No New Home Patrol ? I'm Disappointed

Status
Not open for further replies.

MStep

Member
Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
2,168
Location
New York City
While Uniden's new base/mobile and portable scanners offer some exciting new features, I was sad to see no mention of an updated HOME PATROL unit. The HP-1 is a unique scanner with an ingenious design and form factor. Although the new BCD536HP base/mobile unit can be used wirelessly with a tablet or smart phone, I would have loved to have seen a new HP with new features and built-in GPS. I will most likely get the new BCD536HP once it becomes available and we get some initial reviews, and I love some of the newer features, but the HP-1 is so cleverly designed and functional that I will miss moving up in that direction.
 

stingray327

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
1,798
Location
San Francisco, California bay area
While Uniden's new base/mobile and portable scanners offer some exciting new features, I was sad to see no mention of an updated HOME PATROL unit. The HP-1 is a unique scanner with an ingenious design and form factor. Although the new BCD536HP base/mobile unit can be used wirelessly with a tablet or smart phone, I would have loved to have seen a new HP with new features and built-in GPS. I will most likely get the new BCD536HP once it becomes available and we get some initial reviews, and I love some of the newer features, but the HP-1 is so cleverly designed and functional that I will miss moving up in that direction.

What is the main difference between these Home patrol scanners and the Uniden 996/396 scanners? Is the home patrol scanner require programming or is it pre-programmed?
 

KM4WLV

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
1,050
Location
Rockwell (Rowan County), NC
What is the main difference between these Home patrol scanners and the Uniden 996/396 scanners? Is the home patrol scanner require programming or is it pre-programmed?

The new 536HP uses the same database that the Home Patrol 1 uses, so you can use it right out of the box. It also has WiFi where you can attach it to your home network (or when you're traveling) and download the new Siren app to control it from where ever you are.
 

MStep

Member
Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
2,168
Location
New York City
As I mentioned, the "form factor" of the HP-1 is ingenious for several reasons. The size and shape is essentially the same as a GPS device, so you can run it on your dash very inconspicuously. The large multicolored touch screen is beautiful to look at and a pleasure to operate. Four variable font sizes are wonderful, depending on the application, and you never have to worry about buttons getting stuck with dirt and gunk. The impression that I get is that many purist scanner enthusiasts (and my own career in monitoring goes back 50+ years) were not overwhelmed by the lack of conventional buttons, but I love the layout of the HP-1. I believe that time will vindicate the design of the HP-1; it may well be true that it is a device that is ahead of its time in terms of acceptance by the general scanning community.
 

stingray327

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
1,798
Location
San Francisco, California bay area
As I mentioned, the "form factor" of the HP-1 is ingenious for several reasons. The size and shape is essentially the same as a GPS device, so you can run it on your dash very inconspicuously. The large multicolored touch screen is beautiful to look at and a pleasure to operate. Four variable font sizes are wonderful, depending on the application, and you never have to worry about buttons getting stuck with dirt and gunk. The impression that I get is that many purist scanner enthusiasts (and my own career in monitoring goes back 50+ years) were not overwhelmed by the lack of conventional buttons, but I love the layout of the HP-1. I believe that time will vindicate the design of the HP-1; it may well be true that it is a device that is ahead of its time in terms of acceptance by the general scanning community.

Is there some advantage of this Home Patrol scanner over scanners like Uniden 996 or the Radio Shack counterpart? Or are there advantages of the other scanners over the Home Patrol Scanner like price?
 

fireboat61

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jun 4, 2009
Messages
204
Location
DelMarVa
For months I have viewed the numerous intense written exchanges amid those that were accused of divulging cloak-and-dagger information about the latest ground-breaking Uniden public-safety scanner. Every post was cloaked with such confidentiality I was continuously on the threshold of excitement. Not once did I initiate a comment for fear of being barred from Radio-Reference for life.

But now that top-secret Uniden radio has been unveiled to the public. I genuinely believed that with the shroud of mystery that safeguarded this new radio to the public, it would be capable of receiving the Florida Highway Patrol along with Florida Fish & Wildlife SLERS systems.

