Uniden BCT396xt vs the new Home Patrol scanner

[Pro94Pdx]

Anyone have any thoughts on how these two models compare? The 396 came out in 2009, I think, whereas the HP-1 came out in 2011. Generally, I prefer to go with the latest and greatest, since it's more likely to be able to pick up "everything out there." But if they're functionally equivalent, I prefer one that I can manually program myself with software, as opposed to the touch screen of the Home Patrol, where you merely enter a zip code. The latter is more convenient, but since I've gotten used to manual programming, it seems like it would give me more control over exactly what I do and do not want to listen to, by cross referencing my programming with the RR database. Besides, all things considered, manual programming is kinda like driving a stick shift, where you have more overall control, and a "direct connection to the machine itself," as opposed to driving an automatic.

Neither of them will pick up P25 Phase II, so I'm assuming that will be a feature on whatever model Uniden puts out next. Does anyone know how long that will be? My Pro96 was working great in Portland, Oregon, picking up all the rebanded 800Mhz trunked systems here, but the volume control stopped working all of a sudden. The scanner works fine, you just can't hear anything, and no matter how you turn the volume up or down, it's still the same. Too low to be heard. Since I've become a scanning addict/enthusiast over the years, I can't stand to be without one wherever I go. So I'd rather not wait for a new P25 Phase II model if it's going to be more than a year before it comes out.

So that leaves me with the following questions:

1) Any thoughts on whether to buy the BCT 396xt over the Home Patrol, or whether one is better over the other? Is there anything the HP will do that the 396 will not?

2) Anyone know when the next Uniden that will pick up Phase II may come out, and how much it will cost?

3) Will the upgrades to Phase II take long enough that the 396xt would still be a good investment that will serve me well for the next few years? And in 3-5 years, will I still be able to pick anything up out there? The 396xt will scan 700Mhz Phase I digital, and that's the next step for Portland, in the next few years. And I know it's only a matter of time before they go live on Phase II. But if you think the 396xt will meet my needs for another few years, it might still be worth it.

4) All of my current scanners are Radio Shacks, the Pro94, Pro96, and Pro97. I hardly use the Pro94 anymore, because it won't do the rebanding, and it's basically only good for conventional frequencies. The Pro97 has better reception than the 94, and it picks up conventional frequencies GREAT when I'm in rural areas that haven't gone to trunking.

When the Pro96 volume control "died," I was originally going to buy the Pro106, because it's equivalent to the BCT396xt. But then I heard that GRE went out of business, and they are the ones who manufacture Radio Shack scanners. So I figured if I invested in the Pro106 now, that could be a problem if I have any trouble with it later on, in terms of getting parts or repairs. So with that in mind, does anyone have any thoughts on Uniden with regard to whether they would still service a 396xt in a few years, and how well they do with customer service and repairs in general?

5) Lastly, does anyone know where I could get my Pro96 repaired? Radio Shack employees in the store are very friendly and they try to help, but it's clear in my experience that none of them really seem to know much about scanners, because it's kind of a niche hobby.

Lots of questions, I know. But I'll gladly take any answers to any of them that you folks might have. I've learned a ton on these forums, and I really appreciate all the help and support that RR members provide. Happy scanning to everyone, and thanks in advance for any replies. Monitor, monitor, monitor, and enjoy.

 

[ZippyZ]

The only thing I can offer ... since I'm fairly new to scanners, but not to tech is this ....

The XT series scanners are much better for portability. I use FreeScan to do programming of systems I want to listen to.

The HomePatrol while not as "portable" has it's own software with Uniden Sentinel software. It also has the complete RR database in the scanner so you can do whatever you wish with the need to reprogram to add things. The speaker is louder than the XT models.

I own both 346XT (analog) 396XT (analog/digital) although it's in for a "sound repair, and (2) Home Patrols. If I had to choose only 1 .... most likely the HP since portability is not as important to me as the very easy to use, change and program HP.

I have the Diamond 789 antenna on the HPs, but a ST-2 on the way for at my office.
I have a NMO Larsen tri band on the car ... I just installed today with the 346XT. I do seem to have trouble hearing the thing even though it's on the visor directly above my head. I have experimented with various antennas outside the previously mentioned ... I dunno. My signals are fairly close so no serious differences.

As for Phase II stuff .... don't hold your breath, and if they do come out with it anytime soon .... we will all be buying one when the time comes we need it. Until then .... happy scanning from another "new" RR dude.

Performance wise ... I can't really see any difference, but those with more experience than I may opine.
Just my 2 cents ....

 

[russellmaher]

BCD396XT vs HP-1

I'd like to throw in some opinions in regards to your post and what my limited knowledge offers:

The next scanner in the Uniden product line has not been introduced yet, so we have no idea of when it's coming, what features it will offer, how much it will cost. All we have at this point is our hopes and dreams of what we want in a new scanner.

