BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Just purchased BC436HP and questions

[KC8DDQ]

Ok folks. I have read alot of reviews, both good and bad, on this scanner. I still decided to shell out the cash for one. Has the problems been addressed on these? What is the current serial number on the new production units if they have been corrected? I ordered mine from Amazon for $415 with free shipping. Should arrive around the 23rd to the 25th. Currently have a 396T that has been great. Hope it is at least as good as it is. All info and opinions welcome.

Thanks
Paul
kc8ddq@aol.com

 

[XTS3000]

No problems have been ironed out yet, and more problems are popping up as time goes by.

Main problems
No Analyze Features
RTC failure
Dimming display over time

There are no "revised" version. The RTC seems to fail shortly after a years worth of using the scanner. People also have noticed the display backlight dimming, especially if the backlight is on high brightness.

Uniden is supposedly working on finally adding the missing analyze features you paid for soon, so thats a plus! Also a fix for when/if your RTC fails.

Customizing the 436HP can be a daunting process. The software is not as straight forward as FreeSCAN is for the 396T.

There are so many neat and useful option on the 436HP vs the 396T. I find the audio recording super handy. If your into setting up favorites, ya could buy a few SD cards and run different profiles. The alert LED is nice to have, I use it on certain frequencies and TG's.

The 436HP is designed and marketed firstly as a preprogrammed, auto programming scanner. You can be up and listening to stuff within 3 minutes of first use. As I said before, customizing and setting up favorites (basically like how your 396T is programmed right now) can be a pain.

Best bet is to download the software from Uniden. The first thing you'll want to do the first time you connect the scanner to your PC is to update the software's frequency data base, then update the firmware (it may or may not have an firmware update, but check regardless).

Good luck with your new 436HP.

 

[KC8DDQ]

Thank you for the info. Hope the issues get straightened out and Uniden stands behind those of us who dropped their hard earned cash on one and are having problems.

Paul

 

[mancow]

XTS3000 what are your thoughts on the LED issue? I can't say I've noticed any dimming but now I'm wondering if I'm just used to it.

Surely they are using pulse width modulation for brightness control. But maybe it's a divider circuit or something and a component is failing.

I just can't imagine that many LEDs failing. That seems unlikely.

 

[Triangulum]

Customizing the 436HP can be a daunting process. The software is not as straight forward as FreeSCAN is for the 396T. .

Sentinel is the most simple program someone will use. The database is all in front of you. Then you Append to Favorites and can also manually edit or add frequencies in the Edit Favorites section. Sentinel is so simple that it can be borderline cumbersome when navigating around edits. But simple nonetheless.

Just letting KC8DDQ know that its not daunting from a difficulty perspective. It will take an investment of time, but thats no different than any program.

 

[BLAH]

I just ordered one too, Did I Oder The Correct One?

Ok folks. I have read alot of reviews, both good and bad, on this scanner. I still decided to shell out the cash for one. Has the problems been addressed on these? What is the current serial number on the new production units if they have been corrected? I ordered mine from Amazon for $415 with free shipping. Should arrive around the 23rd to the 25th. Currently have a 396T that has been great. Hope it is at least as good as it is. All info and opinions welcome.

Thanks
Paul
kc8ddq@aol.com

Hey Paul !
I just ordered my BCD436HP from Amazon just and hour ago. I have the same questions (Thanks for posting this!!).. My 436 will be here on Tuesday so that's what I will be doing this week LOL So PM me and let me know how it's going for you, Price wise I think we got a great deal.

However I am suddenly wondering if I just screwed up: the model and ASIN I ordered are..
ASIN: B00I33XDAK
Item model number: BCD436HP

I was just reading and realized people are referring to the "HP-2" And it has me wondering (Did I just order the updated one, Or the older or 1st model?) Or is obtaining the HP-2 just done by firmware ?? (I think it is)

Is this Phase II ?? I did not state on the amazon page

I think I was getting confused with the "HomePatrol-1 Extreme Upgrade" where you have to buy the firmware,, However my question still remains TIA

I will keep reading and learning all I can before I gets here but if someone could answer the above question that would be great, or as almost always I am sure the answer is here in the forums

Sorry For The Total Newbie Question(s) guys , I have dyslexia type problems reading so It takes me a few, Yet its funny I had never read any of my owners manuals and I had the 396XT figured out in a couple of days

 

[mancow]

Hey Paul !
I just ordered my BCD436HP from Amazon just and hour ago. I have the same questions (Thanks for posting this!!).. My 436 will be here on Tuesday so that's what I will be doing this week LOL So PM me and let me know how it's going for you, Price wise I think we got a great deal.

However I am suddenly wondering if I just screwed up: the model and ASIN I ordered are..
ASIN: B00I33XDAK
Item model number: BCD436HP

I was just reading and realized people are referring to the "HP-2" And it has me wondering (Did I just order the updated one, Or the older or 1st model?) Or is obtaining the HP-2 just done by firmware ?? (I think it is)

Is this Phase II ?? I did not state on the amazon page


I will keep reading and learning all I can before I gets here but if someone could answer the above question that would be great, or as almost always I am sure the answer is here in the forums

Sorry For The Total Newbie Question(s) guys , I have dyslexia type problems reading so It takes me a few, Yet its funny I had never read any of my owners manuals and I had the 396XT figured out in a couple of days

There is only one BCD436HP and it is phase II capable.

The reference to the HP2 is the second version of the Home Patrol touch screen that was updated to include phase II capability.

You ordered the correct thing provided you want the hand held BCD436HP.

 

[KC8DDQ]

Blah, don't scare me like that. I thought there was only one 436HP too but have read so much was getting confused. Lol. Thanks to everyone replying to my post. Does anyone know if Butel is going to come out with programming software for it? I've purchased it for every scanner that I have had and like it. Was in their site and didn't see anything for the 436.

