UPMan, Are we there yet?

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JamesO

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But I would never dream of lawsuits for 500 and 600 dollar scanners. It really sounds ludicrous. Steve AA6IO

Not suggesting any form of legal action, but you do know there is a class action lawsuit recently for price fixing on RAM modules a number of years back. Talk about stupid and what does anyone get out of it??

https://www.classactionrefund.com/cases/dram

What so you think anyone will get out of this?? A check in the mail for $0.37 for a $300 million settlement?

I think they were just guesses because I bought primarily for P25 Phase II and secondly for the discovery and recording features.(

I was also interested these and the Analyze feature. What is confusing is why the Analyze feature was not delivered yet. This should not require anything from an outside vendor and most of the code should be able to be brought over from the HP1 Analyze feature I would assume. Yes there are some issues with the different screen layouts required and the fact the x36 does not have a color display, but curious why this feature is not here by now.

Wonder if Uniden is planning on the Analyze feature being available through the Siren App to allow for a bigger/color display because of the display size on the 536HP and maybe this is holding things up a bit? Might be that the Analyze feature is really 2 projects, one for the 436 and one for the 536, as at a minimum the display sizes/layout are different.
 

lep

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The TV season having ended and no new summer shows announced that are to my liking, RR forum whining about Uniden are providing substitute entertainment. I have a 436 and like some others am awaiting the new features before purchasing a 536. In the interim my 996XT and my 996T are making-do. I don't even know what the dongle would do if was available (nor particularly care) I would like the "discover feature" as I use it daily in my HP-1s but I could use some more "power" on EDAC systems. When things are quiet on the air, I can always tune-in to RR to be amused such as nonsense about lawsuits. I wish at least one of these experts would give us their Bar Number or at least the page of their listing in Martindale.

LEP
 

WILSON43

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I would like to play "Devil's Advocate" for a second and pose a hypothetical question.....

What if, for whatever reason, the features missing from the 536 NEVER come to fruition?

In that case, should current owners expect a price adjustment? Potential owners pay less for the unit?

There is a remote possibility this may come to pass.

Interesting to hear comments, maybe we can tale a poll????
 

krokus

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People who are first run buyers are always going to be the ones who find problems. They are going to be the ones that have to wait for accessories.

I have no doubt that UPMan is doing his best, and might be fighting bean counters and apathetic suppliers.

I hope these issues get sorted out, soon, as I am interested in these products.

Sent via Tapatalk
 

Ghstwolf62

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Why do you keep posting the same misinformation?

Have you even looked at Uniden's website, have you seen the BCD536HP box on display at a vendor?

Nowhere, I repeat, nowhere does it say that the app is not working and that the WIFi dongle is not working.

The website does clearly state over and over how great the WiFi feature is, it lists the Siren App and it lists it's features. If you read the entire site, nowhere does it state there is any issue. The only people who know there is a problem are 1) the people who bought the scanner expecting to find a functional WiFi dongle and app and 2) the people who were lucky enough to read threads like these that inform the prospective buyer.

No one wants to have to go through a class action suit and everyone expects Uniden to follow through because they have to. If they don't , they will be sued, and they will lose.

We already know that you don't mind paying more for a scanner without WiFi. However the WiFi feature is the primary selling feature, not a minor feature as you suggest, and half of the people buying a 536 wouldn't be buying if they knew there was not going to eventually be a functioning WiFi dongle and Siren App.

Back when the first whine sets were taking place a hundred or so threads ago I used to bother to look up everything and show that info.

After months of it I just don't bother anymore. Uniden made it clear the wifi thingy wouldn't be done with when the scanner was released and even most of those whining the loudest admit that or have in the past. They just don't like the delays that have happened.

Somehow I seriously doubt half the people actually based their decision on buying a scanner on whether some non-scanner essential function was there or not. The scanner does what it is supposed to and this wifi thingy is an extra that is not necessary for it to do it's job.

