SDS100 Uniden Police Scanner

Short version: If you’re buying a police scanner in 2026, the SDS150 is the smart “buy once” move.

The SDS150 keeps the True I/Q platform that made the SDS100 a legend in simulcast areas, then upgrades the stuff you actually feel every day: built-in GPS, phone control + audio, USB-C, a dock-style charging cradle, & Waterfall upgrade included.

Why that matters: most people don’t quit scanning because the radio can’t decode. They quit because the workflow is annoying (cables, charging, SD card access, tiny-screen navigation, traveling across county lines). The SDS150 is built to remove those friction points.

The SDS150 has 7 practical advantages over the SDS100:

1. Built in GPS (GPS synced time): location based scanning without buying & connecting an external GPS puck. Great for travel, commuting across jurisdictions, & accurate timestamps in recordings/logs.
2. U/AWARE phone control + audio: full remote control on a big touchscreen, plus listen on your phone (& route audio to Bluetooth earbuds or your car via your phone).
3. Charge cradle included: drop it in, walk away. The cradle can also charge a spare battery in the second slot (spare battery sold separately).
4. USB-C charging + programming: one modern cable standard for home, vehicle, power bank, & laptop.
5. Waterfall included: it ships unlocked. On the SDS100, Waterfall is a separate paid upgrade key.
6. Less 'filter fiddling' in messy RF: the SDS150 platform adds RF/IF changes aimed at reducing the need to hunt for the perfect filter setting in interference heavy areas.
7. Side access microSD: faster SD swaps & updates without pulling the battery door off (small thing, big quality-of-life upgrade).

Price reality check: if you’re the type who will add GPS, a better charging workflow, & Waterfall to the SDS100 anyway, you end up close to SDS150 money fast. If you want the full-feature, low-hassle setup, start with the SDS150 & be done.

Both the Uniden SDS100 & SDS150 are premium True I/Q (SDR) handheld scanners designed for modern digital trunking & challenging simulcast environments. Neither scanner can decode encrypted police channels.

Quick decision

Choose the SDS150 if you want:

• The “buy once” flagship with the newest platform & the longest runway
• Built in GPS for true grab & go travel scanning (no puck, no cable)
• Phone/tablet control & audio via the U/AWARE app (big-screen control, easier channel discovery)
• Dock-style charging (cradle included) & USB-C everywhere
• Waterfall included out of the box
• Less tweaking in high-interference, RF-dense metro areas

Choose the SDS100 if you want:

• The lowest upfront price for True I/Q simulcast performance
• You mainly scan one area (home/desk) & you won’t use GPS or app control
• You’re fine with cable charging & mini-USB
• You’d rather add optional upgrades later (GPS, Waterfall, external charger)

Side-by-side comparison

Key differences that actually matter

1) The daily workflow (charging, cables, SD card)

• SDS150: dock it in the cradle, charge it, optionally keep a spare battery topped off, & the SD card is quick-access on the side.
• SDS100: cable charging, no included cradle, SD access requires pulling the battery door.

Zip Scanners’ take: if you’ll actually use your scanner daily or weekly, the SDS150’s workflow is the upgrade that keeps you using it.

2) Phone/tablet control (easier listening)

• SDS150: U/AWARE gives you real control, a big-screen UI, & audio on your phone (then to earbuds or car Bluetooth through the phone).
• SDS100: no official app-based control/audio.

Zip Scanners’ take: this is the difference between “scanner hobby UI” & “modern device UI.” It’s also the cleanest way to listen discreetly in a vehicle or around the house.

3) GPS that you will actually use

• SDS150: built-in GPS means travel scanning is always ready, no accessories, no cable mess.
• SDS100: supports external GPS, but it’s an add-on.

Zip Scanners’ take: built-in GPS changes behavior. People skip external GPS. People use built-in GPS.

4) Waterfall included vs paid add-on

• SDS150: Waterfall is included, ready on day one.
• SDS100: Waterfall requires a separate paid upgrade key.

Zip Scanners’ take: if you like finding activity fast (air, rail, events, unknown freqs), Waterfall stops being “nice to have” & becomes “why didn’t I have this sooner.”

5) RF performance in the real world (simulcast + interference)

• SDS100: proven True I/Q performance in simulcast & weak-signal areas.
• SDS150: Uniden positions the platform for stable decoding in simulcast & high-interference environments, plus early owners report less tweaking & clearer audio in RF-dense areas.

Zip Scanners’ take: both are elite. The SDS150’s edge is “less messing around to get the same or better result.”

