Came here to say that. And what’s even better than renting is just buy your own and program in your favorite drivers. I feel naked at a race without one.
Buy the RE3000 if it’s just NASCAR series you are attending. So easy on the scanning and doing multiple races. I think rental is $100 per race with headset, and purchase cost for headsets and scanner don’t take long for that cost to be made back. Maybe 4 races or something like that.
https://a.co/d/6MYJMuR
Uniden Bearcat BC125AT
I bought some cheap headphones with a splitter and 2 pair of over ear protection. Works perfect. You can’t talk to each other like some scanner rentals at RE but you can just yell at each other. Haha
Yup, I did the same thing. If nothing else the scanner is great for hearing the radio coverage.
I went to two races last year so the price of the scanner was cheaper that renting one twice.
That was exactly my reasoning. I rented once and thought if I go to two more races it’ll be cheaper to just buy my own set up. I set the scanner up at home with a few drivers and MRN. It’s all you need anyway.
Check Amazon. I got a uniden. Forgot how much a payed. It was like 5 years ago. Looks like one is about 120 bucks. My dad still has these old 90’s racing electronics headsets that we use. I would say one race a year is probably worth it to just rent. But if you start going to like 2 or 3 consistently every year then it’s definitely worth it to just have your own.
It just helps you know what’s going on. You can really miss a lot of details at a race without it. I switch from MRN and chase.
They are absolutely worth it. A few things to know. If you go to multiple races a year, it will be cheaper in the long run to purchase a scanner / headset and pay for the program at the track.
More importantly if you are going to get the rental, book them/pay for them when you get your tickets. Make sure you do it ahead of time and not just show up and try to get it the day of the race. The price is SIGNIFICANTLY higher when trying to get them the day of at the track.
That's what I thought and was told last year too when I went to Bristol2. but when I was picking my order up someone walked up and asked about renting one. They said he could but I swear they said the cost was like $395 for day of race rental.
I would say that it is worth it. You can listen to the teams, NASCAR race control, or the MRN Broadcast, and they offer good hearing protection as well.
Personally, I can enjoy the race without them, so I don't always get them, but I do still enjoy having the scanners when I do rent them. It isn't so much a must-have every time I go to the race, but still fun to get every once in a while.
With that, when listening to the teams, some drivers are more entertaining than others on the radio.
IMO, drivers who get really animated on the radio (for good or bad reasons) are the most entertaining. Some of the ones (still driving) that I thought were the most entertaining: Busch, Blaney, Wallace, and Brad.
In Xfinity I listened to SVG’s scanner the first few races and it was great. He is new to stock car racing and his spotter is acting like a racing for dummies coach at some points. At Daytona his spotter was basically teaching him pack drafting in real time. It was fascinating.
You can buy a BC125AT for 50-100 and program it yourself. It’s pretty easy. I have one mostly for plane spotting but have used it at race tracks before
Yes, but I've always used the NASCAR app and headphones, there's a race day radio scanner feature that lets you click through all the drivers and even get the mrn/prn broadcast. There's a bit of a delay, but I keep forgetting to pre rent scanners. I've never had a problem with it.
I've heard the DBC guys talk about cell service at the track, but I had AT&T at Talladega and Vegas without a single issue. Not a big sample size, but it's what I had I guess he
I've heard the DBC guys talk about cell service at the track, but I had AT&T at Talladega and Vegas without a single issue. Not a big sample size, but it's what I had I guess
Yes. But you might save more money in the long run by buying one. Only issue is that you have to manually program the frequencies, whereas rentals will usually have them programmed already.
Honestly depends on how often you're going to the track
Not really sure how I did it. But I borrowed a friend’s RE radio for Nashville last year. While trying to program a driver in from an online frequency list, I accidentally did something that downloaded all of the drivers names/numbers/frequencies. It then worked just like the RE rented unit I had used the previous year.
Absolutely but I would say if you are attending more than one race (or even planning on the same race next year), consider a purchase. It will last you for a while. The technology hasn’t changed in the last 40 years.
