Whether Still Junk, UPMan?

[janetball1994]

I've been an infrequent visitor here since the unmasking and ensuing discourse involving the several manufacturing/design defects of the x36 radios -- this in spite of Voyager's often creative, albeit thin defenses of Uniden's honor. So, I may have missed UPMan's answer to this question: do current production runs of x36 radios have the same old problems (e.g., the display LED issue, for example) or have these problems been addressed?

If so, care to give us a serial number threshold beyond which it is "safe" to acquire an x36, UPMan? I'm guessing we know the answer to this question.

 

[TomTN]

The 536 is far from junk. Certainly there are improvements that are needed and a few components which didn't hold up as they expected - which they are repairing. The big thing is that as a scanner it works better than its competitors on certain things. My local area is 800 Simulcast. The 536 works better than the GRE/Whistler line when non-stationary. My GRE scanners can be made to work on Simulcast with creative antennas and placement. My 536 just works. Sure it isn't as good as an original issue Motorola but for a scanner it tops them all. It also works better than any scanner I've had (many over the years) on analog. I've been "monitoring" since before scanners existed when analog dial radios were all that was available.

All the vocal minority is going to accomplish is persuading Uniden to get out of the scanner business. That isn't good for anyone. As for Whistler, I'm glad they are in the game but until they surpass Uniden with LSM and add DMR/NXDN, I will not be investing in their products as I am happy with the x86 line.

 

[XTS3000]

I consider the x36HP line of scanners junk. The RTC and dimming is not an isolated incident, but rather widespread. It's so widespread, Uniden has to stagger the repairs due to the amount of defective scanners returned for REPAIR!

I've submitted my 436HP for RTC repair, but have not received my UPS label to return it. I bought it the day it was released, only to have to wait and wait for a " special invitation" to get it repaired. Are you kidding me???

I'm on my 3rd SD card already in 2 years. How come all the rest of my electronics with SD cards haven't corrupted it's SD card?

If Uniden continues to release half- baked scanners, they deserve to go out of business.

Uniden will never release what serial numbers are the "fixed" products because if they did, they would be admitting their older x36HP scanners were defective.

Even if Uniden delayed release of the x36HP for 22 months from its initial release, we'd still be missing major features if it was released today.

 

[janetball1994]

Well TomTN, I'm happy that you're happy. That said, your "best available" argument is not unlike an endorsement of leech-therapy in the Middle Ages as the "best available" for the plague -- an extreme analogy, to be sure, but directionally correct.

Some of us take the view that "best available" just doesn't cut it when applied to products that were offered for sale knowingly incomplete and with inadequate QC. You're supporting a bankrupt business model, which of course is your privilege -- even in this neo-Trumpian (not so) brave new climate.

 

[Voyager]

I would answer, but I don't want to feed the trolls. But, yes, I do have an answer.

 

[bigcam406]

hasn't this topic been beaten to death enough already?

 

[SOFA_KING]

hasn't this topic been beaten to death enough already?

KevinC, can you please pass the popcorn? Thanks!

Phil

 

[KC4RAF]

I love the "search" ability of RR to find

threads/posts relevant to a question I may have. Wish others knew how to use it.

 

[frazpo]

I've been an infrequent visitor here since the unmasking and ensuing discourse involving the several manufacturing/design defects of the x36 radios -- this in spite of Voyager's often creative, albeit thin defenses of Uniden's honor. So, I may have missed UPMan's answer to this question: do current production runs of x36 radios have the same old problems (e.g., the display LED issue, for example) or have these problems been addressed?

If so, care to give us a serial number threshold beyond which it is "safe" to acquire an x36, UPMan? I'm guessing we know the answer to this question.

Been wondering the same thing, But once again you mention x36HP and the SOS floods the thread.
Can someone answer the serial number question?

 

[frazpo]

threads/posts relevant to a question I may have. Wish others knew how to use it.

Would be nice if it wasn't flooded with irrelevant posts. go figure.

