteries don't last a super long time. Another reviewer estimated a battery lifetime of 5 days for heavy usage.
This is also not the unit to buy if you live in a BIG city where far more expensive trunk-tracking technology is needed to adequately track Police conversations on multiple frequencies for example.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's a scanner: it scans. Otherwise nothing special about this one., February 11, 2009
BEST FEATURES? That it gets the 800 frequencies and its compact size.
WORST FEATURES? Too many steps to do stuff, too few buttons (replaced with "Function" button), on/off switch is NOT in the volume control as other scanners usally are.
RECOMMEND TO FIRST-TIME SCANNER BUYER? Most definately!
RECOMMEND TO PREVIOUS SCANNER OWNERS? No way! (You'll understand if you buy one.)
I've owned tons of hand-held scanners since the 60's, and this one has to be the most complicated one I've had when it comes to a few simple features. Searching can be a nightmare to get started. Most scanners only take the simple push of one button to instantly lock out a channel. Not this one: you have to first push the Function button, then Lockout. Anytime you have to push TWO buttons to operate a feature only makes it more complicated to use, especially in the dark. Even with a few other functions there are far too many buttons to press and steps to take. I think Uniden should have just put more buttons on it rather than make a "function" button. Heck, 1 more row of 4 buttons would have solve so many issues! The USB plug is a cool feature if I buy the program, but it seems like adding more complications to an already complicated item. I don't like having an On/Off button in front. I'm used to every scanner I've ever owned only taking a simple turn of the volume knob to turn on or off and this one is far from this easy. It does what it was designed to do: it scans. Not the finest sound quality I've heard. I think the best feature is the compact size. I ride a motorcycle and love having a scanner stuffed into my inside pocket with an earplug in my ear, and this one is perfect for this! I've always dreamed of the day when Uniden or Radio Shack would invent stubby antennaes for scanners (like 3-4 inches would be ideal). Don't get me wrong, I like this scanner and it was an excellent price for a scanner with so many channels. I would possibly recommend this scanner to a friend, but would certainly not buy another one in the future. I'll stick with my old Bearcat 100-channel or my Radio Shack 200-channel, both hand-helds. I only bought this one because of its compact size, which is about the only thing about it that I like so far. As for the reason it eats batteries so fast is because there is only 2. Every scanner I've owned that used only 2 batteries went through them fast! I usually try to find one that uses 4, then pack extra batteries along with me in my car or storage bag.
Many of you will no doubt disagree with my review. That's to be expected. But as I said, I've owned almost every brand of hand-held scanner ever made in the last 40+ years and THIS one has to be the most complicated to operate. Too many buttons to press/steps to take just to do 1 thing.
BUT: I will no doubt purchase Uniden again in the future because, in my opinion, they DO make the BEST scanners out there! Of the probably 15-20 Uniden scanners I've owned, mostly hand-held, THIS ONE is the most complicated to use and has the worst features and power button.
GREAT SCANNER for the first-time scanner buyer! Yes, it scans and searches. Yes, it's compact in size. But for us old scanner enthusiasts from back over the years I believe it's one to avoid.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easy to Program, October 8, 2008
I was scared to buy this item after reading how hard it was to program it from the reviews. It could not be easier! I read the directions through twice which is important and had 5 banks loaded up with all the local agencies in less than an hour. It's a fun toy. I purchased it for emegencies since we live near a oil coker plant. Twice it lit up the sky when they had to release gases. It looked like a bomb had been dropped. When this kind of thing happens all phone lines are busy. No reaching police or fire. Nice to have a scanner!!!!
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by Henry L. Eisenson
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