Well I haven't messed around much with the Indy Metro system yet but I've got an older 996t and a Pro-106, The 996 has been a perpetual battle of wills, I'm able to understand and make it work, but the programming layout, button layout, functions, lack of menu changing functions and having to plug it into the computer to accomplish the very same task all add up to be a frustrating experience for me.
So when I looked at handhelds, being very happy with my Pro-95 and Pro-164 (PSR-300), I gave the PSR-500, PSR-800, Uniden 396XT and the HP1 all consideration.
I was able to get in and use several of them at Frys, at varying points in the last 2-3 years, and for the rest I had to read on here.
The HP-1 I found to be an impossible pain to get the touch screen buttons to work and the menus were very annoying and it really doesn't satisfy my interest with being able to really take it anywhere (it's bulky for a handheld) and it did not feel at all suited for hunting and IDing frequencies; and I like to be able to hunt the Fed, Milair and business bands to hear new things, and that's stuff that even if it is in the RR database is often incomplete. I left the HP-1 wondering why anyone would buy it when the same job can be accomplished with a smartphone, an app and access to RR (I know feeds are not all inclusive yet, and some folks prefer the car GPS like interface but I was really let down between RR hype and actual useage)
The PSR-800, I've only been able to read internet reviews and watch youtube videos on, it seems like a fine scanner, but one that will leave me tied to a computer for programming, great for pick an agency and play, not so great for hunt and seeking frequencies or programming on the fly, coupled with that having an added cost over the Pro-106, I opted not to go this route, but I'd likely try and demo one if looking for this style of scanner, as I really do not like how the HP-1 works.
The 396XT, was in many ways very familiar, having and using a 996, however to me it's time in my hands was short lived because the compact size but the same attempt to cram all those features in meant that everything I dislike about the 996 user friendliness was overly exaggerated, taking advantage of anything but the first 10 quick keys (so 90% of the scanlists) is such a pain I such don't bother with them on the Unidens, and you still have to go through and tweak every little setting to get it so that conversations aren't cutting out because three levels down one of 3 methods of close call or weather alert is on and the other methods aren't shutting it off. Uniden made these scanners of great potential, but made them such a headache to use, that frankly the products I have used of theirs are drastically under utilized and that's very frustrating considering the premium I paid for their product. The big things Uniden does have going for them is the opportunity for use of free software (that I think now is even Mac compatible), and the GPS; and if you can find one used, the discontinued remote control and display head, I am unsure if they are XT compatible or not though.
The PSR-500/Pro-106 is a bit bigger (and slightly larger than my ham HTs even the FT-270), but for me it's a much more usable interface, the computer isn't necessary if I want to add modify, adjust or rename something, if I need to name something I can type in a manner similar to texting on a phone rather than scrolling through the alphabet, menus names and labels for things all make sense to me, and easily access all 20 scan lists. The Pro-106 when it's on sale is also putting me out about 50-70% of the cost of the 396 to get the same basic job done, and I can typically find the accessories included PSR-500 for about 20% less than the 396. I haven't gotten up to Indy to try the 106 out on the IDPS system (it was MECA the new acronym escapes me now) but I've used it on SAFE-T and been very pleased with it.
When it comes to the front end being overloaded, or one being more sensitive than the other, I've got to say they've worked just fine directly under a SAFE-T tower and there's enough towers that I'm really yet to encounter any coverage issues (and many times find myself with SAFE-T signal decoding above 95%, but lacking cell signal), and I haven't noticed any cell tower interference, when it comes to analog signals, I'll always do much better with a dedicated mono-band TX/RX handheld that the difference between the scanners is negligible in normal use to me. I did have some major multipath issues with the Uniden when trying to use multi-band antennas (VHF/UHF/800), so it requires me using an 800 RS duck or a stubby to not have those issues; I'm not sure if the 396 holds up to the 996 in that manner, but I am trying to give a fair what I have.
The above paragraphs are all my experiences and opinions, I don't own everything you're looking at so some experiences are more detailed than others, and as a result I'm not going to tell you what to get, but understand that different features accommodate different uses and the User Interface schemes operate differently so if at all possible take the time to meet up with people or find a store you can demo the scanners in, so you get an idea of how you will interact with them, and chose the one that will suit you best; because they will all receive the two systems you're looking at as long as you're within about a county of a tower.
