Uniden BC346XT Handheld TrunkTracker III Analog Police Scanner

• Handheld scanner for monitoring police and fire signals, weather transmissions, ham radio bands, and more
• Store 9,000 total conventional channels, trunked channels, and trunked system frequencies for quick recall
• TrunkTracker III Digital Scanning lets you monitor Motorola, EDACS and LTR systems in addition to conventional channels
• GPS Compatible so that the scanner can automatically select and scan nearby agencies
• Close Call RF Capture detects and tunes to nearby transmissions with no programming needed

This is a great scanner, with very good specs, has a nice, small form-factor, and works reliably.

I concur with the positives in the other, previous reviews.

But I've got a couple of gripes, for which I knocked one star off the rating: (these are not deal-breakers, but just things to be aware of)

1. The included rechargeable batteries are just a bit too large in diameter for the battery cover to fit properly (the cover sort of "bulges" out). More of an annoyance at this point, but I'm concerned that it could possibly break eventually, requiring me to find a replacement cover. (Using AA batteries does not cause this problem, the cover fits just fine with them).

2. The arrangement and organization of the owner's manual is very poor in my view. It's not printed, which may surprise some buyers, personally I'd prefer it printed, but I understand the economics of releasing it only online/on included CD. But sorry, the manual is VERY POORLY arranged. I'm an experienced radio guy, just not with Uniden brand products. But I still am getting frustrated trying to find stuff. I would much prefer a PDF style manual, where typefaces, spacing, white space, etc. can be combined to communicate point much more effectively. Is this a big deal? Well probably not a deal-breaker, once you/I figure out how the various features work, we won't need the manual much, but it's a royal pain until then. You may have friends who can help you out on this, which may make this irritation not too big a deal for you.

3. This scanner does have a LOT OF CAPABILITY, including some really cool features, as a result, most keys have multiple functions, some (again, my personal opinion) are not as well thought out as I would prefer, ie not intuitive.

But overall, it's a good unit. My gripes are probably not deal-breakers, and keeping in mind the price, it's a worthwhile purchase. If you're experienced with Uniden products, you might not have any trouble at all figuring out how to use it, perhaps even not needing the manual, but if you're like me, just be prepared for a learning curve longer than you might otherwise expect.

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When I was shopping for a new portable scanner, I was looking at the GRE PSR-300 and this Uniden BC346XT. Both are great scanners as far as reviews and features go, but I ultimately settled on the higher priced BC346XT (obviously) because it had some features that I absolutely wanted which the GRE scanner lacked. The only downside(s) so far is that this scanner is up to $70 more in price than the GRE and that Amazon dropped the price by $18 AFTER I got it shipped to me. Hehe... so frustrating! I could have gotten it for a better price locally, but then the sales tax comes in and Amazon was just cheaper overall.

Anyway, back to the scanner.

This thing is amazing. I've had it for going on 3 days now (since 5/28/2010) and after a short learning curve (scanners have sure changed), this thing is just wonderful. Its size is great. I honestly thought it would be bigger than it really is judging from the images I have seen online, but it is REALLY compact. The audio is perfect with perfect tone and loud output even when set to low.

I have not played with every feature of this scanner yet, but I am sure it is all as good as what I have toyed with so far. I have been using FreeSCAN to program it and that program has been good to me so far.

Pros:

Clear audio

Comes with rechargeable batteries (I have gotten 11 hours out of them with the backlight on infinity)

Comes with a really sturdy belt clip. I was shocked it was as nice as it is

It is easy to program through your computer with FreeSCAN (no Mac support for this) or through the keypad

The display is informative. Signal strength and 3 different modes are just 2 of the pros of the screen

Rebanding support and upgradeable firmware (obviously) help a lot.

Cons:

Price More expensive than its direct competitor the GRE PSR-300, but you do get slightly better features

Comes with a SERIAL cable instead of USB. Save your money here, folks, I bought the TENDnet TU-S9 Serial-to-USB** (uses same chipset as Uniden USB-1 uses) and it has worked flawlessy for only $15

Does not come with programming software and it probably should for the price

Doesn't make sandwiches for me

You can't go wrong with this scanner. Those of you having a very hard time programming it are probably just over complicating things for yourselves. It really is not hard at all.

**http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007T27H8/ref=ox_ya_os_product

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I was given this model as a free upgrade due to the one I ordered being out of stock. At first it is a little hard to program since I didnt buy the software, but I read some help forums I got from google searching the model and it was a breeze. Now that I have all my locals programmed I love it. I pick up police units that are 40 miles or more away from me at times. It is kind of funny though when the close call feature pick up drive thru windows and you can hear what everyone around you is ordering. I gave it four stars because the manual is only on disk and is very confusing. Google search for help and your set. Also I use this site to get all the freqs I could ever need and they are very accurate [..]

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A very elaborate and capable analog scanner at a great price. If you are a novice (like me) the complexity is a little overwhelming but with persistence you can overcome the complexity. The User Manual is on a CD and Website based so you need to be on your computer while learning how to program and operate the scanner. If you have experience with another scanner, I think you will find this one easy to use and full of features and a vast amount of memory...