I can reply to your question regarding how well Uniden handles service issues with their products, and my encounter with service last year was excellent. When my BCD396T was sent back for service, not only did they repair the item I said needed to be fixed, but also fixed several other items that I had not known needed replacing. I got the unit back and it was good as new - all for fifty bucks plus shipping. I will recommend Uniden's service department every time. By the way, my 396T was purchased in 2006, so for them to repair it so well (due to its age) was something I didn't expect.

I think the 396XT and the HP-1 have the same features (pretty much) but cannot say that positively since I don't own either one. So, I'll let the members here that do chime in on that topic.

Lastly, I do believe you will be able to program the HP-1 manually (not just by zip code) by using the Sentinel software and then creating what are called favorite lists where you can put in whatever systems, freqs, TGID's, etc that you want to hear regularly. So that you can hear just what you put into the fave list and not just what's in your zip code area.

I hope this has been of some help to you.

Russell :wink:

 

[mrxdimension]

I have a 996xt and HP-1. I don't have a 396xt, but I'm lead to believe it's the same radio as the 996xt in a different package.

Both the 996xt and HP-1 radio's are roughly equivilent in terms of reception.

If you program both through your computer they can do the same things, but the programming interface is different. I use Freescan and a premium membership to Radioreference to program the 996xt. The HP-1 doesn't require the Radioreference membership, and it has it's own programming software built in. Just follow the instructions when you first boot up the HP-1 and it will tell you what you need to do.

If you want to program through the front panel the 996xt has more options. I suspect, but don't know if you get those extra options on the HP-1 if you buy the extreme firmware upgrade for it.

I doubt you'll go far wrong with either the 396xt, 996xt, or HP-1 as long as they can pick up the signals and modes you're interested in.

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

I have a 996xt and HP-1. I don't have a 396xt, but I'm lead to believe it's the same radio as the 996xt in a different package.

Both the 996xt and HP-1 radio's are roughly equivilent in terms of reception.

If you program both through your computer they can do the same things, but the programming interface is different. I use Freescan and a premium membership to Radioreference to program the 996xt. The HP-1 doesn't require the Radioreference membership, and it has it's own programming software built in. Just follow the instructions when you first boot up the HP-1 and it will tell you what you need to do.

If you want to program through the front panel the 996xt has more options. I suspect, but don't know if you get those extra options on the HP-1 if you buy the extreme firmware upgrade for it.

I doubt you'll go far wrong with either the 396xt, 996xt, or HP-1 as long as they can pick up the signals and modes you're interested in.

There's the key...if they can pick up the signals you're interested in. MY HP-1 is great on analog conventional frequencies and trunking systems. Does only so-so on digital systems, especially the Illinois Starcom21 P25 system. When I had my 396XT, never had a problem picking up digital systems. It's a whole 'nother ball of wax with the HP-1. Reception is spotty at best, and at its worst, it's totally deaf whereas my PSR-800 squawks away with activity.

Sure made a mistake the day I bought the HP-1. Should have gotten a 396XT instead.

 

[mrxdimension]

There's the key...if they can pick up the signals you're interested in. MY HP-1 is great on analog conventional frequencies and trunking systems. Does only so-so on digital systems, especially the Illinois Starcom21 P25 system. When I had my 396XT, never had a problem picking up digital systems. It's a whole 'nother ball of wax with the HP-1. Reception is spotty at best, and at its worst, it's totally deaf whereas my PSR-800 squawks away with activity.

Sure made a mistake the day I bought the HP-1. Should have gotten a 396XT instead.

I regret the performance you're getting from the HP-1. I get better reception than I expected from my 996xt and HP-1 on digitial P25. Reception is out to the edge of reasonable range given an indoor antenna. I did put a Diamond sma SR 789 antenna on my HP-1 though. The 996xt already comes with a telescoping antenna.

 

[Pro94Pdx]

Thanks for all your input on this, I really appreciate it. This was very helpful.

 

[KD2DLL]

Thanks for all your input on this, I really appreciate it. This was very helpful.

Keep in mind there is a possible announcement in November for a new model. It probably won't be available until early 2014 but we should know in the coming months. Read through the entire thread below and you can find out a little more.

http://forums.radioreference.com/uniden-scanners/274289-maybe-something-new-way.html

 

[One13Truck]

Since I still do all my programming and tweaking by hand (only using the software to create backups in case of a crash during firmware updates) I can't stand the HP model and love the 15/396/996 brands. But if you want to get up and running quickly with minimal work to do so the HP is the much better option.

