Todd...
I have had my 780 for just on a week now. It is an unblocked model
too but does NOT have continuous coverage. It covers the following
from 25-512, 806-956, 1240-1300mhz.
Uniden must pull finger and quit putting out scanners with this
prehistoric band layout. Even if the missing parts only cover TV
and other "not so used" frequnecies, they must be the only scanner
manufacturer that does not let us (the user) decide whether we
want to tune up through here or not.
The missing 30khz step size would go down well here if it was in
the available step sizes but Uniden have chosen an almost totally
rediculous way of chosing steps. First you key in your frequency,
which upon entering is immediately stored in a memory channel, so
make sure you enter on a blank channel. Next you realize that the
step size and maybe the mode is not what you want for that freq,
either that or you can't enter the frequency you want because of
the default step size, try entering 141.4125 mhz with step of 5khz,
so you now have to go into the menu and choose the memory channel
that you just entered and change the step and mode etc. Once that
is done you can modify the 141.415 to 141.4125 OR similar.
Rather a weird way of doing it, I thought. This only changes the
memory settings for that particular memory too. Imagine having 50
of you favorite frequencies in the same boat as the above. MAJOR
PAIN...In my opinion only, I think a lot of the opinions of this scanner
come from people who may not have owned many or any other scanners
in the past, therefore it only seems to be a great scanner (which
it basically "is") but when compared to a few other scanners you
can soon start to pick holes in its layout and useabilty. A trend
in recent years is that many scanners seem to be getting more
trendy than useable. Complex menus are appearing now with their
equally complex options and features.
Basic scanning now seems to becoming an art-from now with the need
to have a clear understanding of many of the radio terms around.
The days of simply turning it on and listening to a few frequencies
is fast disappearing.
Although I do not "hate" the 780-XLT,, it is far from a perfect
scanner or as many people have said, in words to the effect => "If
you have to buy just one scanner then the 780-XLT has to be it".
Just personally, I would spend a few bucks more and get a scanner
in the upper classes. Believe me, you will notice the extra bucks
worth BUT that's if I was going to have just the "one" scanner.
As it is, I have several and they are all more expensive models
but I had to see what was causing all the hype so I bought the 780.
When compared to other scanners, the 780 falls short of the mark
in several useable areas. I am not talking specs or tech talk here,
just from another users' point of view. It does, however have many
great features too.
Its layout and looks are it strongest selling points for me. Once
you power it up and start pushing buttons, you may start to see
another side of it. It starts out to be a very simple scanner to
operate but soon get cluttered up in other features that seem to
have been, not so well thought out and could have been simpler.
For its price bracket, I would still call it a great "value for
dollar" scanner and Uniden have improved the looks of the 780
quite a bit from the 900 and other models.
Try one - You might like it.