That’s the only concern I have lol. But since it is Texas hopefully the turnout is similar to what it was for the playoff race back in September so the line won’t be as long!
Yes, but I've always used the NASCAR app and headphones, there's a race day radio scanner feature that lets you click through all the drivers and even get the mrn/prn broadcast. There's a bit of a delay, but I keep forgetting to pre rent scanners. I've never had a problem with it.
If you don’t want to pay for a scanner at least have an fm radio you can tune to the radio broadcast is. Having play by play live commentary is a must in my book.
My son (9) loves the headsets with the coms on them. The noise cancellation is great, and he really likes that we can chat during the race without removing the headset.
A scanner is a must have when at the track. I always think about how the people who don’t have one have any idea what’s going on while the race is going on. The answer: They don’t. When watching at home you have the TV analysts, pit reporters, and the guys calling the race keeping up with every single thing going on and informing you the viewer. Without a scanner you have nothing other than your eyes to keep up with all the things that are happening because you can’t hear the radio broadcast on the speakers while the race is on. It’s nearly impossible.
Think about Richmond a couple weeks ago. If you were in the stands without a scanner, how the hell would you know who was on what tire strategy during the race?
I have only been to two races in my life (2022 at Nashville and 2023 at Texas) but looking back on it, I wish I had gotten a scanner. I love knowing what’s going on and I feel like with renting a scanner it’s gonna make the race more interesting for me and I’m sure the people I’m gonna be with are going to keep asking to switch to the scanner for their driver so I can relay to them what they’re saying😂
I rented the scanner already and I’m so excited for it. When it comes to Richmond, I would’ve especially loved to know what was going on in my driver’s (Truex) crew during that last pit stop before overtime
What I do is setup a priority channel list on the scanner to default to my favourite driver, then PRN/MRN radio, and usually a couple drivers that are fun to listen to. The radio broadcast is usually active at all times as priority 2 but when my drivers radio is active it switches to his because he is priority 1. It will tell you in the pamphlet with the rental how to do this
I bought a baofeng radio off amazon for $25, programmed it with [all the channels](https://speedwaydigest.com/index.php/scanner-frequencies/nascar-cup-series-frequencies/39-2024-nascar-cup-series-scanner-frequencies/) and set it to never transmit.
1,000% worth it, and if you're going to go to more races, just pull the trigger and buy one. Will save you money in the long run. Racing Electronics scanners can be programmed over the air at the track, so you always have updated frequencies and you don't have to mess with it. You want to cover up your ears anyway, might as well listen to the teams. If nothing else, listen to MRN or the TV broadcast — you'll be SO MUCH MORE away of what is going on than everyone around you.
We did the scanners last year. This year I bought a Bluetooth headset for $30 on Amazon and just use the NASCAR app for my scanner. Worked fine at COTA will see how it is at TMS this weekend.
at dover they were shit. they used to be really good before smi took over. bring your own headphones there, but pocono renting scanners works out just fine.
Absolutely.
Came here to say that. And what’s even better than renting is just buy your own and program in your favorite drivers. I feel naked at a race without one.
I'm renting at the track because I'm only going to one race this year but what scanner would you recommend for a personal purchase?
Buy the RE3000 if it’s just NASCAR series you are attending. So easy on the scanning and doing multiple races. I think rental is $100 per race with headset, and purchase cost for headsets and scanner don’t take long for that cost to be made back. Maybe 4 races or something like that.
https://a.co/d/6MYJMuR Uniden Bearcat BC125AT I bought some cheap headphones with a splitter and 2 pair of over ear protection. Works perfect. You can’t talk to each other like some scanner rentals at RE but you can just yell at each other. Haha
Yup, I did the same thing. If nothing else the scanner is great for hearing the radio coverage. I went to two races last year so the price of the scanner was cheaper that renting one twice.
That was exactly my reasoning. I rented once and thought if I go to two more races it’ll be cheaper to just buy my own set up. I set the scanner up at home with a few drivers and MRN. It’s all you need anyway.
