Uniden BC245XLT Handheld Scanner by Uniden
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Digital camera reviews of Uniden BC245XLT Handheld Scanner
Digital camera Review: Fun factor 10
Summary: 5 Stars
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!?Digital camera Review: Great Scanner Except for Frequency Download
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Digital camera Review: Great!!
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Digital camera Review: Newest Technology, Many Improvements
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Digital camera Review: Nice Scanner until Uniden quit offering Smartscanner ability
Summary: 1 Stars
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.