(NEW) Uniden BC365CRS 500 Channel Scanner and Alarm Clock

I originally purchased this scanner to supplement a 1989 vintage Bearcat 210XLT to be able to scan my local PD, FD, EMS "extra" frequencies". With the 210XLT only having 2 banks of 20 channels each, I was not able to have the capacity that I wanted. I thought that by having 10 banks of 50 channels each plus a much faster scan speed, this would fill the bill perfectly. To say I am slightly disappointed is a bit of an understatement. First off, the programming is not as difficult as some reviewers have indicated. Yes, it is a slightly different process than the 210XLT, but just read the instructions and you will be fine. My two biggest complaints are that the reception doesn't come anywhere close the the 210XLT. I have programmed them to the exact frequencies and sitting a few feet apart. The 365CRS only picks up approximately 60 percent of the transmissions that the 210XLT receives and most of the time it ends up dropping the transmission. I have tried programming on multiple banks and the problem still persists. My other complaint is regarding the quality of the built-in speaker. This speaker is pretty much next to useless. The audio sounds "tinny" and is difficult to understand. I plan to hook up a better quality external speaker in hopes of at least correcting this issue. I also have the squelch on both units set as sensitive as it will go but the reception has not improved. I have also tried relocating the unit and nothing has changed. If you plan to buy this with the hopes of listening to FM, you might as well forget that. I am virtually on top of an FM station and can just barely receive their programming. In closing, before you buy this, I would check out flea markets, auctions, etc and try to pickup an "older" Bearcat scanner if you want to stay with the brand. It is disheartening to see another brand go down the tubes as far as quality is concerned. If your locale is anticipating on changing to digital in the future, I would hold off and invest in digital equipment. Unfortunately, my area and surrounding counties have no plans to convert to digital in the near future.