Video review linked at the bottom of this article.
This is my review of the Uniden SDS100 scanner. Programming the Uniden SDS100 is easy if you follow the directions. The SDS100 can receive P25 Phase 1 and 2. It can also receive DMR, NXDN and ProVoice if you purchase the upgrade. How to program the SDS100 using Sentinel guide is in this video as well. I promised the Uniden SDS100 Review and How to a while back and finally have been able to give this Uniden scanner review.
I recommend buying the Uniden SDS100 on Amazon for free shipping and usually no tax! Buy it here: https://amzn.to/2IgEHpG
I recommend the Diamond RH77CA antenna for VHF High or Air Band monitoring: https://amzn.to/2OeOdz5
Uniden SDS100 True I/Q™ Digital Handheld Scanner Review. In this Uniden SDS100 Review I will show you the main features of the scanner. I will also show you how to program the SDS100 by hand and how to program the SDS100 with a computer. It's a great police scanner. I use the SDS100 to monitor police, fire, ems, aircraft, railroads and more! This is a great radio and has good reception and audio output. It's not the best airband radio. But where it shines is in 800MHz. If you are looking for an airband radio, I highly recommend the Uniden BC125AT. https://amzn.to/2xRQPsB You can see my review of the BC125AT here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vOuOYYKxEc
The Uniden SDS100's screen is one of the best features to me. The text is crisp and has a nice contrast. You can customize the background color and the text color in numerous ways. I love all the information that is displayed on the screen. It really is an amazing radio!
The audio output on the radio is very good. I can hear the audio in noisy environments like in the vehicle. It's not as loud as a base mobile unit, but it does get loud enough for most situations.
The receive on this radio is excellent in the 700/800MHz bands. In VHF High and airband, it is just okay. If I was wanting to monitor airband or VHF high, I would likely use the BC125AT as long as it was analog channels.
I think the build quality of this radio is great. I like the fact that it is water resistant. So if you do get caught in the rain with it, you shouldn't have to worry about it being damaged. The SDS100 meets JIS4 (IPX4) standards. When you turn the volume/sq knob it has a nice detent to it. The buttons have a nice tactile feel to them on the keypad and the side Menu/Function buttons. The weight of the radio feels nice. It is fairly light weight to hold. With the larger battery, it is nice and stable when sitting on a flat surface. With the smaller battery it does seem a little top heavy. The belt clip is very nice, much like what has been on several of the top end Uniden scanners in the past. The case is plastic and has a mostly plastic feel to it. It's not bad by any means, but just for your information it does feel "plasticy." Operating the radio using the keypad and knobs is done with ease. Everything is snappy and responsive. Did I mention the screen! Man I love how crisp the text looks on the screen. I love the customization options available on screen.
As soon as you get your SDS100, I highly recommend going to my.uniden.com and registering your scanner. If you didn't get the larger battery with your radio, Uniden will mail you one when it is available. You can also purchase the DMR, ProVoice, and/or NXDN upgrades at that time.
The SDS100 vs. the BCD436HP provides some differences that are noticeable. The screen resolution on the SDS100 vs 436hp is better on the SDS100. The screen on the 436 has always looked kind of foggy to me. Whereas the SDS100 has a crisp, clear display. The SDS100 has P25 Simulcase, better in challenging RF environments, water resistance and a rechargeable battery.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I'll try to help you if I can. Thanks again!
Full disclosure: this SDS100 was provided to me by Uniden in exchange for my testing of the radio.
Affiliate links used in this article to help support my blog and channel. I appreciate it if you use these links to make your purchases. It costs you nothing extra but gives me a small commission for sending traffic to those websites.
The Uniden Home Patrol II was just announced last week.
So what is different from the HP-1?
The Home Patrol II adds P25 Phase II compatibility and USB charging. It is also a darker color.
If you aren't familiar with the Home Patrol I, the Home Patrol 1 and 2 feature a touch screen color display. P25 digital trunking. Also pre-programmed information by location. You just type in your zip code and what types of agencies you want to monitor and you are scanning in no time!
