Customer Reviews for Uniden 800 MHz Bearcat Base and Mobile Scanner with Narrowband Compatibility

Received on date promised. Simple to set up. Dialed right into frequency monitored. Booklet very explanatory even for those with no technical radio knowledge (frequencies, bandwidth, squelch, etc) Only possible downside observation is connection for antenna. Engineers should fix this as it can pop off during movement too easily and possible cause secondary damage to unit if owner tries to move unit in operation and gets "surprised" by antenna falling off and drops whole base unit. It's minor but it is a thing.

Home install with the AC adapter was simple & easy right out of the box. Hardest part was programming frequencies. Watched some online videos that helped immensely with programming. Recommend watching them. Google "programming the BC355N Scanner." Watching the videos makes the programming process much easier, as trying to follow the manual may get frustrating. Once the process is understood, programming is simple, but tedious. Installed my BC355N in my truck with connection to an external antenna. This works best for optimum reception. The glass mount flexible antenna is mediocre at best. Recommend an external speaker for best audio. Internal speaker is tinny and limited volume. Only feature missing is a priority function. Would have rated excellent if it had priority. "Close Call" feature is similar but not as effective if you want to monitor a particular frequency. 3 months along and have had no problems with the product. All in all a good value for the money.

I bought the previous model to this in the late 80's; identical except for the addition of the Narrow band capability. It WAS a steep learning curve, but I had all day driving all over the West coast. It was a wonderful and extremely useful addition to the CB for real time information. The entertainment value was an unexpected plus. With just asking basic questions at various CB shops along I5 I discovered several printed frequency pamphlets that changed everything; especially through Oregon and California, which has a duplex system (car has one freq., base on another. Not helpful in some conditions). I could merely enter in the private bank all the freq's I would encounter or change them (California) as the areas of use changed with the geography. This was all before the Digital system replaced many of the urban frequencies. Some agencies -State police small town cops/sheriff- in Oregon, are still are analog outside of Portland and I have no idea about California anymore. If your area of interest is still analog this little scanner is perfect -a bargain IMO- for the price. I'm seriously considering another one. It finally died after almost two decades. Refused to scan or program. The shop said the critical part was no longer available. With so much info on line now the frequencies and operating shortcuts should cut the set up time very short. No need to drive 1500 miles a week for months to nail it down. It got to where I could operate with a minimum of eye contact -sort of a braille system to change freqs. And it was quick to remove from the truck over night. I'd leave the CB as it was a $50 investment, replaced the same day practically. Back then this scanner was nearly $300. And valued for more than just it's cost.

Was a little hard to learn how to program the unit. I did finally get it done.

Honestly no it did not considering most of the channels are now encrypted

Unable to program it

Good

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Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Not what I expected so I will be returning!

Trying still to get it setup

No one could program it. When two fire houses of men could not program. Horrible purchases

Very satisfied,great product,easy to program

It was poor. It really doesnt pick up anything once in a great while it may make some static. Ive got it programmed correctly however it just is poor quality

I like it

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Enjoyed listening to local Mountain Top Days parade command & dispatch with the new scanner. Installed in existing holes in Jeep center console. Hardwired to 12Vdc, window antenna hooked up and YouTube videos made understanding quick programming easier. Everything looks and works great!

I can't seem to program it.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Small and relatively simple scanner, works well for railroad usage. Simple to setup once you get on to it. This is my second unit for a new location.

Very fast and easy hook up and easy to program. Went on a road trip and scanned other police and fire departments in other state loved this feature

has all the features scans very well good for home or on the go car installation.

The unit was very easy to program and use, nice and compact for on a window sill.

We looked up our frequencies and input these into the scanner, not hard but tedious. Dad had an old Bearcat scanner and absolutely loves this scanner. I would recommend this scanner to anyone looking to save space.

Not all the bells and whistles but good for the price you pay. I was a bit dissapointing in the sound quality as it sounds a bit tinny to me.