Uniden quality control

[ljh505]

Uniden used to be a pretty reliable brand. I have a bunch of gear from the early 1990s that still works pretty well.

However, their newer units seem to have a ton of issues. I have a Bearcat 880 with a fading display, a CMX760 which quit working after a few weeks (transmit locks up, have to power off unit to reset it), and a PRO401HH handheld that just died in less than 10 days the second time using it.

Any idea what's up with Uniden? I'm sticking with Midland for ruggedized AM CB stuff for the time being.

 

[Slowmover]

Uniden used to be a pretty reliable brand. I have a bunch of gear from the early 1990s that still works pretty well.

However, their newer units seem to have a ton of issues. I have a Bearcat 880 with a fading display, a CMX760 which quit working after a few weeks (transmit locks up, have to power off unit to reset it), and a PRO401HH handheld that just died in less than 10 days the second time using it.

Any idea what's up with Uniden? I'm sticking with Midland for ruggedized AM CB stuff for the time being.

Cobra (brand) is a joke I won’t own (except to give away).

I own (and rotate use)

Uniden

880
885
980

For the price I have no complaints. Performance is to a good (enough) standard.

These are excellent back-up radios. As the center of a starter pack for friend or relative. Available widely.

The step up is PRESIDENT brand.
A wide range of offerings.

There are other brands, some of long standing, where personal preference is a higher determinant of choice.

A rock-solid inexpensive radio isn’t available in America as we’ve been turned into a 3rd World nation. Don’t even make one-half of what our fathers or grandfathers did for the same work sixty-years ago.

Be glad you can get what you can.

And treat them better. Why I posted a thread on Radio Transport Cases. Why your vehicle mount may need to be more than just a rack. Etc.

Do what you can to better reliability & longevity.

Any brand
Any price
Any installation.

.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Uniden used to be a pretty reliable brand. I have a bunch of gear from the early 1990s that still works pretty well.

However, their newer units seem to have a ton of issues. I have a Bearcat 880 with a fading display, a CMX760 which quit working after a few weeks (transmit locks up, have to power off unit to reset it), and a PRO401HH handheld that just died in less than 10 days the second time using it.

Any idea what's up with Uniden? I'm sticking with Midland for ruggedized AM CB stuff for the time being.

Welcome! With everything made in China now days, it's hard to tell what you are going to get. I have a 980 and it works great, but I don't really use it that often. I have heard about the display problem and I am not sure if it is a problem that was just isolated to a certain production run or not. The Anytone radios seem to be good quality for being Chinese. I have a 5555, 5555n, and the Smart. Maybe one of the guys that runs a repair shop can chime in on what radios they never see.
Chris

 

[S&W357]

Good thought Shadetree Mechanic.

What radios do the repair shops never see or seldom see?

 

[Dmans]

Seems I never see anything that someone else hasn't already been into!

For reliability, stick with Pre-Y2K made. Not all of it is great but better than current production.
Many models can be found via Flea-Bay, Craigslist etc. A "Smart Shopper" can pick up a decent unit for a good to great price, have it refreshed and it will outlast most current production stuff.

73
David

 

[Handy Andy]

I see this as a transitional time between what once was the default that worked for all, that became the bane of any one user associated with using it.

Lead versus Silver soldering.

By then, most, if not all manufacturing of CB radios was done overseas.

So yeah, blame the Chinese - but it really starts with us, we took away the best method to adhere parts using Pb solder because in that form used in CB's it won't hurt others, but in it's natural form - it does.

So Lead Paint and it's bane, blame and fear-mongering - caught up to Radios'

Silver has it's merits, but in the process of making it a viable working medium - it wound up in many radios as a substitute and they failed epically - because it would not stand up to the abuses, vibrations and everyday use that Pb took in stride.

 

[Slowmover]

I see this as a transitional time between what once was the default that worked for all, that became the bane of any one user associated with using it.

Lead versus Silver soldering.
By then, most, if not all manufacturing of CB radios was done overseas.

So yeah, blame the Chinese - but it really starts with us, we took away the best method to adhere parts using Pb solder because in that form used in CB's it won't hurt others, but in it's natural form - it does.

So Lead Paint and it's bane, blame and fear-mongering - caught up to Radios'

Silver has it's merits, but in the process of making it a viable working medium - it wound up in many radios as a substitute and they failed epically - because it would not stand up to the abuses, vibrations and everyday use that Pb took in stride.

“Safety” is nothing but a damned lie.

I was trying to find some 1,1,1 trichloroethane recently (Hatcher’s Notebook, AKA “Ed’s Red”) and it was a no-go.

 

[TM86]

“Safety” is nothing but a damned lie.

I was trying to find some 1,1,1 trichloroethane recently (Hatcher’s Notebook, AKA “Ed’s Red”) and it was a no-go.

Seen many years ago on the intertubez, "We live in the interface between molten rock and hard vacuum and worry about 'Safety.'"

 

[r carl]

“Safety” is nothing but a damned lie.

I was trying to find some 1,1,1 trichloroethane recently (Hatcher’s Notebook, AKA “Ed’s Red”) and it was a no-go.

You may have to settle for something like CRC Cable Clean.

 

[Slowmover]

You may have to settle for something like CRC Cable Clean.

“problem” is solution. Most substitutes create an emulsion. Of which I have “happy” formulas.

 

[r carl]

Seen many years ago on the intertubez, "We live in the interface between molten rock and hard vacuum and worry about 'Safety.'"

Its that molten rock the keeps the earth surface the temp its at.

 

[Robb]

Uniden is STILL a good product.
Just because you had some bad luck, it does not taint the whole lot.

 

[ForestRunner98]

I have a Uniden Pro401HH and it works great! I use it when I work on my McKinley’s transmit/receive adjustments. I swapped the rubber duck for a 24” antenna. Picks up skip too!!

 

[Mustang 131]

There certainly is a nitch market for quality electronics. But on paper..it ain't enough to mass build.
But if people are spending $300+ for a 20 year old cobra 2000, I would guess a percent would spend $800 plus on a good American radio. At least I would.