I agree completely, I will be buying the "Extra" upgrade, It all sound FANTASTIC...
HomePatrol-1 Extreme Upgrade
- Thread starter UPMan
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OCO
Member
I'm sold.....
Well, the $49.95 deal got me off the fence, I just submitted my order to ScannerMaster...Hold off on posting that discount upgrade page until I get my ESN, Paul (grin)..
I'm returning to the hobby after several years out (my last radio is a Pro-2042..). In the past, I had looked at some of the first generation trunk tracking units and it always seemed a little bit too much (I spent my days with mainframe and PC's, why spend my nights looking at tables of freqs..). I have an MR-8100 (still) and it seemed like I was always fighting that and it didn't even have trunking capability. (and yes, I do program my DVR so the clock isn't flashing).
I recently stumbled across RR, and was of about the same opinion until I started reading about the HP1. The more I read, the more it sounded like a way to slide back into the hobby and actually have a usable scan list while learning the non-novice features. Since buying a BC-210 when they first came out, I've had mostly Uniden products (my late wife seems to have bought the 3 Radio Shack units). I've always thought they were dependable, the handhelds took a lickin' and seemed easier to program than the RS units. The only major gripe I ever had was with the BC-250's which had a problem with the PLL chip dying (no replacement parts were available). When comparing features of my first programmable (BC-210) with those of the HP1 the difference in price (IIRC about $220 for the BC-210) the $500.00 doesn't seem so bad. SO, I ordered the HP1 and will sit by the door, waiting for the UPS truck..
BTW UPMAN - I had an experience with a non-Uniden GPS that does make me a little wary of firmware "upgrades" (cough - TomTom - cough) . A feature of the unit was a large compass rose you could put on the main screen if you wanted. After one of the firmware uogrades all you could get was a teeny little arrow - drove me crazy trying to find the old option. Several e-mails to France later, they admitted to taking it away to implement new features (IIRC one of the optional subscription features). Moral : If upgraded firmware changes current functionality, at least warn your users first..
Well, the $49.95 deal got me off the fence, I just submitted my order to ScannerMaster...Hold off on posting that discount upgrade page until I get my ESN, Paul (grin)..
I'm returning to the hobby after several years out (my last radio is a Pro-2042..). In the past, I had looked at some of the first generation trunk tracking units and it always seemed a little bit too much (I spent my days with mainframe and PC's, why spend my nights looking at tables of freqs..). I have an MR-8100 (still) and it seemed like I was always fighting that and it didn't even have trunking capability. (and yes, I do program my DVR so the clock isn't flashing).
I recently stumbled across RR, and was of about the same opinion until I started reading about the HP1. The more I read, the more it sounded like a way to slide back into the hobby and actually have a usable scan list while learning the non-novice features. Since buying a BC-210 when they first came out, I've had mostly Uniden products (my late wife seems to have bought the 3 Radio Shack units). I've always thought they were dependable, the handhelds took a lickin' and seemed easier to program than the RS units. The only major gripe I ever had was with the BC-250's which had a problem with the PLL chip dying (no replacement parts were available). When comparing features of my first programmable (BC-210) with those of the HP1 the difference in price (IIRC about $220 for the BC-210) the $500.00 doesn't seem so bad. SO, I ordered the HP1 and will sit by the door, waiting for the UPS truck..
BTW UPMAN - I had an experience with a non-Uniden GPS that does make me a little wary of firmware "upgrades" (cough - TomTom - cough) . A feature of the unit was a large compass rose you could put on the main screen if you wanted. After one of the firmware uogrades all you could get was a teeny little arrow - drove me crazy trying to find the old option. Several e-mails to France later, they admitted to taking it away to implement new features (IIRC one of the optional subscription features). Moral : If upgraded firmware changes current functionality, at least warn your users first..
The features in the upgrade appear to be significant additions to the application program that runs in the HP-1. What I find intriguing is that Uniden built the HP-1 hardware from the beginning with the capability for this kind of app upgrade. Makes you wonder how far they can push the hardware with software upgrades. At what point do they run out of memory and/or processing power?
Scanners today are light years ahead of my first scanner, a 16-channel Uniden BC100XL. It seems that the only limitations are the imaginations of the engineers and designers, the availability of decoders for proprietary digital modes, and the customers' willingness to pay for upgrades.
Scanners today are light years ahead of my first scanner, a 16-channel Uniden BC100XL. It seems that the only limitations are the imaginations of the engineers and designers, the availability of decoders for proprietary digital modes, and the customers' willingness to pay for upgrades.
bonus1331
Member
Amazon pricing screw-up?
All the talk of the upgrade features did it to me Paul and I had to pull the trigger.
Searched Amazon and they showed new for $399.99 selling through Essex Technology!
Showed only 1 left in stock.
Put the order in, shows delivery next week.
Now showing the price through Amazon direct at $460.43.
Looks like I saved $60 bucks.
Not alot of downside since Amazon guarantees through all their merchants.
Looking forward to getting the HP-1.
