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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
I don't know anything about scanners or radio in general but I've been able to operate it well enough with no training (or reading of the instuction manual for that matter). [...] I put the mounting bracket on last night and set it on my dashboard and it looks great, even on an Acura with a mostly (brown) wood and (tan) leather interior. If you don't know anything about scanners but are willing to learn, I'd say this is a good investment for you.
from Ridgecrest, California on 5/28/2008
Ive been a scanner enthusiast for 20+ years now and can honestly say this is possibly the best scanner ever made. As a freelance photographer for the local newspaper I find the 2096 very reliable and easy to use. With 500 channels available I can monitor not only local stuff but nearby counties as well without having to reprogram. The 2096 makes it possible to monitor both conventional and trunked systems at the same time and when coupled with a laptop and Win96 software programming is a snap. Another bonus with the 2096/Win96 combo is that the receiver can easily be modified to monitor UHF military aircraft frequencies. With the supplied telescopic antenna air and ground comms from China Lake NAWS are clear as a bell even from 20 miles away. The 2096 also allows mode changing on all frequencies allowing milcommers to monitor A2A comms between 148-150MHz as well as AM/FM satcom transmissions, unfortunately WFM is not an option for those that like to monior the BURN channels. Oh and a special note for Los Angeles residents, the DSP 1.0 firmware that comes preloaded works great for monitoring LAPDs digital network, no need to upgrade to the latest version. The only downfalls ive found with the receiver is that volume/squelch knob will snap off the circuit board if bumped hard enough, WFM is not included in the available modes and that Radio Shack still continues to use 12.5 KHz and 5 KHz spacing on the aircraft bands, since day 1 it has been 25 KHz not only on VHF but UHF as well.
This is a good scanner for Digital Trunking APCO-25, which is why I purchased it. The LED screen went blank after only 6 months of use. The scanner still works, just cant see/program due to no display. Very frustrating to have to return for something that should not stop working so quickly. LED's have been around for years.
VARY GOOD RADIO TO BUY
The scanner is not worth any thing the sounds goes so load and i had it two months and the display went out [...]
I love this radio, it's by far one of the best digital base scanners for the price! If you do get this, make sure you get the USB data cable and use Win96 to program it, it is MUCH easier then trying to do it manually. Although after a few years the antenna jack no longer worked and had to get a new mainboard, although I bought it on [@] for eighty bucks and now it's as good as new!
from Westminster, CA... on 4/17/2008
Have had this radio for two years and love it. If you program it right you can get about 100 trunk systems in with all their talk groups, all with out computer aid. I run the unit mobile most of the time and have had no trouble at all, also have five two radio in the van right next to the scanner and they all work together without any problem...
This radio is very easy to use compared to other digital scanners.... the digital audio is excellent BUT be prepared to send it in for repair to get the LCD fixed because RS base scanners are notorius for having issues with the display.Another bad thing about this radio..... you can only program 50 channels and 150 talkgroups per bank so if your area has a radio system with alot of users, you either have to pick 150 of the ones you want to monitor or else program that system into two seperate banks. For ease of operation I would choose this model over the [...]
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Brigantine, NEW JERSEY on 4/6/2008
I am a police dispatcher and a EMT, I love this item. It is great I can hear different police, fire, ems departments!!!! Keeps you in the loop and on my toes..
from Anniston,Alabama 36201 on 4/1/2008
Needs to have the Vo Coder 2 Decypter for when the signal is encrypted!!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
I have owned many other brands of scanners and this one is the best so far. I also own the Pro-96 hand held and getting ready to buy yet another Pro-2096. Not sure why people think this is hard to operate or program, much easier than other brands.
from Michigan on 3/12/2008
I have owned several scanner brands in the past and this one is by far the best! It has great audio and receives digital very well. Personally I think it is the easiest to program that I have owned... but you can still use software if you have problems. I own the Pro-96 hand held also and going to buy another 2096.