Thanks
Paul

 

[XTS3000]

Sentinel is the most simple program someone will use. The database is all in front of you. Then you Append to Favorites and can also manually edit or add frequencies in the Edit Favorites section. Sentinel is so simple that it can be borderline cumbersome when navigating around edits. But simple nonetheless.

Just letting KC8DDQ know that its not daunting from a difficulty perspective. It will take an investment of time, but thats no different than any program.

If you append the data base frequencies to a favorite, it's less daunting. But if you set up favorites like you program a new 396X(T) - not using any data base, it's kinda a pain. The sentinel software is slow, even on a fast PC.

It gets the job done and definitely easier than manually programming via keypad.

 

[XTS3000]

Blah, don't scare me like that. I thought there was only one 436HP too but have read so much was getting confused. Lol. Thanks to everyone replying to my post. Does anyone know if Butel is going to come out with programming software for it? I've purchased it for every scanner that I have had and like it. Was in their site and didn't see anything for the 436.

Thanks
Paul

Yep, there is Butel software for your 436HP!! I suggest before buying Butel software, give the Uniden software a try first - it's free.

I purchased the 436 HP Butel software and it's trash! I tried it for weeks and reverted back to Uniden's software and never looked back. To each his own, just give Uniden software a try before shelling out more $$ - that's all I'm saying....

 

[dsalomon]

Butel DOES have software for the 436 and 536, it's just hard to find on their website: http://www.butel.nl/versie.html. Like you, I used Butel software for every scanner I owned. I also have ARC436-PRO and ARC536-PRO. After initial setup and playing with them, I found that it was just easier (a LOT easier) to use Sentinel and haven't touched the ARC software ever since. They just released an update, which I will try to see if there is a reason to switch back to it Vs Sentinel.

 

[phask]

SLOW - at what aspect?

I've ran it on an Atom powered netbook with XP - still works fine.

If you append the data base frequencies to a favorite, it's less daunting. But if you set up favorites like you program a new 396X(T) - not using any data base, it's kinda a pain. The sentinel software is slow, even on a fast PC.

It gets the job done and definitely easier than manually programming via keypad.

 

[buddrousa]

#1. If you think loading the bcd436hp is slow you should try a Radioshack Pro-2067 or a Uniden 785D.
#2. The only talk of a fading display is on the bcd536hp's
#3. The new firmware will fix the Analyze Feature.
#4. Not all of the bcd436hp's are showing the clock battery problems.
#5. I think so much of my bcd436hp I bought a new bcd536hp after having my 436 only one month.
#6. The same people bashing Uniden own GRE, RS and Whstler (which have problems) but only bash Uniden.
All of the scanners in my tag I still own and use over $6,000.00 worth as you see I have RS, GRE and UNIDEN all three are in use and so far the ease of use and working range go to the X36 scanners all at one time have shared the same antenna on a 4 port stridsberg when testing so all were tested on the same playing field. Not all scanners even the same brand or model are the same I have 3 PSR-410's 2 hear better than the other one on the same antenna. I have also used a HP service monitor connected to the stridsberg running the same test on the 410's but like I said your scanner choice needs to be made on your needs and your area.

 

[BLAH]

If you append the data base frequencies to a favorite, it's less daunting. But if you set up favorites like you program a new 396X(T) - not using any data base, it's kinda a pain. The sentinel software is slow, even on a fast PC.

It gets the job done and definitely easier than manually programming via keypad.

I don't have the radio yet, However I did download the sentinel software to check it out and I like the database, Ya cool.. But I don't think I like the lack of options and the way the CH'S are named and order that are listed and not having a RR database type of complexity sucks .. I like the CH names (Descriptions) and ALPHA TAGS here on the RR database seems to be WAY better then this sentinel database (so far)..
I know I can edit these things however, what a pain when compared to using a program like FreeScann and the quick database import from RR here..
I guess I am just used to using FreeScann and others like it on my BCD396xt.. Maybe I will grow to like it when I get the radio in two days (I dunno)..

And hey Paul, Ya sorry about that LOL I was getting confused too ..

bLAH

 

[phask]

If that's the way you loke it - Get ARC. I personally hate the Alpha tags and prefer descriptions.

so whatever works.

I don't have the radio yet, However I did download the sentinel software to check it out and I like the data base, Ya cool.. But I don't think I like the lack of options and the way the CH'S are named and order that are listed and not having a RR database type of complexity sucks .. I like the CH names (Descriptions) and ALFA TAGS here on the RR database WAY better then this sentinel database (so far)..
I know I can edit these things however, what a pain when compared to using a program like FreeScann and the quick database import from RR here..
I guess I am just used to using FreeScann and others like it on my BCD396xt.. Maybe I will grow to like it when I get the radio in two days (I dunno)..

And hey Paul, Ya sorry about that LOL I was getting confused too ..



Hey Paul, Ya sorry about that I was

 

[KC8DDQ]

Thanks. I will try thr Sentinel software first.

 

[UPMan]

Sentinel allows you to rename channels in Favorites Lists to whatever you want.

 

[KC8DDQ]

Thanks UPMan. Sounds like it is better than aftermarket programs.

Paul

 

[UPMan]

Vanilla vs. Chocolate; Ford vs. Chevy; Coke vs. Pepsi.

 

[dsalomon]

Sentinel allows you to rename channels in Favorites Lists to whatever you want.

What would be REALLY, REALLY nice would be to be able to automatically update favorites from a master database update.

The way I use my 436 and 536 is via favorite lists. It's very time consuming to update favorites if you have a lot of them after a master database update.

Would love to be able to link a favorite to the master database. I.e., when the section of the master database gets updated, the favorite is automatically updated.

Just dreaming....