Uniden UBC-125XLT Handheld Scanner

Solid build and surprisingly good reception for a handheld. Runs on standard or rechargeable AA batteries, so you can quickly swap in spares if you don’t have time to recharge, has a clear display, and the audio quality is excellent. The seller even pre-programmed some channels for me, which was a nice touch and made it easier to get started. It took a short while to learn how to use, but once I got the hang of it it’s straightforward and very reliable. Great value for money — highly recommended for anyone wanting a capable, portable receiver.

I cannot think of anything to dislike. Programming it is a doddle when you get used to using the freeware Scan125 and Scan125convert, and with the 125XLT connected to your PC most of the controls can be changed from the screen rather than finding where to do it via the radio buttons. I pay for RRUK so I get a csv file of the frequencies I want from RRUK, convert it using Scan125convert, then load it onto the radio using nScan125, you can say exactly where you want them to go in a particular bank or bank number, then check the banks on your PC screen. I use mine at home and do not go out much, so rather than the standard antenna I have a Broadsword (search on Facebook for his shop) dipole in the loft with the connector in the upstairs study, and if I am downstairs by the garden I put another Broadsword antenna, an airband slim jim, about 20ft up on an extending fishing pole (on a cane pushed into the top section, some poles are carbon fibre). I have also ordered a bluetooth transmitter to send the audio to a bluetooth speaker, apparently connecting a wired speaker to the radio does not work very well, the speaker needs to be powered, like my rechargeable speaker. Apart from civil and military airband the only other of the frequency banks I scan is ham, there are other banks but I set them to not be scanned, and when I did scan them not much was on, perhaps you need a dedicated antenna for them? I am in my mid 60's and if I can understand it and enjoy it then anyone can, an outside antenna like an airband slim jim is easy to put up in the loft, or on a pole, or just hung up as high as you can get, and IMO is much more effective than the standard rubber duck. A must is to download Scan125 and Scan125 convert, there is a bit of a learning curve but it is worth it for the convenience of running the radio via your PC. At this price you are not going to get a scanner with all the bells and whistles, others can cost many times what this does, in my opinion the 125XLT is brilliant, incredible value, and is great fun to use. Update - I got the bluetooth transmitter/receiver (from ebay!) plus a cheap pair of headphones and they all work great together. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WT9GV2D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Comparing it against my Grecom PSR295 scanner, the 125XLT is a much better size, the Grecom is like a brick and not that easy to carry around. The Bearcat is quite dinky and will go in a large pocket. The display is large compared with the Grecom and has fewer buttons to fiddle with. It may give the impression of far fewer functions but these are accessed by fewer buttons instead of having buttons specifically assigned to them. Using the manual, it took me a couple of hours to figure out how it works and not much longer to punch in my frequencies. I didn't by the software so I've gone the laborious route. Once mastered, it's easy to use. It picks up everything I've been picking up with the Grecom and doesn't seem to have any reception problems. I tested it against the Grecom on a sub-squelch transmission (an airport ATIS channel) and the Bearcat seems to pull in a bit more background noise than the Grecom but it's nothing major. The supplied antenna is actually quite good - although the above-mentioned ATIS transmission was barely audible, it does very well on above-squelch signals and I've been happily pulling in aircraft up to 80 miles away (if the reporting points are anything to go by). It is not as good as my MRW100 antenna but you won't be slapping your forehead in frustration as you might with most manufacturer-supplied rubber ducks. I've not used close call because i live in the sticks and am trying for distant signals. One plus is that unlike the Grecom (which has a glitch), I can pick up PMR446 transmissions. You have to press the function button then the rotary knob to access the squelch but I count it as a good thing - it means that I can't knock it too high by fumbling. Unless I've not found it yet, the Bearcat seems to lack an attenuation function, which the Grecom has. Airband freq 133.8 tends to need attenuating where I live or I have to lock it out so attenuation would be a handy feature. It ate the supplied alkaline batteries but does better with NiMH rechargeables (2500ma) so it's best to carry spares if you're going to be out with it for a while. I used a trickle or fast charger rather than charging them in the scanner. But in summary, I'm very pleased with the Bearcat, which is a great out-and-about scanner that works very well out of the box with the supplied rubber duck and I heartily recommend it.

In terms of packaging, the scanner is delivered in impeccable condition, securely protected and well-packaged. The scanner's performance stands out with excellent sound quality, swift scanning speed, and impressive sensitivity, offering a reliable scanning experience. For user convenience, an abundance of guides and YouTube tutorials is available, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users to navigate and maximize the scanner's features. The scanner's display is noteworthy, featuring easy readability with a decent backlight. The alpha-tagging feature adds a layer of organization, enhancing the overall user experience. Despite its impressive features, the included antenna falls short of expectations, prompting users to explore aftermarket options for optimal performance. For an extended usage, it is recommended to invest in replacement batteries, ensuring uninterrupted performance. Additionally, charging the batteries outside the scanner is advised for a more efficient and streamlined experience, considering certain nuances in the charging process. In conclusion, the Uniden UBC-125XLT Handheld Scanner impresses with its performance, user-friendly resources, and thoughtful design. Despite a minor setback with the included antenna, addressing these considerations makes it a reliable choice for scanner enthusiasts.