no digital audio but it tracks it fine
[1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
used at home for fun
did pick up channels
did not pick up phoenix pd channels
this is a good scanner except you can,t controll volume very well, to loud or to quit
This is a great scanner but the front end is so hot one must shorten whip aerial to stop FM BCB overload. I am a swl, licensed ham radio op and was a net control station for the Military Affiliate Radio System. This scanner does a great job although the front end is too hot in the presence of close FM bc stations. Easily solved though! Hans-WA1UFO
product is easy to use
speaker is very loud
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
This scanner performs well once programmed. Herein lies the rub. The manual is completely and totally inadequate for anyone, even a degreed engineer, unless that person is very familiar with the technology applied. The simple provision of a few step by step examples of the basic programming and associated considerations for each of these steps would greatly facilitate the usefulness of this radio. As it is, it is generally necessary to load a program provided by a local ?expert? to make this scanner at all usable. Even then, one must be prepared to spend many days on the learning process, to be able to keep the programming up to date. I would not recommend this radio to anyone simply looking for a way to listen, for example, to police and fire, communications. It is definitely not a ?turn it on & use it? device. However if you are looking for a very time consuming hobby, this just might be a good choice
Scanner does good job, however the manual is poorly written.My hobby is electronics and my son is an electrical design engineer and even he can not figure out some of the lingo that is in manual. The average off the street person will not be able to program trunking freqs. because the manual is poorly written.First piece of eqpt. amateur or scanner I have had to read over and over and still do not understand it!!!!
from Jonesboro, Ar. on 1/4/2008
I bought my scanner new off of EBay. it seems to be low on the receive end as my old $50.00 BC350c will pick up up many more stations than this one, even after trying the attenuation settings and various antennas the Bc 350c out performs this scanner for the analog modes. Also be advised that Radio Shack will not honor their warranty unless it is purchased at one of their stores. Programming was easy with the R.S. cable and Win96 software. [$]
This scanner is top-of-the-line if you understand the different radio frequencies and are somewhat scanner savy. If you can't, the instruction book is not very helpful or user friendly and only confuses people. I see in other comments that people have become frustrated and blame the unit for easily solved problems such as not adjusting the length of the antenna properly for the frequency they are listening to or not adjusting the squelch right. There will always be interference, but if you adjust the controls properly you can rid most of it. If you buy this scanner and have it programmed by a local dealer you should be fine! The handheld is cheaper and in Michigan might be a better choice since the state legislature amended 750.508 a year ago to allow use of scanners in the car if not committing a crime. This portable goes back and forth between the car and home much easier.
was very easy to program and recieves excellently. our local pd is all digital with some very strong signals close by that will easily over power the recieve but the attenuator works excellent. only complaint is the LCD failed after only a couple of minutes operation. recomend the three year extended warranty especially given the price of unit
I bought one several years ago. Since my local PD and the Virginia State Police are going digital I decided to get another for my vehicle. Very nice unit and with the Win96 software (look on Google) its simple to program and clone.
from Elkhart, IN on 12/12/2007
I purchased this scanner almost a year ago and it seems to be a very good receiver/scanner. I don't listen to it alot, but since the local police are going digital, decided to buy it. The store where I bought it programmed the channels into it for me free. Otherwise, I probably would have never figured it out on my own--it is kind of technical to figure out--at least to me. I also listen to the aircraft band and it brings in the transmissions very good (after all, they are flying right over one's head!). The unit is not cheap and I hesitated to spend so much on a scanner, but now that I have it, am glad I spent the money to get this one. I also bought the inexpensive outdoor antenna (I think about [$]) and it brings in the signals much better than the little antenna that comes with this unit, altho that one didn't do too bad, actually. Of course, that meant mounting the antenna on a mast and running the coax into the house, but it was worth it.
[1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
I bought the pro-2096 in september 07 and within two months the display went. They gave me a new one and within one week the display went in that one too. I don't know what I can do.
from Montgomery County, Pa. on 10/22/2007
I own 2 of them 1 in my vehicle and 1 at home. I am a member of 2 fire companies and I use them to monitor fire calls we are dispatched to so I can hear the first in reports, reduce and holds and recalls. I was not issued the new 800mhz radios fire cos. have now so I purchased these scanners.
They are great radios with good reception. However,the programming of these radios are not easy unles you are cloning one from another, or have the computer program and cables.
Its a great scanner.. A lot of people complain about the receive. My suggestion is get a better antenna. I have 4-5 mobil antennas but, the base antenna (I use it indoors), brings in 30 mile stations. The scanner is good for the money. (I do have the program cable and software).
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Instruction booklet is hard to understand. when using my scanner the conversation fades out after 6-7 words.There is an intermittent loud static noise that totally cuts out any calls,and a lot of the conversation is missed.The reception is blurred most of the time, even with the antenna in full position. For the price of this scanner the features that it has,you can't pick up most of them anyway,such as marine band,or ham band.
Scanner works well with the digital era. Most of NH is now P25 and the radio works very well. Easy to program using the software or entering the channels manually.
from Austin, MN on 8/30/2007
The Pro-2096 has excellent sensitivity and selectivity. Digital reception from 50 miles away is reliably good with Yagi antenna on rooftop. Frequency coverage is adequate. I would like to add an I.F. Output jack for other modulation detectors in future. Thanks for a good radio!
Well made with great sensitivity and coverage. If you don't program it frequently, you tend to forget how to program it (me anyway).
from San Leandro, CA on 7/25/2007
Easy to program if you purchase the cable and software. Without it its nearly impossible to take full advantage of the memory space available. This scanner installed in my truck has horrable grunge, like power line noise, that takes over the receiver from time to time. I exchanged the radio for another and still have the grunge, no change. I added an outside magnetic antenna, no change. A very expensive receiver with a very annoying problem. I should have returned it soon after I bought it, because I thought I could live with it. I can't, so now I use it for a door stop.
from Longmont, CO on 7/12/2007
This is an excellent scanner, as is the handheld Pro96 which I also own. Programming in your local VHF/UHF conventional channels is simple and straight-forward, and the user manual is excellent in explaining how to do just that. However, with more and more digital trunking systems going into service, programming this unit from the front panel becomes ponderous and challenging. The remedy? Download and purchase a copy of StarrSoft Win96, AND, subscribe to RadioReference.com. Win96 is designed specifically for the Pro96 and Pro2096, and it seamlessly imports frequency data bases from Radio Reference. Bottom line: You can effortlessly program your scanner to the exact agencies you want to listen to, and, with Win96, you can easily store, manage, edit and activate up to 10 Virtual Scanner folders, something that's not well documented in the user manual. This is the finest scanner I've ever owned, and with Win96 and Radio Reference, all the frustrations of front panel scanner programming simply dissappear.
from Huntington Beach, Calif on 7/3/2007
Excellent unit with good and clear audio output, and sensitivity which is very good too. I have 396T handheld, and 2096 sensitivity seems better than the 396. Only hangup is the product manual; the sections on digital trunking applications are in different parts of manual, and have to page back and forth to get to each topic. Why couldn't they have put all of these topics into a whole unified section instead of artificially dividing into different parts of manual? That is really irritating. Maybe I can apply for a job to get this done better in the future!
I've owned Radio Shack and other scanners for over 30 years. My favorite before this one was the Pro-2006. This is an excellent scanner - I have this one and the Pro-96. Audio on the 2026 is loud and clear, no need for an external speaker. Excellent sensitivity. Get Don Starr's Win96 software to program.
The scanner is a good scanner but it reception stinks some times it dose good and some times I want to through it out the window... it breakes up in the middle of some tranmissions... i have not tried the hand held scanner yeabut i am going to and see if dose the same thing
The radio receives trunked systems just fine. However, the VHF-Hi and Lo band RX is pretty much NOT THERE on it. I have tried different Pro2096's with the same results, even on various outside antennas at separate locations...
This is a very good scanner.In the bad reception area I live in it pulls in even weak stations. I also have a Pro-92 but this scanner is worlds apart. Can highly recommend it.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Shortly after purchasing a new Radio Shack Pro-2096 scanner, I noticed that it was not receiving local fire, police, or EMS in San Antonio. After making a few inquiries, I discovered that these services had all converted to the EDACS ProVoice digital system, which is encrypted. In other words, the Pro-2096 will not receive these signals. The sales clerk at the Radio Shack store failed to mention this to me when I bought the unit. It's my own fault for not doing more research before laying down nearly $500 for a radio that is basically nothing more than an expensive boat anchor. Can it be used to listen to other services? Certainly. I can listen to the local appliance stores as they dispatch their repairmen on service calls. Riveting. Absolutely riveting. Let the buyer beware.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
I think the scanner is good, but the Mot.trunking system is for the birds ....
Great scanner with good reception and fetures but the users guide could be easier to understand.
I HAVE 4 SCANNERS FROM RADIO SHACK AND THE PRO-2096 IS THE BEST YET
This is the first scanner I have ever owned and I can't say enough about it. It is just great all around. I use mine mostly in my truck but some times I use it at home and it works great in both locations.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
I have had this unit for 3 mounths it works great I would recamound this to radio to anyone
manual not very clear on how to set scanner up to monitor trunk and channels you scan yourself. reception is great but its a shame support is only avail mon-fri 9-5 isnt everyone working then
My first digital scanner. Owners guide is not written for a non-tech savvy person like me to understand and be able to program the scanner. I will probably have to have it programmed for me. With squelch turned on max I still get noise and signals also get cancelled out.
hi,the last excellent scanner you came out with for its time, was the pro 2006,well you did it again. this scanner has it all it is with out a doubt is the finest scanner out there why would anyone spend a 1000$ on an icom, when they could get the pro 20-96 that does the same thing and then some thanx for the great products.
