Your Opinion - HP-1 Extreme Update

[Drkatzjr45]

Just interested in what others think about the Extreme Upgrade, provided for an extra fee, for
Home Patrol-1?

Did you think it was worth the cost? Positives? Negatives?

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Also, (and unrelated) ---- two questions:

1. Is there a Priority feature on the HP?

2. With the Auto Locate feature, which -is- really cool, does one really need a GPS when traveling?

Thanks for your opinions and insight. So far, I love the HP-1, and would recommend it to anyone, especially those
new to the scanning world.

 

[KD8HE]

I own two HP1s, one with extreme upgrade I got for an introductory price of $50. The added features seemed appealing to me for the price. I find that I don't use them much except for the ability to occasionally modify my favorites list fron the touch screen rather than from Sentinel. I did find the RF meter and band scope features handy when comparing antennas and searching for a "mystery" signal. I run the "nonextreme" unit mobile with GPS and it works very well with "hands off" database loading. No priority on this unit...several threads on the forum regarding the issue. Auto Locate would be a last resort if you didnt know town, zip code, etc. not sure it would have any worth mobile. I tried it and sometime it would come up "emptry handed" in a obviously RF rich environment.
Enjoy...
Harry

 

[Dewey]

I am similar to KD8HE. Two HPs, 1 Extreme Update. I don't use the Extreme Update much, but do find that there are very good reasons to still have it. The last time I used it was to identify the new frequencies for a rebanded system. Concerning "Auto Locate", NO, it will never be able to replace the GPS function. The GPS is completely transparant, and does not require anything from you after starting. To do the same with auto locate would me activating it every 10 or 15 minutes (requiring your command to do so) while traveling down the interstate, AND, waiting for it to scan the area.

Dewey

 

[UPMan]

1. No, there is no priority feature (but you could create a Favorites List with your priority channels and include it when scanning the main database...those channels would get "double scanned" making it more likely to catch comms on them.

2. Glad you like Auto Locate...I actually got that one patented. Patent US8090388 - Method and apparatus for determining a geographic location - Google Patents

But, I wouldn't use it to replace GPS. It is good when you land at the airport and don't know the zip code, or are otherwise without a specific location reference handy. But, it narrows your location down to about a 30 mile radius, unlike GPS which nails your location to within a few yards.

 

[KD8HE]

I did forget one feature of the extreme upgrade that is very helpful and used frequently. The serial mode for interface to 3rd party software logging. I bought ARC Patrol early on for some features Sentinal didnt have at the time (since updated). Now that ARC Patrol has made several revisions to their "Virtual Mode" the logging function has been very useful. I have also played with "data out" function with Unitrunker software but more to see what use I may have for it. The serial data mode requires "extreme"...
In my opinion the best thing that has happened to the HP1 since it's release is the addition of being able to use multiple favorite lists. This one feature changed my opinion of the unit for the better and influenced my decision to buy #2.
Harry

 

[fxdscon]

I got the introductory pricing of $50 also.

If I was to buy one right now, I would gladly pay the current $100 cost.

To me, the added features in the upgrade are well worth the cost.

.

 

[Drkatzjr45]

UPMan: That feature is awesome. What a great idea!!
Since I have used it, I have found it to be 100 percent correct, or -very close- to the location where I am.

Glad I purchased the HP-1, and thanks for the input.