Is it safe to buy the 536 and 436 yet

[wrath]

I currently run 996XT'S AND 396XT with the external control head,my local area is upgrading over the coming year or so to P25 phase II digital so I have to upgrade,when to so is the question,because of all the horror stories I have read.

Anyone with an educated opinion please comment!

73's


Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

 

[Voyager]

Most of the horror stories are exaggerated. It depends on your definition of "safe". Uniden has a program to fix all the hardware issues, so if something should happen there is a fix, so you should be safe in that you won't get stuck with a bad unit that you can't get fixed.

But, it will never really be a guarantee as to when your model was built, and could be an older model when you purchase from a dealer or distributor.. There is still no official word that production has changed to the newer parts. There are claims that any unit made in 2015 has the new parts (in another RR thread), but I would say that is nearly impossible. As I mentioned, there is no word from Uniden yet as to the changeover. But, they will surely change over at some point if they have not already.

There will likely be older stock in some dealers for years to come.

This is likely as accurate of an answer as you will get unless UPMan comments (and it's possible he does not even know, as production is handled overseas).

 

[seth21w]

Yes they are safe, if you want the newest batch buy from price break, that's where I got my 436 and I have one of the newest batch numbers, they had them for 376 when I bought mine so they sold a lot in that time, about a month ago, so they have the newest stock I would think, however the price has went back up to 439.
Link

Search Results For: Bcd436hp

 

[KK4JUG]

I must be one of the lucky ones. I got my 436 not long after it was introduced and I've never had a problem.

 

[seth21w]

I must be one of the lucky ones. I got my 436 not long after it was introduced and I've never had a problem.

Yeah I think a lot of it was user error on the sd card thing and if you run any light on for 24/7 365 on the brightest setting of course it's going to go dim. Or go out completely. I use mine sparingly and always on dim only. And I have one only a month old. But I hardly ever use backlight anyways. And the clock thing was probably a software problem because of being charged any time scanner is on. Some users run there's more than others. And some are just lucky I guess, who knows.

 

[Voyager]

There are many people with no issues. You're simply not part of the vocal minority, JUG.

 

[sparklehorse]

I've had a 536 for nine months now, and just got a 436. No real complaints so far. Like some others I'm careful to not use the High setting for the backlight, and I replaced the stock SD Card with a new 32 GB SanDisk right away. I don't continuously record like some folks. Not because of card problems; I just don't want to have to deal with all the files. If I had one complaint it's that I'd like the 436 a lot better if it was more compact, with a broader footprint for stability, a better belt clip, and less of a 'plastic radio' feel to it. But overall, they're both good radios with a lot of neat features.

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[Voyager]

I've been asking for a more Motorola-esque plastic for years.

Also, you do know you can disable all recording/replay on the latest firmware, don't you Sparkle?

 

[sparklehorse]

Also, you do know you can disable all recording/replay on the latest firmware, don't you Sparkle?

I do.

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[sparklehorse]

I've been asking for a more Motorola-esque plastic for years.

I don't know what Motorola-esque plastic is like, but I know my Yaesu VX-6 has a much more solid, professional feel to it, and it's considerably less $ than the 436. Granted it doesn't trunk-track, it's not digital, etc, etc, but hey, the 436 can't transmit either. Heck my Baofeng has an arguably more solid feel to it. I'm just calling it as I see it. I still like the 436 for its features.

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[Voyager]

There is a name for that type of plastic - I just can't think of it offhand.

 

[seth21w]

There is a name for that type of plastic - I just can't think of it offhand.

polymer?! LOL

 

[frazpo]

+1 to that.

The 396 feels like a much better built radio than the 436. And yes they need to ship a small holder to set it in due to the height/footprint ratio. Takes nothing to knock it over.

 

[MStep]

I currently run 996XT'S AND 396XT with the external control head,my local area is upgrading over the coming year or so to P25 phase II digital so I have to upgrade,when to so is the question,because of all the horror stories I have read.

Anyone with an educated opinion please comment!

73's


Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

I bought the 536 about 4 months ago---- run it 24/7 on minimum illumination most of the time which is adequate for me--- was so impressed with the operation, that I went ahead about a month later and bought the 436 for mobile and portable use. So far neither has failed to disappoint. If you are waiting for the "perfect", problem-free scanner, it's not going to happen.

Having sold receivers and scanners for many years in the 60's, 70's and 80's, I can tell you that no production run has ever been perfect. If you are specifically inquiring about the RTC and dimming display problems encountered in production runs of the x36 series, only Uniden knows, and they are remaining silent.

 

[scosgt]

LEDs can run max brightness for years. The reason for failure is bad components, not brightness.

 

[ansky]

Is there any reason you are not considering the Home Patrol 2? I've been using one for 6 months and never had a problem.

 

[Blackswan73]

There is a name for that type of plastic - I just can't think of it offhand.

ABS?

 

[Voyager]

Yes, that might be it.