Last Updated: February 27, 2022 (Refresh Now)
Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner TrunkTracker V Simple Programming S A M E Emergency Weather Alert Covers USA and Canada
Last Updated: February 27, 2022 (Refresh Now)
7.0
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
1000
Old Reviews
679
Unverified
67
Spam Test
!
Yes
GPS
Yes
FM RADIO
Review Analysis - 254 recent, verified reviews
Detailed Mode
Scan
83scanning, zip code, uniden, sentinel, police
+76%
-24%
" ... Really liking this scanner. ... like other reviewers have mentioned, it's extremely easy to get started with this scanner. ... Now that I'm up and running, the included Sentinel software looks like it will open up many opportunities to customize the scanner to make it even more useful. ... "
" ... What I like most about this scanner is ease of use. ... "
" ... First scanner I've ever bought or used and I'm happy with my purchase, especially since my city uses a trunked radio system. ... "
" ... This scanner changes everything ... "
" ... Great scanner once you figure out how to use it, not too dificult. ... "
" ... Good scanner unless you have Simulcast in your area then it blanks the conversation out about every 2 seconds causing missing words in the conversation, this was confirmed to be a problem by Uniden customer service. ... "
" ... Once set, the scanner worked perfectly. ... This scanner will be of great value. ... "
" ... This is a great starter digital scanner in my opinion. ... My first scanner was a BC125AT for use for plane spotting and was perfect, just not digital. ... "
Usage
71manual, instructions, easy to use, software, buttons
+70%
-30%
" ... Husband loves it ... "
" ... This is a great product, for listening to the Police and fire to find out if you have to avoid any area while traveling. ... "
" ... Once you figure out how to use it that is. ... "
" ... Pretty easy to use. ... "
" ... It's not simple for the beginning, but it's great with Sentinel soft, easy for sorting and making you favorites, One thing I recommend - change the Antenna! ... "
" ... everything else is great and simple! ... "
" ... With that being said, a working PC makes life a little easier. ... "
" ... TrunkTracker V, Simple Programming, S.A.M.E. ... "
Battery
33battery life, charge, battery, rechargeable, hours
+58%
-42%
" ... Good thing that it comes with rechargeable batteries. ... "
" ... Super long battery life 12 hrs plus using lithium ion 1.5 volt batteries instead of rechargeable nicd. ... "
" ... The rechargeable batteries last a long time. ... Obviously to save battery life ... "
" ... Great battery life even when using the display light to see the screen in dark or low light conditions - batteries last 8 to 10 hours on each charge. ... It comes with a USB cable for charging and Sentinel software for those who prefer programming yours manually . ... "
" ... Battery life has been as good as I expected but I also bought additional rechargeable batteries to keep me going, if needed. ... "
" ... Radio works fine, battery life is not as good as you'd think for a receiver. ... "
" ... As for the battery issue I've seen here. ... For one, the scanner does indeed work while charging. ... I invested a few bucks in a separate charger that even came with batteries (link below). ... So, while one set charges, the fresh set is in the scanner. ... "
" ... Easy to charge. ... "
Marketplace
23returned, unit, send, return, amazon
+35%
-65%
" ... I will be sending it back ... "
" ... I already paid for all my upgrades so I couldn’t send it back. ... "
" ... Anyway, sold it on eBay. ... "
" ... The damage is minor so I will not be contacting Uniden for repair or replacement. ... "
" ... I am returning it totally dissatisfied. ... "
" ... No I am returning it ... "
" ... Called and sent emails to uniden with no response. ... "
" ... :( Amazon sending another so I can send defective unit back. ... "
Price
18worth, worth the money, 500, waste of money, bucks
+39%
-61%
" ... Not worth the the money. ... "
" ... Aside from this, my biggest qualms with the device is the poor quality in manufacturing (especially with a $500 price tag!) ... "
" ... Took a $200 loss and sold it for $300. ... "
" ... This device isn't worth half of the price. ... "
" ... This is a waste of money, does nothing but static and sound horrible Don’t buy ... "
" ... Wish I didn’t pay all this money for something that doesn’t work that good. ... "
" ... Don’t buy save time and money ... "
" ... Not worth the money ... "
Body
18radio, screw, components, water, thing
+39%
-61%
" ... Be very careful. ... "
" ... Because when you try to go one level deeper all logic and commom sense fall apart. ... "
" ... Keep in mind, that the rubber-ducky antenna included is very wide-band and does no band very well, so grab an antenna for SDR's or a small discone to increase your reach. ... "
" ... Belt clip is shabby, easily breaks and causes radio to fall to the ground. ... "
" ... The belt clip is a joke. ... Had to loc tight the screw holding the round thingy . ... "
" ... The biggest issue is the POS belt attachment, it broke before I could even put it on my belt. ... "
