Debating between Uniden BCD536HP and BCD436HP

[K2theFEA]

Hi guys,

Thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these 2 models:

Uniden BCD536HP - https://www.uniden.com/scanner/id-BCD536HP/BCD536HP_HomePatrol_Series_Scanner_with_Wi-Fi
or
Uniden BCD436HP - https://www.uniden.com/scanner/id-BCD436HP/BCD436HP_HomePatrol_Series_Scanner

I think they're both very similar from a functionality perspective. The 536HP supports WiFi so you can run an independent app i.e. YaV1. I like this as the interface is easier to deal with than the buttons on 436HP. With the 436HP you should have a spare battery on hand as it can't charge and be in use at the same time. 536HP is hardwired into the car but I don't see too many reasons for a handheld version. Any thoughts on that? The only thing I can think of is that the handheld will come in handy (pun intended) if you need to use a rental car or someone else is driving. I'm curious to hear of any other uses cases for handheld vs hardwired.

I am not adverse to a car mounted antenna either but I guess you can leverage that for both versions. Both of them support the GPS antenna as well.

Thanks in advance for the insights!

 

[RandyKuff]

Hi guys,

Thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these 2 models:

Uniden BCD536HP - https://www.uniden.com/scanner/id-BCD536HP/BCD536HP_HomePatrol_Series_Scanner_with_Wi-Fi
or
Uniden BCD436HP - https://www.uniden.com/scanner/id-BCD436HP/BCD436HP_HomePatrol_Series_Scanner

I think they're both very similar from a functionality perspective. The 536HP supports WiFi so you can run an independent app i.e. YaV1. I like this as the interface is easier to deal with than the buttons on 436HP. With the 436HP you should have a spare battery on hand as it can't charge and be in use at the same time. 536HP is hardwired into the car but I don't see too many reasons for a handheld version. Any thoughts on that? The only thing I can think of is that the handheld will come in handy (pun intended) if you need to use a rental car or someone else is driving. I'm curious to hear of any other uses cases for handheld vs hardwired.

I am not adverse to a car mounted antenna either but I guess you can leverage that for both versions. Both of them support the GPS antenna as well.

Thanks in advance for the insights!

The 436 and 536 should be identical in functionality. The difference being the 536 has the wifi module. Also an app available that according to the thread's here is not fully functional yet.
They both have the capability of using a GPS module.
As far as batteries (436) it uses three AA's. I get about 8 hours of runtime.
It's not a good choice to charge the batteries in the scanner anyway. It is not an intelligent charger just a timed charge cycle. External charger is the way to go. With a second set of batt's for backup.

The 436 fits the bill for how I use mine. I use it at home and on the road. But the 536 is an excellent radio too.

 

[Voyager]

As I'm sure you saw, the 536 is primarily a base/mobile while the 436 is a portable. That will likely dictate the choice more than anything else.

 

[mitbr]

I own both these radios. You mentioned that you might want to take the scanner into the car at times. This alone would make me purchase the 436hp.They both are about the same as far as performance.

If you decide to buy the 536hp and use it in your car be advised you have to be careful when powering it up or down to not corrupt the SD card.

PS... Welcome to the forums!
Tim

 

[RandyKuff]

I own both these radios. You mentioned that you might want to take the scanner into the car at times. This alone would make me purchase the 436hp.They both are about the same as far as performance.

If you decide to buy the 536hp and use it in your car be advised you have to be careful when powering it up or down to not corrupt the SD card.

PS... Welcome to the forums!
Tim

Ahhh Yes... Forgot about that... Remember reading that in a few threads. Good point to bring up...

 

[K2theFEA]

Thanks guys. Great feedback. I guess I'll be going with the 436HP. I'm also going to do some research on the RR Forum and www to find the best auto mounting options.

My 2013 Kia Sorento already has a roof mounted antenna. I'm not opposed to adding another one if it'll help with range and audio quality. Is that overkill or a good thing to do if you're not overly concerned with the fact that you'll have to drill a hole in the car? The GPS antenna, which is in addition to the regular one, is supposedly best suited for the dashboard. Again, I'm open to your suggestions and ideas.

Cheers

 

[K2theFEA]

I own both these radios. You mentioned that you might want to take the scanner into the car at times. This alone would make me purchase the 436hp.They both are about the same as far as performance.

If you decide to buy the 536hp and use it in your car be advised you have to be careful when powering it up or down to not corrupt the SD card.

