Questions about HP-2?

[hiegtx]

Thanks for the suggestions!

After I posted here, I had to go to Walmart, so I checked some out while I was there. Found these two, but I am just not "electrical" literate enough to tell if they are within specs to charge the unit in the on mode

GE 2-USB Car Charger - Walmart.com

GE 2-USB Wall Charger - Walmart.com

Those two have the current capacity ( at 2 amps) to both run and charge the HP-2 at the same time. However, the adapter must also be a 'smart adapter', that basically tells the scanner how much current it can provide. No way to know if that is the case with these two.

 

[KE0GXN]

Those two have the current capacity ( at 2 amps) to both run and charge the HP-2 at the same time. However, the adapter must also be a 'smart adapter', that basically tells the scanner how much current it can provide. No way to know if that is the case with these two.

I think I may just go with the Auky you just bought:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...age_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=viglink20662-20

And it's AC cousin for the house:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Q...107_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=AVT7WTE9DDAG0414KGJD

Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I read on there, they both seem to be "smart adaptors"?

 

[KE0GXN]

Pulled the trigger today!

Well guys......I did it.

Purchased a Homepatrol-2, Uniden GPS BC-GPSK Serial Receiver, both the Aukey charge adaptors I mentioned and a ProComm model 290M/SMA mobile mag antenna.

Got it all through Amazon with free shipping, should have it all (I hope) by September 5th. Made sure all items were either sold or fulfilled by Amazon for warranty purposes.

I want to thank everyone on here that answered all my questions and or offered their expertise. You guys greatly helped me in the decision making process and I feel a ton more educated on this, then I was before I began this thread!

Again, thanks a bunch and I look forward interacting with you guys on here in the future, as I am sure I will have many more questions once my unit and associated hardware arrives.

Let the waiting and stress begin!

 

[WILSON43]

You made a great choice going with the HP-2. IN MY OPINION.

I've had them all, the 436, 536, etc., and sold them when the selling was good.

Have two (2) HP-2s and they are the best Uniden has to offer right now. Beautiful easy to see screen,
simple to use, yet sophisticated advanced features available for those so inclined.

They were on the right track with these Home Patrol models and should have stayed on that track.

Enjoy your HP-2, you will love it.

It actually works, and works well.....

 

[KE0GXN]

Awesome!

You made a great choice going with the HP-2. IN MY OPINION.

I've had them all, the 436, 536, etc., and sold them when the selling was good.

Have two (2) HP-2s and they are the best Uniden has to offer right now. Beautiful easy to see screen,
simple to use, yet sophisticated advanced features available for those so inclined.

They were on the right track with these Home Patrol models and should have stayed on that track.

Enjoy your HP-2, you will love it.

It actually works, and works well.....

Yeah, I am excited! Purchasing a new scanner is something I have been thinking about for quite some time. The fear of being new age scanner illiterate kept me procrastinating about it for a while

I am from the day and age when you had to buy the Radio Shack Police Call frequency guide every year to know what frequencies to manually enter into your scanner..LOL!

Scanners have come a long way since then

Thanks for the comments!

 

[rwier]

You're probably already on top of this, but if not .... You can download the Sentinel software and create FL's before you receive your shipment (like now). If done correctly (lol), within 5 minutes of opening the box, you will be listening to what you want to hear, and only what you want to hear. I know the zip code location method is faster, but it is (imo) much more difficult to fine tune.

 

[KE0GXN]

You're probably already on top of this, but if not .... You can download the Sentinel software and create FL's before you receive your shipment (like now). If done correctly (lol), within 5 minutes of opening the box, you will be listening to what you want to hear, and only what you want to hear. I know the zip code location method is faster, but it is (imo) much more difficult to fine tune.

Negative, was not aware I could download Sentinel software prior to having possession of the unit. I must have skipped over or failed to notice that in the HP-2 manual I have already downloaded and printed.

I assumed you needed a key code, or the HP-2 USB(ed) to a PC or some proof of purchase paperwork from inside box to download that.

Please advise how do to this!

Thanks!

