Does the downloadable Radio Reference Database using the included Sentinel Software require any paid fees later on down the road to use & download directly from the Radio Reference Database into the Sentinel Software for this scanner? Does the downloadable Radio Reference Database using the included Sentinel Software require any paid fees later on down the road to use & download directly from the Radio Reference Database... » Read More Does the downloadable Radio Reference Database using the included Sentinel Software require any paid fees later on down the road to use & download directly from the Radio Reference Database into the Sentinel Software for this scanner? « Show Less
314380
No it does not, and it doesn't download directly from RR, the database is modified by Uniden and served by their servers.
314381
No Sentinel does it automatically from unidens servers.. you don't goto radio reference at all for this scanner. . But uniden is still working on getting the wifi dongle and their siren app to work. . They are almost 7 months late on putting out the app
314382
The data base is actually built in to the scanner so there isn't any reason to be a member of radio reference. So when you go in and build you favorite lists you pickDirectly from the internal data base
314383
The Sentinal software if provided by Uoniden at no charge. Among other functions it updates thefirmware and national data base. Radio Reference is a standalone subscription. To my knowledge, it is not affiliated with Uniden.
314384
Is it necessary to have a computer if you have one of these scanners? What is the purpose?
314385
There is no fee to download from the Radio Reference, the only way that you will have to pay is if you become a premium member.
314386
Downloads using sentinel software are free all the time. I believe it gets it directly from radio reference data base.
314387
Yes, it has a database but to update it you do connect to RR. Sorry I don't have an answer about cost as I am a subscriber already.
11682
I believe it said so on the detail information... However, I'm not happy with the purchase and wish I did waste my money. The update removed a radio clock permanently and my satellite radio display information doesn't make sense... Plus I can't tell any difference in updated Navigation information.
1063267
No, but they give you a free link to get it from them so you can get the software no problem for no extra charge.
209670
Yes. There are other formats to which your can select your scanned image to as weell The set up of the scanning drivers and scanner management program did not load correctly from the disk , thus requiring technical call and assistance. Tech Assist was great, responsive, on point and quick. I was up and scanning in minutes after opening the box. The scanner is blazing fast and accurate. We are quite please thus far.
1444797
Normal no, pay to update maps yearly if you want to. I have operated with mine for 5years and have only done 1 map upgrade. So free to operate except the one map upgrade.
1244273
It comes with the limited time subscription. You might have to buy another subscription after that, but theCobra Aura database contains an extensive listing of redlight camera locations, speed traps, and dangerous intersections. We are constantly adding new locations to the database, so it is a good idea to routinely update your GPS Locator. You may update your GPS Locator as often as you wish during the subscription period. My husband is an over-the-road trucker and he says this GPS is invaluable
1592425
I learned you have to buy "crystals" to scan and pick up police frequencies and with this unit it would cost around $300 to buy them at Radio Shack. At this price I would have thought they would have been included
1117107
yes after you get a subscription you have to scan for a station that isnt currently assigned and program that in as your location.
2070578
The radio comes with the SD card (microSD actually) with the map info installed. The map was a little dated (2012), and this radio does not come with free updates. I purchased a year of map updates for $69 - http://www.navizon.com/ if I remember correctly. The location for the map updates is on the NAV screen when it comes up each time. The NAV screen is a little slow the first time it is selected each day (~30 seconds) but after that it comes up immediately (switching between radio, bluetooth, NAV).
505720
No you need a license. This is a sore spot with me. I think the cost of a license should have been on the advertisement for these radios.
2204886
The cheap scanners you speak of are only code readers. They dont have live data as this "diagnostic tool" does. Its by far the best "diagnostic tool" for the money and its not the tools fault people are to slow in their nodule to understand its functions. Please have someone read its manual to you.
1856341
You can see an operators manual online or can order one at your local Radio Shack store. Off the top of my head I can not say with certainty how. I have had so many scanners and programable radios over the years and each has a different procedure. I know this scanner is one of the simpilier ones.
1865280
Yes it is true.. You do have to pay for the updates.. Sad part is when you do run the update the stored info in the detector is sent back to Escort for them to use for the next updates.. In other words they get their info for free or I should say we pay them to take the info back since we pay for the service..
1766876
NO. It's not like a cellphone or satellite radio service that requires a subscription. The Global Positioning System is a constellation of satellites put up by the US Government. Each one broadcasts a signal that can be used to triangulate your position anywhere on the Earth (with reasonable exposure and reception of the signals, meaning it won't work underground, etc). Your tax dollars already pay for the signals and research to make the antenna small enough to be practical. The wiki page for GPS give more background on it, and things like http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01390/animation.htm give animations explaining the basics. NO. It's not like a cellphone or satellite radio service that requires a subscription. The Global Positioning System is a constellation of satellites put up by the US Government. Each one broadcasts a signal that can be used to triangulate your position anywhere on the Earth (with reasonable exposure and reception of the signals, meaning it won't work underground, etc). Your tax dollars already pay for the signals and research to make the antenna small enough to be practical. The wiki page for GPS give more background on it, and things like... » Read More NO. It's not like a cellphone or satellite radio service that requires a subscription. The Global Positioning System is a constellation of satellites put up by the US Government. Each one broadcasts a signal that can be used to triangulate your position anywhere on the Earth (with reasonable exposure and reception of the signals, meaning it won't work underground, etc). Your tax dollars already pay for the signals and research to make the antenna small enough to be practical. The wiki page for GPS give more background on it, and things like http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01390/animation.htm give animations explaining the basics. « Show Less
2178615
yes, yes, very easy to use, just put in your zip code and tell it how far you want to listen, then tell it what you want to listen to ex. police, fire etc, and then it downloads your database to the scanner and you start to listen, neat thing is you can replay the last 2 mins of any transmission,,,hope this helps, doug
251484
The manual programming is difficult and I had to do a couple of weeks worth or internet research and reading the materials that came with the scanner. After some trial and error, I got it programmed and I left a review this past weekend which gives the step by step procedure I used. Check out radio reference to see if your area uses trunked frequencies. If it doesn't, programming the scanner will be easy. The BCD 396XT can get everything except Project 25 Phase II. If your area is EDACS, the steps I used should be a help.
776947
I got them together and dont remember having had to make an extra payment for the software, so i guess the short answer is no but in the other hand is not bad news because it comes included, meaning there is no extra charge. best.