Everybody's listening situation is completely different. Variables can change reception completely in the span of inches. I personally love my 436 and have zero problems decoding NJICS, Somerset County and other P25 I/II & DMR systems. Newark FD sounds fine as do most other transmissions i hear on both the Union County Simulcast and the West Orange simulcast. I get some modulation and bad decodes every once in a while but i'd say i get 99% of the transmissions 100% of the time. I wouldn't say a scanner is bad just because of one persons experience everyone has a different situation that can have different results.
I see the encryption rumor mill still going and going and going and is not even part of the discussion here but of course "your inside sources" must know otherwise. Until someone can confirm 100% encrypted transmissions on a particular frequency or system how about you hold off on the speculation. Its stupid speculation that gets everybody all worked up and keeps the rumor mill going.
If you take the time to read my post, you'll see I said I'm in Union County, not the township. Most of the dispatch channels I'm interested in (which is most of the county) are not encrypted, I have no interest in secondary channels. The 436 is a great scanner and can be found used for a very reasonable price thanks to folks like you. The state can encrypt all they want, I'll still get plenty of use out of it.
