Uniden BEARTRACKER 885 Review

The Uniden BearTracker 885 is a full-featured CB radio and a digital scanner, all in one. Yes, you read that right. The Uniden BearTracker 885 is a hybrid CB/Scanner that does what no other CB radio can do – allowing you to scan and listen to public safety transmissions from the police, fire department, ambulance, and DOT radio traffic.

Primarily, the BearTracker 885 is a CB radio. And just like any other CB radio, it opens a communication channel between you and other users, and has all the other typical features of a CB radio.

The scanner feature of this unit works just alongside the CB radio – no switching around between different modes, just press a button and you can listen to public safety channels while still having the CB channels active.

However, it’s worth noting that while the scanner has plenty of features, it has a limited set of features. For example, it does not come with a software to program all your favorite lists from your computer, but it still has a fully loaded database with all the known US and Canada channels.

With that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at some of the best features of the Uniden BearTracker 885.

Best Features

BearTracker Warning System

The BearTracker Warning System, also known as the BWS, will alert you if there’s traffic from nearby public safety radios. The BearTracker 885 will detect signals and alert you if those signals are within a 3-5 mile radius from your location. Don’t worry though, this technology is the legal alternative to radar detectors and won’t get you into any trouble with the officials.

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GPS Included

Probably the best thing about this unit is that it comes with a GPS receiver. Thanks to it, you no longer need to worry about changing channels as you drive – the receiver lets the BearTracker 885 know your location, and the scanner then automatically selects nearby channels you can monitor.

Weekly Database Updates

The fully loaded US and Canada database is updated every week by Uniden themselves, so you don’t need to worry about losing your favorite channels. If there are changes to the database, just load the latest information with the free BearTracker Update Manager.

To download the update manager, click here.

Technical Specs

Frequency Range:

CB: 26.965 – 27.405MHz

SCN: 25 – 960 MHz

WX: 162.400 – 162.550 MHz

Microphone: 600 ohms, Dynamic Type
7-Color LCD Display
Antenna Connection: BNC
Scanning Speed: 85 channels per second
Channel: CB: 40 AM (4W) / Scanner: FM Only

To see the full list of technical specifications of the Uniden BearTracker 885, click here.

What’s in the Box

The Uniden BearTracker 885 comes with the following items in the box:

Noise-Cancelling Microphone
Mounting Bracket Kit
DC Power Cord
Window-Mount Antenna
Micro-SD card and SD Card adapter (pre-installed)
GPS Receiver/RJ45 cable
Owner’s Manual
Part 95 Subpart D (FCC Rules)

What Users Love the Most about It

People who’ve bought the Uniden BearTracker 885 seem to be most excited by the simplicity of the unit and the ease of use. The fact that it’s both a CB radio and a digital scanner in one makes life much easier for users. Let’s see what one satisfied customer had to say:

“I use CBs regularly and I’m a scanner enthusiast. I often drive long distances for pleasure, and this unit is perfect for that, just turn it on and go. It works simple and without any flaws. The fact that it’s very basic works great for me, that’s what I want for car use. You can choose to monitor police, fire, ambulance, and DOT. There’s no talkgroup info shown on the screen but I’m fine with that. If I wanted something more I could use my other scanner from Uniden, the BCD436HP, but the BearTracker 885 makes much more sense as it does the job well without any distractions. The audio quality is excellent and can be easily heard even with loud road noise. As for the CB side of the unit, it works great as well. There’s good RX and TX, and I had no problems following chatter on the interstate. Overall, I’m extremely happy with my purchase and can’t wait to go on a 3000-mile road trip on Friday with it!” – Michael Cira

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use the bear tracker 885 hybrid inside? If so, what other equipment do I need?

Yes. You just need a 12v power supply.

Does the radio require 2 antennas, one for the CB and one for the scanner?

Yes. But it includes one in the box for the scanner. A wire that goes in the windshield or back glass with suction cups.

Can you manually program a frequency?

No. This radio is designed to be simple. If you want a radio that you can program, we suggest a BCD-996P2 .

Conclusion

Overall, the Uniden BearTracker 885 is a revolutionary device, combining both a CB radio and a digital scanner. It is the perfect unit to have if you need the most important features of both worlds and don’t want to adjust settings while you drive. However, if you’re more interested in scanning, then some of the other Uniden scanners (check our reviews here ) might be better suited for you.

Final rating: 4.1/5

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Uniden BEARTRACKER 885 Review

Uniden BEARTRACKER 885 Review