436HP vs 325P2

[hiegtx]

I'm running both Butel and ProScan. My only issue really with that is I have to omit the 380-400 freqs the 325 cannot receive (yes, they are still active and not trunked) and best I remember, the 325 (or at least the 396XT) did not care for the large number of talkgroups I have for VIPER under one system, both of which the SDS can handle.

Its has good audio, better buttons, and the same receive capabilities of the 325.

You do have limitations for the number of talkgroups in a system, as well as a limit of 20 groups. For the larger statewide or sizeable regional systems, it would be easy to exceed one or both of those.

Heya folks,

I'm in the market for another scanner to finally get around to having a pure "fire" scanner.

I'm looking between the 325P2 and the 436HP. I already have an SDS100.

My only question is, in 2023, which would y'all recommend? I can find 325P2's for around 250 to 300 used, and 436's for 400 up. I am getting this to replace my 796D, which is finally starting to show its age.

My main systems I want to continue to monitor are Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN) Trunking System, Statewide, Multi-State , PAWMCo P25 Trunking System, Plano/Allen/Collin County, Texas, Frisco Trunking System, Frisco, Texas , North Texas Interoperable Radio Network (NTIRN) Trunking System, Various, Texas and North Carolina VIPER Trunking System, Varies, Multi-State .

I understand that the 325 needs to be programmed for each time that I'll switch states, and the 436 has the same working concept as the SDS100.

I'll mainly be in Arkansas. The BC796D holds it's own with little to no issues on a supposedly "simulcast" site, so I'm not worried about simulcast issues.

Thanks.

From my experience, the 436HP is a bit better dealing with simulcast than is the 325P2. Of course, simulcast is so location driven either you'd have no problems on a given system with the 325P2, or else it's useless on that system.

I'm far enough out from the PAWMCo system that simulcast does not affect me; I'm southwest of downtown Dallas. Frisco, though, is not one I can hear from home.

 

[ArkTex]

You do have limitations for the number of talkgroups in a system, as well as a limit of 20 groups. For the larger statewide or sizeable regional systems, it would be easy to exceed one or both of those.

From my experience, the 436HP is a bit better dealing with simulcast than is the 325P2. Of course, simulcast is so location driven either you'd have no problems on a given system with the 325P2, or else it's useless on that system.

I'm far enough out from the PAWMCo system that simulcast does not affect me; I'm southwest of downtown Dallas. Frisco, though, is not one I can hear from home.

I’ll only be down in the PAWMCo area every so often now that I’m living in Little Rock.

The 796D does amazing with a supposedly “simulcast” site right next to me here in central Little Rock, so I’m not worried about simulcast issues.

I might try used on Amazon, since they offer simple returns and the such if something goes wrong.

 

[hiegtx]

I’ll only be down in the PAWMCo area every so often now that I’m living in Little Rock.

The 796D does amazing with a supposedly “simulcast” site right next to me here in central Little Rock, so I’m not worried about simulcast issues.

I might try used on Amazon, since they offer simple returns and the such if something goes wrong.

I've had good results ordering 'previously owned' items on Amazon, and yep, their returns policy is much more customer friendly than what you see at a number of other retailers.

 

[Chris0516]

I have both, the 436HP, and the 325p2. When encountering simulcast the 436HP isn't perfect. But the 325p2 is horrible on simulcast.

 

[ArkTex]

I have both, the 436HP, and the 325p2. When encountering simulcast the 436HP isn't perfect. But the 325p2 is horrible on simulcast.

I went with a 996P2 used for 276 with all upgrades, box, cables and manuals. Decided that the 996P2 is probably going to be a better pick. I’ll probably get a 325P2 still at some point.

Like I stated before, if my 796D works well on a supposedly “simulcast” site, I think the 996 will work well.

Besides, I need a good analog scanner too, and reviews here have said the 996P2 can do well.

 

[CommRX]

As a followup to this thread, I was kindly notified the 325P2 does receive 380-400. I was thinking of a 125AT, and saw 379.975 for the 325P2 as the cutoff point where in reality it just changes step size from 25 to 12.5 khz at 380.

 

[ArkTex]

As a followup to this thread, I was kindly notified the 325P2 does receive 380-400. I was thinking of a 125AT, and saw 379.975 for the 325P2 as the cutoff point where in reality it just changes step size from 25 to 12.5 khz at 380.

