Hello,
I have recently decided to make the jump to an actual scanner rather than using a smartphone streaming app. The apps are unreliable at times and don't cover every area.
The goal is to be able know what is going on, including digital trunked communication in the areas I pass through. I do road trips from CA to TX, AZ, NV, NM and UT for camping or offroad excursions.
Currently I am considering the Whistler WS1040 due to price point and BCD436HP due to the Uniden prestige.
What should I consider or have I not taken into consideration so far? I appreciate any feedback and suggestions.
Thanks!
Any of the Uniden "database" scanners would work for what you want to do. That includes the two Home Patrol scanners (HP-1 & HP-2), the 436HP or it's base-mobile sibling the 536HP, along with the SDS series scanners, SDS100 & SDS200.
The Home Patrol 2 is a nice handy size, with a clearly readable display. It's not as sensitive as the x36HP scanners, but it's far from deaf. The downside is that it is not a good choice if you are spending an extended period of time in an area with simulcast systems. That might not matter as much if you are mainly passing through the dense urban areas, enroute to a campsite location or some sort of outdoor excursion.
The 436HP is more sensitive than the HP-2, and a little more resistant to simulcast issues; not perfect by any means, but better than the HP series. While I don't see a big difference, many people insist that the x36HP models are better on Vhf & Uhf conventional frequencies than the SDS series. (Most of the conventional systems I monitor are either fairly close, or have a strong signal.) While many of the scanner models are currently in short supply, or out of stock for extended periods, in general you can often find the 436HP for less than the HP-2.
The SDS series scanners, while very good on 700 & 800MHz trunked systems, including simulcast ones, are overkill for what you indicate you are going to do.
All of the above Uniden scanners can utilize a GPS. I would suggest that if you get one of these, update the database in the scanner before you leave for a trip.
Technically speaking, as ofd noted, you can use a GPS with the 325P2 or 996P2, but you'd have to program them in advance to make either of those work. Plus, since you can only have one file loaded, unless you were taking a laptop, to be able to change or add programming, you're stuck with whatever you left the house with. The WS1040 does have the V-folders, where you could stash various sets of programming files to switch as needed, but it does not have the capability to use a GPS, and it cannot handle a P25 Phase II system. While that system type is much more common in urban areas at this time, a number of systems are being upgraded to Phase II, and many newer trunked systems are Phase II from the start.
