If you can get a 396XT or 996XT at very good price, and cost is an issue, you might consider those two scanners. But if want the best, and you can afford a bit more, I would go with the 436HP or 536HP. The built-in data bases, the record feature, the flexible programming, IMHO cannot be beat. Sure the 436HP and 536HP have some promised features that are still missing, but they will be coming eventually (don't ask me when). The 396XT and 996XT are 7 or 8 years old, and it is highly unlikely that any new functionality will be added to those units.
I use my 396XT and 996XT from time to time, but the display, record, ability to select service types, use location scanning (probably best when away from home) or favorite lists (ideally at home), and P25 decode quality keep me going back to the 436HP and 536HP as my main scanners. I also have the HP1Extreme but use the 436HP and 536HP much more often.
Also, if phase II is a possibility in your area, which if it is going digital will be likely sometime in the near future, the XT series won't do it for you. If your area goes DMR or NXDN, all bets are off these scanners. Then you need DSD plus software.
Now, if you can get a 396XT or 996XT for less than a couple of hundred bucks, then why not. Several have reported picking up 996XTs at about $100 at Radio Shack. But that is a fluke. Generally the 396XT and 996XT are going to run you near $400 or more new. For another hundred bucks or so, I would seriously look at the new Unidens. If you want to spend less, the older GRE/RS scanners are also an option.
Many folks who don't like the new Unidens and have stated so on the RRDB forums have never owned them. There is no way I can document the following statement: but I venture to say that more than 80% (and probably much higher) of those who have actually owned the new Unidens (436HP and 536HP) find them to be great scanners. Are they perfect? No. Are the features missing still? Yes.
Finally, with regard to remote, take a look at new software being developed by many members on this list. I'm using a Google Chrome application with a great display for the x36HPs written by Jeff (can remember his call sign) on this RRDB. Also, another fellow named Troy has written a nice application to consolidate and list the recordings on the new Unidens. There are also other types of these new software programs being written by RRDB members for the new Unidens. Butel and ProScan make commercial software for many of the Unidens, including the new ones, that are quite nice.
Hope I have not confused you Fury853. And there are obviously others with different opinions.
Basically, I am saying that if you are doing to spend several hundred bucks for a new digital scanner, you mind as well go with the newest technology, though it still needs to be developed further with firmware and updates.
Steve AA6IO