Oh well, time to slip back into my hole and continue to linger until that day appears. I remember reading on RR that no radio scanner can ever be developed that receives a SLERS system. Being a retired cop, we were told in the late 70’s that no type of electronic component can be manufactured to warn the public of police radar!! If not mistaken, the manufacturer of the radar gun was instrumental in developing the first radar detector. Nothing is impossible.
 

beischel

Member
Joined
May 19, 2007
Messages
292
Location
Pierce Township, Ohio
While Uniden's new base/mobile and portable scanners offer some exciting new features, I was sad to see no mention of an updated HOME PATROL unit. The HP-1 is a unique scanner with an ingenious design and form factor. Although the new BCD536HP base/mobile unit can be used wirelessly with a tablet or smart phone, I would have loved to have seen a new HP with new features and built-in GPS. I will most likely get the new BCD536HP once it becomes available and we get some initial reviews, and I love some of the newer features, but the HP-1 is so cleverly designed and functional that I will miss moving up in that direction.

Gee, before they come out with a new Home Patrol I would like them to get the current version fixed so that it properly receives P25 transmissions. Fix this, then move on.
 

MStep

Member
Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
2,168
Location
New York City
Gee, before they come out with a new Home Patrol I would like them to get the current version fixed so that it properly receives P25 transmissions. Fix this, then move on.

I generally have not had problems with the P25 mode here in the New York City area, but I understand that others experienced some difficulties. I would have hoped that in addition to new features being added to a Home Patrol 2, some of the existing challenges could have also been addressed. To those who ask about the difference between other older scanners and the HP-1, it is really something you have to experience first-hand and over a period of time. The ability to download and update the entire Radio Reference database is just one advantage over old scanners; indeed the newer models just introduced will have the same capability. The amount of information displayable on the gorgeous HP-1 touch-screen is an advantage that I have already mentioned. The conglomeration of wires required for GPS with the HP-1 could have also been eliminated by providing built-in GPS capability to an HP-2. It will be interesting to see what Whistler (probably the king of radar detectors) announces in their upcoming scanner lineup. And yes, the new Uniden models are evolutionary updates to older models, but the HP-1 was a revolutionary step forward.
 

stingray327

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
1,798
Location
San Francisco, California bay area
For months I have viewed the numerous intense written exchanges amid those that were accused of divulging cloak-and-dagger information about the latest ground-breaking Uniden public-safety scanner. Every post was cloaked with such confidentiality I was continuously on the threshold of excitement. Not once did I initiate a comment for fear of being barred from Radio-Reference for life.

But now that top-secret Uniden radio has been unveiled to the public. I genuinely believed that with the shroud of mystery that safeguarded this new radio to the public, it would be capable of receiving the Florida Highway Patrol along with Florida Fish & Wildlife SLERS systems.

Oh well, time to slip back into my hole and continue to linger until that day appears. I remember reading on RR that no radio scanner can ever be developed that receives a SLERS system. Being a retired cop, we were told in the late 70’s that no type of electronic component can be manufactured to warn the public of police radar!! If not mistaken, the manufacturer of the radar gun was instrumental in developing the first radar detector. Nothing is impossible.

I have been monitoring since 1973.
 

phask

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
3,669
Location
KZZV - SE Ohio
"(probably the king of radar detectors)" Not by a long shot. In the radar detector community they are a non-entity, cheap non-working, junk, and that puts it mildly.

Escort and Valentine are the only ones worth anything - IMHO
 

SCPD

QRT
Joined
Feb 24, 2001
Messages
0
Location
Virginia
While Uniden's new base/mobile and portable scanners offer some exciting new features, I was sad to see no mention of an updated HOME PATROL unit. The HP-1 is a unique scanner with an ingenious design and form factor. Although the new BCD536HP base/mobile unit can be used wirelessly with a tablet or smart phone, I would have loved to have seen a new HP with new features and built-in GPS. I will most likely get the new BCD536HP once it becomes available and we get some initial reviews, and I love some of the newer features, but the HP-1 is so cleverly designed and functional that I will miss moving up in that direction.