6) Price-to-performance (the honest framing)

• SDS150: costs more, but bundles the upgrades most users end up wanting anyway (GPS, dock charging, app control, Waterfall, USB-C, SD access).
• SDS100: best value if you keep it simple & stationary.

Zip Scanners’ take: if you’re already spending $700+ for True I/Q, the SDS150 is the one & done flagship. The SDS100 is the “I know exactly what I’m giving up” option.

This is—beyond a shadow of a doubt—the best scanner on the market and the one we recommend more than any other scanner.

Launched in June of 2018, it's the newest (we'd say shiniest, but it's flat black) digital handheld scanner on the market.

The SDS100 is fast, easy to use, has a customizable color interface, and simulcast monitoring capabilities that blow all the other digital scanners out of the water. Clever segue: it's waterproof(!) Uniden has set a new standard with the SDS100.

View our SDS100 deal & save on programming! Includes new, larger battery.

Will the SDS100 work in my area?

Software, programming, simulcast, digital...confusing right?

Don't worry, we'll help you find the perfect scanner for your area.

Start here.

Our experts will research your unique area for free & tell you exactly which scanner(s) will work for you.

Why should I buy the SDS100?

The SDS100 is the best scanner on the market and the flagship scanner from the largest police scanner manufacturer in the world, Uniden.

The simulcast capabilities are one of a kind and you can buy add-ons for NXDN, DMR & ProVoice.

Basically, this scanner can pick up everything possible (barring encryption and private OpenSky systems) no matter where you live.

There are a plethora of features that make this the best scanner, but the big two are:

• Simulcast
• Color screen

Everyone at Zip Scanners owns an SDS100 for personal use and, needless to say, we’re kinda into scanners. The SDS100 is flat-out unbeatable. We love it and we’re confident you will too. It’s a little more expensive than the competing manufacturer, Whistler, but a great investment if you want to be set for years to come.

What are software upgrades?

Software upgrades are a subset of digital modes of transmission that affect individual frequencies and, often, countywide trunking systems. If your area, or an individual frequency that you wish to monitor utilizes these modes of transmission, you must purchase the upgrade(s) associated with that county/talk group in order to monitor those broadcasts.

We can look this up for you here.

Upgrades can be made directly from Uniden, but we do not provide support on upgrades if we do not install them.

What's simulcast?

Check out this full explanation of simulcast. If your area is affected, you must purchase a simulcast capable scanner.

We can look this up for you here.

Will this come with the larger battery?

Yes. There was a smaller, weaker battery when the SDS100 launched in 2018, which has since been updated and replaced with a larger battery.

What do SDS100 buyers say?

• Simulcast distortion monitoring works as advertised.
• The SDS100 is 25-50% faster than the BCD436HP or TRX-1.
• SD card placement is better than the BCD436HP.
• The SDS100 is much more sensitive & can pick up weak signals from far away.
• Able to charge & run at the same time, unlike the BCD436HP.
• Customizable color screen is easier to see than the black & white BCD436HP display.
• The stock antenna is just OK. Uniden degraded the antenna to get certified as waterproof. This on-set antenna increases range up to 100%.
• If the knob (multi-function, volume/squelch scroll) is not functioning properly, pull the knob off & reattach.
• New battery tends to get hot and doesn't consistently last 8 hours, as Uniden suggests.

Major SDS100 & BCD436HP differences?

• The SDS100 can interpret simulcast distortion.
• The SDS100 is 25-50% faster than the BCD436HP.
• The screen on the SDS100 has color-customization & far superior resolution.
• SDS100 is more sensitive & superior at picking up weak signal & "RF environments".
• The SDS100 allows you to charge and monitor frequencies simultaneously. The BCD436HP must be powered down to charge.
• The BCD436HP came out in 2013. The SDS100 in June 2018. Like most technology, there have been several drastic improvements and a few minor adjustments that make a world of difference.

Major SDS100 & Whistler TRX-1 differences?

• The SDS100 can interpret simulcast distortion.
• Whistler has pre-decoded ProVoice, DMR, NXDN on the TRX-1 at no extra charge; Uniden requires paid upgrades to decode these on the SDS100.

1. SDS100 Scanner
2. Wall Charger
3. miniUSB to USB Cable (Programming)
4. Hand Strap
5. 8GB MicroSD Card (Pre-installed)
6. Lithium Ion Battery Pack (2nd Gen "Bigger" Battery)
7. SMA to BNC Connector (Antenna Adapter)
8. SMA type Stock Antenna
9. Belt Clip
10. Printed Inserts
11. Sentinel Software (Free PC Download)

Looking to deeeep dive?

We took the time to scour the internet for you.

