Uniden HomePatrol-2 Color Touchscreen Simple Program Digital Scanner, TrunkTracker V and S,A,M,E, Emergency/Weather Alert, APCO P25 Phase 1 and 2! Covers USA and Canada, Quick Record and Playback

I purchased this because our countywide system switched over to digital a year ago. Because of the lack of frequency updates for this area from Uniden, I am still unable to listen to anything “local”. I can hear the Illinois State Police, but not my county or local police. Do your research before you buy, download the update app, and check your location. I update once a week to check. Would I buy it again? Only if I lived somewhere else.

I havent had the Home Patrol 2 only for a few days and was surprised as the size and weight of it - a little bigger than I thought (thickness) and has a little heft. But, after installing the supplied rechargeable batteries, it didnt take very long even without reading the manual to set it up. As soon as it powers up, there are a series of questions that are quick and easy - the easiest is to input your zip code and it will load all of the surrounding channels automatically. I have an external antenna on my vehicle since Im always running to shoot video of fire scenes and it seems to work well with that (they include the adapter to connect to a typical BNC plug). Essentially, its giving me everything I was looking for. One problem that Ive already encountered was a ROM memory issue which a Google search turned up others with the same problem. Youll get an error message on a white screen and it locks up. I removed the batteries, then removed the micro sd card for a few minutes. After re-installing everything, the scanner came right back up and has been working fine. Not something youd expect from a scanner in this price range but something that Ill keep an eye on.

The listing on Amazon says just put in your zip code and its ready to go. That is so misleading, and when I tried to comment on Amazon where it asks to let them know if the description is wrong, the send link wont send. Also the description does not say for PCs, you will need additional support for MACs. You dont have a clue until you are told it will take nearly $300 to program it! Since we are a MAC household, we have no ability to do so, and the Sentinel software that will supposedly help says they have no intention of making a MAC-compatible software. I planned on taking this with me when I go camping but right now, it would just be useless dead weight to carry. STOP saying how easy it is to use and NOT informing people right up front that it is a PC product and how expensive it will be to get it programmed. My ancient Radio Shack scanner works better than this.

Own a dozen or so scanners including every Phase 2 digital made. This scanner does as good as any of them and I think is easier to program what you want to program and listen to as any of them. The BCD536 and 436 have a few more esoteric options such as quick keys etc, but if you pop for the extreme software upgrade after you get it, you can do just as much and in some cases more. It receives and decodes digital as good as other unidens or Grecom (Whistler now) radios. Update 11/21/15 Still the best radio out there for both the beginner and expert in the scanning hobby. The HP2 does better decoding of phase 1 and 2 digital than anything else I own. Rarely if ever robotic digital voice. Using the software, it is easy to build scanning favorites lists that are exactly what you want to here. Own two of them purchased thru Amazon and they are both home and mobile work horses. Update 11/18/16 No change in my review but just a note that most of the reviews showing under this radio are not for this radio.