All the talk of the upgrade features did it to me Paul and I had to pull the trigger.
Searched Amazon and they showed new for $399.99 selling through Essex Technology!
Showed only 1 left in stock.
Put the order in, shows delivery next week.
Now showing the price through Amazon direct at $460.43.
Looks like I saved $60 bucks.
Not alot of downside since Amazon guarantees through all their merchants.
Looking forward to getting the HP-1.
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Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to RR.com!
You will not regret the purchase of the HP-1 with the Extreme option.
If you have any questions feel free to ask away in our great Michigan forum
and if you don't get an answer there then email me directly and I will do what I
can from NC!
Happy Monitoring!
Marshall KE4ZNR
I found Paul's video insightful. He gave more details about the update and upgrades than I knew before I watched it. I like Uniden, but the last few scanners I have purchased have been RS or GRE. I think Uniden is on the right track by expanding technology of their existing scanners.
From an earlier post...(paraphrased)
"Those of us who bought the HP-1 weighed its current feature set against its price and made a decision. Consider an alternate scenario, where the upgrade came in an "HP-2" model and all the new goodies aren't backward-compatible to us early adopters' radios."
This is the greatest downside of rapidly advancing technology..Your new unit becomes obsolete or outdated before it out of the box...$49 for the new technology is a good deal in anyone's book.
and as someone else suggested updates will be limited only by memory and processor power, not imagination.
"Those of us who bought the HP-1 weighed its current feature set against its price and made a decision. Consider an alternate scenario, where the upgrade came in an "HP-2" model and all the new goodies aren't backward-compatible to us early adopters' radios."
This is the greatest downside of rapidly advancing technology..Your new unit becomes obsolete or outdated before it out of the box...$49 for the new technology is a good deal in anyone's book.
and as someone else suggested updates will be limited only by memory and processor power, not imagination.
I'm a software engineer by trade, and I agree totally. Software engineers need to eat, and I'm glad when there is a good balance between cost and benefit. I want to encourage Uniden to release when they can and refine when they have time.
I would have preferred to have the HP1E when I bought HP1, but Paul gave some pretty serious clues that the existing functionality would be expanded. I'm happy I got to get in on the HP-1 party and play with the radio for more than seven months...
freqhunter
Member
Marsall, ease up on the Uniden Cool-Aid!
What I said is totally factual. The Uniden website sells the HP for 599, the upgrade is 99 bucks, if you want a software option other than Sentinal Butel charges for it, and a subscription to RR for advanced uses is not free! Point is this is well surpassing a beginners budget in most cases.
I don't hate Uniden, in fact I own 32 different Uniden models and in many cases multiples. Two HP1's, T's and XT's to name a few.. I have paid my dues into their coffers. When something falls short I am gonna let you know about it. Maybe you would like to review dozens of emails to GRE in the Pro-92 days when they revised the scanner three times and charged for a new unit each time. Or my correspondence with AOR thru the 8200 series improvements. Ocne again charging each time.
Let keep it real !!!
What I said is totally factual. The Uniden website sells the HP for 599, the upgrade is 99 bucks, if you want a software option other than Sentinal Butel charges for it, and a subscription to RR for advanced uses is not free! Point is this is well surpassing a beginners budget in most cases.
I don't hate Uniden, in fact I own 32 different Uniden models and in many cases multiples. Two HP1's, T's and XT's to name a few.. I have paid my dues into their coffers. When something falls short I am gonna let you know about it. Maybe you would like to review dozens of emails to GRE in the Pro-92 days when they revised the scanner three times and charged for a new unit each time. Or my correspondence with AOR thru the 8200 series improvements. Ocne again charging each time.
Let keep it real !!!
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1. If you want a software option other than Sentinel, BuTEL might charge for it, but Assaf (maker of PowerPatrol) doesn't.
2. A subscription to RR for advanced uses may be "not free", but in the case of the HP-1, it's also not required. Since all the downloading comes from the HP database which Uniden downloads once a week from RR for you, for free.
I am feeling the texture of bricks on my forehead here.
Point true but not relevant since the Extreme upgrade is clearly not for beginners. The HP-1 "original", without the Extreme upgrade unlocked, is.
We should be grateful...
Imagine buying a car for 20k and getting a letter from the manufacturer saying that for an additional 2K your car can fly. A bit extreme, but the point is there. I especially appreciate the 1/2 price upgrade for those of us who took the "risk" with the HP-1 and hoped for more features without any obligation to receive them; thanks for "doing us a solid, Uniden..."
Imagine buying a car for 20k and getting a letter from the manufacturer saying that for an additional 2K your car can fly. A bit extreme, but the point is there. I especially appreciate the 1/2 price upgrade for those of us who took the "risk" with the HP-1 and hoped for more features without any obligation to receive them; thanks for "doing us a solid, Uniden..."
