BCD325P2 vs BCD436HP

[alabamarailfan]

Hey Folks,
I'd like to get your opinions on the differences between these radios but I have some specific features that are important for my scanning.

I think I have only used the built in database feature of my TRX-2 once ever so the database programming is not really important to me. Even on the TRX-2, I almost always program manually either from the RR database or digital frequency search website so database programming is not high on my list.

What would be important is NXDN and DMR operations. These are two features I am rather disappointed in with my Whistler TRX-2.

Assuming, both radios (325 and the 436) both had the DMR and NXDN upgrades, how much difference would there be in performance?

One thing that looks promising about the 436HP is the discovery/analyze mode for unknown trunked systems (we have lots of UHF DMR in the area, especially local industries). It would be nice if this feature could be used to help narrow down channel numbers, CCes, etc. Currently using multiple SDRs and DSD+FL to try and figure this stuff out.

I really like the smaller size and lower price of the 325 but if the 436 would be significantly better for NXDN and DMR trunking, both scanning and discovering, I will lean that way.

Thank you in advance for any comments or suggestions!

 

[pb_lonny]

I have owned both. I still have the 325P2. I have never used DMR or NXDN so can't comment on either of those but from a usage point of view, the 325P2 wins for me.

 

[jonwienke]

You can program a lot more stuff into the 436 than the 325. The 436 is far better than the 325 for large trunked systems; you can program an entire large multi-state system with dozens of sites and thousands of talkgroups in the 436, but only a piece of the system in the 325.

Freescan for the 325 was abandoned by its creator, and does not correctly support DMR or NXDN. Sentinel for the 436 correctly handles both DMR and NXDN.

 

[sibbley]

The 325P2 is a fine scanner. I have one that I use exclusively for DMR and NXDN. Works fine in both modes. Biggest difference, like jonwienke mentioned, is the ability to program more into the 436HP and of course Discovery mode.

Butel's ARCXT does program the 325P2. However, I would recommend grabbing a copy of ProScan for programming the 325P2. ProScan would also work well for discovery with it's control and logging functions.

You can't really go wrong with either.

 

[N9JIG]

The DMR and NXDN performance differences between the 325 and 436 appear pretty minimal, I cannot tell any differences myself. For trunking system analysis I do not use Discovery, but I do use ID Search on both and have not noticed any performance differences.

The 436 of course is a much more capable radio but is quite a bit larger than the 325. I prefer the 325 when walking around malls etc. since it is small enough to be unobtrusive. I use the 436 when traveling however (unless I need the SDS100) if size is not a real issue. The 436 is better with battery usage, since it has 3 cells instead of 2 so it lasts longer between charges/swaps.

If I had to choose one or the other I would take the 436. The capabilities outweigh the extra size issue for me.