For someone like me who has some mental problems with my brain [born], I had to have someone program it for me. But over all I give it a 100+ RS made a great radio! Thanks & God bless you all. BTW having the antenna all the way down works best, I pick up everything & even the non 800 MHz!
Should have saved the money. Even with squelch turned max., still get noise. With ATTN. on, still need to turn squelch up, to the point no signals are rec'd. Can't believe that police & fire units get this much noise on their units. If so, they too would do as I do -- TURN IT OFF!
I love it, I can hear all the 800 Mhz real great. It is the best gift that dad & stepmom gave me. Thank Montgomery County ECC. God bless you all
All brands have their good and bad points. I have had this 2096 for a year and it has been great.I agree the owners manuel is not the best but it is really not hard to use, using Win96 makes your life with this scanner a lot better. The only real complaint I have with this scanner and this goes with most GRE made models is the interference from a strong signal like a pager.
Do some homework and you will find that there are uniden models in the same price range that are more dependable and also offer continuos coverage from 25mhz to 13000. these have to many breaks in freqs.
After one month of owning the Pro-2096 I can't say much negative about the scanner. Programming is best done by using the interface cable and appropriate Software. In the 70cm HAM band the 6.25 KHz channel step is a joke. None of the HAM repeater is on such an odd frequency. It should be 5KHz and it will be right on the money. Reception is good and it performs very well mobile. If one wants to listen to APCO-25 traffic it takes some time to figure out that this is actually called splinter mode. Otherwise it will not stop in scan mode if there is channel activity. Other than that, I am very happy with its performance, also I was lucky to purchase while on sale.
Priced much to high. Very complicated to program. The book is not well written. When placed along side of the Uniden BCD996T, the uniden seems to perform better and reacts faster. This unit does have better slightly better audio quality then the uniden. I plan on keeping this one in the house and the uniden in the car.
This is not a bad radio but if you need service on it as I did forget the service.I had mine about 3 months and it needed repair, when I send it in to RS it came back still not working after they had it a month, now I have to send it back again.
I purchased my first one shortly after they came out. I purchased my second one during the first sale and purchased my *third* one during a later sale. I am now purchasing my *fourth* one for use by my teenaged daughter so that we don't have to argue over what to listen to and when! With the WIN96 software and a Catalog #: 20-289 programming cable programing is a breeze and the V-Scanners literally make it like one has not 1 but *11* scanners to choose from so that you can travel from system to system area to area and not worry if you'll be able to hear what you want. On top of that the audio, both digital and analog, is top notch. In my almost 40 years of `scanning', and I include the years of old crystal controlled 1 & 2 channel radios along with a few tunables, this is the one, I also have 4 2006s, 2 96s, 2 97s, and 3 2055s too, of the best radios I have owned. The 2 mounting options along with being useable as a base makes this a versatile unit. (For base use I would suggest that one pick up on some Jumbo Self Stick Cushion Feet Catalog #: 64-2342 and install a set [4] on the underside of the base cabinet. Not only will it keep it from sliding around or marking up things but it also helps the sound, too.) For someone wanting to get into scanning and needing analog and digital in a base/mobile this radio, the proper software, and a programming cable is the way to go.
This is an outstanding radio! Does leaps and bounds over the UNIDEN models. Get the software from WIN96 though, it makes programming much easier!!! A++++++
Great scanner. Runs full time in my store. Does not require programming if you put it on Search Bank 3 (SR3). Will find everything in your area without the need for Frequency sheets or consulting the Police Call books. Several Law Enforcement Officers have purchased it for their relatives. Picks up the newer 800 Mhz (866) digital frequencies just fine.
My first digital scanner. Manual programming is a snap. Programming trunked systems, not so sure. It's still new to me. Having the Preloaded Data was a blessing when it came to picking up Ct. State Services, which is what I bought it for. If you can buy this unit on sale, it's a good investment for someone who's tech savvy, or has been around scanning for awhile. I've been at it over 25 years, and am not sure about someone looking to buy their first scanner, though if you have help, you're all set. Overall, good deal.
