RadioBanter - Uniden BC780XLT VS. BC785D

NoyackFarms wrote:
I've been looking to purchase a new Uniden BC780XLT, but it appears the company
may have replaced it with the new digital capable BC785D. Is this scanner just
as good performance wise? Anyone in this group have a chance to compare these
two scanners?

I have 5 BC780's and 2 BC785 and have another 2 BC780's on the way. You
still can get the 780's. I suggest if you don't need the digital
capability then go with the 780! Below I've re-printed a post I made
about 2 months ago when I first got my 785's:

Uniden BC 785D Review – First Impressions Not good.

First you need to remember that while I’m doing this review my primary
interest is in Civil (108-136 MHz) and Military (138-144 MHz and 225-400
MHz) aviation frequencies. I purchased two 785’s at the same time from
the same company (www.national-electronics.com). The delivered serial
numbers we 316Z26002556 and 316Z26002511. Through out all test
these two units preformed exactly the same.

I don’t have any sophisticated test equipment to test with. However I
do have experience with several different scanners and antenna setups.
Plus I’ve found that numbers along can be confusing. Nothing is better
than a good ear and on the air monitoring to get a sense if a scanner is
good or not.

My first test involved the receiving of the Sanford, FL airport tower on
120.300 MHz AM. I can receive the tower side of these comms on my
Create Log Periodic antenna and any one of 5 BC 780 XLT’s in my shack.
Being that this transmitter is located over 30 miles away I would think
this would be a good first test. Below I’ve ranked each scanner I own
from best signal to worse signal for the quality of which it received
this station.

Sensitivity on 120.3000 MHz
Scanner Signal Strength Sig Quality
BC780XLT 4-5 Bars Scratchy, very readable, breaks squelch
PRO2006 n/a Very readable, breaks squelch,
PRO94 n/a Doesn’t break squelch, signal is weak
but Readable.
PRO60 n/a Doesn’t break squelch. Non-readable
PRO2052 n/a not received at all.
BC785D ZERO not received at all.

George
http://www.MilAirComms.com