BCD996P2 or BCD536HP

[darkness975]

I currently have a HomePatrol 2 as a "base' unit and a BCD235P2. Unfortunately, after messing around with adapters, antennas, etc it appears that the HP2 simply does not perform as well as the BCD325P2, which is understandably disheartening given that the HP2 is plugged in and the BCD325P2 burns through batteries. It's simply not practical to use it long term =/

Anyway, I am doubtful that it will make much of a difference (my location is in a valley with heavily wooded surroundings) but on the off chance I might look into a new base unit, I was weighing the BCD996P2 VS BCD536HP. Obviously phase 2 and all that are important, but are there any glaring differences between these two that may not be obvious?

I would like the SDS100 someday, but it does have a high price tag and it seems that there are a couple of bugs that still need to be ironed out with it.

 

[phask]

Plug in the 325 Run off AC if that's your issue.



You might get slightly better recptionwith a 536, though probably not noticeable.

 

[darkness975]

I forgot that now thanks to the wonderful forces at work tax will be collected on these purchases.

I thought about plugging in the 325P2 but I like having it mobile and I wouldn't want to run it long term, figuring a base unit is more designed to handle such long term running.

 

[phask]

I forgot that now thanks to the wonderful forces at work tax will be collected on these purchases.

I thought about plugging in the 325P2 but I like having it mobile and I wouldn't want to run it long term, figuring a base unit is more designed to handle such long term running.

I have had one running 24/7 for 2+ years (or more) I never listen to it, it's just feeding into Pro96comm.

 

[tumegpc]

The 536HP would be the best choice over the 996P2. The recording capabilities alone are worth the price difference. Sometimes I leave mine in discovery mode for hours at a time and have found several new frequencies. Also you will gain NXDN. This is something not available on the 996P2, HP2 and 325P2.

 

[darkness975]

The 536HP would be the best choice over the 996P2. The recording capabilities alone are worth the price difference. Sometimes I leave mine in discovery mode for hours at a time and have found several new frequencies. Also you will gain NXDN. This is something not available on the 996P2, HP2 and 325P2.

Valid point. I have not been keeping up with any trends as of late (been really busy at work) but just wondering if it is worthwhile to purchase the 536HP or if there is anything new up and coming that would be worthwhile to wait for.

I did order the AC adapter for the 325P2 just to have it.

I will look into the 536HP when I (hopefully) get my tax return. And the SDS100 too!

 

[frequency101]

Glad to hear some feedback on the Uniden Bearcat BCD536HP. I am considering the same purchase this month. Based on the research I have done it seems to be a very good all around scanner with a lot of capabilities.

 

[rs16]

If you’re not interested in recording (which I’m not), how would the 996 stack up against the 536 performance-wise?

 

[tumegpc]

If you’re not interested in recording (which I’m not), how would the 996 stack up against the 536 performance-wise?

Performance wise I really don't see much of a difference in analog. Digital is better with the 536HP. One issue I have with the 536HP is that the audio from the internal speaker is a little more bassy than I prefer. I easily fixed that with an external speaker.
https://www.amazon.com/Rectangular-...id=1543693346&sr=8-4&keywords=scanner+speaker

In the discovery mode, the display offers so much information while active.

 

[SteveSimpkin]

I currently have a HomePatrol 2 as a "base' unit and a BCD325P2. Unfortunately, after messing around with adapters, antennas, etc it appears that the HP2 simply does not perform as well as the BCD325P2, which is understandably disheartening given that the HP2 is plugged in and the BCD325P2 burns through batteries. It's simply not practical to use it long term =/

Anyway, I am doubtful that it will make much of a difference (my location is in a valley with heavily wooded surroundings) but on the off chance I might look into a new base unit, I was weighing the BCD996P2 VS BCD536HP. Obviously phase 2 and all that are important, but are there any glaring differences between these two that may not be obvious?

I would like the SDS100 someday, but it does have a high price tag and it seems that there are a couple of bugs that still need to be ironed out with it.

In general, the HomePatrol 2 should receive *approximately* as well as your 325P2. Have you tired using an outside antenna mounted on the roof with the HomePatrol 2? External antennas mounted high outside work much, much better than any small antenna mounted to the scanner.

As others have mentioned, you can safely run your 325P2 off of an AC adapter indefinitely without issues.

The BCD536HP does add more advanced scanning features than are present in the HomePatrol 2 and can be upgraded to receive DMR/Provoice/NXDN *if* those modes are useful to you in your area. Your BCD325P2 (and the BCD996P2) can also be upgraded to receive DMR and Provoice, but not NXDN. You may not need any of these extra modes in you location.

