Compare Handheld Digital Police Scanners
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Manufacturer's SKU or unique product number.
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Model Number
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SDS100 |
TRX-1 |
BCD436HP |
BCD325P2 |
There are two scanner manufacturers: Whistler & Uniden.
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Manufacturer
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Uniden |
Whistler |
Uniden |
Uniden |
Reception |
Scanners are able to monitor 2 formats: Digital Analog
Most communication is the US is digital or migrating to digital.
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Digital
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Scanners are able to monitor 2 formats: Digital Analog
Most communication is the US is digital or migrating to digital.
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Analog
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) & all emergency weather communication is broadcast via analog format throughout the US. All scanners can monitor NOAA.
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Weather & NOAA
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ProVoice EDACS is a form of digital. If your area uses this, you must buy an EDACS capable scanner to monitor.
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ProVoice EDACS
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With Paid Upgrade |
Yes |
With Paid Upgrade |
With Paid Upgrade |
NXDN is a form of digital. If your area uses this, you must buy an NXDN capable scanner to monitor.
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NXDN
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With Paid Upgrade |
Yes |
With Paid Upgrade |
No |
DMR is a form of digital. If your area uses this, you must buy a DMR capable scanner to monitor.
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DMR
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With Paid Upgrade |
Yes |
With Paid Upgrade |
With Paid Upgrade |
Scanners pick up frequencies in the 25-1300 Mhz band range. This gets needlessly technical, so we recommend focusing on digital & analog.
Basically, digital scanners can monitor the full spectrum (25-1300Mhz) & analog can only pick up segments.
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Frequency Range
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25 MHz - 1.3 GHz |
25 MHz - 1.3 GHz |
25 MHz - 1.3 GHz |
25 MHz - 1.3 GHz |
Some scanners are able to pick up AM & FM radio.
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AM/FM Radio
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No |
No |
No |
No |
Number of channels (frequencies) that can be saved in scanner.
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Channels
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Virtually Unlimited |
Virtually Unlimited |
Virtually Unlimited |
25,000 |
In a simulcast system, multiple transmitters on separate towers simultaneously broadcasting on the same frequency.
If what you want to hear is affected by simulcast you must buy a simulcast capable scanner.
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Simulcast
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Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Features |
GPS capable scanners allows frequencies to autoload while driving GPS receiver (sold separately) required to use.
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GPS Capable
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Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Alpha tags are short descriptions, under 12 characters, used to label frequencies & talk groups.
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Alpha Tags
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Network Access Code (NAC) is a user programmable 12-bit code that prefixes every packet of data sent (including voice packets). NAC codes minimize co-channel interference & allow repeater addressing. Example: 156 = DEA, 330 = FBI
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NAC
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Allows scanner to operate in standby mode (no sound) & only respond to fire tone-outs, which are audible tones that alert specific resources. In this setting, no radio transmissions are audible until a specific set of tones are broadcast.
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Fire Tone-Out
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Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Location-based scanning allows control of which systems/sites & channel groups are scanned based on location. No need to manually enable & disable channel groups or systems when moving locations.
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Location Based
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Rapidly detects & monitors frequencies close by. Used to pick up nearby transmissions when on-the-go.
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Close Call/Stalker
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Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Record transmissions while listening.
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Record & Playback
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Programming |
All scanners can be programmed via PCs only.
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PC Program
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
All scanners can be programmed via PCs only. There is no Mac compatible software. If you have a Mac, we can program for you.
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Mac Program
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No |
No |
No |
No |
Most digital scanners come with software which allows programming & software updated via a PC computer.
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Software Included
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Sentinel |
EZ Scan |
Sentinel |
No |
US & Canadian frequencies come on scanner. Radio Reference is the database used.
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USA & Canada Database
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
More |
Software (data & storage) lives on an SD card which goes in the scanner (hardware).
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Storage (GB)
|
8 GB |
4 GB |
8 GB |
Dynamic |
Simple & older scanner models have dynamic memory. The memory of newer digital scanners is driven via an SD card, which has many benefits.
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SD Card
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Estimated scanner reception range without antenna upgrade. Scanners work on line-of-sight, not satellites, so topography makes a large difference. Anything from a tree, hill, or a strong breeze can affect reception.
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Range (mi.)
|
50mi. |
30mi. |
30mi. |
30mi. |
Battery Type |
Proprietary |
AA |
AA |
AA |
Battery Life
|
8 hours |
8 hours |
8 hours |
6 hours |
Size (inches) |
5.75 x 1.5 x 2.5 |
1.25 x 2.25 x 5.25 |
2.5 x 6.5 x 1 |
2 x 6 x 1 |
Weight (oz.) |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
All Whistler & Uniden scanners have a 1 year manufacturers warranty.
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Warranty
|
1 year |
1 year |
1 year |
1 year |
Launched |
Summer 2018 |
Summer 2016 |
Fall 2013 |
Spring 2015 |
Key Feature |
Simulcast |
NXDN |
GPS Capable |
Software not included |