 

[MStep]

Only a guess, but my take on this is that as long as there is existing inventory from the "old lot" still sitting on dealer shelves, you are not going to see that information published anywhere.

 

[SCPD]

I consider the x36HP line of scanners junk.

Me too .. my standards are pretty high and the x36HP line does not make the grade.

 

[MStep]

Me too .. my standards are pretty high and the x36HP line does not make the grade.

I didn't see either the 436 or 536 shown in your list of scanners. Do you actually own one or have you ever used one for any period of time ?

 

[SCPD]

I didn't see either the 436 or 536 shown in your list of scanners. Do you actually own one or have you ever used one for any period of time ?

Previous owner of 436HP .. sold it, didn't like it. Way too smart to buy a 536HP.

 

[MStep]

Previous owner of 436HP .. sold it, didn't like it. Way too smart to buy a 536HP.

I give you credit for at least having tried it. Many "experts" here condemning the radio having never even used it. You know my story is the opposite--- I bought the 536 first--- it took a couple of weeks to master it, but I do love it. When I wanted a mobile unit, I found I could not mount a 536 in my vehicle, so I opted for the 436 and I am very happy with it. Perhaps because I was exposed to the 536 first.

Thanks for your very civil reply. I see you have an Icom R7000 --- I have one also--- quite a machine. I've got a couple of 7100s and a 9000 also. Because of space constraints and the need for radios capable of trunking reception, the Icoms are relegated to storage, and the main radios in use here are the 536, the HP-1 and the 436.

To return to the topic of the thread, and to reiterate comments I made earlier here, I doubt very much if Uniden if going to release serial numbers of radios coming off the production line with the fixes already in place. While I think the x36 units are great, Uniden certainly did screw up on production issues and slow firmware releases, so my guess is that there is way too much of the "old stock" sitting on dealer shelves for Uniden to want to show their hand.

Thanks again for your reply and best wishes.

 

[marksmith]

The infamous serial number question will never be answered. They would be crazy to do so and you would agree with that if you were in their position.

The x36 radios might be good, but they also have contained more problems than any scanner ever made. Fact.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[TAC4]

A Lamborghini with dim led dash lights and RTC clock is definitely worthy of the junk yard. The 536
is an epic scanner and will provide hours of amazing listening in this great hobby.

 

[darunimal]

8000 on the BCD436HP and 9750 on the BCD536HP, Neither issue is defensible, but any product you own with these item will sooner or later fail: the RTC battery is just that a battery and The LED issue is similar to used leds with 80000hr, both RTC and LED's will have to be replaced/fixed sooner or later, and maybe once again in its lifetime, other components shouldn't fail if well taken car of.

Just as with your car, if your brakes, antifreeze, wipers, transmission fluid, oil and headlights degrade you don't, get & stay, crazy mad, forever, but if it bothers you, you can sell it and get another model.

 

[SCPD]

I totally agree. I'm thinking with a strong possibility of class action lawsuit
You best say little as possible, thus reason for Upman in stealth mode

I've been an infrequent visitor here since the unmasking and ensuing discourse involving the several manufacturing/design defects of the x36 radios -- this in spite of Voyager's often creative, albeit thin defenses of Uniden's honor. So, I may have missed UPMan's answer to this question: do current production runs of x36 radios have the same old problems (e.g., the display LED issue, for example) or have these problems been addressed?

If so, care to give us a serial number threshold beyond which it is "safe" to acquire an x36, UPMan? I'm guessing we know the answer to this question.

 

[SCPD]

I give you credit for at least having tried it. Many "experts" here condemning the radio having never even used it.

Thanks again for your reply and best wishes.

They are not bad radios and some people like them .. me, it was a combination of the build quality and the tiny text on the 436HP screen that I could not easily read. All my other radios .. have bigger text, particularly the Whistler / GRE models.

Yes .. I am of the age where the close up sight is slowly going. That is not really the fault of the scanner. But to some .. it is an issue.