Uniden Bearcat BCD160DN Handheld Digital Scanner, Exclusive Features, Band Scope Rapid System/Channel Number Tagging, Narrow-Band Reception, and Search Features to Detect Signals Faster Than Ever
$249.99
Price: $249.99
(as of Dec 31, 2025 02:41:23 UTC – Details)
The Uniden BCD160DN sets the standard for performance, features, and innovation. Exclusive Features like Band Scope Rapid System/Channel Number Tagging, Narrow-band Reception, and a complete suite of search features help you detect those elusive signals faster than ever. Uniden Digital Scanners offer you more than ever before.
The Uniden BCD160DN sets the standard for performance, features, and innovation. Exclusive Features like Band Scope Rapid System/Channel Number Tagging, Narrow-band Reception, and a complete suite of search features help you detect those elusive signals faster than ever. Uniden Digital Scanners offer you more than ever before.
DCS/CTCSS RAPID DECODE – Instantly detects and displays the sub audible tone so you can quickly determine the system settings. DMR – Included. NXDN – Included. 1,000 Channels. ‘Trunking and APCO P25 not supported’.
PRELOADED DMR/NXDN – The scanner comes preloaded with DMR and NXDN so you can start using your scanner as soon as you take it out of the box.
CUSTOM SEARCH – Allows you to start searching at the displayed frequency or enter a frequency and start searching.
PC PROGRAMMING – Use free available to download Uniden software to manage your scanner’s Profiles, Favorites Lists, Databases, and firmware updates.
Customers say
Customers find the scanner to be of good quality. However, the programming experience is mixed, with some finding it easy while others consider it very difficult. Reception and functionality receive mixed feedback, with some reporting good performance while others experience poor reception and non-functioning units. Moreover, battery life is a concern as the device doesn’t stay charged very long, and customers disagree on whether it’s worth the price. Additionally, the scanner is not compatible with P25 Phase I and II, and setup is particularly challenging for novices.
13 reviews for Uniden Bearcat BCD160DN Handheld Digital Scanner, Exclusive Features, Band Scope Rapid System/Channel Number Tagging, Narrow-Band Reception, and Search Features to Detect Signals Faster Than Ever
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$249.99
JM Smith –
Don’t sell this one short
This is a scanner that is not for everyone but perfect for many. As a scanner hobbies who has owned every scanner made sice crystals, this is one I passed on initially after seeing specs.It is not a digital scanner in the sense that the target is not public service in terms of police, fire, etc, although you can receive limited stuff still conventional and not trunked.I have loads of scanners, all mainly trunk radios like SDS100, SDS200, 325P2 etc.With upgrades, some of which I have, these digital modes are available, at a higher cost in a higher priced radio, that’s not really search-friendly.The 125AT (and 325P2) has always been a favorite for me for searching general frequencies. The 125AT is built for searching.I recently pulled out my trusty 125AT, got re-engaged in the search hobby, and even picked up another 125AT to have in a different location.Then I reconsidered the 160DN. Still seemed a little on the high side compared to the 125AT, but other than P25, the main digital mode for police etc, it decodes a pile of other digital modes, automatically.This thing is a giant step up from the 125AT in that you get all the higher 700-900 mz range, as long as it is not P25. The radio even recognizes P25 and resumes without noise.I have way fewer lockout because the radio cuts a lot of that out when you search digital modes only.It saves your finds with all the system mode, type and color code nonsense automatically without you manually setting up a channel, though you can do it if you want.Reconsider this one if you passed on it initially like I did.
Wayne –
Junk Without Programming
Must be programed to use it and the process is so confusing and loaded with BS that it would be better to buy a less expensive one that is preprogramed. There are services to program it but you have to pay a premium for the service.Junk, without programing and a lot of knowledge base needed to program yourself. NOT FOR BEGINNERS!
Marvin –
Great scanner just make sure it fits your needs.
Great scanner for what it is designed to do. Just be careful and do your research on what you need for your area. This scanner Does both conventional and digital modes however it only does NXDN and DMR for digital modes. It does not have any trunking features so make sure you don’t need trunking. This is a great scanner for those wanting to listen to trains/railroads and it receives aircraft really well. very easy to program from the scanner itself however you do have the option of programming via a PC with the free software from Uniden. If you need a simple HH scanner that does simple NXDN and DMR then I can highly recommend this scanner.
amys –
Eats batteries like crazy.
