Uniden Bearcat BC75XLT Handheld Scanner, 300 Channels, 10 banks, Close Call Technology, PC Programable, NOAA Weather, Aviation, Marine, Railroad, NASCAR, and Non-Digital Police/Fire/Public Safety

There is nothing wrong with the actual device. Im using it to listen to railroad communications. I live about 3.5 miles from the rail lines and I get a decent signal after adding a different antenna. Its easy enough to carry in my car when Im at the tracks taking video or photos. The instructions are a little vague so I watched some YouTube videos and that helped out a lot. Im using regular Amazon brand AA batteries and am getting a decent run time. I also live next to a small airport so I can listen to some of the communications from the small aircraft. The issues I have are that most of the police/fire departments around my area have gone digital and thus, this wont work for them. So again, there is nothing wrong with the actual device. Just know what your area has before you get caught up in the Police, Fire advertising/description and avoid disappointment. I havent really had any good luck with weather info and quite frankly its just easier to use my smartphone to get actual weather information. So I dont see that as a selling point either. I do wish there was a way to have the back-light of the screen to be on longer than it is. Too often its hard to see what the station is when Im using the search mode to then lock in that station. Overall, its a decent enough first time scanner for me.

Purchased to use for nascar race seeing it was about the same cost to buy as to rent headsets for the weekend. Worked great all weekend on one set of batteries.

Programming the device is a bit challenging. Programming thru a connected computer may be easier, but requires purchased software. Uniden should provide the software gratis. And the scanner SHOULD be usable while charging, battery life is short. Works well, good reception here in mountain valley until recharge requires shutdown.

One of the reasons I chose this over the BC125AT is that the display is bigger. Where the 125 uses 2 lines to display frequency and an alpha tag, this one uses the space for 1 line. I have used scanners enough in my county so I know what frequency is what. Also 500 channels is way more than I need. I had a 20+ year old Bearcat scanner that still worked, but the rechargeable battery was gone, so I had to leave it plugged in to use it. Its nice to have a portable scanner again.

This unit eats batteries. AA alkaline do not last more than 6 hours. I will try rechargeable batteries. Another negative is, as others have said, it is not easy to program. I have some experience with scanning radios and bluffed my way through it but have a hunch I still dont understand all its features. It works for my limited purposes. Lastly, the clip is not very strong and the unit frequently falls from my best. So far, no breakage. On the good side, the reception is stronger than either a paging radio or the scanner I have. It seems to filter out some noise. I use it to monitor two (only) fire frequencies, as I work part time in a fire house with no in-house alarm system and I like to know when the troops are going to converge. It has good range and for a user who must keep track of many frequencies yet be able to set one as a priority, this works just fine. I would buy it again...four starts despite the shortcomings.

I cant give you too much technical jargon. What I can say is the following; Very easy to set up. Manual was an easy read. The YOUTUBE videos make programming and setup a snap. My advice before you buy is ask someone in your area about scanning as this is an entry level scanner. It may not do all of what is required in large cities/metropolitan areas. I live in the rural northwest and I am enjoying all the frequencies in my area. I also put rechargable batteries in my scanner and they seem to last about 9 hours a charge. This may vary with your scanner depending on what you have it doing. 4 stars because the plastic feels a little bit brittle and so I handle it with kit gloves.

This syncs to your pc and allows you to easily and quickly fill all the banks with custom freq sets you can create and store on your pc. Battery will last a whole day of nascar which is what I bought it for, but no more than that so stock up on batteries. Wish the controls were quicker to use. Assigning priorities and switching banks is a pain.

I purchased this Uniden Bearcat Scanner in order to monitor Kansas City Southern and and Canadian National railroads in the Alexandria, Baton Rouge and New Orleans area as well as the Baton Rouge area NOAA Weather Radio frequency. The Uniden Bearcat Scanner works best with rechargeable NI-MH 2300 Mah batteries. The Scanner can also be powered by to Alkaline batteries but this type of doesn’t last long at all. After installing the two NI-MH 2300 Mah rechargeable batteries I haven’t had recharge yet. This Scanner has a built in sercuit, which charges the batteries when the Scanner is connected to your computer. The Scanner’s functions are straight forward and very easy to operate and understand. The Uniden Bearcat Scanner will also receive Fire/EMS and Louisiana Department of Corrections Statewide Scanner Frequency, meriner’s info frequency and area wide Ham frequency in our area as well as Baton Rouge Metropolitan airport Ryan Feild, but will not tune in police frequencies in this area as the police now use 800s Scanner frequencies for their added security. Al in all this Scanner is great tool to have during hurricane season.

It is a good scanner, as all the Uniden scanners are. Has the close call feature, made for narrow band, and is easy to program from the keyboard. Unfortunately I have been unable to find the programming software on their website. It claims that you can download it but the link address has nothing for a BC75XLT. Maybe it is available somewhere else. I would give a 5 star rating if this software was available.

I’ve received two defective units. One was knew one was like new. Neither worked. I contacted customer support the first time and there was no resolution. 2nd one I just sent back. Would not scan straight out of the box and said All Cannel Lock. Going with a different make this time.