 

[kc2kth]

Here is another antenna option. I was looking for something better than the stock antenna that came with the HP2. I had two issues with the stock antenna. First was performance was only fair, not great. Second was positioning, it seemed I could never get the stock antenna straight when tightening it. I tried a couple including a Watcom, but that didn't pivot fully and was never straight either.

I ended up finding one on eBay from a seller named "momandtwoangels". Seller responded to a couple questions quickly and I had one in my hands in under a week for around $30. I haven't removed it from my HP2 since. It works quite well - noticeable improvement on the 500, 700 and 800 MHz systems I listen to most. Construction is well done, solid and looks professional.

 

[KE0GXN]

Is Sentinel version 2.03.02 the latest version for the HP-2?

 

[rwier]

Negative, was not aware I could download Sentinel software prior to having possession of the unit. I must have skipped over or failed to notice that in the HP-2 manual I have already downloaded and printed.

I assumed you needed a key code, or the HP-2 USB(ed) to a PC or some proof of purchase paperwork from inside box to download that.

Please advise how do to this!

Thanks!

I may have mis-spoke? Sentinel Software for the HP-1 was available for download without purchase. I can not find the location of a similar option for the HP-2.

 

[rwier]

I may have mis-spoke? Sentinel Software for the HP-1 was available for download without purchase. I can not find the location of a similar option for the HP-2.

This info suggests that a single version of Sentinel is good for both the HP-1 and the HP-2. Worth a try! See below.

HomePatrolSentinel < HomePatrol < TWiki

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/HomePatrol/HomePatrolSentinel/HomePatrol_Sentinel_2_03_02.zip

 

[fxdscon]

Sentinel 2.03.02 is the most current version of Sentinel for the HP1 and the HP2.

Download it from this page:

HomePatrolSentinel < HomePatrol < TWiki

There is nothing else necessary to download it and use it.

.

 

[KE0GXN]

I may have mis-spoke? Sentinel Software for the HP-1 was available for download without purchase. I can not find the location of a similar option for the HP-2.

This info suggests that a single version of Sentinel is good for both the HP-1 and the HP-2. Worth a try! See below.

HomePatrolSentinel < HomePatrol < TWiki

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/HomePatrol/HomePatrolSentinel/HomePatrol_Sentinel_2_03_02.zip

Sentinel 2.03.02 is the most current version of Sentinel for the HP1 and the HP2.

Download it from this page:

HomePatrolSentinel < HomePatrol < TWiki

There is nothing else necessary to download it and use it.

.

Thanks guys!

 

[SCPD]

You made a great choice going with the HP-2. IN MY OPINION.

I've had them all, the 436, 536, etc., and sold them when the selling was good.

Have two (2) HP-2s and they are the best Uniden has to offer right now. Beautiful easy to see screen,
simple to use, yet sophisticated advanced features available for those so inclined.

They were on the right track with these Home Patrol models and should have stayed on that track.

Enjoy your HP-2, you will love it.

It actually works, and works well.....

Agreed .. the HomePatrol are great Uniden models. The only ones that I will use .. they just work, and work well. Performance is on par if not a bit better than even the flagship models.

 

[Paulsan]

Anybody have any links or brand/type of good USB adaptors?

AC and DC (automobile and home), that are over 1000ma, for use with the HP-2 that will charge the batteries while the unit is on.

Anker makes nice products. Amazon has them.

 

[KE0GXN]

Anker makes nice products. Amazon has them.

Yeah, the Ankers looked good, but I ended going with a couple Aukeys from Amazon.

 

[baayers]

Thanks for the suggestions!

After I posted here, I had to go to Walmart, so I checked some out while I was there. Found these two, but I am just not "electrical" literate enough to tell if they are within specs to charge the unit in the on mode

GE 2-USB Car Charger - Walmart.com

GE 2-USB Wall Charger - Walmart.com

Has anyone tried using this with 2 scanners at once? I looked at the Aukey that was linked in the other post on Amazon but the review that mentioned the hum made me decide not to. A lot of the time that hum ends up meaning noise to interfere with reception. I don't charge in my scanner so it would be strictly for listening when I am at home

 

[KE0GXN]

Has anyone tried using this with 2 scanners at once? I looked at the Aukey that was linked in the other post on Amazon but the review that mentioned the hum made me decide not to. A lot of the time that hum ends up meaning noise to interfere with reception. I don't charge in my scanner so it would be strictly for listening when I am at home

I would have actually preferred an adaptor with just one port, but it seemed all ot the high output "smart" adaptors I found were dual ports.

