Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner, 25,000 Dynamically Allocated Channels, Close Call RF Capture Technology, 4-Line Alpha display, Base/Mobile Design, Phase 2, Location-Based Scanning

There is a learning curve in programming it. However, it is much easier to program with the Computer and upload the information. I bought ARC-XT Pro to program it, and a Radio Reference subscription. I am happy with both. This scanner is very sensitive, has good quality audio and enables you to listen to almost everything the Police and Fire use. I am also receiving commercial and military aircraft, trains and HAM Radio. With the included antenna I could hear the local police and fire easily in my basement. With an outside antenna I now hear the state.

This unit is an upgrade to Unidens BCD996XT. A feature I really like about this P2 unit is that a written owners manual was provided in the shipping box. Both of these units, which I own, are top-notch scanners. The P2 model will pick up some of the newer systems/channels that many agencies are now using. I strongly recommend that users consider purchasing subscriptions to Radio Reference and Pro Scan so that programming their scanners can be made so much easier by using a computer, although they can be programmed manually if one desires. External outside antennas also add to users ability to pick up distant broadcasts.

This is an excellent scanner, as you would expect from Uniden Bearcat. Ive been using scanners for 35 years, and this is a good one. It has plenty of options and can store more frequencies than most people will ever use. This scanner is not organized in the traditional way (e.g. banks of frequencies); it is ordered in Systems/Sites/Groups, which handles memory better but that appears to be the only advantage. The major limitation of this unit is the owners manual. It was clearly written by engineers with no editing or useful organization. It looks like about 30 people wrote different sections of the manual, and none of them coordinated with the others. The manual is difficult to follow, and presumes the reader is a tech-head engineer. The manual contains less-then-helpful comments such as if you really want to confuse yourself - no kidding thats actually in there! As you read along, trying to figure out how to program a simple frequency, you will find headings that say refer to Creating Sites and Creating Groups. Finally, refer to Programming Frequencies/IDs. Great, but it doesnt tell you where those sections are in the manual, and to make sure you cant find them, the section headings are repeated over and over and over and over and over again in multiple contexts that are nearly impossible to follow. The manual is and absolute stream-of-consciousness. I was a software engineer for 12 years, so I will get this unit programmed, but I would most definitely not buy it again. If Id known the manual was such a disaster, I would have purchased a different unit.

Excellent performance on most systems even with the small, cheap antenna that comes with it. I can receive many transmissions from dozens of miles away and in my basement. Programming with software is a must, a subscription to radioreference and programming software will get you running very quickly. Very satisfied with this radio even though I havent completely mastered using it. Using it is difficult to understand at first so if you want a simple scanner (if such a thing exists) get something else...otherwise its probably the best mobile scanner you can buy.

Recieved in the mail quickly and the scanner works well. Sound quality of the radio is good. It is however a bit tedious programing the scanner via the menus but have downloaded the radio reference free software and the scanner is now up and running with all of my local frequencies. I am getting good reception from PDs 30 miles from my home with the stock antenna. I am however going to give this product four stars, not because the radio lacks quality but because I did not recieve the mounting hardware. Am planning to mount this scanner in my vehicle but the package seems to be missing the twist nuts for the mount and mounting screws. It wont be hard to drive down to my local hardware store to pick up to screws that will work, but at the price point of 350, it is disappointing not to have recieve the radio with all of its intended contents.

This is a very difficult scanner to program by hand (especially trunking) (TGIDS) without using a computer and you MUST use FreeScan software, but once it is set up, WOW! It is made very well with all metal casing and great sensitivity and audio. Just go onto YouTube and watch the videos showing how to use it and its features and benefits. Ill probably buy a Uniden external speaker even though it is being used as a base scanner as the only downfall is the speaker is underneath it. You can change the display colors, make it a red color for your most important frequency and MUCH more so read up on it prior to purchasing. Also, you can adjust the Digital P25 Threshold/P25 LP Filter in the menu settings. The Chicago Tribute had an article on this stating that the Bearcat BCD996P2 is the BEST scanner Uniden America Corporation has EVER manufactured! If anyone needs any help setting this up, or buying advise, please feel free to contact me here.

I bought a 2nd one. this is a p25 digital analog rig. compatible with the new Oregon Radio Project p25 700mhz system in my home state.

Nice radio but too difficult to program. Actually had to contact third party to purchase software to program the radio. I will probably get it programmed but if asked. I wouldn’t purchase this again.

Love this scanner. Havent had one for a while but since I retired I decided jump back in. I didnt even attempt to program it manually. I used the FreeScan software from the Radioreference.com site and it worked perfectly. Was up and running in less than a half hour.

So I am a newbie to this hobby and decided to buy a scanner just to see what was going on whenever the city fire alarm goes off and to listen to police chatter in my free time. After a few days of research I settled on this model even though there were a lot of people saying it was extremely hard to program....Yes it is without help but I programmed all the local ones I needed thanks to a few you tube videos, freescan and radio reference . Took a few hours to learn how to block unwanted channels and other useful things but wasnt too bad. You can pretty much throw away the directions Uniden sent with it and just you tube or google everything. Product came early and as described.