This is all around the best scanner worth every penny if you want a top of the line scanner. Has everything you need for Fire, Rescue Police, Airplane, Weather, FRS/GM/MVRS, Ham Band, Limit Searcg, Marine Band, and CB Band.
Outstanding Scanner, Reception is excellent in my area. Audiod output is superb "Loud and Clear" Easy to program by hand as well. The Stand should have been a bit better when using as a base station, it slid a bit to much for me. But overall my favorite scanner. It may even support the new FCC Rebanding of the 800Mhz freqs :)
Great Reception I listen to all local Police and Sheriffs Department without missing either party. Win96 programing a must because it can do so much, best scanner ever.
Once you learn to program is CORRECTLY, this hears everything...EVERYTHING. Skips NOTHING. TOO EXPENSIVE
Not very good at picking up Detroit fire and police. Cuts out, and picks up half of the transmissions if I'm lucky. I also have a Pro 96, which picks up twice as many transmissions, but also misses a lot. Works great on VHF, but that's not why I bought it.
I Own over 20 scanners. I believe that having a capability to do firmware upgrades on a user level is Important, With the pro-96/2096 you have that option. The scanner has great audio both digital and analog. And as for signal reception and clarity I would give it a 10, you really can't go wrong with this unit.
This scanner works great for the new APCO 25 digital 9600 baud system in the Denver metro area. The price is high, but if you want to listen to the new digital system, you have to pay the price. Save yourself the hassle and buy the rs-232 programming cable and the software(Win96) to program this unit, programming manually will take a long time and wear your finger out.
THE BEST SCANNER FOR LISTENING TO THE APCO-25 SYSTEM THAT BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ USES
I have Been a Scanner listener for about 20 years.This is the best Radio Shack Scanner to date. Great Digital audio. If you can do without I-Calls on Motorola systems,this scanner is almost perfect. Din size is a large plus for mobile set up. I do recomend that you catch it on sale usualy for $399.
Not impressed, Ive had it for about two days now and i feel ripped off.. Its getting boxed up today
I am sorry to Report That it isnot Compatible with Detroit and Flint Michigan Systems. I Hate to Give Bad Reports.
Great unit. Best I have owned in dozens of years of RS and Uniden receivers. Programming software (Win96) is a MUST-HAVE for ease of operation, especially for trunking use.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Not a bad radio, but WAY over priced. Am able to monitor the OPP and the Ontario Bell Fleetnet System. Overall NOT BAD!!
Outstanding radio. Much more sensitive than any of the Uniden digital scanners. I had a Uniden 796 mobile for a while, and side by side the 2096 has far better reception and audio quality on digital systems.
I have been a scanner enthusiast for many years, and this Radio Shack scanner is one of the best that I've had. Great audio output and good reception with the telescopic antenna. Takes a little getting used to in terms of using it, but it is a wonderful monitoring tool. Reception of APCO 25 digital systems (both trunked and fixed) has been very good. I paid $499 and it was well worth it--- if you can pick it up at your local RS on sale, all the better. Definately recommended.
No ability to receive I-calls on Motorola systems! Stick with Uniden BCD-396T or wait for the new BCD-996T !!
the price is very good I got it on sale at 399.99 and another place wanted 625.00 and radioshack even programed it free for me very happy in michigan:)
A great scanner with a lot of features. However, the instruction manual is not well written and is very confusing.
Great scanner. Manual needs an index. Also, a few programming examples in the manual would be helpful.
Great Scanner! It would be nice to have 10 priority channels (One in each bank.) It would be nice to have the volume knob and squelch separate.
Easy to install, picks up EVERYTHING in my area, and with my extended antenna, I'm reaching Alexandria and DC from my Jeep at home!!! A+++!!!!
Could have used a little more info in the manual of this scanner. Still woking with it can find plenty of frequencies statewide none in area I live in! Kind of takes the fun out of it.
Great Scanner! Still learning about it, but wish the instruction manual was easier to comprehend. I feel that some steps were left out.
Great scanner, but would have been nice to have a mute button so the scannercould be silenced without touching the volume.
Scanner is great but the display should have been alittle bigger and it should have had LTR trunking and the I-Calls feature.
Great radio.Priced a little to high.
Radioshack programmed it for me and gave me the website to check for updates.
Ohter than having to obtain the software to program some of the function, this has been a GREAT radio. Owned: 3 months