Very good for me - I use it mainly for listening to ATC. I live in north London and have it hooked up to an external Swedish-made professional airband rx/tx antenna and have no problems receiving LHR, LGW, STN airports, including ground traffic. Being able to add tags to the frequencies is so useful but is a bit of a palaver doing it on the scanner - much better to use programming software on your pc - the scanner has the older USB mini type B socket for connection using an appropriate cable. There's not much of a choice of software to do this, and you'll probably come across BuTel software, which is fine, if a little expensive - around €30 last time I looked. Whatever you do, do NOT try and get the software for free by using TrialPay - IT'S A SCAM!! I know as I got caught! Apart from airband I've only taken the scanner out to my local shopping centre to try the Close Call feature to identify local transmissions. It worked well, and in addition to picking-up security etc, it also picked up the local buses! The scanner is solidly built and has so many customisable options that it will take you a while to learn what it can do. Uniden provide a (~70 pages) printed manual in English, which is nice, not to say unusual these days, but if you prefer you can also download it as a PDF. The antenna connector is a BNC and there are many third party antennae available for it. Sound quality is good and clear for my purposes and having just tried it at max is more than adequate, but distorts a little, but I guess that's to be expected with a small speaker. I had a Uniden Bearcat UBC 100XL in the 1980s for airband reception and loved it. I worked at an airport then and occasionally took it into work with me, especially when on nightshifts, so that when I was out on the apron I could track my inbounds. It was brilliant which is why I chose Uniden again. I'm not sure the batter life on this is that great - it comes with a set of 2300mAh Ni-MH rechargeable batteries which are charged via the USB socket, but there's no auto-sensor circuitry to stop when the batteries are charged. Instead you have to set a charging time via the options, which is a bit cr*p in my opinion. As I use the scanner at home I simply removed the batteries and have it connected via the USB cable to my pc, which works well. Squelch is via the menu system - there's no knob, and the single knob on top is multi-function. Turn it and it changes channel/frequency, push it down first and it controls the volume. It functions differently depending on the mode you are in, and it clicks as it turns, which is nice, although to be honest the click feels a little lightweight, plasticky…or cheap. The rubber buttons however have a nice action to them and a positive click when pressed. You can have a beep too when they are pressed, and this can be turned off in the options. Anyway, this wasn't meant to be an in-depth review as I haven't used it that much, but sometimes when I start typing I can't stop! But for my purposes it fits the bill very well indeed. I hope this has been of some use to someone :-)

I’ve recently got into aircraft, airfields and control tower chatter since having a flying lesson and considering more lessons, I feel the Uniden UBC-125XLT Handheld Scanner will help me immensely in picking out the information I need from the control tower and what information I need to give the control tower in future flights. The Uniden UBC-125XLT Handheld Scanner is a really well constructed piece of equipment and once I mastered the instructions from the manual and enormous help from a friend who owns the scanner, it was amazingly easy and simple to set up and use, however in other reviews it has been stated that the manual is extremely difficult to understand and on the initial reading I would agree however after reading the manual 2 to 3 times and help from my friend it does all become clear and easy to use. This is the very first time I have ordered from Tech Express (UK) Ltd and it won’t be the last from ordering on Thursday to it being delivered on the Monday morning very prompt delivery service, the Uniden UBC-125XLT Handheld Scanner was very well packed in it’s manufacturers packing and box and then Tech Express wrapped the box in cellophane and bubble to protect the contents from rain and wrapped it in thick brown paper. Tech Express left nothing to chance in the packaging and they offer a splendid after sales service if I had any questions or problems. As I said earlier this is the first time I’ve ordered from Tech Express and I’ve had a fantastic customer experience from them well done guy’s and a very big thank you and you’ll be my first port of call for tech in the future.

Had this for a few weeks now and use it mainly for Airband scanning in and around Manchester Airport. It is a replacement for an older Yupiteru scanner and this is 6th (?) scanner I have owned since 1980. Main thought is that it’s a great all-rounder, it does most things that you need for casual scanning very well, with a decent tech spec. Build quality feels as good as you could expect at this price. Scanning is fast and sensitive. Inbuilt speaker is clear and impressive for its size. Headphone output is just a little quiet – I guess its safety limited to protect hearing like all audio devices these days – though it works well enough. Supplied rubber duckie antenna is OK for close up stuff, like they all are, but there are loads of aftermarket antenna with BNC connectors to choose from if you need something longer to pull in weaker signals. Display is big and clear, with a decent backlight and the alpha-tagging is very useful indeed. Battery life seems OK at around 5 to 6 hours, although I haven’t had it long enough to cycle the supplied batteries very often or try others – the inbuilt charging is slow (as you would expect to keep heat down) and charges to a pre-determined time cycle of 14 hours – definitely worth investing in an external battery charger if you use it a lot. The multi-function “scroll control” switch which adjusts Channel / Volume / Squelch / other functions does seems a little bit odd and complicated at first and I would prefer a dedicated volume control, but you quickly get used to it and it does allow for a compact sized scanner I guess. The ability to very quickly and easily lock out or include stored frequencies when scanning is good and is particularly useful for airband scanning. I really like the ability of this scanner to do temporary or permanent lockouts with a single button press. So this far I really like it – I have owned more technical scanners in the past, but this one has everything you need for most purposes in a compact size and a decent price.

I had been wanting to get into scanning for a long time, and after lots of forum deep dives, the 125XLT seems to be THE choice to get into the hobby. I'm really glad I splashed out and didn't go for anything else. It has inbuilt banks to search through for civil aviation, CB radio, Marine etc, but a simple google search will allow you to pick out some local frequencies for your areas that you want to hear. Programming these in (see below) lets you go into scan mode, just looking through a set number of frequencies of your choice. After 5 minutes of listening to your local cab company you'll soon want to drop it. The banks are really useful when scanning. It allows you to set things up into logical groups to include or exclude areas or choices. I have mine setup 1) Local airport frequencies 2) ISS (yes you can listen to the Space Station as it goes over 3) Air shows, red arrows, BBMF etc and others for airports, High altitude routes, and military frequencies used alot locally. You can temporarily lock out a frequency (get the unit to ignore it) at the press of a button until you next power up. Battery life is great, with power supplied by 2x rechargeable AA's, so easy to carry a few spares if you need them. However this'll go all day for me at an air show or just listening in to the local airport. To get started, I'd recommend downloading a copy of the excellent and independently written "Scan 125 program". This will allow you to manually enter all of your frequencies into relevant banks on mass via PC connected over USB cable. This will also allow you to name your channels, something pretty impossible directly on the handset. Reception for me is great with the included aerial but there are simple low price upgrades available. Perfect performance from our loft conversion around 4 miles from Bournemouth airport, and the same in the garden too. The 125 comes with a headphone jack so if you are out and about and want to be a little more discrete about what is, lets be honest, quite a geeky hobby, you can plug in your badass Beats cans and enjoy great audio quality. If you are thinking about dabbling, I can't recommend this enough. Listening to the red arrows for the first time is both amusing and a great insight into how physical and intricate their performances are.

Macht, was er soll. Einfache Bedienung. Schneller Zugriff auf gespeicherte Frequenzen. Guter Empfang in Sendernähe. Einwandfreie Verarbeitung.

El scaner se siente sólido y de calidad. Es muy rápido. No es tan complicado de manejar, yo desde 0 lo entendí rápido. Puedes escanear un amplio rango de frecuencias, están dividas bloques. Esos bloques los puedes acultar solo pulsando los números relacionados con los bloques y volver a mostrarlos pulsando otra vez el número. Así escaneas solo las frecuencias que te interesan. Una vez que escuchas una frecuencia de tu interés y la quieres almacenar es muy sencillo . Todas las frecuencias guardadas se almacenan en varios bloques y puedes escanear luego ese almacenamiento de frecuencia guardadas y escucharlas . Silenciar las que no te interesen, fijar una para no escuchar las demás ect. El sonido es muy bueno Las baterías puedes cambiarlas por otras de mayor capacidad o poner pilas. Puedes conectar auriculares. Tiene todo lo que tiene que tener un scaner portátil analógico. La antena no es mala... pero si quieres sacar el máximo partido al scaner necesitas una antena base , yo tengo una bibanda x30 cuando estoy en casa . Cuando salgo con el scaner utilizo la de origen y otra telescópica. Si sales por la montaña puedes escanear rápidamente las frecuencias activas y con un walkie talkie comunicarte. Es entretenido y un pasatiempos. Tenía dudas en si comprar el escaner portátil o de base... me gusta salir y viajar . Ha sido la mejor elección para mi. Bien producto y de calidad. Recomendado. La entrega en 24 horas así que a sido todo perfecto.

Svårt använd, fungera som det ska!

Excellent, fonctionne très bien avec l'antenne de base, et encore mieux avec une Diamond RH799

Complet et très compact. Peut prendre quelques temps pour comprendre le fonctionnement. Étant pilote privé et habitant près d’un aérodrome… très sympa pour écouter le trafic et les activités aériennes de chez moi . Très pratique avec mini jack pour heads set et chargeur usb-c