Yet Another ProScan vs. FreeScan thread...

[K4EET]

Fist, yes I did do a search and read many good replies as found in:

http://forums.radioreference.com/scanner-programming-software/257187-help-me-decide-proscan-vs-freescan.html

http://forums.radioreference.com/scanner-programming-software/184625-better-proscan-freescan.html

http://forums.radioreference.com/scanner-programming-software/141237-newbie-question-proscan-vs-freescan-others-396xt.html

just to name a few threads found by searching.

Second, yes, I did try the free trial for ProScan but didn't devote enough time to testing it and the 30-day trial ended before I really had a chance to explore it thoroughly. My bad. I should have posted during the trial and should have asked questions about ProScan but I didn't. So here I am asking questions (see below)...

Third, yes, I have FreeScan installed.

It appears that FreeScan is the way to go for programming my BCD536HP scanner based on previous comments. So no need to comment further on that topic.

What I need to know about ProScan, and I did not get a chance to try out many of its features due to not asking for help in trying out its features, is what features are unique to ProScan that make it stand out in the software world?

I tried to find a comparison chart of the various software programs' features but could not find one. You know, where the features are listed on the Y-Axis and programs are listed on the X-Axis with "X's" showing what features are in each of the programs. Somebody needs to make a comparison chart and I think these comparison threads would stop. :lol:

Sooooooo... One more time. What "must have" features are in ProScan that justify the $50 charge. In other words, what did I miss where I would say that I didn't see what great features that ProScan has that the others didn't have that truly justify the $50 expense making ProScan a "must have" program? Not being charged for subsequent updates is a BIG plus point. Just a list please; no narratives.

Thanks for your time and assistance! 73, Dave K4EET

 

[marksmith]

The software to program a 536 is Sentinel.

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

 

[K4EET]

The software to program a 536 is Sentinel.

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

Yes, I know that but apparently FreeScan is better or is FreeScan not able to program the BCD536XP scanner?

73, Dave K4EET

 

[QDP2012]

Yes, I know that but apparently FreeScan is better or is FreeScan not able to program the BCD536XP scanner?

73, Dave K4EET

From the list of supported scanners found on the RR Wiki: FreeScan User Guide, it seems the answer is "no, FreeScan does not support the BCD536... scanner(s)". But, I don't use FreeScan, so I cannot say for sure.

Hope this helps,

 

[Butelsoftware]

Besides Sentinel there is only ARC536BASIC and PRO to program the BCD536HP.

Gommert
Butel Software

 

[ka3jjz]

No, FreeScan will not handle the x36HP series scanners. It says so right on the site's Freescan front page.

Mike

 

[marksmith]

Freescan is a good program but has never supported the scanners with on board databases (hp1,hp2, 436, 536).

It supports the 396t, 396xt, 996xt, 325p2, 996p2, and the 15x.

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

 

[WatnNY]

Where as Pro Scan will work on the 536 - I just haven't used it myself. Back when I paid the 50 for the Pro Scan subscription I has a BCD250 and 3 BC780's - which Pro Scan worked on.

Mike

 

[eaf1956]

No, FreeScan will not handle the x36HP series scanners. It says so right on the site's Freescan front page.

Mike

And ProScan also will NOT program the x36 series.

 

[tumegpc]

Where as Pro Scan will work on the 536 - I just haven't used it myself. Back when I paid the 50 for the Pro Scan subscription I has a BCD250 and 3 BC780's - which Pro Scan worked on.

Mike

ProScan will not program the *36HP scanners because the Database option is missing. I don't think we ever got a clear reason why.
Like Gommert from Butel said,
"Besides Sentinel there is only ARC536BASIC and PRO to program the BCD536HP"

 

[K4EET]

Thanks for all of the replies! But there is still one item from my original question that has not been answered.

<snip> Sooooooo... One more time. What "must have" features are in ProScan that justify the $50 charge. In other words, what did I miss where I would say that I didn't see what great features that ProScan has that the others didn't have that truly justify the $50 expense making ProScan a "must have" program? Not being charged for subsequent updates is a BIG plus point. Just a list please; no narratives. <snip>

So then, when comparing ARC536PRO/BASIC and Sentinel to ProScan, what can ProScan do that ARC536PRO and Sentinel cannot do? Perhaps I should also ask what ARC536PRO do that Sentinel and ProScan cannot do?

Again, just bullets please. No narratives. Just looking for a quick summary. I still say that somebody should make a comparison chart of the three, four with ARC536BASIC, software applications comparing their features. That would make it real easy to compare the features of each product.

Thanks again for your time and assistance. Still trying to justify why I need additional software other than just Sentinel.

73, Dave K4EET

 

[w2lie]

Sentinel just programs your scanner. It is a tool to set up your keys, profile, and perform firmware upgrades, end of story.

ARC536 will allow you to setup your own custom favorites list, copy and paste out of excel,etc. You cannot update the scanner's firmware with this software. You will need Sentinel for that.