Oop's, looks like you didn't look at the new line very carefully ... this new line utilizes the best of both the XT series and the HP1. Cut and Dry, it behaves like an HP1 but can be adjusted to fit the XT users standard as well.
 

Ensnared

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jan 24, 2004
Messages
4,436
Location
Waco, Texas
Encryption

For months I have viewed the numerous intense written exchanges amid those that were accused of divulging cloak-and-dagger information about the latest ground-breaking Uniden public-safety scanner. Every post was cloaked with such confidentiality I was continuously on the threshold of excitement. Not once did I initiate a comment for fear of being barred from Radio-Reference for life.

But now that top-secret Uniden radio has been unveiled to the public. I genuinely believed that with the shroud of mystery that safeguarded this new radio to the public, it would be capable of receiving the Florida Highway Patrol along with Florida Fish & Wildlife SLERS systems.

Oh well, time to slip back into my hole and continue to linger until that day appears. I remember reading on RR that no radio scanner can ever be developed that receives a SLERS system. Being a retired cop, we were told in the late 70’s that no type of electronic component can be manufactured to warn the public of police radar!! If not mistaken, the manufacturer of the radar gun was instrumental in developing the first radar detector. Nothing is impossible.

When I examined the systems you mentioned, I noticed a pervasive element, encryption. There are several digital scanners capable of monitoring SLERS since it Phase I.

If they are using the higher standard of encryption, other than the secure mode that comes with the radio, you can forget picking it up. As you likely know, listening to encrypted signals, provided you could pull this off, is a federal crime. I feel for you living in a state with so many restrictions.
 
Last edited:

MStep

Member
Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
2,168
Location
New York City
Oop's, looks like you didn't look at the new line very carefully ... this new line utilizes the best of both the XT series and the HP1. Cut and Dry, it behaves like an HP1 but can be adjusted to fit the XT users standard as well.

Yes, as a previous poster mentioned, I was primarily speaking about the "form factor" (the shape and size of the HP-1, which is very GPS-like), and of course the marvelous screen on the HP-1. In terms of functionality, I grant you that features from the HP-1 have been migrated to the two new models.
 

stingray327

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
1,798
Location
San Francisco, California bay area
Yes, as a previous poster mentioned, I was primarily speaking about the "form factor" (the shape and size of the HP-1, which is very GPS-like), and of course the marvelous screen on the HP-1. In terms of functionality, I grant you that features from the HP-1 have been migrated to the two new models.

sO If you have a garmin gps or Tom Tom GPS you can plug in this base unit in your car then monitor the area you are in automatically?
 

UPMan

In Memoriam
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Apr 19, 2004
Messages
13,296
Location
Arlington, TX
I don't know of any Tom Tom's that output NMEA 0183. Older Garmin "trail" types output NMEA, but to get NMEA out of the car navigation type takes a special cable (and it only works on some models..."NUVI" models IIRC).
 

stingray327

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
1,798
Location
San Francisco, California bay area
I don't know of any Tom Tom's that output NMEA 0183. Older Garmin "trail" types output NMEA, but to get NMEA out of the car navigation type takes a special cable (and it only works on some models..."NUVI" models IIRC).

sO THEN this Home Patrol unit is still best used as a base station and for a handheld in car either a Uniden 396XT or a Radio Shack 106?
 

SCPD

QRT
Joined
Feb 24, 2001
Messages
0
Location
Virginia
gps

IIs there a GPS available for the new scanners that are easy to add on without 12volts and a mess of wires?
 

UPMan

In Memoriam
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Apr 19, 2004
Messages
13,296
Location
Arlington, TX
Given the choice, I'd use the HomePatrol-1 with a GPS connected over either of those two options.
 

stingray327

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
1,798
Location
San Francisco, California bay area
Given the choice, I'd use the HomePatrol-1 with a GPS connected over either of those two options.

Probably for me the best thing to do is have Home Patrol for base station then get one of these handhelds for the car. I would love to save $$$ but I hate having all of these wires everywhere. Too much trouble removing base station and moving from car to car on a daily basis.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top