" ... Off the bat, my main reason for the low rating is the poor quality/design leading to breakage within days. ... A few days later, the whole thing fell off. ... A few days later, the whole thing fell out again, after not even having gotten loose . ... This could easily have been avoided by using a longer screw with tighter and deeper threads, and/or reinforcing the screw hole with metal instead of a self tapping screw into cheap plastic. ... "
" ... The button that holds the belt clip broke off first week. ... "
Software
16sentinel software, programming, database, zip code, youtube
+50%
-50%
" ... Did not have updates for new channels in my area. ... "
" ... Uniden Sentinel software doesn’t work with Mac. ... "
" ... codes off internet . ... a lot of codes are outdated . ... "
" ... Even after contacting Sentinel Software for programming. ... "
" ... But the programming learning curve on it has been very difficult for me, even with the Sentinel software. ... "
" ... The web site is like MS-dos craigslist and doesn't tell you anything. ... "
" ... I can't access anything due to the sd card error message. ... "
" ... When you compare the interface on this to modern cellphones, it's insulting. ... "
Reliability
15months, weeks, unit, years, uniden
+27%
-73%
" ... update three weeks into owning noticed speaker started to sound off, today speaker went out. ... "
" ... I have however been working on and with RF and electronics professionally, for over 20 years. ... "
" ... I can't access anything due to the sd card error message. ... "
" ... So back to watching youtube & trying to get this thing working. ... "
" ... It’s been two weeks and yet it still shows the same status as it did 3/4 days after it was sent back for a full refund… ... "
" ... other times it does not work. ... "
" ... This unit is junk dose not revive nothing at all no matter where I go ... "
" ... Have replaced 1 time due to defect now it needs to be replaced a second time. ... "
Sound
14frequencies, listening, listen, audio, weeks
+57%
-43%
" ... And the speaker is awesome, if you're listening in a library. ... "
" ... From there I was off and listening to the best thing broadcast since Jerry Springer was live. ... "
" ... I needed a new one to listen in. ... "
" ... But really tunes in well. ... "
" ... This does everything I am into listening to. ... Maybe the SDS line has the silent squelch. ... "
" ... I was pleasantly surprised at all of the agencies I can heard. ... "
" ... Pros: Does well with digital frequencies. ... "
" ... With my old Bearcat I had to look up the frequencies I wanted and then punch them in. ... Now listening is more pleasurable. ... "
Size
14screw, scanner, clip, broke, radio
+21%
-79%
" ... The belt clip is a joke. ... Had to loc tight the screw holding the round thingy . ... "
" ... The button that holds the belt clip broke off first week. ... "
" ... The clip holder sucks. ... My scanner came detached and fell a few times. ... "
" ... as for durability is concerned, the belt clip broke within minutes of having the receiver attached and on my belt. ... "
" ... The biggest issue is the POS belt attachment, it broke before I could even put it on my belt. ... "
" ... The belt clip is kind of garbage. ... That tiny screw wasn't ever going to take much strain or abuse without breaking away. ... "
" ... Because when you try to go one level deeper all logic and commom sense fall apart. ... "
" ... I like the scanner but for what it does is not worth the price, the first down is the belt clip kept on snapping off until it broke within the first 12 hours of use, 2 antenna is the cheapest so if you buy this scanner be ready to buy a good aftermarket antenna if you want to get reception, 3 I cannot program it from my computer, the computer detect it, software detect it but when i do a favorite list and save it with quick keys it wont transfer to the radio and cant find it on scanner not eve ... "
Marketplace / Returns
14returned, unit, send, return, sending
+7%
-93%
" ... Returning it for a full refund. ... "
" ... :( Amazon sending another so I can send defective unit back. ... "
" ... I am returning it totally dissatisfied. ... "
" ... I already paid for all my upgrades so I couldn’t send it back. ... "
" ... No I am returning it ... "
" ... I tried to send back but missed the 30 day window that I didn't notice. ... "
" ... The damage is minor so I will not be contacting Uniden for repair or replacement. ... "
" ... I would need to send the entire unit back and then wait for the replacement to get to me. ... "
Battery / Charging
14charge, batteries, scanner, charger, listen
+29%
-71%
" ... Mine are powered externally through the USB port but must have batteries installed in order to record. ... "
" ... The charging port got disfigured from normal use and now I have to crank the cable to the rear and secure it for it to make contact. ... "
" ... Can't charge and listen at the same time. ... "
" ... The first thing that is terrible is the inability to charge and listen to the scanner at the same time. ... "
" ... Cannot charge scanner while it’s turned on, must be off to charge. ... "
" ... wont charge the battery when in use ... "
" ... You also can't charge the batteries and listen to the unit at the same time. ... "
" ... The battery charging is cumbersome. ... "
Connectivity
12device, bluetooth, usb, sentinel software, port
+50%
-50%
