Now day 5 with the 1080 vs. 436HP in Los Angeles. All tests performed with same antennas simultaneously (eg, RS-800, RS center loaded (same positioning), RH77 on each at same time)
As previously posted, never owned the PSR-800, so it took me a couple of days to get up to speed with programming the WS-1080. Whether there is any difference between the PSR-800 and 1080, I don't know for sure, but for this comparison's sake, I assume they are the same. I kind of like the EZ scan software.
I actually think the 1080 is a pretty good radio. One thing that it, and all GRE/RS scanners, have over Uniden with regard to P25 is better audio. I prefer the treble quality vs. the more base quality of Uniden scanners. I have had, and still have, all the Uniden and GRE/RS digital trunking scanners made over the last 10 years (except this PSR-800 AKA 1080 is new).
I certainly like the build of the 1080, its smaller size, and the location of the SD card is certainly superior to the 436HP (IMHO). The 1080 seems to be a bit more sensitive on VHF, and on some UHF.
I'm certainly glad I have added this to my collection, and will enjoy using it from time to time.
However, I find the 436HP to be more sensitive on 800 Mhz trunking and most UHF trunking.
The 1080 goes off more on the LAPD P25 than the 436HP, but when it picks up very weak TAC/Talk-around stations on my portable antennas that the 436HP misses, the decoding is less than stellar. At signal levels where the decoding is acceptable, the 436HP also picks those channels up, and the decode quality (again IMHO) is better.
On the LA ICIS Motorola Mixed and P25 sites at about 470 Mhz, the 436HP seems a bit more sensitive than 1080, however, that varies from hour to hour a bit. What does not vary though is that I find the P25 decode to be better on the 436HP.
On a more distant 800 Mhz analog system (San Bernardino Mtn Site 8), which is about 50 miles from me, the 436HP will pick up some stuff in my house with my RS-800 antenna (a marginal situation) that the 1080 will not.
On most of the 800 Mhz sites in LA and Orange County, both scanners are good, but again, across the board (on LA Municipal EDACs, LA CWIRS, LA Metro Transportation -935 Mhz, and OC CCCS), the 436HP seems a bit more sensitive. For the OC CCCS P25 stations that are notoriously difficult to decode for some of us in this area, the 1080 does reasonably well, but the 436HP does better.
The major difference for me is the flexibility between the 1080 and 436HP. Compared to the 436HP with the Fav, Sys/Site, Dept quick keys, and compared to my 396XT with its quick keys, the 1080 really seems clunky to me. I took the 1080 with me in the car today. Had it set for LAPD and LA Sheriffs. Wanted to change settings and try out some trunk sites, then realized that while driving, no way I can do that. With the 436HP, its pretty simple to pick and choose among 1000s of channels and sites on the fly.
Maybe its just me, but I always have preferred the DMR quick key approach over the object oriented approach. With multiple sites on most trunking systems here in LA, Orange, and SB counties, I like to switch between sites, and find this much easier with the 436HP. Maybe I need more experience with the 1080.
I also like to play around with Butel ARC software, ProScan, Win500 for GRE/RS, and you can't do that with the 800/1080 (I don't think). There are a lot of folks on this RRDB writing neat programs for these scanners, but I don't think that is possible with the 800/1080. Correct me if I am wrong.
I know the 800/1080 has discriminator audio, That is a nice feature, but let's face it, we can all do that nowadays with RTL-SDR USB sticks and lots of available software).
For many of us fortunate to have some discretionary funds to buy lots of scanners, or willing to do so because this is a great hobby, I think having both the 800/1080 and 436HP is nice. But I know many folks have to sell one radio to buy another, and in that case, if I only could have one portable scanner (at least for me living in the center of the LA basin) it would have to be the 436HP.
If VHF sensitivity is a big issue, I would much rather go with my 396XT than the 1080 just in terms of flexible programming and software options. But I find the best P25 decoding to be on the 436HP (and its brother (or sister) the 536HP vs. my 996XT and PSR-600/PRO-197 (one of each).
Maybe I will change my mind again as I get more familiar with the 1080, maybe there are some tricks I am missing. But now with the HomePatrol at age 3 or 4 years and the new Unidens, the 1080 seems like older technology.
Unless Whistler brings something very new to the table, I fail to see how they are going to sell many of these 1080s and 1095 (to be announced I suppose) at the current price levels. I am sure they will sell some, but I like to play Craps in Las Vegas, and my money on the Pass Line is for Uniden probably selling many more of their x36HPs than Whistler selling their 1080/1095s.
I realize that others may feel differently. It seems like some folks, like my near neighbor Dan W6KRU in Oceanside, have a different opinion. Perhaps for the North San Diego County scanner situation, the 800/1080 might be better.
Sorry for the long message. This weekend I will be going with wife to Phoenix to visit our daughter and soon to be grandchild. I have had my 436HP out in Phoenix a couple of times with excellent results on their RWC and Topaz trunking systems. I will bring the 1080 with me and do some comparisons there.
Steve AA6IO
