Sr. Citizen Needs Help In Deciding: HPI or II ?

Status
Not open for further replies.

BOBRR

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2004
Messages
1,485
Location
Boston, MA
Hello,

Am thinking of a new HPI or II.
A meaningful price difference between the two, at least for me.

Not an expert, so would like to ask, please:

From what I can see, the only major difference is that the HPII can handle Phase II.
Live outside of Boston. Is this something I should be concerned about ?

What are the other "major" differences ?
Not competent to really compare them.

e.g. Display size the same ?
Coverage (Bands) the same other than the Phase II
Sensitivity specs, etc. the same ?
Ease of use ? Reliability (what's been the HPI track record on ?)

What else might I be missing between the two ?

Which would you get; why ?

Thank you very much, appreciate the help very much,
Bob
 

crash_iam

Completely Banned for the Greater Good
Banned
Joined
Apr 2, 2014
Messages
41
Location
wyoming ny
Hello,

Am thinking of a new HPI or II.
A meaningful price difference between the two, at least for me.

Not an expert, so would like to ask, please:

From what I can see, the only major difference is that the HPII can handle Phase II.
Live outside of Boston. Is this something I should be concerned about ?

What are the other "major" differences ?
Not competent to really compare them.

e.g. Display size the same ?
Coverage (Bands) the same other than the Phase II
Sensitivity specs, etc. the same ?
Ease of use ? Reliability (what's been the HPI track record on ?)

What else might I be missing between the two ?

Which would you get; why ?

Thank you very much, appreciate the help very much,
Bob
Buy a different scanner than any of those two. If the hp-2 works anything like the hp-1 you will be sorry.
 

UPMan

In Memoriam
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Apr 19, 2004
Messages
13,296
Location
Arlington, TX
Most people have been very happy with their HP-1 purchase. Not sure what issues you had, but they are not shared by most.
 

XTS3000

Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2005
Messages
1,098
HP-1 is known for poor receive in the VHF and UHF bands. The 7/800MHz band receives better.

So depending on what frequencies your town and/or county is currently operating on, the HP-1 may or may not be a good choice.

The HP-2 is reportedly using the same RF design of the HP-1, so it's very possible it has the same poor VHF and UHF performance.
 

cg

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 13, 2000
Messages
4,713
Location
Connecticut
Not sure how long you will be keeping the scanner but all it takes is one agency that you monitor to go to Phase 2 and you will be unable to monitor. It could be announced next week or next month or in 5 years. You are the best one to say how long you expect to keep it.
There is supposed to be other Whistler (ex GRE) scanners coming out in the next year. You could delay a bit and see what comes out in 2015.

chris
 

mciupa

Member
Moderator
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
8,466
Location
I'm here a lot
Looking at the database for trunking systems for your area, the HomePatrol 1 would be suitable for Boston and Suffolk County.

I owned a HomePatrol 1 for four years and loved taking it along on road trips. A shift in job location necessitated me to opt for a BCD396XT since I will be getting out of my car and using public transit and the size of a BCD 396XT is perfect for carrying around with me.

I purchased the HP1 from Scannermaster and had timely and helpful service.
 
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Messages
33
Location
Minden
I have 3 HP1's, very happy with them. Wanting to purchase one more. I still have great respect for Upman and Uniden. Any one who has worked extensively with the public will have had their share of people who think they know more than the experts.
 

safetyobc

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Messages
3,354
Location
South Arkansas
I would go with the HP 2 just for the future proofing for the next couple years. It has P25 Phase 2 capability. HP1 does not.
 

SCPD

QRT
Joined
Feb 24, 2001
Messages
0
Location
Virginia
exactly

I would go with the HP 2 just for the future proofing for the next couple years. It has P25 Phase 2 capability. HP1 does not.

Exactly,why not future proof yourself.
Alot of people have a hard time with this radio due to range settings,if you set it to 15 + miles,you know you are going to be scanning a whole lot of stuff,set it to 1 mile and enjoy!Its very easy to work.Put your zip code in and set the service types you want.
 

phask

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
3,731
Location
zanesville
HP2 - for the future proofing. USB Charging - chargers are a dime a dozen and most people already have an assortment. The black just looks better :)
 

dmg1969

Member
Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
1,097
Location
Newport, PA
I have an HP-1 and have been happy with it other than the normal digital decode issues (which I am still hoping they get ironed out). Right now, the only P-25 systems I listen to in central PA are phase 1. Therefore, I really didn't require a phase 2 scan, which is why I skipped the x36 line (the only Uniden phase 2 capabale scanners at that time).

If there is ANY chance of any of the systems you monitor going to phase 2, I would go with the HP-2. If not, you would probably be quite happy with the HP-1.
 

mitbr

Active Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2007
Messages
1,355
Location
Tampa Bay Florida
I own and enjoy the HP1 it is a great scanner. It receives the same on all freqs as I have compared its performance to the 996xt.I am listening to it right now in the living room and if something interesting happens I just tap the screen with my finger.
Its one of the few scanners in my arsenal of about 20 that the screen is visible even in bright sunlight.

You wont be disappointed . It also works well in the car, just set it up where you can see the screen and quickly tap the screen to hold on something interesting. The screen is very visible in the car.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top