" ... The program you can use to program it via pc is a bit confusing though. ... "
" ... The charging port got disfigured from normal use and now I have to crank the cable to the rear and secure it for it to make contact. ... Tried new cord, it's the port on the scanner. ... "
" ... Uniden Sentinel software doesn’t work with Mac. ... "
" ... I have been around and in user interfaces business for almost three decades, owned multiple equipment including infamous first Motorola gsm phones considered to have illogical and nkt intuitive menu. ... "
" ... Not sure why it wouldn't connect initially. ... "
" ... It decodes trunking systems others simply cannot. ... Mine are powered externally through the USB port but must have batteries installed in order to record. ... "
Display
11display, hard to read, screen is hard, difficult to read, backlight
+18%
-82%
" ... And now when I turn it on screen flashes and all text is messed up and not aligned letters upside down screen and software just doesn’t respond wasted a lot of money for a paper weight. ... "
" ... The screen resolution and display is horrible unless you're looking directly at it. ... "
" ... The display is difficult to read (small font). ... "
" ... Wish the display was a bit stronger. ... "
" ... The only drawback I found in the short time I used it was the display was hard to read . ... "
" ... The screen is very dark at all times making it hard to see. ... The backlight doesn't stay on long enough. ... "
" ... I'm in 50's age bracket with good eyesight (no glasses yet) & the screen is very difficult to read, especially when typing a name for particular channel even when both of us used magnifying glasses. ... "
" ... The Uniden BCD436HP Also A (Bearcat) Model Is Louder Than My Whistler TRX-1 but the screen is alot dimmer on high ... "
Network
10reception, signal, miles, even tried, transmissions
+40%
-60%
" ... Even tried switching out the antenna with no luck. ... "
" ... The only negative I can find is that the antenna connection is very small and with the supplied antenna or one heavier one has to be careful when carrying the scanner in a pocket or on a belt that you don’t hit the antenna and cause a side load on it which can damage the threads! ... "
" ... Even worse, the reception is poor. ... "
" ... I even tried using an antenna recommended in the support group with only marginal luck. ... One thing that was suggested was to get another antenna, which didn't really help. ... "
" ... Sometimes the scanner stops on a fringe signal with a lot of static. ... "
Marketplace / Marketplace
10sold, know, advertised, works, uniden
+70%
-30%
" ... However this one right here is the real deal. ... "
" ... My WS-1010 works better. ... "
" ... I get everything in the northern state without any modifications to the original product. ... "
" ... It was as advertised. ... "
" ... Got at great price and quick ship. ... "
" ... Thank you all ! ... "
" ... It works as advertised. ... "
Calling
10police fire, hear, call, zip code, want to hear
+60%
-40%
" ... With extended antenna we listen to calls daily. ... "
" ... It's great I can receive all the police, fire & Ems calls, just put in your zip code and sit back and listen . ... "
" ... I enjoy listening to the assorted calls and they’re not scrambled they come through crystal clear! ... "
" ... I did get to hear those private conversations people have on ham, about people hating their bosses and local backyard creeks flooding. ... "
" ... When someone does talk it’s usually very clear and sounds really high quality. ... "
" ... Every voice is clear. ... I recognize his voice when he goes on a call. ... "
Features
8performance, learn, happy, feature, 436
+88%
-13%
" ... The manual also describes at some length how to program favorites lists and give them special keys and a bundle of other features that are marvelous. ... "
" ... So many features also to learn. ... "
" ... That’s basic features I have yet to delve into the complete features that the 436 is capable of. ... Again the features are beyond my scope of knowledge. ... "
" ... Overall, it works as advertised, and has some good features that make it a handy little tool to keep nearby, but it is fragile as hell. ... "
" ... Overall happy with features and performance. ... "
" ... A lot of very effective features. ... Make yourself familiar with all the features. ... The closecall function is really cool. ... It just has a lot of features that I could discuss here, but everyone is better off Youtubing each feature, it took me a whole weekend to understand it resetting scanner once to factory default and a week to get comfortable with it. ... "
" ... Has more features than I’ll ever lean to use. ... "
Storage
3scanner, sd, reformat, error
+33%
-67%
" ... on sd chip . ... "
" ... I can't access anything due to the sd card error message. ... I followed videos online regarding reformatting the sd card . ... "
Design
3good, design, brands
+100%
" ... Look up RadioReference to see what you are able to listen to in your area if you are unsure. ... "
" ... look them up, i highly recommend them! ... "
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Specifications
Connectivity
GPS: Yes
FM Radio: Yes
Recommendations
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