Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes
Reviews Home

Reviews For: Uniden BCD536HP

Category: Receivers: Scanners

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Uniden BCD536HP
Reviews: 17MSRP: 599
Description:
Mobile Trunktracker V scanner. Does Motorola, EDACS, LTR.
APCO P25 Phase I AND Phase II. MicroSD card has entire USA
and Canada database. Favorite lists can also be programmed
through Uniden Sentinel Software.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.uniden.com/scanners/uniden-bcd536hp-homepatrol-series-digital-mobile-scanner-with-wifi/invt/bcd536hpg
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00174
W4RKU Rating: 2018-12-16
Powerful Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this scanner for a number of years. I is simply fantastic and powerful. It does it all. The firmware upgrades allow it to keep up with all the technology. I have mine paired with ProScan by Bob Aune and you can do it all (well except encryption but nobody can).
W5KVA Rating: 2018-09-03
Pinched Audio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned this for two years now and to this day Uniden will not aknowledge that the digital to analog converted audio output in this model is pinched sounding. Even my wife says the audio sounds like a person "pinching their nose while speaking" resulting in poor intelligibility no matter how loud the volume setting and through every external speaker I've tried. I suppose I could patch the audio output into a outboard audio equalizer and then into a amplifier speaker combination, but my attitude is that I shouldn't have to do all this.

----------------------
Earlier 3-star review posted by W5KVA on 2016-06-18

The SD write/read does not remember hold settings for the system and department which I've left the scanner on when I shut it off. It clearly displays "writing to SD card" when I shut it down but when I power the scanner back up (with the supplied AC/DC adapter left plugged in) the scanner will boot-up with my saved settings only 75% of the time, meaning at every third or fourth boot-up the scanner will end up back to scanning the entire data base, ie, all systems, all departments, etc. In my case all I want from this machine is to be able to have it boot-up reliably on one system and one department which I've selected and left on "hold". I've tried two NIB units and both of them have this same characteristic. When I called Uniden tech support on this issue they verified there is something wrong with the operation of the scanner. When they solve this issue I would rate this model scanner at a 4 (good), and if they add the ability for the function knob to be able to scroll through the systems and departments while the unit is on "hold" I would then rate the scanner at a 5 (great) for my needs.
KG7QYJ Rating: 2017-12-18
Excellent product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Coming from the venerable 996XT, I find the 536HP is a great step forward. The Sentinal software is easy to use and makes the experience much more enjoyable. Some of the negative reviews sound like user-error. I have not had any of these issues.
FORMER_KC2FYA Rating: 2017-05-10
Good for Ham Radio & SKYWARN. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the 536HP for a week now, my previous scanner was the BCT-15X which I feel is similar to the 536HP in field programming. I was able to start scanning right out of the box. I opted to get unit programmed by Bearcat Warehouse for my area and it is well worth it. Having the whole USA & Canada Database is good as well. I also opted to get the DMR and Pro-Voice upgrades.

I don't have a computer yet, so I was able to add frequencies with little problem other than time consumption. Once I realized the structure of the "Favorites Lists" and the features, it was simple enough. It picks up the digital and analog very well. I like how it displays so much information on one screen. I choose to not enable the 3-line display for some information is lost.

The scanner is solid in construction and design. I am using it as a base unit with the indoor antenna and it picks up quite well. I set my priority frequencies and WX Alert with no problem.

I will evaluate further and advise. I am very pleased so far.