PS... Welcome to the forums!
Tim

Can the 536HP be manually shutoff? This way I can turn the car off and on and I won't have to worry about the SD card.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[SOFA_KING]

I have both, as well. I started with the 536 and used to bring it in and out of the house. In the car it was hard to read the small characters on the display, although being side mounted on the center console didn't help either. Audio was better with the bigger speaker. Eventually I purchased the 436, and now I use it in my car. The audio is not as full and loud, but the display has bigger characters, so I can read it better. Slides in one of my cup holders nicely. Although I can't hear it as well in a loud environment, I run it into the car stereo when not listening to music. The nice thing is I can take it out into the field or hotel when I'm on the road. I do use GPS, and I really like how that works with my own programmed lists. If I get board, I can switch on the full database and always have something to hear. But for home use, my 536 is the king. I prefer the full sound of the bigger speaker and louder audio amp. It is also easier to handle not being something that can fall over or has cables coming out the top and sides. I record what happens when I'm away so I can review everything when I return. And when Siren has a server that will allow internet broadcasting, that will allow me to keep an ear on my home station from afar. BTW, I tested sensitivity of both, and the 436 was just a small hair better on some frequencies, but in most respects identical.

Bet that didn't help, did it? Now you might want both (laughs). Good luck!

Phil

 

[SCPD]

Thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these 2 models:

Uniden BCD536HP - https://www.uniden.com/scanner/id-BCD536HP/BCD536HP_HomePatrol_Series_Scanner_with_Wi-Fi
or
Uniden BCD436HP - https://www.uniden.com/scanner/id-BCD436HP/BCD436HP_HomePatrol_Series_Scanner

Do not buy either. Get the upcoming Whistler WS1088.

 

[mitbr]

Can the 536HP be manually shutoff? This way I can turn the car off and on and I won't have to worry about the SD card.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Yes you can turn it off manually just don't forget or else.... I would suggest trying the 436hp without an external antenna first to see how it receives . Sometimes too much antenna can work against you with trunking systems.
Tim

 

[K2theFEA]

I have both, as well. I started with the 536 and used to bring it in and out of the house. In the car it was hard to read the small characters on the display, although being side mounted on the center console didn't help either. Audio was better with the bigger speaker. Eventually I purchased the 436, and now I use it in my car. The audio is not as full and loud, but the display has bigger characters, so I can read it better. Slides in one of my cup holders nicely. Although I can't hear it as well in a loud environment, I run it into the car stereo when not listening to music. The nice thing is I can take it out into the field or hotel when I'm on the road. I do use GPS, and I really like how that works with my own programmed lists. If I get board, I can switch on the full database and always have something to hear. But for home use, my 536 is the king. I prefer the full sound of the bigger speaker and louder audio amp. It is also easier to handle not being something that can fall over or has cables coming out the top and sides. I record what happens when I'm away so I can review everything when I return. And when Siren has a server that will allow internet broadcasting, that will allow me to keep an ear on my home station from afar. BTW, I tested sensitivity of both, and the 436 was just a small hair better on some frequencies, but in most respects identical.

Bet that didn't help, did it? Now you might want both (laughs). Good luck!

Phil

Amazing feedback! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences. It's definitely going to be a close decision! [emoji16]

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[KE0GXN]

Or you can go with the best scanner known to mankind.....

v

 

[cherubim]

Is the faint display still a problem with the 436/536HP models ?

 

[N5XTC]

Is the faint display still a problem with the 436/536HP models ?

yes, what are the inherent issues associated with each? and, do all have the issue(s) or is it a luck of the draw?
i am also considering these two scanners, but feel more locked in on the bcd996p2. dont believe there are known inherent issues with that radio. does not have home patrol featured, but i really dont need that.

 

[Voyager]

Is the faint display still a problem with the 436/536HP models ?

It's possible, but Uniden has a repair campaign. It's unclear when the new stock received the updates. And of course it may be years before dealers sell all the older stock. The larger dealers will likely sell it much sooner.

 

[1075]

But for home use, my 536 is the king. I prefer the full sound of the bigger speaker and louder audio amp.
Phil

I have my 396t connected to a set of amplified computer speakers for home use, another option to consider if you want the portability of a handheld, but want improved sound inside.

 

[pinballwiz86]

Do not buy either. Get the upcoming Whistler WS1088.

I'm also looking forward to the upcoming WS1088.

 

[1075]

I'm also looking forward to the upcoming WS1088.

I've decided to wait until the Whistler1088 is released as well. Never had a Whistler scanner before. For me the decision between that and the 436 will boil down to which one performs best as a scanner and which scanner has the simplest and most intuitive user interface requiring the least amount of time connected to a computer.

Anxiously waiting for the comparison threads.....

 

[N5XTC]

I've decided to wait until the Whistler1088 is released as well. Never had a Whistler scanner before. For me the decision between that and the 436 will boil down to which one performs best as a scanner and which scanner has the simplest and most intuitive user interface requiring the least amount of time connected to a computer.

Anxiously waiting for the comparison threads.....

prob less out of the box issues with the 1088, if any. i suggest you look at the bcd996p2. beautiful color display and no known issues, at least that i am aware of. thats my next scanner. i am not buying the 436 or 536 when they are selling them with known issues. that's nuts.

 

[N5XTC]

I have my 396t connected to a set of amplified computer speakers for home use, another option to consider if you want the portability of a handheld, but want improved sound inside.

i do this with all my radios. have some cerwin vega amplified speakers. they work great. dell PC speakers i bought for $ at a yard sale also work nicely.