Don't forget your HomePatrol 2 can also record audio on its SD card similar to the BCD536HP.

Lastly there is an "Extreme" upgrade available for the HomePatrol 2 that adds system analysis, signal measurement, and other useful features. See the following for more information on the Extreme upgrade ($50).
HomePatrolExtreme < HomePatrol < TWiki

 

[tumegpc]

Valid point. I have not been keeping up with any trends as of late (been really busy at work) but just wondering if it is worthwhile to purchase the 536HP or if there is anything new up and coming that would be worthwhile to wait for.

There hasn't been any info from Uniden about a base version of the SDS100. And Whistler has delayed the release of their new base until the first quarter of 2019. You can pick up a used 536HP for a good price and it will pretty much cover all the bases unless simulcast distortion is a problem in your area.

 

[darkness975]

In general, the HomePatrol 2 should receive *approximately* as well as your 325P2. Have you tired using an outside antenna mounted on the roof with the HomePatrol 2? External antennas mounted high outside work much, much better than any small antenna mounted to the scanner.

As others have mentioned, you can safely run your 325P2 off of an AC adapter indefinitely without issues.

The BCD536HP does add more advanced scanning features than are present in the HomePatrol 2 and can be upgraded to receive DMR/Provoice/NXDN *if* those modes are useful to you in your area. Your BCD325P2 (and the BCD996P2) can also be upgraded to receive DMR and Provoice, but not NXDN. You may not need any of these extra modes in you location.

Don't forget your HomePatrol 2 can also record audio on its SD card similar to the BCD536HP.

Lastly there is an "Extreme" upgrade available for the HomePatrol 2 that adds system analysis, signal measurement, and other useful features. See the following for more information on the Extreme upgrade ($50).
HomePatrolExtreme < HomePatrol < TWiki

Unfortunately I do not own the property I currently reside in and thus am unable to mount any external antennas (even though I have some). It's really surprising that the HP2 receives certain channels so much poorer than the BCD325P2. Perhaps simulcast is to blame. It is true that my location limits a lot of channels I could get due to woods and being in a valley / low terrain area, but channels that come in almost flawlessly on the BCD325P2 are scratchy , and some unintelligible, on the HP2.

 

[darkness975]

There hasn't been any info from Uniden about a base version of the SDS100. And Whistler has delayed the release of their new base until the first quarter of 2019. You can pick up a used 536HP for a good price and it will pretty much cover all the bases unless simulcast distortion is a problem in your area.

Well I am starting to think simulcast distortion might be a factor after messing around with antennas and settings and locations and everything else. Where I used to live I saw very little , if any, difference in performance between the HP2 and the 325P2. Frankly it seems the 325P2 just handles simulcast better ...

 

[darkness975]

Plug in the 325 Run off AC if that's your issue.



You might get slightly better recptionwith a 536, though probably not noticeable.

Is there any harm in running the 325p2 on AC without batteries ? I run my home patrol 2 without batteries on AC unless I want to record .

 

[SteveSimpkin]

Is there any harm in running the 325p2 on AC without batteries ? I run my home patrol 2 without batteries on AC unless I want to record .

No, no harm at all.

 

[ofd8001]

If you are up against simulcast distortion, the SDS100 is your best answer. It is much better at clearing up the garble than any other scanner I've seen.

With that said and if simulcast isn't a problem, the 536 is better if you monitor large statewide systems or travel a lot. That model has more generous programming limits than the x96 scanners.

The 536 will have the full database that can be updated pretty easy, as well as other programming. With the 536, you can remove the SD card and bring it to your computer and change programming. On the 96 series, you have to bring the computer to the scanner.

 

[darkness975]

I do statewide and local, and I like that both of them have the zip code thing. I use the zip code then Avoid the service types / channels I dont want.

I might go with an sds100 some day, but hold off on the 536 since I dont think my crummy location will serve it any good. Plus I believe the sds100 uses less power when running off AC ?

 

[iMONITOR]

There's a 'brand new' BCD536HP in the Classifieds!

 

[darkness975]

There's a 'brand new' BCD536HP in the Classifieds!

I would love to take you up on that, but I was (at least trying to) save up some money for the SDS100 ...

Ugh, it's so hard trying to decide!!!

In a perfect world I would get both the BCD536HP and SDS100. I'd use the 325P2 for mostly in the car and leave the other three running at home. A perfect world ...

 

[iMONITOR]

I would love to take you up on that, but I was (at least trying to) save up some money for the SDS100 ...

Ok, but if it helps, Paypal is accepted, so you could use a charge card if you have one linked to your Paypal account.