You still didn't answer where you got the idea that the higher price was due to the wifi thing vs just being a mobile over a portable radio?

Oh and I agree with the others. The analyze feature is much more important and much more of a reason to complain than some wifi stuff. Its also much more likely to be a factor in purchase it there was going to be a factor. Now that is something that has not been addressed at all. No updates at all that I'm aware of.
 

dispatcher812

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My frustration is with the lack of communication from Uniden.

Steve AA6IO

I was going to stay out of it but I can't. I have seen "communication" from UPman giving what updates he could. How is that a lack of communication? Just like with the Malaysian airliner, no information can be given if their is no information received. Paul knows how important the app and discovery feature is.
 

b52hbuff

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I know some people have a hard time reading my tone in the forums. But 100% sarcasm free, let me say that I completely support what Paul has been trying to do here with the Siren update. Kudos for showing us a little behind the kimono and sharing what he can about the state of the challenges in the face of angry customers and a litigious environment!

I realize it is frustrating when your new / shiny toy doesn't work. I've been there and done that on the 396T (not XT) and on the HP-1.

But what is the alternative? Wait until everything worked out 100%? Ship the radio without the WiFi component, and raise the cost of the unit?

If folks who are really frustrated, return the radio and wait. Otherwise, suck it up and let Uniden's track record speak for itself. I firmly believe the issue will be fixed, or folks will get their money back.
 

SCPD

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Thanks to all who have purchased these two new units and have posted your issues, I was ready to purchase the 396 when Uniden announced two new scanners. I have the 996 and love it, great scanner, I wanted one for portability and held off buying the 436. I hope all work's out for those who purchased one of their newer units, I'm in no rush right now.
 

XTS3000

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I know some people have a hard time reading my tone in the forums. But 100% sarcasm free, let me say that I completely support what Paul has been trying to do here with the Siren update. Kudos for showing us a little behind the kimono and sharing what he can about the state of the challenges in the face of angry customers and a litigious environment!

I realize it is frustrating when your new / shiny toy doesn't work. I've been there and done that on the 396T (not XT) and on the HP-1.

But what is the alternative? Wait until everything worked out 100%? Ship the radio without the WiFi component, and raise the cost of the unit?

If folks who are really frustrated, return the radio and wait. Otherwise, suck it up and let Uniden's track record speak for itself. I firmly believe the issue will be fixed, or folks will get their money back.

What retailer/dealer is going to return a radio we purchased over 4 months ago?
 

03msc

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Considering that there are not other scanners on the market that have the same features that the BCD436HP/BCD536HP do I think the terms Flagship and Cutting Edge are accurate.
How many other currently produced scanners can receive Phase 2 TDMA?
How many other currently produced scanners have the entire US and Canada loaded into the scanner?
How many other currently produced scanners have Fire Tone Out Capability?
How many other currently produced scanners have discovery mode?
All of the above features are considered Cutting Edge.
And the scanners DO work as advertised.
The BCD536HP functions just fine without the Wifi adapter plugged in. And of course the BCD436HP works great on its own.
I use both my BCD436HP and BCD536HP daily both at home and at work.
Marshall KE4ZNR

I remain amused and amazed at how a handful of folks here continue to bash Uniden regardless of what Uniden does. It is as if folks here viscerally will not be happy until
Uniden is out of business. It is as if there is a group of folks here that want Uniden to
fail at all costs. No one has denied that mistakes have been made. No one has denied that the release of the BCD536HP has not gone like Uniden or Paul wanted it to.
But the visceral hate that some around here have for Uniden is mind boggling.
It is as if you believe that nothing less than a public crucifixion is acceptable.
Some around here need to get a grip on reality.
Marshall KE4ZNR

Thank you, Marshall, for being a voice of reason and logic in the midst of this thread!
 

VE3RADIO

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It is not only written about on the box, it is on their corporate website, it is in the manual, and it is in videos on Youtube. But when you open the box it doesn't even have the firmware to use the supplied dongle let alone a functioning iPhone app.

