BCD436HP/BCD536HP: what series of serial numbers are considered "new"?

[netguy1999]

Ok, the title of this thread may seem a little cryptic, but here is where I'm coming from. I'm ready to purchase a BCD436HP, but I have been reading about the issues people are having with the RTC and screen. I contacted Uniden to find out if this affects all units or just older ones. They informed me that it seems to affect only the older units. I then asked what makes a unit older or newer? Is there a cutoff in serial number that would tell me if a unit is "new" or "older". There were unable to tell me that. I then asked what the most current serial number range would be? Again, they said they could not tell me that.

So here is my dilemma. I am ready to buy, but I want to make sure I buy a "newer" one, not an "older" one. I know there is a repair campaign in place, but I live in Canada and have heard nightmares about sending the scanner to Uniden. Does anyone here know the answer to the questions that Uniden was not able to tell me? It would be GREATLY appreciated as I've been saving to buy this unit for a while and I don't want to make a mistake.

Thanks!

 

[WX4JCW]

that would be nice to know

 

[Voyager]

Look for a serial number newer than 580039xx.

http://forums.radioreference.com/un...-bcd536hp-repair-campaign-36.html#post2527774

 

[netguy1999]

Thank you!

 

[WX4JCW]

crap i have 58002776

 

[Voyager]

All that means is you COULD have an issue down the road. Not all units will develop the issues.

Keep in mind that they only had the fix about 6 months ago. I suspect you purchased your scanner well before that.

 

[netguy1999]

Uniden again playing around with customers, will they ever learn? I think they will when the last employee shuts off the lights and locks the door on his way out for the last time. But that will be too late for us, the consumer, but not for the company, they have already made their millions and millions of dollars,laid off hundreds and hundreds of employees throughout the world, and they go home with a smile on their face. We should be asking ourselves, " are companys too big to fail????????"

Hey, no talk of Uniden closing its doors. I'm just getting into this game

 

[netguy1999]

Talk about it? Some UniHaters here on RR are actually promoting it openly. (yes, I am being completely serious about that)

As you can also see, some will try to spread doom and gloom while some of us are more practical in our views.

Yes, I can see that. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Same thing happens in the gun world as well. As for me, I plan to go full steam ahead and place my order on Monday for a 436hp. I am quite practical myself and have no brand loyalty at this point. The 436 just seems to have all the features I could want in a nice package. I'm quite excited to get it in my hands. Now I just need to find a good antenna to replace the stock one. I'm thinking WSMA-801.

 

[TxScanner]

I had a 536 that i recently returned, it had a serial # of 4800 something, i returned it, because i think the screen wasnt right on it already when i got it, and when i returned it to best buy, it showed it was an "Open Box" item, to begin with, which i didnt know..so glad i returned it!! Still looking for something else, not sure what yet, something with the ease of programming like the HP's.

 

[Voyager]

I wonder if it was another case of scanners being switched and "returned"...

 

[netguy1999]

I had a 536 that i recently returned, it had a serial # of 4800 something, i returned it, because i think the screen wasnt right on it already when i got it, and when i returned it to best buy, it showed it was an "Open Box" item, to begin with, which i didnt know..so glad i returned it!! Still looking for something else, not sure what yet, something with the ease of programming like the HP's.

I bought a microwave from BestBuy once. When I went to register it, I was informed by Samsung that it had already been registered to someone else! I don't buy at BestBuy any more.

 

[TxScanner]

Not sure what i'll get next, be nice to know if you had the latest 536 before you bought one, i really liked it, but had worries about the screen and other things before i bought it. Not sure if i'll get another 536 or an HP-2 next, because i really like the Replay feature, and the ease of programming.

 

[darunimal]

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BCD536HP/BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_1_06_00.zip

Uniden Scanners Systems, Sites and Groups - The RadioReference Wiki

Give it a whirl, before you decide against it, the Handheld is Great, free Sentinel Software, append some stuff to a faVorites list and you'll be off and running before you purchase. with 100 Departments/Sites you can have each System running easily with even STATEWIDE SYSTEMS under 1 SQK (delineated down to 15 Departments (DQK) for State Police Troops with their 85 Sites utilizing the other 85 DQK). Great improvement from the 10 Groups allowed in all previous DMA/BCDxxxXX lines. 1 Favorite List can be like one DMA scanner, so you can have whats like 100 different scanners at your finger tips (w 100 faVorites) , with the same caveat you only be listening to 1 Favorite at a time .

The RTC battery isn't the most used feature and the LED's will fail sooner or later, literally batteries and bulbs, you wouldn't throw your car away because of batteries or bulbs or even wipers.

 

[netguy1999]

I'll be ordering my 436HP tomorrow. I've been on the fence long enough. I was going to buy one used, but I think for peace of mind, I'll order one new and make sure the SN is after 580039xx. Also, being in Canada, if I buy from a dealer here, they will deal with Uniden for the first year if anything goes wrong.

 

[Voyager]

Not sure if i'll get another 536 or an HP-2 next, because i really like the Replay feature, and the ease of programming.

Both models have REPLAY and the zip code programming.

There have been many people who have posted they received the latest models from several sources for months.

 

[netguy1999]

Well, I just bit the bullet and ordered a BCD436HP. By ordering new, I was able to confirm that the serial number is from the new radios. It will be in my hands by Friday. I can't wait!

 

[TxScanner]

who did you order from, and how did you confirm the serial #? I tried a 436, hope you better luck than i did, it just was very choppy in my area.

 

[netguy1999]

who did you order from, and how did you confirm the serial #? I tried a 436, hope you better luck than i did, it just was very choppy in my area.

I'm in Alberta, Canada. I ordered it from radioworld.ca in Calgary. I was able to confirm the SN over the phone to make sure the one I get is from the latest batch. Sometimes it's nice being able to talk to someone whose holding the product in their hand rather than just an online order form. I've got my fingers crossed that the new ones have the issues worked out.

 

[darunimal]

Cool, have you download & installed Sentinel yet, and started to append some things to a Favorite List.

 

[netguy1999]

Cool, have you download & installed Sentinel yet, and started to append some things to a Favorite List.

Not yet. I have to study for an exam I'm writing this Friday. After that, I can devote my time to playing with sentinel and the scanner

This weekend will be fun!