hi, do any of you tech guys know this question can't seem to find it in research I'm upgrading my handheld 396 xt. i have all the software arc xt etc used 396xt many years so very familiar with programing but i heard the 436 has a better vodecoder but same speaker as 325 p2 so therefore sounds better. I'm in a non-simulcast area and use it mostly for home and work if there both the same in those regards more advantageous for me to keep with the 325p2 as the new learning curve on the 436 looks very complicated but would be worth it for a better sounding scanner if the vodecoder is better and not the same. thanks
As
ka3aaa has noted, the main difference in sound between the 325P2 and 436HP is the speaker size. Plus, the 436HP has a larger case surrounding the speaker, which can also help. Based on what I've seen here in my area (DFW metro), the 436HP does marginally better than the 325P2 on Simulcast. But, as you've noted, Simulcast is not an issue at your current location, so that's not a factor for you at present. The better sound from an external speaker is probably your best, & least expensive, option. The small, 'pocket friendly', size of the 325P2 makes it an excellent grab and go scanner.
However, the learning curve on the 436HP does not have to be as challenging as you may think. Both scanners use the same basic style of programming. What your 325P2 calls a 'Group' is called a Department in the 436HP and other Uniden database scanners. The bigger difference is that, for your 325, you have a single programming file that you load & use. For the database scanners, you can have multiple Favorites lists, each of which is a programming file that you can tailor to more specific systems. You can use only a single Favorites list, or any combination of them, depending on what is happening in your area.
