hand held scanner...which one?

[notaperfectpilot]

I am looking for a hand held scanner that is relatively cheep but does a relatively good job at scanning. I don't know much about scanners at all. I know that a lot of you use them quite often. So the question is what do YOU think from your experience withe scanners would be the best one?

[dave]

What do you want to scan?  Just aviation frequencies?  Trunked radio?  Police/fire P25?  Scanning is a lot more complicated than it used to be and the options are so varied.

So what are your interests and what is the max you want to spend?

[notaperfectpilot]

just aviation frequencies...I am thinking around $150 or so max

[welch88]

Hey the Sporty's Air-Scan VII Portable Scanner (aka SP-125) is a very nice scanner for the handheld, it is $150. If you wanted to go desktop you could go with the Air- Scan V desktop it is only $100. The link provided below includes both the handheld and the desktop. It also has the SP-400, I personally would not recommend this for just scanning cause the SP-400 has navigation options and I do believe you can transmit from the SP-400.

LINK: http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/category/833

Hope this helps!!

[notaperfectpilot]

yeah, those were the first ones I looked into...the handheld scanner was definitely on my list. I just wanted to see if there were any other ones that I could take under consideration before I went to the first one I saw thanks

[welch88]

Yep those are the ones.. I think they are reliable and durable.. Let me know if you need anymore help!!

[notaperfectpilot]

have you tried them before?

[dave]

I recommend a Bearcat BC72XLT:

http://www.scannermaster.com/Uniden_Bearcat_BC72XLT_Police_Scanner_p/01-500882.htm

Reasons:
1) It won't break the bank.
2) You only need a receiver, not a transceiver.
3) It has the Bearcat Close Call technology which lets you figure out what frequencies are in use when you are planespotting or near a transmitter.
4) The Sportys stuff is a bit overpriced, especially considering the fact that you can only listen to the aviation band and nothing else.

[notaperfectpilot]

Any other ideas?

[notaperfectpilot]

awww come on, I know there are more people out there that use scanners. What do you like? Give me your opinion!

[bueller]

I would go with Dave's suggestion.  I used that exact scanner to run the KROC feed for at least 2 years with no problems.  Its now my backup scanner as I have a base unit that will also receive Mil-Air. 

I recommend a Bearcat BC72XLT:

http://www.scannermaster.com/Uniden_Bearcat_BC72XLT_Police_Scanner_p/01-500882.htm

Reasons:
1) It won't break the bank.
2) You only need a receiver, not a transceiver.
3) It has the Bearcat Close Call technology which lets you figure out what frequencies are in use when you are planespotting or near a transmitter.
4) The Sportys stuff is a bit overpriced, especially considering the fact that you can only listen to the aviation band and nothing else.

[notaperfectpilot]

What about a transceiver? When I first started this topic, I was looking for a scanner more for airplane spotting. Since then, I have had the opportunity to get my pilots license. So, the question is, should I go with the scanner or maybe spend a little more money and go for a transceiver that could be used for the airplane spotting and for in the airplane?     

[dave]

What about a transceiver? When I first started this topic, I was looking for a scanner more for airplane spotting. Since then, I have had the opportunity to get my pilots license. So, the question is, should I go with the scanner or maybe spend a little more money and go for a transceiver that could be used for the airplane spotting and for in the airplane?     

First, congrats on your pilot's license! 

Second, a transceiver might be your best investment if you intend to use the radio for planespotting and pilot use.  I like the Yaesu VXA-7xx line - the one you would want is:

<http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&q=vxa-710&gs_upl=1986l1986l1l2114l1l0l0l1l1l0l0l0ll0l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1413&bih=682&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=12893940366996618074&sa=X&ei=XemmTqneCObz0gHCv-ioDg&ved=0CDgQ8wIwAQ#ps-sellers>

The VXA-220 is a less expensive transceiver but also very good:

<http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=vxa-220&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5020693363900203576&sa=X&ei=OOqmTty6Oafo0QGHy_iQDg&ved=0CF4Q8wIwAA#ps-sellers>

Icom also makes a good radio:

<http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ic-a6&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=12617818845850066438&sa=X&ei=bOqmTu39Jojq0gGzqaT5DQ&ved=0CGQQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers>

You just need to look at each radio and decide what is important to you in the way of features.

[notaperfectpilot]

Thanks Dave! Yeah, I am really excited about getting my pilots license! A good friend and fellow pilot arranged with an instructor friend of his to teach me. The total cost? About 1/4 of what someone would usually pay! Anyways, are there any "rules" about using a transceiver for airplane spotting? Like you wouldn't want to interfere with any transmissions or something like that, correct?

Thanks for your help 

[athaker]

I'd like to add my thanks for this post and everyone's replies....was just thinking the other day I'd like to purchase a new portable scanner.