 

[SCPD]

my hp-1 does great

I have a question and since I'm new also, then someone with more knowledge may know the answer.
You mention phase 2
Will the hp-1 not be compatible or can it get a software update to be able to receive phase2 transmissions

 

[lep]

According to a post by UPMAN some months ago the HP-1 can NOT be upgraded to receive Phase 2 because of a hardware limitation.

On a related note I have the 996XT as well as the HP-1. I program both using ARC software, since I only use Favorites Lists I find both scanners require considerable 'tinkering' to get them customized to my liking. The HP-1 especially have capabilities for describing the channel, the department, and the user in considerable depth far beyond the rr.com recorded data.

 

[Jay911]

1) Any thoughts on whether to buy the BCT 396xt over the Home Patrol, or whether one is better over the other? Is there anything the HP will do that the 396 will not?

Here are some of the features that the HP1 has that the 396 doesn't.
- recording and logging of received traffic
- Discovery Mode searches (an improved version of limit searching with recording, logging, and automatic "lockout" of discovered frequencies as well as frequencies that would "lock up" a normal limit search)
- Trunking discovery mode (the same as the above, but for trunk systems)
- Regular (weekly) updates to the frequencies in the scanner via the RadioReference database
- Select what channels to listen to via Service Tags (i.e. only law enforcement, only public works, etc)
- Ability to store multiple personalized scan lists (Favorites lists)
- Analysis tools for various trunk systems
- LCN "finder" for EDACS and LTR systems
- Ability to hold on a system, or a group within that system, or a talkgroup within that group. The group hold is the most dramatic difference when compared to the 396. You could have the scanner sit in a system and listen to only a specific set of talkgroups, similar to turning off all your group quick keys on the 396, but with just one touch - and one touch is all that's needed to 'unhold' and resume scanning everything.
- Full color touch-screen allows for far more information to be displayed than the 396

The 396 has some things the HP doesn't, including close call, a belt clip, and an easier shape to carry around in a portable fashion.

2) Anyone know when the next Uniden that will pick up Phase II may come out, and how much it will cost?

People suspect that there is something being announced in November, based on UPMan (Uniden Product Manager)'s avatar image. He has stated in the past that Uniden will not announce products more than 6 months before they will hit the shelves, so the product could be out any time between November and May. Seeing as how Paul (UPMan) was in Japan earlier this year and teased some video, and took a similar trip (but not quite as similar as Japan didn't suffer a crippling earthquake this time) in 2011 before the HomePatrol came out, it is highly expected that a new scanner will be announced in November.

Previous to that, earlier this year, someone leaked information of a new device in testing called the BCD536HP (if I recall correctly) which may be what's being announced. Again, IIRC, Paul acknowledged that name matched a Uniden product in testing.

I do recall either Paul or someone/something else saying that the BCD536HP had features never seen before in any scanner.

3) Will the upgrades to Phase II take long enough that the 396xt would still be a good investment that will serve me well for the next few years? And in 3-5 years, will I still be able to pick anything up out there?

That really depends on your area. Where I live, there are still communication systems from the 1960s in use. At the same time, there are modern DMR (NXDN/IDAS/TRBO) systems in operation, and everything in between. I wouldn't be so hasty to assume everything P25 will go Phase II right away. My province (I'm in Canada) is building out a province-wide P25 trunk system right now which is going to be Phase I for the foreseeable future. There are no known Phase II systems here yet.

The 396 will still work fine on all the systems it was designed for. There's no reason to discard it. However, there's absolutely zero chance that it will be upgradable to P25 Phase II, or NXDN or TRBO etc. It has already been stated that the HP1 is incapable of such an upgrade, and if that is the case, then the older-technology 396/996 platform is surely in the same boat.

 

[phask]

I have both, but prefer the HP-1. Much better for mobile use. With a GPS it is 1000% better for use out of the area. IMHO easier to program via Sentinel. I also use Freescan for the 996.

Reception is adequate with both. As everything migrates to trunked long distance is not needed as in the past.

Display - hands down HP. With a favorite you could have it say anything you want.

With use of Sentinel and RR's DB, programing a favorite can take minutes rather than hours.

USB interface - some people have issues with serial.

I'd wait for the latest announcement - especially if you need phase2.

 

[lep]

I have the 996XT in my shack, the 996T in my auto, the 396T for my briefcase and two HP-1 for casual listening and research. The HP-1 with EE features is hard to beat and there is NOTHING comparable in any other scanner to the Discovery and Analyze features short of very expensive bench test equipment.
You can even observe the channel grants in ENC P-25 systems to see WHO the users are, it is a marvelous tool and I use the features daily. If you don't need these features maybe the less feature-rich scanners will do the job for you. but if you do need these features there is nothing like it on the market.