Not sure if your able to get them at the track again this year. Last few, you’ve needed to preorder them before the weekend
I already have but in case I start going to more races in the future I figured I'd ask
Check Amazon. I got a uniden. Forgot how much a payed. It was like 5 years ago. Looks like one is about 120 bucks. My dad still has these old 90’s racing electronics headsets that we use. I would say one race a year is probably worth it to just rent. But if you start going to like 2 or 3 consistently every year then it’s definitely worth it to just have your own. It just helps you know what’s going on. You can really miss a lot of details at a race without it. I switch from MRN and chase.
Maybe at the stage breaks you should stop ripping your clothes off to show your head-to-toe Jeff Gordon T-Rex tattoo
I AIN’T NEVA GONNA STAAAP
They are absolutely worth it. A few things to know. If you go to multiple races a year, it will be cheaper in the long run to purchase a scanner / headset and pay for the program at the track. More importantly if you are going to get the rental, book them/pay for them when you get your tickets. Make sure you do it ahead of time and not just show up and try to get it the day of the race. The price is SIGNIFICANTLY higher when trying to get them the day of at the track.
Yeah I was looking at doing it on Racing Electronic’s website cause I forgot to do when I was getting tickets
Side note, you can no longer just show up to the RE trailer on race weekend and rent. Everything has to be pre booked and there is a deadline
That's what I thought and was told last year too when I went to Bristol2. but when I was picking my order up someone walked up and asked about renting one. They said he could but I swear they said the cost was like $395 for day of race rental.
I would say that it is worth it. You can listen to the teams, NASCAR race control, or the MRN Broadcast, and they offer good hearing protection as well. Personally, I can enjoy the race without them, so I don't always get them, but I do still enjoy having the scanners when I do rent them. It isn't so much a must-have every time I go to the race, but still fun to get every once in a while. With that, when listening to the teams, some drivers are more entertaining than others on the radio.
Yeah my thoughts exactly. I’ve been to a few races and have never used them so I figured it’d be an interesting thing to try
If you've never done it before, 100% you should give it a try. At least once to see if you like it.
Who are some most entertaining drivers on the radio/what would you recommend to listen to on the scanners?
IMO, drivers who get really animated on the radio (for good or bad reasons) are the most entertaining. Some of the ones (still driving) that I thought were the most entertaining: Busch, Blaney, Wallace, and Brad.
I recommend bubba's radio. Good banter between driver/spotter/crew chief, and Freddie is so good at his job it's worth it just for him.
In Xfinity I listened to SVG’s scanner the first few races and it was great. He is new to stock car racing and his spotter is acting like a racing for dummies coach at some points. At Daytona his spotter was basically teaching him pack drafting in real time. It was fascinating.
You can buy a BC125AT for 50-100 and program it yourself. It’s pretty easy. I have one mostly for plane spotting but have used it at race tracks before
100% - the MRN banter while commercial breaks are happening is what really makes it so.
I bought one. Paid for itself after the 2nd race.
Yes, but I've always used the NASCAR app and headphones, there's a race day radio scanner feature that lets you click through all the drivers and even get the mrn/prn broadcast. There's a bit of a delay, but I keep forgetting to pre rent scanners. I've never had a problem with it.
No cell service at the one race I've been to
I've heard the DBC guys talk about cell service at the track, but I had AT&T at Talladega and Vegas without a single issue. Not a big sample size, but it's what I had I guess he
I've heard the DBC guys talk about cell service at the track, but I had AT&T at Talladega and Vegas without a single issue. Not a big sample size, but it's what I had I guess
If you go every year it’s worth it to buy one.
Bought a new Racing Electronics 3000 a few years ago. Worth every dollar.