I have never seen another electronic product so blatantly false advertised and hyped. I can't really take your post seriously. Uniden most certainly does owe everyone because they paid $100 extra for that specific feature set over the 436 which has everything the 536 has, except WiFi.


You sir are 100% correct and are clearly with the program! +1
 

VE3RADIO

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This is why I hit quick reply instead of picking someone's post to reply to. There were a lot of people in the last five pages I had just read through continuing as they had before with bashing Uniden and to a lessor extend Paul. They really went off over Paul's update on the Siren app a couple pages back. That was what I was referring to in no small part. They were whining about him not updating and then having a fit over it when he did update them. Furious at the fact he told them he didn't know when it would be done correctly because lo and behold he doesn't know himself.

As to Uniden and their web site, I don't know. I don't suppose it would hurt if they took that down. Probably just haven't updated it but as I said don't know. My comments were about months of seeing the whining and carrying on that has been done a million times. The problem has been acknowledged and was just updated as a matter of fact. The demands are ridiculous and when they get what they say they want they just go off on a different set of complaints because they don't like what they were told. They can't seem to grasp that they can't have it both ways. They want updates then they can't whine about getting one just because it isn't the one they wanted to hear.

The childish whining, crying, infantile behavior which has permeated this forum for months now is astounding to put it mildly. Its all about they want it they want it now and if they don't get it they throw a tantrum like a two year old. And that is not just applicable to the wifi app but many other things which these people have brought up.

Take a few. Uniden improved the audio with much more professional sounding audio but some people didn't like it. That became a "Defect" that needs immediate fixing according to them. It got so bad I even put my 2 cents in my sig line. (defect, something wrong with it, and other terms for bad)

Or how about the people who insist on using other computer platforms instead of what they're told to use, then have problems? Guess who is at fault and its never them for their idiocy.

The ones who just have to mess with things like the SD card, taking it out, putting it back in, taking it out a million times, using other cards besides the ones that come with it. Guess what? Those who mess with it have problems. Guess who gets blamed? Not them. For the most part those who don't mess with it don't have said problems.

I won't even go into all the "Issues" brought up that Paul/Uniden HAS to fix right this second because its a major flaw in the scanner and then it turns out to be the person not doing something correctly which caused the supposed "Issue". Lord if Uniden had fixed all the "Issues" that had been demanded to be fixed there would have been like a thousand updates by now.

And of course two of my favorites are all the whining about things that people "Think" Uniden should have done which they didn't and are demanding "Fixes" for them to be done as they say it should be. The other is the whining about the scanner not being as good as five thousand dollar Motorola radio.

As to your pick up.

First I'm not up on the newest vehicles. They actually allow tv screens on your dash? Wow. Touch screen at that. I'd take the car back. Hate touch screens, they don't work worth a darn. I have to say though that I've never seen a pick up truck without a lot of room between bottom of dash and floor. I suppose maybe these new miniaturized things now days might not have any room but I've just never seen it. I do know I wouldn't get a new Suburban or even a newer one a few years back when I bought mine because of how small they have made them since 2000.

I think pick ups actually have a higher clearance than my Suburban does on floor to dash room. Even an old 90s Ford Explorer had a large amount of room between the bottom of the dash and the floor. Had a radio shop put in mounts drilled into the floor which stuck up with my radio attached on the end of it. Worked good although didn't have so many as I'm getting now.

I just don't understand how you could not have the room that a pick up truck normally does. I suppose if you don't you don't but it seems really weird. I would think you could put in a radio equipment console in place of the regular one that would meet your needs fine. Check police equipment supply places. Maybe those usb and phone things are taking up room. Why someone needs usb ports in a car or phone storage I don't know but I suppose that's progress. Never stored my phone anywhere as it was always in use.

