BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Sentinel versus Butel

[Samos2]

If Sentinel is free, why would someone choose Butel? What makes it superior?
Thanks.

 

[marksmith]

Blows my mind too. I am not aware of anything that Sentinel does not do that the other does.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[Go-West]

I use both Sentinel and Butel. I've been using Butel for about a decade now and try to integrate the two as new sites come online or updated.

 

[dmack550]

Maybe the reason people use butel is because of ease of use. The first time i turned on Butel i immediately knew how to use it. No videos online or complicated instructions. It was instinctive and intuitive which i do not think Sentinel is... At least not for me. Butel is really good software.

 

[marksmith]

Is it all just learning or comfort?. Does Butel do anything that Sentinel will not?

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[SCPD]

Having used both Sentinel and several Butel software versions for different radios, I firmly believe that they are both very good.

The Uniden software is far better than some of their old software .. and overall it not that bad.

I do like the uppercase functions in the Butel software though .. good for us old people to see the data on the scanner screen.

 

[ofd8001]

If you get the Butel pro version, you'll have logging and virtual control.

Also Butel will change the case of Alpha Tags (as in all upper case) and the justification of the tags (Center, Right or Left).

These are pretty much like any other type of software package, such as photo editing or audio editing. One does some things better than the other and vice versa.

 

[Voyager]

They each have a few features the other doesn't, but it most definitely is the fact that people find that which they are familiar with easy and that which they are not familiar with difficult. It's not that one is actually more difficult than the other.

This is true of just about any SW packages - Unitrunker vs PRO96COM, Win96 vs PSRedit (although those two are very close in format), Kenwood vs Icom vs Yaesu, Wouxun vs Anytone vs Baofeng, Etc.

If you don't know the SW, it's poorly written. If you know it, it's the best thing since sliced bread, and very intuitive.

 

[n3ouc]

Another option that Butel has and Sentinel does not is the ability to change the mode of modulation in Phase I or Phase II systems. In some cases I have had much better ability to decode these systems by changing the mode to FM instead of NFM. Sentinel defaults all phase I and II systems to Auto and at times it may not be the best choice.

Mike

 

[JStemann]

Maybe I've missed it in sentinel, but I've been using Butel software for editing the gps and range data in favorite lists. Granted, I don't use it much, but I had some local systems had some coordinates/ranges that didn't work for me.

Jeff.

 

[Voyager]

Sentinel does that, too.

 

[marksmith]

You can change the modulation audio type in Sentinel. Yes it defaults to auto but you can click the drop down box and change it to whatever you want.

I change the radius of the gps coordinates in Sentinel all the time in my favorites lists so that certain systems come active earlier when I am in GPS mode.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[RandyKuff]

Sorry for the delay... New member. Been sniffing around these forums for years.
I've used booth the Butel Basic and Sentinel with my 436. I still like the Sentinel software better. Does everything I need it to do. But that is just my preference.

 

[cmoney1976]

GPS

Maybe I've missed it in sentinel, but I've been using Butel software for editing the gps and range data in favorite lists. Granted, I don't use it much, but I had some local systems had some coordinates/ranges that didn't work for me.

Jeff.

Butel deletes my rectangular GPS coordinates so i had to quit using it and only use Sentinel now

 

[kellykeeton]

Butel allows editing of lists that uniden won't - like adding race car frequency - it also allows you to cut and paste into the database easier. I don't thing either piece of software is great but combined it works.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[phask]

You need to explain that - because Sentinel will add any frequency.

Butel allows editing of lists that uniden won't - like adding race car frequency - it also allows you to cut and paste into the database easier. I don't thing either piece of software is great but combined it works.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[u2brent]

The best thing about ARC536 is that you can import systems that are on RR.com; but are not in the Sentinel DB. In addition ARC536PRO gives you the ability to view the display on your PC and control your radio with your mouse; Plus, conveniently log all the activity and copy/paste new TG's or Unit ID's, ect from the log. And there is the ability to record as well.. Sentinel updates the radio's full DB & firmware. Butel does not.

For those whose eyes "can't see so good" The Virtual Control is awesome, in conjunction with using the windows magnifier on the PC screen. It is expensive, But I think it's worth it. Just for the Virtual PC Control & Log features alone.

 

[Voyager]

Any systems that are not in the dB are not scannable or are tagged wrong in RR.

 

[u2brent]

One Example: Gloucester County Public Safety Gloucester County Public Safety Trunking System, Gloucester County, New Jersey - Scanner Frequencies in Gloucester County New Jersey (NOT IN SENTINEL DB, BUT SHOULD BE).

Two Example: A system just received a massive update today for example. With ARC you simply import it. (That Day) You don't have to wait for uniden to update the DB in HP/Sentinel.

Three Example: In the Sentinel DB go to any Nationwide DB & select Coast Guard - USA, then select Nationwide UHF or VHF (won't matter which one). What do you see in the channel name column? ARC does not have the problem you'll see. (of course; Uniden may finally fix it if they see it pointed out here)

 

[phask]

Your number #1 example would be non-scananble, without a talk group, as has been mentioned numerous times.

Of course - any one that cares , knows hpw to do it with or without being in any database.

IMHO - ARC has done more to screw up my data then work correctly with it.

I have it for HP, 996 and 780 - never use it for 996, have not used it on a HP for months.