Yes. But you might save more money in the long run by buying one. Only issue is that you have to manually program the frequencies, whereas rentals will usually have them programmed already. Honestly depends on how often you're going to the track
Racing electronics used to program your scanner for like $10
Not really sure how I did it. But I borrowed a friend’s RE radio for Nashville last year. While trying to program a driver in from an online frequency list, I accidentally did something that downloaded all of the drivers names/numbers/frequencies. It then worked just like the RE rented unit I had used the previous year.
Absolutely but I would say if you are attending more than one race (or even planning on the same race next year), consider a purchase. It will last you for a while. The technology hasn’t changed in the last 40 years.
100% worth it. The one and only negative is the return line can get a little long, but RE does a great job of keeping that line moving pretty fast.
That’s the only concern I have lol. But since it is Texas hopefully the turnout is similar to what it was for the playoff race back in September so the line won’t be as long!
Yes, but I've always used the NASCAR app and headphones, there's a race day radio scanner feature that lets you click through all the drivers and even get the mrn/prn broadcast. There's a bit of a delay, but I keep forgetting to pre rent scanners. I've never had a problem with it.
Buy one. It'll be worth it in the long run. You can take it to your local racetrack and listen to race control 😊
If you don’t want to pay for a scanner at least have an fm radio you can tune to the radio broadcast is. Having play by play live commentary is a must in my book.
My son (9) loves the headsets with the coms on them. The noise cancellation is great, and he really likes that we can chat during the race without removing the headset.
This absolutely. My 12yo son and I had a great time with them at ATL.
A scanner is a must have when at the track. I always think about how the people who don’t have one have any idea what’s going on while the race is going on. The answer: They don’t. When watching at home you have the TV analysts, pit reporters, and the guys calling the race keeping up with every single thing going on and informing you the viewer. Without a scanner you have nothing other than your eyes to keep up with all the things that are happening because you can’t hear the radio broadcast on the speakers while the race is on. It’s nearly impossible. Think about Richmond a couple weeks ago. If you were in the stands without a scanner, how the hell would you know who was on what tire strategy during the race?
I have only been to two races in my life (2022 at Nashville and 2023 at Texas) but looking back on it, I wish I had gotten a scanner. I love knowing what’s going on and I feel like with renting a scanner it’s gonna make the race more interesting for me and I’m sure the people I’m gonna be with are going to keep asking to switch to the scanner for their driver so I can relay to them what they’re saying😂 I rented the scanner already and I’m so excited for it. When it comes to Richmond, I would’ve especially loved to know what was going on in my driver’s (Truex) crew during that last pit stop before overtime
What I do is setup a priority channel list on the scanner to default to my favourite driver, then PRN/MRN radio, and usually a couple drivers that are fun to listen to. The radio broadcast is usually active at all times as priority 2 but when my drivers radio is active it switches to his because he is priority 1. It will tell you in the pamphlet with the rental how to do this
Yes. Definitely
Yes, and if you ever go with someone get 2 way communication
100%
Short easy answer. Yes.
I bought a baofeng radio off amazon for $25, programmed it with [all the channels](https://speedwaydigest.com/index.php/scanner-frequencies/nascar-cup-series-frequencies/39-2024-nascar-cup-series-scanner-frequencies/) and set it to never transmit.
Get a UV5R from China for 5 bucks and program it.
Yes, so much so, that I am thinking about buying one
1,000% worth it, and if you're going to go to more races, just pull the trigger and buy one. Will save you money in the long run. Racing Electronics scanners can be programmed over the air at the track, so you always have updated frequencies and you don't have to mess with it. You want to cover up your ears anyway, might as well listen to the teams. If nothing else, listen to MRN or the TV broadcast — you'll be SO MUCH MORE away of what is going on than everyone around you.
Yo wanna grab me a KL5 camo home track hat? Kinda joking Kinda serious
No, buy it!
We did the scanners last year. This year I bought a Bluetooth headset for $30 on Amazon and just use the NASCAR app for my scanner. Worked fine at COTA will see how it is at TMS this weekend.
I should’ve done that instead! Oh well
at dover they were shit. they used to be really good before smi took over. bring your own headphones there, but pocono renting scanners works out just fine.