I have both the 396XT and 436HP. One difference I have not seen mentioned on this thread between the 396XT and 436HP is the built-in record feature on the 436HP. I think this is fantastic. If you really want to do stealth listening, you can just leave the 436HP in your backpack or bag with the record feature on, no one knows, and you can listen later. Since the 436HP records just conversations, like the HomePatrol, you can review 3 or 4 hours of activity in maybe 15 or 20 minutes. The built-in record is really an ultimate stealth feature. I went to pick my daughter up at John Wayne Airport in Orange County last week. Waited about 1 hour. I don't like having a scanner in my hands at airports. With the 436HP, no problems. Just think of the potential for close-call listening in some situations.
I also think the decode for P25 may be a bit better on 436HP than 396XT. One one problematic system I have near me in Orange County (So. Cal), the 436HP and 536HP are substantially better (not perfect) than my 396XT and 996XT.
That said, the 396XT does have one advantage, that is you can plug it into AC and still use the USB serial mode. If you're like me and use Butel software for logging, I can't do that with the 436HP if using AC power. Uniden did omit an important feature, IMHO, in that regard. But having used the 396XT for years and the 436HP for maybe 5 weeks, if I had to choose one, it definitely would be the 436HP.
Steve AA6IO
I also think the decode for P25 may be a bit better on 436HP than 396XT. One one problematic system I have near me in Orange County (So. Cal), the 436HP and 536HP are substantially better (not perfect) than my 396XT and 996XT.
That said, the 396XT does have one advantage, that is you can plug it into AC and still use the USB serial mode. If you're like me and use Butel software for logging, I can't do that with the 436HP if using AC power. Uniden did omit an important feature, IMHO, in that regard. But having used the 396XT for years and the 436HP for maybe 5 weeks, if I had to choose one, it definitely would be the 436HP.
Steve AA6IO