Nice scanner. Only complaint is you can’t charge batteries with scanner powered on. And this unit goes through batteries like crazy!!! About 5-hours maximum run time is all you will get out of a charge. I bought extra rechargeable batteries and charger. I have to changeout batteries at least once a day. Other than that it’s a good unit. Oh and I have a laser engraving business. So I made a desk top stand to place it in.
BwG –
Not worth the money ($250)
This was not my first Bearcat scanner that I own started in the 1980s. For this 160DN unit,CON:* The battery is useless, it has to be plugged to the charger fultime or dead in a couple of minutes (not portable).* The audio quality is not any better like most bearcat unless connected to external speaker.*. Field programming is not very friendly and sometimes parameters changed for some reasons (DMR).*. Function buttons were not well laid out on the radio and menu orientation as well (in my opinion).*. A bit pricey for the build quality and limited functionality.PRO:* Basic scanning.* Fit in the hand or at the car dashboard.
R. Hetrick –
Great scanner to use along side a existing digital p25 scanner
This scanner picks up analog, DMR and NXDN. It does not pick up P25 or do trunking.It is a great scanner if you already have something like a Whistler WS1065 or WS1040 and your area went to dmr or nxdn. You can use it along side your existing scanner to hear all the action.
Jeanna P. –
Great scanner!
This is a great portable scanner, I gave it only four stars because it doesn’t stay charged very long when its actively scanning, (we have to leave it plugged in most of the time). Otherwise it keeps us very informed on what’s happening in our area but note, you have to program or get someone to program this scanner to your local area, lucky for me I have friends in sheriffs office and fire department that saved me from that added cost by programming for me.
goldenrod –
Nice upgrade from analog-only
Many of the negative reviews left by some on this scanner are based on misunderstandings about its features. It is correctly marketed as an analog scanner that will also receive NXDN and DMR digital modes out of the box.If you need P25, this isn’t the right scanner. If you need digital trunking reception, this isn’t the right scanner. The product should not be penalized in reviews because the buyer didn’t comprehend before they bought it whether its features would work for their needs.If you need a sensitive, well-thought-out scanner in a small package that receives both analog and some digital transmissions, the BCD160DN is a featured-packed scanner. It adds more features to the venerable BC125AT first introduced more than 10 years ago and still in production as of 2024. That was a very popular release that still holds up today, especially for air and railroad reception.The BCD160DN receives just as well as the BC125AT but is more future-proof with digital modes currently in widespread use, depending on what part of the U.S. you live. It does all the things it promises to do very well.
william buckley –
brill radio , highly recommended
mo –
Very nice looking radio. Small and compact. Audio is quite good in good reception areas.Sensitivity for airband is very good but gets overloaded way too easily.If you are within several miles of transmitters you will be hearing all of them no matter what frequency you are on when your radio is picking up any of the transmissoins..DMR sensitivity is not that good.Shame uniden made a very bad radio for airband.£250+ is a big con. Poor radio.Better go back to 125XLT model.
Red Snow –
Like the 125/325P2, good little form factor and pretty easy to use. Good sensitivity and audio. However, like the SDS100 I had (and returned), this suffered a fair bit of intermod/bleedover when scanning the VHF Air band in a fairly strong signal area, and connected to an externally mounted antenna. It was noticeably worse than the 125 and 325P2, and has unfortunately been returned.For use out and about using a decent BNC antenna, and with the capability to receive DMR/NXDN out of the box, it could be a nice addition if you have a 125, and not using it predominantly as a base receiver.
Mark Howe –
The great thing about this transaction was Amazons service. It arrived from American in 7 days and sadly after a few hours it was back in the box and returned, which Amazon fulfilled with no quibble so another plus for them.The product itself though is poor. Now There are a lot of happy folk who have bought this and I guess it’s possible I could’ve bought a dud but…I have two companies nearby who transmit on DMR. Both within a couple of miles. My Whistler TRX1 picks up no problem and incidentally my friends Uniden 3600 also receives them with the same strength. This was deaf…and I mean deaf! Tried with both my external antenna and a Diamond telescopic back to back with the Whistler. It wasn’t just DMR either. Air band reception was weaker as was HAM. That was enough for me to send it packing.
Annie C –
Not impressed there are better ones out there but it is very easy to program