Uniden Bearcat BCD160DN Handheld Digital Scanner, Exclusive Features, Band Scope Rapid System/Channel Number Tagging, Narrow-Band Reception, and Search Features to Detect Signals Faster Than Ever

This is a scanner that is not for everyone but perfect for many. As a scanner hobbies who has owned every scanner made sice crystals, this is one I passed on initially after seeing specs. It is not a digital scanner in the sense that the target is not public service in terms of police, fire, etc, although you can receive limited stuff still conventional and not trunked. I have loads of scanners, all mainly trunk radios like SDS100, SDS200, 325P2 etc. With upgrades, some of which I have, these digital modes are available, at a higher cost in a higher priced radio, that's not really search-friendly. The 125AT (and 325P2) has always been a favorite for me for searching general frequencies. The 125AT is built for searching. I recently pulled out my trusty 125AT, got re-engaged in the search hobby, and even picked up another 125AT to have in a different location. Then I reconsidered the 160DN. Still seemed a little on the high side compared to the 125AT, but other than P25, the main digital mode for police etc, it decodes a pile of other digital modes, automatically. This thing is a giant step up from the 125AT in that you get all the higher 700-900 mz range, as long as it is not P25. The radio even recognizes P25 and resumes without noise. I have way fewer lockout because the radio cuts a lot of that out when you search digital modes only. It saves your finds with all the system mode, type and color code nonsense automatically without you manually setting up a channel, though you can do it if you want. Reconsider this one if you passed on it initially like I did.

Must be programed to use it and the process is so confusing and loaded with BS that it would be better to buy a less expensive one that is preprogramed. There are services to program it but you have to pay a premium for the service. Junk, without programing and a lot of knowledge base needed to program yourself. NOT FOR BEGINNERS!

Great scanner for what it is designed to do. Just be careful and do your research on what you need for your area. This scanner Does both conventional and digital modes however it only does NXDN and DMR for digital modes. It does not have any trunking features so make sure you don't need trunking. This is a great scanner for those wanting to listen to trains/railroads and it receives aircraft really well. very easy to program from the scanner itself however you do have the option of programming via a PC with the free software from Uniden. If you need a simple HH scanner that does simple NXDN and DMR then I can highly recommend this scanner.

Nice scanner. Only complaint is you can't charge batteries with scanner powered on. And this unit goes through batteries like crazy!!! About 5-hours maximum run time is all you will get out of a charge. I bought extra rechargeable batteries and charger. I have to changeout batteries at least once a day. Other than that it's a good unit. Oh and I have a laser engraving business. So I made a desk top stand to place it in.

This was not my first Bearcat scanner that I own started in the 1980s. For this 160DN unit, CON: * The battery is useless, it has to be plugged to the charger fultime or dead in a couple of minutes (not portable). * The audio quality is not any better like most bearcat unless connected to external speaker. *. Field programming is not very friendly and sometimes parameters changed for some reasons (DMR). *. Function buttons were not well laid out on the radio and menu orientation as well (in my opinion). *. A bit pricey for the build quality and limited functionality. PRO: * Basic scanning. * Fit in the hand or at the car dashboard.

Easy to program

This is a great portable scanner, I gave it only four stars because it doesn't stay charged very long when its actively scanning, (we have to leave it plugged in most of the time). Otherwise it keeps us very informed on what's happening in our area but note, you have to program or get someone to program this scanner to your local area, lucky for me I have friends in sheriffs office and fire department that saved me from that added cost by programming for me.

This scanner picks up analog, DMR and NXDN. It does not pick up P25 or do trunking. It is a great scanner if you already have something like a Whistler WS1065 or WS1040 and your area went to dmr or nxdn. You can use it along side your existing scanner to hear all the action.

brill radio , highly recommended

Very nice looking radio. Small and compact. Audio is quite good in good reception areas. Sensitivity for airband is very good but gets overloaded way too easily. If you are within several miles of transmitters you will be hearing all of them no matter what frequency you are on when your radio is picking up any of the transmissoins.. DMR sensitivity is not that good. Shame uniden made a very bad radio for airband. £250+ is a big con. Poor radio. Better go back to 125XLT model.

Like the 125/325P2, good little form factor and pretty easy to use. Good sensitivity and audio. However, like the SDS100 I had (and returned), this suffered a fair bit of intermod/bleedover when scanning the VHF Air band in a fairly strong signal area, and connected to an externally mounted antenna. It was noticeably worse than the 125 and 325P2, and has unfortunately been returned. For use out and about using a decent BNC antenna, and with the capability to receive DMR/NXDN out of the box, it could be a nice addition if you have a 125, and not using it predominantly as a base receiver.

The great thing about this transaction was Amazons service. It arrived from American in 7 days and sadly after a few hours it was back in the box and returned, which Amazon fulfilled with no quibble so another plus for them. The product itself though is poor. Now There are a lot of happy folk who have bought this and I guess it’s possible I could’ve bought a dud but… I have two companies nearby who transmit on DMR. Both within a couple of miles. My Whistler TRX1 picks up no problem and incidentally my friends Uniden 3600 also receives them with the same strength. This was deaf…and I mean deaf! Tried with both my external antenna and a Diamond telescopic back to back with the Whistler. It wasn’t just DMR either. Air band reception was weaker as was HAM. That was enough for me to send it packing.

Not impressed there are better ones out there but it is very easy to program