N5AMS
Member
you know i have been looking at amazon.com and i have noticed that hp-1 is flying out the door on there so this announcement has definately sparked intrest
The announcement of the advanced upgrade features have peaked the interest of even the hard core scanner hobbyist. It’s no surprise that those who held off for a possible HP-2 or those who were thinking of getting a second HP-1 (1 for indoor and 1 for mobile use) are going to take advantage of the reduced price for existing users. I wouldn’t mind a second HP-1 but I can easily take mine from the house to the car in just a few seconds and I don’t have to update two radios.
Highpockets
Member
With TDMA phase II around the corner, if that takes off, what then, a new model.
The extreme upgrade has wonderful features and for those that use them, I am sure will be worth the price. That being said, the only feature in the "extreme" set that I would use and have been hoping for was the ability to manually program from the unit itself. Personally, I consider that a "basic" feature.
It's a shame that it was on my Christmas list since I am not willing to pay an extra $100. for the feature. I guess I'm back to asking Santa for a 996XT.
It's a shame that it was on my Christmas list since I am not willing to pay an extra $100. for the feature. I guess I'm back to asking Santa for a 996XT.
Just in case there are other dummies (like me) out there that are wondering how to find your ELECTRONIC SERIAL NUMBER, I found it (via the radio) by tapping:
Menu
Advanced Menu
Version Information
ESN: is the fourth entry
Mr. UPMan, please tell me that I can (in some other venue) copy and paste this number (when the time comes). That's a whole lotta little numbers for anyone with less than perfect vision, lol.
Rob
No, you are using extreme examples of pricing and outright false information to bash Uniden.
Let's try this again:
1) Just because the Uniden website sells the HP-1 for $599 does not mean that ever retailer does. Most retailers sell the HP-1 for under $500.
2) The Update is Free. The Extreme upgrade is $49 now, $99 at time of release. No one has to get the Extreme upgrade. The HP-1 will function fine with just the update.
3) A software option other than Sentinel is not needed. Sentinel handles every aspect of HP-1 operation. But for giggles let's say someone wants to use additional software.
Funny you list the Butel paid software but neglect to list the Free PowerPatrol software package.
4) Why you bring up the need for a RR.com subscription is a real head scratcher. Free nationwide database updates can be downloaded weekly into Sentinel at NO ADDITIONAL COST AND DO NOT REQUIRE A RADIOREFERENCE.COM SUBSCRIPTION.
Funny you bring up a "beginners budget" yet you list options (advanced software, RR.com subscription, Extreme upgrade) that most beginners could care less about.
It is ok that you don't like Uniden. It is ok that thanks to your infinite wisdom that comes from scanning hundreds and hundreds of systems nationwide everyday you feel Uniden does not perform up to your standards.
But I will call you out when you post misleading and false information that the novice users might take as Gospel word.
Let's get back to discussing the HP-1 Extreme upgrade!
Marshall KE4ZNR
KC9NEG
Member
The "Extreme" features I find most exciting are the two "discovery" modes. The auto-recording feature is an awesome implementation here. Trunked Activity Logger and Power Plot are really neat and useful, too. Hell, it's all very cool--great stuff
With TDMA phase II around the corner, if that takes off, what then, a new model.
I can't say whether I'd be in the market for the HP to begin with, but given the fact that our county is currently building a P25 system that will operate fully Phase II TDMA from the moment the switch is flipped...there's no way I'm spending a dime on a digital scanner until it's 100% Phase II TDMA compliant. And yes, that excludes the PSR-800, which contrary to what some seem to believe, has not yet been certified by GRE to be 100% compliant with the final P25 Phase II TDMA spec, not just Motorola's X2 flavor of TDMA.
All that being said, and having no relevance to the thread lol...I think a $50 early bird special for the Extreme Upgrade is a fantastic bargain, and absolutely fair to offer it to current owners as a "thank you" from Uniden. There's too much grumbling from people in this thread. If you don't like the HP, or Uniden, or half-priced discounts, then go find another thread to post in...sheesh! :twisted:
First, let me say that I am rf ignorant, and basically just a scanner end user. I reside in Phoenix, AZ, home of the RWC nightmare simulcast system. I have many antennas laying around. I have recently searched the net for equipment that could report antenna reception quality for a given frequency. All results that looked like they might work cost more than the scanner.
Possibly now with
http://www.homepatrol.com/images/rf_power_plot.png
the answers to
What's the best antenna for....?
and
What's the best site to select for my simulcast system....?
will be determinable by the scanner end user, in a form that is not totally subjective. Many previous discussions on those subjects tended to the slightly argumentative (my antenna is bigger than your antenna, lol) and sometimes quite complex ("site selection", or "site settings").
Looking forward to testing antennas and sites.
Rob
Possibly now with
http://www.homepatrol.com/images/rf_power_plot.png
the answers to
What's the best antenna for....?
and
What's the best site to select for my simulcast system....?
will be determinable by the scanner end user, in a form that is not totally subjective. Many previous discussions on those subjects tended to the slightly argumentative (my antenna is bigger than your antenna, lol) and sometimes quite complex ("site selection", or "site settings").
Looking forward to testing antennas and sites.
Rob
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