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As a new and very novice scanner user, this scanner once programmed works very well. Sound quality is excellent and reception is excellent.

I did quite a bit of research before purchasing this scanner. I still had no idea how involved scanner programming can be or how complex the systems today are. Decades ago the biggest problem was getting the correct crystals installed into the scanner to hear the local fire and police; today's radio systems are much more complex.

If you're a radio / scanner expert you may be able to program this scanner without a PC, I am not and highly recommend third party software ArcXT Basic and at least a temporary membership to radioreference [dot com]. Reason being this makes programming this system a breeze provided you have a serial port on your PC. If not get a USB to serial converter TRENDnet USB to Serial Converter TU-S9 (Blue) (less expensive option) or the Uniden USB cable Uniden USB-1 Scanner Radio PC Interface Cable. This scanner comes with the Serial connector for the PC. I did not even look at the software included on the CDROM, everything I read regarding the included software led me to believe it was much to complex and incomplete. I can say that using ArcXT Basic with the radioreference subscription allowed me to get the scanner up and running in less than 30 minutes for all my local fire and police and several other radio systems of interest in the area that never would have occurred to me to look for.

This scanner comes with rechargeable batteries and an AC adapter which will charge the batteries when the unit is plugged in.

I am very satisfied with the purchase and functionality of this scanner and highly recommend this scanner!

2nd Generation Audio FM Transmitter and Car Vehicle Charger for the Nokia Lumia 900 - Uses Gomadic

I never hear any static with this device. Extremely clear and full sound. I have used, or tried to, iTrip in the past, which is a joke compared to this. I don't think you can purchase a better FM transmitter.

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2003 LEXUS ES300 KEYLESS ENTRY KEY REMOTE REPLACEMENT SHELL BLADE SHELL ONLY SB & FREE DISCOUNT KEY

I bought this thinking I would save some money because Lexus wants around $70 for this key. The key only cost me about $7 and Lexus charged me $25 to cut the key to fit my ignition. The problem is after about a week I took the key out of my pocket and there was a chip of plastic broken off from around the screw. The key hasn't completely broken away from the plastic but with this compromised structural integrity, it's probably just a matter of time. Even if they refund the money or give me a replacement, I will still have to pay Lexus to cut the key again. If I had it to do again, I would just give Lexus the 68 bucks or so because then I would be able to complain to them and probably they would replace it free of charge.

The standard Lexus keybody is weak and eventually breaks. A dealer replacement is over $100.00 (key + cutting). Save yourself time and money. Buy 2 bodies, get them cut by your local locksmith or at the dealer and gain the piece of mind knowing you're covered when the inevitable break happens.

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Got here quickly!

Worked just like I thought that it would. My wife is happy again. It will be a Merry Chrstmas!

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Arkon Slim-Grip Desktop Flat Surface Dashboard Travel Mount Holder for Samsung Galaxy S3 S III & Ot

I'm verrry happy with this product. I have a 2004 Mazda 3 and the dash is slightly curved enough that the window suction cups do not work on it. However, this one is different, and it sticks perfectly.

Pros:

-Suction cup sticks very well to surfaces that are slighlty curved or textured

-Solid construction

-Fully adjustable/maneuverable the arm is longer than many other mounts which is great

-Fits iPhone 5 perfectly (as well as iPhone 4 and I'm sure many other phones) and holds it well

-Can mount and remove your phone with one hand

-Looks nice

Cons:

-Slight vibration when you hit bumps, although this device is still better than any other mount I have used. I think the only way to reduce this would be to have a shorter 'arm' however that is one of the features I like

-The flat surface that says Arkon on it is made from a shiny plastic would be nicer if it was a matte finish like the rest of the product. This is only visible when you do not have your phone mounted however.

Blueant S4 Bluetooth Stereo Speaker

The S4 has a lot of good qualities. Excellent battery life, solid microphone and speaker, and it responds well to commands...if it responds at all.

My wife has the exact kind of voice for which voice recognition systems (Google voice search on her phone, or the S4 in this case) are NOT designed. She can't get it to respond to her voice to start up the process. Once it asks her to "say a command," then she can say "phone commands" and make a call. But she can't get it to activate while it's just listening, passively. Meanwhile, I'm in the passenger seat and can get it to work while speaking softly. In terms of voice recognition systems, my voice is perfect for them. So...it works great for me, not so much for her.

The microphone and speaker are great. The included micro USB cable is ridiculously short, but I guess they're thinking you would use the cigarette lighter adapter and not want too long of a cord in your car while charging. I just charge it at home overnight, and it lasts for days and days, even if left on by mistake for much of that time.

One thing to note you tell it to use "phone commands" and then it activates the phone's command system. It is merely a speaker and microphone for that system despite the whole "import contacts" it is not doing recognition itself. The phone is. So if you have a bad (or badly designed) voice dialing system on your phone, it'll be just as bad with the S4. I have an HTC Incredible and that's great. My wife has a Droid X and its need for one more level of confirmation slows her down. My rooted EVO 4G, for work, is somewhere in between. But that's the phone, not the S4.