Proscan will not manage the x36hp's memory. You will need ARC536 or Sentinel for that. You cannot update the firmware, you will need Sentinel for that. Proscan will allow you to live stream the scanner in near real time, with video and audio. Butel just gives you remove control and you will need to use their software to do so. Proscan adds a web interface. You can stream to Broadcastify directly from Proscan, and you can keep local recordings.

Both ARC536PRO and Proscan should allow you to keep local logs and recordings of the activity on your scanner.

 

[K4EET]

Sentinel just programs your scanner. It is a tool to set up your keys, profile, and perform firmware upgrades, end of story.

ARC536 will allow you to setup your own custom favorites list, copy and paste out of excel,etc. You cannot update the scanner's firmware with this software. You will need Sentinel for that.

Proscan will not manage the x36hp's memory. You will need ARC536 or Sentinel for that. You cannot update the firmware, you will need Sentinel for that. Proscan will allow you to live stream the scanner in near real time, with video and audio. Butel just gives you remove control and you will need to use their software to do so. Proscan adds a web interface. You can stream to Broadcastify directly from Proscan, and you can keep local recordings.

Both ARC536PRO and Proscan should allow you to keep local logs and recordings of the activity on your scanner.

Thank you very much! 73, Dave K4EET

 

[Voyager]

Sentinel just programs your scanner. It is a tool to set up your keys, profile, and perform firmware upgrades, end of story.

ARC536 will allow you to setup your own custom favorites list, copy and paste out of excel,etc.

Not sure where you got your info but it's completely wrong. Sentinel also allows creation/editing of FLs and I copy/paste to/from Excel all the time.

In short, Sentinel handles any programming needs.

 

[w2lie]

Not sure where you got your info but it's completely wrong. Sentinel also allows creation/editing of FLs and I copy/paste to/from Excel all the time.

In short, Sentinel handles any programming needs.

I never said Sentinel could not edit, create, favorites lists, or copy and paste from Excel. All I mentioned is that ARC536 could support that. When I said Sentinel could setup your keys, I was pointing out it could setup your favorites keys.


My software of choice for setting up my HP scanners is the included Sentinel software, simply because it is easy enough for me to get the job done with a drag and drop programming, or I dump into Notepad++ to shuffle my FLQK settings. Editing the flatfile is a lot faster than opening up each favorites list to shift things around.

However, when it comes to creating a full custom scan list, instead of using Sentinel, I prefer to use the BuTel software simply because I've been using it for years on my other scanners.

 

[N5XTC]

Freescan is a good program but has never supported the scanners with on board databases (hp1,hp2, 436, 536).

It supports the 396t, 396xt, 996xt, 325p2, 996p2, and the 15x.

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

just so everyone knows this, FREESCAN does NOT support the 996P2, u have to download and install FREESCAN BETA. It tells you that when you try to use regular freescan on 996p2. I installed the beta and freescan works fine across my 396xt and 996p2. also, i use the same scanner file for both scanners. very convenient.

 

[marksmith]

just so everyone knows this, FREESCAN does NOT support the 996P2, u have to download and install FREESCAN BETA. It tells you that when you try to use regular freescan on 996p2. I installed the beta and freescan works fine across my 396xt and 996p2. also, i use the same scanner file for both scanners. very convenient.

I have been using the current version of Freescan to program my 996p2 for months. Initially you had to use a beta version, but when the next version came out it included what was in the beta.

... Just so everyone knows.

Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk

 

[N5XTC]

I have been using the current version of Freescan to program my 996p2 for months. Initially you had to use a beta version, but when the next version came out it included what was in the beta.

... Just so everyone knows.

Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk

mine says version 2.18 beta 6. so, if there is a new one, i am not using it. what version does it say when you go to help and about? curious. as long as it works, that is all that matters.

 

[N5XTC]

I have been using the current version of Freescan to program my 996p2 for months. Initially you had to use a beta version, but when the next version came out it included what was in the beta.

... Just so everyone knows.

Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk

looked on the sixspot web site, and apparently my beta version is the one with "experimental support" for the 996p2.

the version above that one 217, does not support the 996p2 and told me so when i tried.

be very interested to know where you got the new version beyond the beta version. i copied the text below from the website:

2.18 with experimental support for 996P2 & 325 (Updated Sep 15 2015)


fssetup-218-b6.zip.zip

 

[marksmith]

You sort of answered your own question. In reality, 996p2 and 325p2 were supported by 2.17 beta that came out in mid 2015 with the availability of those radios. As you quoted from the website, the full version 2.18 came out in September (what I would refer to as months ago), and supported these radios. You could not do a full install of 2.17beta. You had to just uncompress the exe file and copy it over top the prior version in the freescan directory. Then months later (in September) the application advised you could use full version 2.18 which is not really the true beta version. I know he describes it as experimental yet, but it is the first full version to support 996p2 and 325p2, following months of 2.17 beta support. The full 2.17 version did not support these radios, just 2.17beta that was not a full version but just the exe file beta that was written afterwards and temporarily was the freescan support until 2.18 came out.

Sent from my LG-V410 using Tapatalk