What I'm wondering is if maybe you've set your car up for other things which now don't leave you any room for mounting stuff rather than the pick up not having any room to do so? May be wrong there but it sounds like you've put a bunch of junk into it thereby sacrificing what you would have had otherwise. Not only that but are you really wanting to hang some type of computer device on your dash to look at the scanner screen? I think that would be extremely distracting and take up room itself. (More so than just the scanner)

As for me I don't want some type of computer device mounted in my vehicle unless I actually mount a laptop vis-a-vis the way cops have it set up. Stand to right of center with laptop on it facing back across middle towards driver. (On passenger side floorboard) Be great for a number of things including on the fly programming for stuff like DMR into a radio amongst other things.

Anyway this is going off topic and wandering so I'll stop here. Its not that Uniden is without fault or that they couldn't have done a few things differently its that the behavior of many is like watching two year olds throw tantrum after tantrum because they don't get their own way. Take a look at all the threads that have been closed on here. Some want to cry censorship but in actuality they were allowed to stay open far longer than they should have been as it was. They were nothing but online whining and tantrums polluting the forum for everyone.

As an example I've been away from site for three days now. I came back and clicked new posts and guess what? Same whining about the same things in a new thread over and over again. "Anybody else seen this problem with this scanner? It doesn't work" then its "Oh, I had it set wrong" after all the hallaballoo about it.

So not sure what else I can say about it. Its never gotten through before and I'm not holding my breath this time either.


Anyone care to send me the coles notes on this post? Buddy nobody reads past the first 2 paragraphs.
 

shonc182

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...scanned it. Variation of the standard 'Defenders of the Faith' line. It's all user error.... our fault for buying them in the first place.... it's not Unidens fault.... etc.

I don't fault the people that are satisfied with these scanners. To the contrary, I am glad for them - their expectations were met. They are apparently just lower expectations - nothing wrong with that. What amazes me is the militant opposition from a small vocal minority to any position to the contrary.
 

03msc

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...scanned it. Variation of the standard 'Defenders of the Faith' line. It's all user error.... our fault for buying them in the first place.... it's not Unidens fault.... etc.

I don't fault the people that are satisfied with these scanners. To the contrary, I am glad for them - their expectations were met. They are apparently just lower expectations - nothing wrong with that. What amazes me is the militant opposition from a small vocal minority to any position to the contrary.

I think that is simply because it continues to be brought up over and over and the answer is the same - there is no new news to share. In other words, they are beating a dead horse. And, it seems, many who comment are the same ones over and over. Also, I think many feel that Uniden was forthright when they said the app wasn't ready yet and would come later. They've since hit a hiccup. I would venture to guess they wish they'd never mentioned the planned app but they did so they can't take that back.

Me? I'm of the "Uniden knows they haven't delivered on everything they mentioned before so let them work on it in peace because complaining about it non-stop won't make it happen any faster." That's not to say everyone who has complained has done it constantly but there are some who have. I think that is where the bitter attitude from those who do not see it as a big deal comes from -- "asked and answered", in short.

My 2 cents...
 

shonc182

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Well put 03msc. Regardless of which camp one is in, if you don't like what is on the TV - change the channel. I am choosing to do just that.

...though I do enjoy the guilty pleasure of a classic Jerry Springer episode from time to time.
 

durangoGreg

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Also, I think many feel that Uniden was forthright when they said the app wasn't ready yet and would come later. They've since hit a hiccup. I would venture to guess they wish they'd never mentioned the planned app but they did so they can't take that back.

I agree with everything you said except this part. The primary reason I posted was so that a prospective user could come here and see that one of the key features is not functional. Everyone keeps saying that this is a known fact and that Uniden is making it clear but they aren't. I've attached a copy of the ad for the BCD536HP from Uniden's corporate website.

Nowhere does it say that there is an issue with the WiFi. In fact it boasts about the WiFi and how it is a first. The primary bye-line is "Uniden BCD536HP Home Patrol Series Digital Mobile Scanner with WiFi " in big bold type.

If Uniden was forthcoming they would either remove this ad or modify the description to let people know that there is no app and that the WiFI does not work. You make it sound like Uniden mentioned WiFi in passing and that it was not a major feature. If that is true, why is it that it is the only feature that is prominent in their ad bye-line.

Look at the box for the BCD536HP, WiFi 802.11 b/g for Remote access is clearly displayed on the front and on the side bar it talks about the Siren app for your smart phone. If you saw this in a store you would never know until you opened the box that the app doesn't exist and that the WiFI feature doesn't work.

Personally, I can wait for Uniden to fix issue and deliver on their description of the scanner. But I want prospective buyers to be informed because it just isn't right to keep on advertising features on their corporate website which don't exist.
 

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03msc

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I agree with everything you said except this part. The primary reason I posted was so that a prospective user could come here and see that one of the key features is not functional. Everyone keeps saying that this is a known fact and that Uniden is making it clear but they aren't. I've attached a copy of the ad for the BCD536HP from Uniden's corporate website.

Nowhere does it say that there is an issue with the WiFi. In fact it boasts about the WiFi and how it is a first. The primary bye-line is "Uniden BCD536HP Home Patrol Series Digital Mobile Scanner with WiFi " in big bold type.

If Uniden was forthcoming they would either remove this ad or modify the description to let people know that there is no app and that the WiFI does not work. You make it sound like Uniden mentioned WiFi in passing and that it was not a major feature. If that is true, why is it that it is the only feature that is prominent in their ad bye-line.

Look at the box for the BCD536HP, WiFi 802.11 b/g for Remote access is clearly displayed on the front and on the side bar it talks about the Siren app for your smart phone. If you saw this in a store you would never know until you opened the box that the app doesn't exist and that the WiFI feature doesn't work.

Personally, I can wait for Uniden to fix issue and deliver on their description of the scanner. But I want prospective buyers to be informed because it just isn't right to keep on advertising features on their corporate website which don't exist.

Point taken. And yes, from a business standpoint I would think that Uniden might want to edit that listing to point out that the app is not functional yet. But, since it's their website I guess they can make it say whatever they want and they will reap the benefits or suffer the consequences of that when customers read it and later find it isn't exactly true...yet.

On the flip side - and maybe why some have posted that they are tired of thread after thread about this - if someone has made it to RR and is reading through the Uniden threads they will see multiple threads where this is discussed. I guess maybe that is the source of the frustration for some.

But hey, as an open forum site, everyone with an active username is permitted to post and your thread may be the one someone reads when researching it. It just got a little off-topic along the lines by some users, I guess, as they brought up some of the same stuff again.
 

durangoGreg

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Point taken. And yes, from a business standpoint I would think that Uniden might want to edit that listing to point out that the app is not functional yet. But, since it's their website I guess they can make it say whatever they want and they will reap the benefits or suffer the consequences of that when customers read it and later find it isn't exactly true...yet.

On the flip side - and maybe why some have posted that they are tired of thread after thread about this - if someone has made it to RR and is reading through the Uniden threads they will see multiple threads where this is discussed. I guess maybe that is the source of the frustration for some.

But hey, as an open forum site, everyone with an active username is permitted to post and your thread may be the one someone reads when researching it. It just got a little off-topic along the lines by some users, I guess, as they brought up some of the same stuff again.

Agreed!
 

bama9999

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I know there are those who are unhappy with how things are going in regards to their scanners, and I do sympathize and understand, but some of the posts in this thread remind me of this... lol
 

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AK9R

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...there is no new news to share.
If that was true, and it is, then the mostly repetitive posts from people expressing (I did not use the word "complaining") that there is no news to share are pointless.

In other words, they are beating a dead horse. And, it seems, many who comment are the same ones over and over.
Which figures into why some folks have gotten a Time Out from posting in the forums. I refer you all to Item 7 in RadioReference.com Announcement -- Forum Rules and etiquette.
 
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