BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Why 536HP?

[mass-man]

I use 4 996P2 scanners that work quite well. I can get a 536HP for a song but other than zip code scanning what else would make it worth getting?
I program with ProScan and have favorites already built, as I program the scanners at work!

 

[mciupa]

I like the multi-level display (two options) and the record and play back. Wifi and Bluetooth work very well together and allow me to roam around the house without being tethered to the phone jack.

 

[richardbritt]

What Bluetooth? WiFi yes, works great with Proscan. I also have 536s in my car and pickup. I use WiFi to tether to my cell phone so I can remotely see my scanner display when I am driving without having to see the scanner (mounted out of sight). I can control the scanner with my cell. I also use Proscan wirelessly in the house on my other 536. Also having the whole database and using a GPS mobile is great on a trip.

 

[kc2asb]

I bought a 536HP because I did prefer the display and it was Uniden's flagship model at the time (2015). I already had a 996T, and the 536HP was an entirely new scanner with a fresh, new look. And I wanted something entirely new.

The ability to program it with Uniden's own Sentinel software was another selling point. (I programmed the 996T by hand)

I never had any use for the zip code scanning, the WiFi capability, or remote control with a cell phone.

So, if you don't need these features either, then there is no reason to buy a 536HP. However, since you said you can get one for a song, well, why not get it then? It is a great scanner and will nicely compliment your 996P2's.

 

[ofd8001]

I've used both the 996x and 536 line of scanners. If I had to replace one, my first choice would be the SDS 200 because it handles simulcast systems the best. After that, the 536.

The 536 is much easier to update (firmware, full database and Favorites Lists). With the 536, all I need to do is remove the SD card and get it to my computer. With the 996, I have to get a computer to it. (Mobile use consideration).

I also like the Quick Key structure (once I learned it). The 536 will also handle large statewide trunked systems where the 996p2 memory limits will preclude doing so without a lot of fancy programming.

 

[slhbeard]

My 536 does well with simulcast. Not sure if you have it in your area or not.

 

[Ubbe]

The 536 are more of an experts scanner as you have LCN finder and analog and digital analyze and discovery of systems that might not be well documented or even unknown. As it has recording to SD card you will have access to instant recall of a conversation that you didn't really hear clearly or didn't pay attention to. The 536 are the first scanner I power on and are the most important to me.

/Ubbe

 

[hiegtx]

I use 4 996P2 scanners that work quite well. I can get a 536HP for a song but other than zip code scanning what else would make it worth getting?
I program with ProScan and have favorites already built, as I program the scanners at work!

The built in database, and the ability to use it, along with a GPS, is an advantage for the 536 over the 996P2, and the other DMA scanners. This is very useful when traveling in areas you are not familiar with.

The P2 scanners, with the paid upgrades, can handle DMR & NXDN systems. But as Ubbe noted, the 996P2 and it's hand-held sibling the 325P2, do not have the LCN finder which is available on the x36HP & SDS series scanners. The LCN finder is very useful in trying to nail down the multiple DMR business band systems in use here in the DFW area. For systems already documented in the database, the 996 can be programmed to monitor them. But if it is a new, not yet documented system, the P2 scanners do not have access to the LCN finder utility.

While the 996P2 has a very large memory, you're constrained when trying to have several different programming files. Your option is to split them up via start-up keys, if you want to switch programming for a different area or a specific working incident. The database scanners, including the 536HP, have the ability to have multiple different programming files (Favorites lists) available, and accessible with only a few key presses.

 

[BinaryMode]

The P2's are GPS capable...

The built in database, and the ability to use it, along with a GPS, is an advantage for the 536 over the 996P2, and the other DMA scanners. This is very useful when traveling in areas you are not familiar with.

 

[mciupa]

What Bluetooth?

I use Bluetooth in tandem with VLC Media Player via my PC

 

[ProScan]

I use Bluetooth in tandem with VLC Media Player via my PC

You know that the VLC media player can pickup the BCD536HP Wi-Fi audio without bluetooth involved. Right?
in the "Open Network Stream..." menu item, enter in the rtsp address of the scanner.

 

[mass-man]

thanks for the info. Yes, I will probably grab one while I can. Maybe another 996P2 as well. Work is moving to SDS200's so several of both are available.
Sounds as if I should get a bit more sophisticated in my programming of the 536 over what I have done. Something for the dog days of summer.....

 

[hiegtx]

The P2's are GPS capable...

I realize that. However, for the P2 scanners, you must actively program all of the systems, sites, and groups along your projected travel route. For the database scanners, such as the x36HP and SDS series scanners, all of the system information for your route is available in the main database on the SD card.

 

[BinaryMode]

I realize that. However, for the P2 scanners, you must actively program all of the systems, sites, and groups along your projected travel route. For the database scanners, such as the x36HP and SDS series scanners, all of the system information for your route is available in the main database on the SD card.

Yeah, that's true, but I suppose Proscan would make that job easier via a database download. But I've never tried it. I use a "hackey" way of doing this by downloading the database HTML document and using a PHP script convert that to CSV. Then I can massage the data in LibreOffice Calc which is like Excel.

 

[hiegtx]

Yeah, that's true, but I suppose Proscan would make that job easier via a database download. But I've never tried it. I use a "hackey" way of doing this by downloading the database HTML document and using a PHP script convert that to CSV. Then I can massage the data in LibreOffice Calc which is like Excel.

It’s not so much as ‘how hard’ it would be to program the scanner, as how to isolate your scanning to only a certain section of the programming file. If you had every single entry in your programming “GPS Enabled” (tagged with location data), then the scanner, using location, would scan only those items indicated as ‘in range’. But, other than continuing to use location data, there is no convenient way to isolate only your channels of choice, say for, example, the ‘metro region’ where you’ll be spending a few days.