The Blueant S4 missed the mark. The have used other devices and decided to upgrade. I bought the S4 and I am so disappointed. The quality is lacking, the commands are silly and hard to use and I have to speak the commands several times to get the S4 to select the right one. 2 out of 3 times it selects the wrong person from my address book and that SILLY trigger "BlueAnt speak to me" is driving me crazy. Not worth the money.

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I am surprised by some of the negative reviews. I have had this device for a couple of years now and I use it every day and love it. No one ever complains that they can not hear me and I can always hear others clearly. I keep it mounted in my car and always easily have hands free talking without having to clip anything to my ear. I wold highly recommend the device. Becasue I have two phones connectted at all times (work and personal), I use the activation of the voice dialing from my phones not the Blueant device so I can be sure which phone is being selected to call from. That seems to work best with two phones connected.

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Works well. The first one died a few weeks into use. Blue Ant was outstanding and fast replacement. A very good speaker!

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I've had this product for over a year now. The "true" handsfree worked great for the first 9 months. Then I began experiencing problems whereby the Blueant device's handfree feature could not hear me. I continued to use it for a few more months but would have to push the multifunction button so that I could speak to it. Close to 12 months after purchase, the listening mechanism stopped functioning altogether. I couldn't dial out unless I dialed through my Blackberry. I got an RMA and obtained a replacement. The replacement was brand new in a box...I was very surprised. Everything began working again. Now, another 6 months into it and the handfree feature is starting to breakdown again. I have to use the multifunction button to dial out.

I have other Blueant devices and they work great. It think there might be a reliability issue with the S4.

Cellet Vehicle Phone Holder with USB Charging Port for Smartphones and MP3/MP4 devices

I don't usually review unless the product gets five stars. This one gets four. I wanted something just to hold my iPhone. Not charge it, or modulate music through FM. I didn't wanna use a suction cup on the windshield or buy an expensive vehicle specific mount. I wanted to use the 12V outlet on the side of the dash on the passenger side. For that it works. Problem is, it wont stay still. There are like three or four locks on the thing but they constantly let loose. For my needs for the next time I might just get the vehicle specific one.

The only real complaint I have is that the device has a bright blue light that glows when it's plugged in. It's not at all bothersome during the daytime, but at night, it lights up the floor of my car a bit. Doesn't bother me when I'm driving or anything, but it is just a little much.

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This holder works perfect for the Mercedes Benz c300. It's easy adjustable and allows different positions to avoid contact when switching gears. It fits tight in the lighter socket and once tighten up it does not move around (Samsung Galaxy S2). The blue light is not too bright considering the angle and it does not bother me at all at night. The holder does not come with a USB cable so I purchased a 6 inch micro USB cable that fits and works perfectly without having any long cables hanging around. The plastic quality is ok given that it is an under $20 item.

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It is hard to find the right mount for a car so that you can 1) See the screen, 2) charge the phone, 3) keep it out of the way.

This unit pretty much does the job. The only worry I have is that, over time, the weight of the phone and gooseneck may break either the male plug or the socket in my car time will tell.

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Cons:

Covered the charging port for the atrix 4G.

Not good fit on cigarette lighter, the goose neck positioning didn't allow for full insertion into lighter port

Annoyingly bright blue LED in front of mount (especially distracting at night)

Pros:

Good Swivel Action

Strong Gooseneck, held phone in position

Easily adjustable

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Schumacher SP-400 4.8W Solar Battery Charger / Maintainer

This item works well and puts out quite a good amount of electricity even in non ideal lighting. You'll want the charge controller with this one if you intend to use it as a constant 12V battery trickle charger. I think this large one has the ability to overcharge, especially on very sunny days. The charge controller will prevent overcharge.

This item has been multi purpose. I use this was a battery maintainer of my motorcycle and my lawn mower, charger and set up as emergency charging unit. I have configured this pannel charging for cell phones, charging the battery for a Ham radio(s). This unit also works well in vehicles, just place on dash, plug into the lighter plug and power the car radio with the key on and or use to charge the battery.......

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Can't say more than that, it does what it is suppose to do and keeps the battery charged. No more worries about dead battery after long periods of storage. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend, but get the controller to avoid batter burn out.

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Had this solar panel for a month now. Using it with Schumacher SPC-7A Solar Charge Controller to help keep my riding Lawn mower battery topped off. Have the Panel just sitting on a window with the blinds holding it in place. So far very good.

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This device did not provide a battery charge used with a Schumacher Solar charge controller. There is no real good way to test or check the unit for proper operation. A fully charged dual battery on a Silverado truck still discharged as before using this solar charger

Dorman 85988 Conduct Tite Battery Isolator Switch

I bought this isolator switch for my 1970 Baja Bug because I could mount it remotely and not have to lift the back seat every time I went to store the car. Works great so far and the plastic isn't brittle or chinsy. It says it was made in England, and while junk can be made anywhere, this doesn't feel like sweatshop garbage. Note that the key can only be removed in the off position, so it should be mounted in a spot where it won't get kicked/thrashed/beat during operation.

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