I exculsively only plan on using it with my scanner.

I must have missed the hum review I ordered both an Aukey car adaptor and wall adaptor. I should have them sometime this week along with my scanner, (I hope), I will update here if indeed they interfere with reception/hum.

If thats the case, I will try and return them and try the Ankers......if I can't send them back, I'll blame hiegtx

Out curiosity, what outside rechargeable battery charger do you use? I will be looking at investing in one soon.

 

[baayers]

I would have actually preferred an adaptor with just one port, but it seemed all ot the high output "smart" adaptors I found were dual ports.

I exculsively only plan on using it with my scanner.

I must have missed the hum review I ordered both an Aukey car adaptor and wall adaptor. I should have them sometime this week along with my scanner, (I hope), I will update here if indeed they interfere with reception/hum.

If thats the case, I will try and return them and try the Ankers......if I can't send them back, I'll blame hiegtx

Out curiosity, what outside rechargeable battery charger do you use? I will be looking at investing in one soon.

I am currently using the white cubes from my previous iPhones to power all three of my scanners with great success. I was only considering the option of plugging two scanners into a single cube for the sake of consolidation. Just so your aware even if you are charging and scanning at the same time the max current your scanner will use is 5v 1A. The charger you purchased will still work since the scanner will only pull what it needs.

About 9 months ago I upgraded to the Opus BT-C2000 with great success. A wild back Ambient Weather released a rebranded version of this charger. If you have no interest in ever charging C or D cell batteries that would be the one to pick as it is $7 cheaper. Also the issue about the dent in the battery that is mentioned in the first review has been fixed. The only thing I have noticed with these chargers is that you have to remember to remove the battery from the top side (+) first so that it does not pull the paper on the bottom (-) of the battery.

http://www.amazon.com/Ambient-Weath...59903&sr=8-1&keywords=Ambient+Weather+charger

As far as AA rechargeable's are concerned I have excellent luck with the Amazon basics high-capacity rechargeable batteries. They are rebranded Panasonic Eneloop Pro batteries for half the cost

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-...9X7MQBYV&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL480_SR417,480_

 

[KE0GXN]

I am currently using the white cubes from my previous iPhones to power all three of my scanners with great success. I was only considering the option of plugging two scanners into a single cube for the sake of consolidation. Just so your aware even if you are charging and scanning at the same time the max current your scanner will use is 5v 1A. The charger you purchased will still work since the scanner will only pull what it needs.

About 9 months ago I upgraded to the Opus BT-C2000 with great success. A wild back Ambient Weather released a rebranded version of this charger. If you have no interest in ever charging C or D cell batteries that would be the one to pick as it is $7 cheaper. Also the issue about the dent in the battery that is mentioned in the first review has been fixed. The only thing I have noticed with these chargers is that you have to remember to remove the battery from the top side (+) first so that it does not pull the paper on the bottom (-) of the battery.

http://www.amazon.com/Ambient-Weath...59903&sr=8-1&keywords=Ambient+Weather+charger

As far as AA rechargeable's are concerned I have excellent luck with the Amazon basics high-capacity rechargeable batteries. They are rebranded Panasonic Eneloop Pro batteries for half the cost

Amazon.com: AmazonBasics AA High-Capacity Rechargeable Batteries (8-Pack) Pre-charged: Electronics

I too have some iPhone cubes I could you as well, if need be.

Thanks for the info on the battery chargers. I looked up the Ambient Weather BC-2000 one you linked me to and it seems like a solid charger. Very affordable too, compared to the MaHa and La Crosse chargers I was looking at!

I also looked up the Opus you mentioned, it seems like its an exact twin to the BC-2000.....you have any opinions comparing the two? Are they same or is one slightly better or less than the other?

Thanks again.