• If you do nothing else - save this page. This guide is hyper-detailed & explains how to do everything on the SDS100. When you get your scanner, feel free to throw out the paper owner’s manual (or use it for kindling) and refer this easy-to-read manual.
• Our Uniden SDS100 YouTube playlist includes buyer’s guides, comparisons, tips & tricks, customer reviews & user created videos.
• Uniden SDS100 Owner's Manual. This is the official Uniden SDS100 owner's manual. Overall it’s just "meh", so we highly recommend using Mark’s Scanners manual.
• Uniden SDS100 Technical Specs one-pager. This is the official Uniden SDS100 specifications sheet.
• Radio Reference is the largest police scanner radio forum with 850k+ users. There are several threads about the SDS100 where just about every question imaginable has been asked & answered.
• SDS100 review on a Radio Reference thread, a newer review.
• Radio Reference wiki page for the SDS100
• Facebook group for SDS100 owners. This group is private, so you’ll need to request access.
• SDS100 scanner discussion group.
• Uniden SDS100 Yahoo Groups page. There are two SDS100 Yahoo Groups.
• Download Sentinel software for the SDS100 free. Not sure if you want to program on your own? Download the software that comes with the SDS100 (Sentinel) for free & test drive.
• SDS100 simulcast discussion on a Radio Reference thread where SDS100 owners discuss simulcast issues, Unication vs SDS100 & more.

Deep dive on programming here.

We HIGHLY recommend letting our experts program your scanner.

Programming issues are, by FAR, the #1 reason for...

• Returns
• 99% of any negative comments about the SDS100 you'll read while researching
• 99% of any negative comments about us
• 90% + of all support questions
• Our receding hairlines

Basically, you're about to spend hundreds of dollars on a snappy new gadget, might as well spring a few extra bucks so it will actually work right out of the box.

What is programming?

Scanners work like AM/FM radios in that they pick up airwaves based on a set of specifics frequencies. But unlike a radio there is not the simple 'seek' and 'save' feature on a scanner. Also, the frequencies are wildly different based on where you live and what you want to listen to.

What, specifically, do I get with expert programming?

For each county you purchase, our experts will program the following:

• State police, fire & EMS
• County police, fire & EMS

Add as many counties as you'd like.

When your scanner arrives, the programmed data will be on your scanner in easy to navigate lists.

What if your programming does not work?

100% money back guarantee on programming.

Can you program X, Y, Z?

We can program anything in Radio Reference, the world's largest & best frequency database. 

What if I need help after you program?

We’re always here to help with our lifetime tech support. 

Why should I buy programming?

Programming is the #1 reason police scanners are returned.

While scanner programming is much easier than the days of crystal scanners, there is a learning curve like any other electronics purchase. While some scanner enthusiasts are highly technical and want to learn the ins-and-outs of programming, others want their scanner to just "work" right out of the box.

95% of all scanner sales include programming, so unless you’re familiar with scanners, scanner terminology, own a PC (Macs do not work), and want to learn the nuances of programming, we highly recommend letting our experts program your scanner.

Scanner technology is fairly user friendly, but scanners are not smartphones or iPads. If you're spending hundreds on a scanner, we recommend springing a few extra bucks so it works right out of the box.

Can't you teach me programming with your lifetime technical support?

No.

Lifetime technical support is not unlimited technical support. We made "how to" videos and can help point you in the right direction, but we will not teach programming.

How long does your expert programming take?

We usually get this out same day, but it can add 1-2 business days to your shipment.

Can I program this scanner myself?

Yes.

We created a programming decision tree, as well as programming videos, to help you decide whether you should include expert programming with your scanner. With that said, we HIGHLY recommend adding the expert programming to your purchase to save time and spare yourself potential aneurysms.

Can't I just punch in my zip code for programming?

Yes, however...

When you punch in your zip code, it scans EVERYTHING in your area, which is kinda like getting the phone book thrown at you.

With our expert scanner programming, we filter out the junk so you don't have to listen to things such as the dog catcher, repo guy, power company & the like.

How long will it take me to program on my own?

It takes our scanner tech anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to program each scanner...and this is ALL he does.

For new & moderate scanner users, we estimate 3-12 hours of programming. Setup time varies wildly based on scanner, area and general tech familiarity.

What software comes with my SDS100?

The Uniden SDS100 comes with Sentinel software like other Uniden scanners, including the:

• SDS200
• BCD436HP
• BCD536HP
• HomePatrol-2

While there is a version of Sentinel software for each scanner, they operate the same. The SDS100 includes Sentinel software (download free SDS100 software here). Watch our Uniden Sentinel software programming video here or above in the video gallery.

Any self-programming tips?

We recommend downloading the software before you buy to test drive.