Luckily 125AT’s can be found for extremely cheap.

 

[Brales60]

There’s a 996P2 for 299, would that be a better option?

I have one, it's a nice unit, but not on any simulcast stuff. I'm going to dedicate it to air, rail and some local stuff when I get some time and a splitter/whatever to use both that and the SDS on a single antenna.

 

[iMONITOR]

The BCD325P2 wins over the BCD436HP for a clean nice readable display with bigger fonts! I actually need to put reading glasses to read the display on the BCD436HP. Uniden should have provided a "font size" setting on the 436.

 

[ArkTex]

I have one, it's a nice unit, but not on any simulcast stuff. I'm going to dedicate it to air, rail and some local stuff when I get some time and a splitter/whatever to use both that and the SDS on a single antenna.

Managed to get a 996P2 for 276. Was listed as having cosmetic issues but works just fine.

 

[Chris0516]

The BCD325P2 wins over the BCD436HP for a clean nice readable display with bigger fonts! I actually need to put reading glasses to read the display on the BCD436HP. Uniden should have provided a "font size" setting on the 436.

I am using Proscan for reading my 436HP. While the 325p2 has black fonts on an orange background that make it visible. I need to get another registered license of Proscan to be able to record/playback on my PC. But I do agree w/ you about Uniden needing to provide a font adjustment capability on the 436HP.

 

[sallen07]

I am using Proscan for reading my 436HP. While the 325p2 has black fonts on an orange background that make it visible. I need to get another registered license of Proscan to be able to record/playback on my PC. But I do agree w/ you about Uniden needing to provide a font adjustment capability on the 436HP.

Why?

Each ProScan license is good for installation on two different PCs, and you can run as many instances of ProScan on each of those two PCs as you want. Just create a copy of the installation folder for each instance (i.e. don't try to run them all out of one folder).

 

[Chris0516]

Why?

Each ProScan license is good for installation on two different PCs, and you can run as many instances of ProScan on each of those two PCs as you want. Just create a copy of the installation folder for each instance (i.e. don't try to run them all out of one folder).

That is a reasonable question. I don't have two 'physical' PCs, and I don't want to partition my active HD to have Proscan on both partitions.

 

[sallen07]

That is a reasonable question. I don't have two 'physical' PCs, and I don't want to partition my active HD to have Proscan on both partitions.

There is no need to do that. All you have to do is install another instance on the same PC, on the same partition.

Perhaps the easiest way to do that is to re-run the ProScan installer and specify a different folder when it asks you where you want to install the program. You can also locate the existing folder and make a copy of it.

I have nine instances of ProScan installed on this PC, and normally have seven of them running. There is no need to partition your HD, buy another copy of ProScan, or buy another PC.

 

[Chris0516]

There is no need to do that. All you have to do is install another instance on the same PC, on the same partition.

Perhaps the easiest way to do that is to re-run the ProScan installer and specify a different folder when it asks you where you want to install the program. You can also locate the existing folder and make a copy of it.

I have nine instances of ProScan installed on this PC, and normally have seven of them running. There is no need to partition your HD, buy another copy of ProScan, or buy another PC.

BTDT(separate folder w/ separate installation, not separate partition).

 

[Chris0516]

There’s a 996P2 for 299, would that be a better option?

Base models like 996p2, 536HP, and the SDS200, while just as good as their mobile counterparts. The one problem with them is space.

 

[pinballwiz86]

IMO I never bought the 325 because it was an overpriced 125AT. If the price was right I would have added one to the arsenal since I love my little 125AT.

 

[Chris0516]

I meant 'base/mobile' and 'handheld' counterparts.

 

[StoliRaz]

Thanks Bob. I appreciate the setiment. I'm guessing the 436's are still having the same issues all the x36's have been having for awhile?

I own both and have had 0 issues with my 436hp (owned for 2 years now). The 325 is ok, but 436 wins on ease of use. If I want to scan just my town's channels like PD,FD,DPW I find it far easier to do on the 436. I picked up the 325 for its small size. Way easier to carry around. Battery life on the 325 isn't great either

 

[tvengr]

If I want to scan just my town's channels like PD,FD,DPW I find it far easier to do on the 436.

Using system and group quick keys, it is very easy to select what you want to monitor with the BCD325P2. Here is a PDF file which will answer all of our questions about using quick keys: