The personal preferance is Bearcat. Simplicity of programming and good selectivity. the more recent offerings are geared toward trunking. RR scanning as an exclusive use opens you up to about any of the scanners available since the BC-100XLT (Mid 80's). Lets face it...The RR radio systems are pretty basic VHF. If you are in the area of what you want to hear any radio will work. If you are in Sacramento and want to listen to the yardmaster in Fresno there isn't ANY radio that will do that. Sensitivity and selectivity are a double edged blade Too much and you have intermod problems. Most scanners are capable of performing the task well. the MOST important thing is the antenna. Get a Mag-mount antenna and place it on the roof of your vehicle. You'll hear things that the flexible antenna that comes with most handheld scanners can't.