K4NUC Rating: 2017-02-11
Great Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I think it's a great scanner. It takes some getting used to,but not that hard to figure out. There are lots of you-tube videos that help. I bought the gps adapter for it and it worked flawlessly on a recent trip l took. I set the range to zero and the scanner automatically loaded frequencies from the database as I went from one area to another. I also used the close call priority feature and the scanner stopped on every close by frequency hit, mostly construction and state troopers signals. If the scanner stopped on a tone or something I didn't want to hear I just hit the avoid button and it temporarily avoids it until a power recycle. Nice. I can't say I am that pleased with the wifi app, but hopefully that will improve. I also paid for the DMR update, it installed easily and now the scanner stops on DMR signals. Next, I guess I'll get the pro-voice update. For the price of the scanner you would think that they should be included. All in all 4plus from me. I am contemplating getting the 436 handheld also.
N7JS Rating: 2017-01-16
Don't buy it for the Wifi Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As far as the scanner, it's a great scanner. Easy and simple. Does what it says until you use the Wifi feature with the horrible software Uniden has called Siren. You can't use Siren outside of your local network (LAN). That's half the point! The audio constantly drops. It often will not connect correctly (shows status without audio or vice versa) or it just won't connect at all. Having it stay connected...good luck. Honestly, if you are buying this for the wifi feature, you would be much better off just using a wireless speaker in your home. I'm giving this a 2, not because of the scanner but because Uniden should not even advertise or offer this feature (which is I purchased it) until they have a good in-house software they provide.
N1FM Rating: 2016-10-22
Not for the weak Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the 536 for a year now..on the air three minutes and programmed with my community by simply typing in my zip code. Uniden finally came out with Siren for Android so the wifi works great while am sitting on the porch and controlling the unit with my tab/phone.The software is a breeze.. Log on, check for firmware updates, do the once a week database update and all done.. that simple.. I did the DMR upgrade and that opened up a whole new world of listening..I will wait on the provoice since no one is active in my area yet. De N1FM
FORMER_K2OOL Rating: 2016-05-24
BCD-536HP 2nd one just as bad Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I borrowed a friend's BCD-536hp and forgot how bad this thing was.I wouldnt sell this thing to a friend even for $600.He bought it on his own and he wanted me to program it.I had tried to like this scanner twice with no results.Air band and 440MHZ ,the reception is horrible and hard to hear with built in speaker.I live near Teterboro,Newark,JFK,and Essex County Airport and it is brutal!I will hold onto my Pro-668 Radio Shack until Uniden steps up and makes a better radio!This was updated too!So sory Uniden,you need to address this scanner.

----------------------
Earlier 0-star review posted by FORMER_K2OOL on 2014-08-09

This was the worst scanner I ever had.The speaker is mounted low inside the case and the case is covered by another case oddly the BCD-996XT is like this too but Uniden didn't recess the 996XT's speaker or put a spacer like they did on the 536HP.It scans right past things I knew were active transmissions you even see the signal bars as full!
The Phase 2 is even more bassy and muddy and hard to understand.Air band receive is worthless I couldnt understand what they were saying.This needs receive tweaks and firmware updates big time!Its just not clear as a bell like the 996XT.
At the time I used the latest firmware....
Even 400MHZ receive was poor.I have a base antenna I used the same antenna with the BCD-996xt.If you want a good scanner get the BCD-996xt! Yes you lose the built in database but it is useable. The 436HP is not as bad still not an XT series.The other stupid thing Uniden did was get rid of normal scanning and stuck with the home patrol way of scanning which goes very slow.
Its like chug chug chug Stop.chug chug chug.Search on the HP series seems worthless since everything is Trunked and it does not have control channel search like the BCD-996T,996XT.
So seriously what are you going to find?Why search?You also lose service search!Like HAM,CB,FRS,PUBLIC SERVUCE,MARINE all gone on this radio.You are stuck with custom search only.The 996XT had both.Big money radio that basically is a huge step down.I like the 436HP a little more but its not as clear and sharp as a GRE scanner or the BCD-396XT.
KB1VXP Rating: 2016-02-23
Uniden BCD536HP Review Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very happy with this BCD536HP scanner. Easy to use. Unbox it, put in your zip code and you are ready to go. I could not believe the reception I was getting just using the included telescopic antenna with the scanner located in my basement! It pulled in stations 20-30 miles away without problem. I eventually put up an inexpensive discone antenna in my attic and the performance is absolutely astonishing. I am using the WiFi feature so I can listen on my iphone/ipad. This is a great feature and the main reason why I bought this scanner as opposed to any other. Overall, I am very happy with this.
K5TGS Rating: 2015-10-01
This is the one!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just purchased this scanner. As it states, the Homepatrol interface works like a charm. And, for those who wish to do manual programing it is ready for that as well. I think this radio has a very good front end as it receives very nicely. The audio and speaker quality are quite good. The display is also very clear/sharp. There are many adjustments that can be made if one desires. There are very good videos for this scanner on both the Uniden web site and Youtube.

Well done Uniden!!