UnidenBearcat BC125AT Handheld Scanner, 500-Alpha-Tagged Channels, Close Call Technology, PC Programable, Aviation, Marine, Railroad, NASCAR, Racing, and Non-Digital Police/Fire/Public Safety.

Super impressed with this so far. I ordered the diamond RH77CA antenna with it so I could have more reach from the start. Put it on right away.Not having any of the issues that I saw in other reviews. Nothing was missing and the scanner was brand new.I watched some YouTube videos about how to scan directories and now I have mine set to scan ham, air, cb, and gmrs automatically in a loop. There is a bit of a learning curve to this thing but it’s easy enough to get started with basic scanning.I already knew that I wasn’t gonna get police or fire here, because they went digital. But for what I was looking for, I got way more than expected. I already caught tons of air traffic (I am within 4 miles of an airport), I heard some retail workers talking at a nearby shopping plaza, and I listened to 2 different ham conversations. All in 2 hours during the afternoon. I’m glad I took the risk. You just gotta be aware of your area and know what you want out of this thing.

I like this scanner (the BC125AT) better than the SR30 because it has Alpha tagging (that is, readable labels displayed for each channel, in addition to the frequency assigned to the channel). Otherwise, this scanner is very similar to the SR30. I like that it is compact and lightweight, and easy to read when set so that the display backlight comes on automatically when a channel activates (and turns off when the channel clears).Although it is quite cumbersome and time-consuming to program these units manually, the available (free) programming software makes it a breeze to create one or more channel files, and download whichever configuration is desired. Also, the configuration currently stored in the scanner can be uploaded to the software, where it can be edited and/or saved as desired for backup and/or to update the current configuration. It's even POSSIBLE to create a program file for the SR30 using a file for the BC125AT or vice-versa but because the two units have different file formats, it's necessary to "work" the files to make them cross-compatible (unless Bearcat has now created a file converter app, or you write your own converter). In any case, this file conversion was useful for me so that I could "easily" program my SR30 to have the same configuration as my BC125AT - or vice-versa - by creating a template file - or by uploading the configuration from one scanner - and then re-formatting its data to produce a file for the other model scanner. (Of course, any Alpha Tagging (labels) had to be added manually for the BC125AT's version). And, of course, the model-appropriate configuration files can be used to program more than one scanner of the same model to have the same configuration, if desired.As for features, the BC125AT is similar to the SR30, although it seems to scan more slowly than the SR30. I like most aspects of both models, but there are a few things about both that annoy me:- The units cannot scan while recharging the installed batteries. (However, the units CAN scan while connected to external power but the batteries won't be recharged while the unit is on - inconvenient!).- The channel lock-out "mechanism" is cumbersome to activate unless the channel is currently active.- Certain other keyboard operations seem more difficult than they need to be.- The multi-function knob makes it difficult to adjust the volume and particularly the squelch functions.- It is like pulling teeth to find out details of how some of the features are used and/or how they are intended to work, because apparently, they are not fully documented anywhere - and even the support folks don't know how some things work.- To my knowledge, there is no mobile installation kit to allow the scanner to be operated in a vehicle and then easily removed for temporary hand-held use.- There is no compatible (32-ohm) external speaker offered for use with these scanners.Despite the annoyances, these scanners otherwise function well.

I purchased this scanner for my railfanning Hobby.It was fairly easy to program....I programmed the frequencies in manually....a couple dozen frequencies.I bought a Diamond antenna along with a magmount antenna for it to use for railfanning.The reception is not quite as strong as I would like, even with the stronger antennas.In some instances, the reception is only a few miles.There are also times where other railfans can pick up much more scanner chatter with their scanners (different brand) than mine.Battery life is generally around 4-6 hours per charge.I bought rechargeable AA batteries for this reason as opposed to using regular "throwaway" AA batteries.I also use portable rechargeable charging bricks to plug the scanner in when out railfanning to maintain battery charge while in use.Bottom line: Keeps me updated on railroad activity but listening range distance could be improved to be ideal.

Purchased and programmed for NASCAR races. Super-simple to program despite the over-complicated included instructions, which, although thorough, are just written in such a technical style it's not much fun to ingest. Don't overthink the instructions, nor try to learn all the jargon. Just follow the steps, and if you want to jump to the finish, just find a video or website with a how-to. This is one of those buy it for life purchases that will ultimately save us money now that we don't have to rent a scanner and headsets. Coupled this with a 1/8" Y splitter to our individual headsets (I use a pair of Beats, and they work marvelously). Crisp clean audio at the tracks (Pocono and Martinsville, so far), and small enough to toss in a cooler pocket.