I have owned many scanner radios over the years, including Regency crystal type. I have a 396xt which has been THE scanner to receive most digital signals, in my county. Cincinnati Police are partially encrypted so most reception is Hamilton County Sheriff as well as surrounding counties. This is the scanner to own, for the majority of users. As to install, it literally took me 1 minute to getup and running. At this time, im going with the factory firmware and not connected to a laptop. The display is superb, finish and build quality very good, and the reception of digital signals very clear. The one thing I miss is the loss of search function. You cant set a lower and upper scan range looking for new frequencies. The signal strength meter is way to small in the upper right corner. Setup is very easy. Punch in your zip code.. The scanner will load all local frequencies from a 4 gig micro sd card, located under the right side batteries. 2300 Mahr nimh AA batteries are included. After loading your frequencies, you then can go into the meny and adjust distance from transmitters to your home and pick what type of freq. to load. When doing setup just go past the page asking for user info, either attach USB to computer to download Sentinel off Unidens web site. I did not use Sentinel. A better choice would be Scancat. Sentinel will not run properly in XPpro, especially if you have a lot of drivers loading. I strongly suggest you install into Win 7-8.1. I have seen issues involving corruption of the sd card, especially if nimh batteries are nit loaded. An AC failure seems to corrupt some cards. Honestly,the radio is fine with original firmware. So, if you have no laptop handy, use as is. The clarity of digital signals is better then on my 396. Now the bad- get an extendable whip antenna and toss the rubber duckie. Universal has a fine antenna with the correct sma connector and swivel. Consider getting a Uniden extension speaker, especially in autos. The gps option automatically changes freq. depending on location. Be gentle installing the two connectors to the radio. Jacks have been reported to fail when excessive presure is applied. The gps uses a very clunky interface needing a separate power connection. I would recommend not leaving scanner on dashboard in summer. I have not encountered any software bugs with original firmware. The ver. 2 has a charge indicator on the front panel. The scanner is currently overpriced. If you dont need it now, wait until the prices come down. For the average listener, the zip code feature issuperb. I had to pay to program previous Unidns. They were terrible even using scanning software. I wouldve given five stars, except for the price. ADVOCATE USE REPORT- after living with the HPII, I become more impressed everyday. The scanner was so easy to setup. No computer required. Tone quality superb even on APCO 25 phase one. The scanner also decode phase 2 being used in some large cities. This is first trunk tracking HP. Graphics in color are EXCELLENT. Sensitivity excellent. Setup SUPERB. If you use matching speaker, sound is fantastic. You can alter to exact mile away from transmitter that you will receive. Start with zip code. Then go into menu and fine tune distance. All the negative issues concerning jacks failing is not really correct, at least on my sample. You do not have to immediately use a computer. You dont have to enter your info. Bypass these screens and enjoy. I was particulary impressed by clear reception from other counties. I do recommend you dump the rubber duckie. Universal sells a superb telescopic whip that cones with a swivel sma plug. You can use and charge, if you AC adapter is rated 1 amp @5v. Next use test will be new uniden trunking five handheld.

The home patrol ll scanner is very easy to use compared to most. I love that is shows the department that is transmitting instead of just a frequency code. The touch screen makes it easy to adjust and displays in color. I’ve only had it a few days and I’m very happy with the scanner.

Not all the hype comes true as easily as claimed. Data base a good start, but not an end all. Have yet to see what it will do mobile with GPS and data base. I am still having a hard time understanding what service type to turn on to get the stations I want. Just about anything in amateur radio has to be manually put in, no GPS data base for local ham repeaters when traveling.

I had been wondering why a trio of emergency vehicles would rush past my house about once or twice per week lately. Watched this thing forever on my watch list, realized it just isnt going to go down in price much, so I bought it. Functions as promised, you can dial in your local channels and fine tune down to a smaller list. Before you buy, check the scanner guides for your local system. I did, saw nothing in Atlanta is Encrypted except Homicide and Detectives in Atlanta. I was still worried it wouldnt work, but it did just fine, right out of the box. The charging is funky and can seem problematic, as others have commented. One important key is to get a definite high capacity USB cable, because this unit can tell the difference and wont charge well on an older/cheaper cable. Experimentation will be required. I was so confused at one point, I requested a replacement, which Amazon promptly sent. Then I decided my original worked just fine, so I sent the replacement back and kept the original unit. Touch screen and graphics could be better, but not an issue in using it. I have mine tuned to my local precinct, which is only a mile away. I pick that up, as well as counties north and south of me. With the aftermarket antenna, Im pulling in way more than I can ever listen to. Discovered the emergency activity around my house was a interdepartmental drug task force. They send the cop in for the drug bust and have fire truck and EMS standing buy for gunshot wounds, I guess! They must have got those folks, because the activity dropped way off. Show it to your friends, just leave it on so they hear it when they come in. They will be amazed.

Even though it receives some talk groups on the Texas Wide Area Radio network but does not work on some of them

I really wanted to love this scanner......in fact based on other reviews I was fully looking forward to giving the product 5 stars.......First off, it IS and excellent scanner!!! Probably the best and quickest set up out of the box I have ever owned....That being said, the actual operation of the machine is rather lame......Great sound, range, reception.....BUT for some reason it will not remain operational while charging via computer......It is a bit tiring to leave the unit on for several hours only to have the batteries deplete and have to shut the unit completely down to re- charge It will NOT charge while in operation (via usb/computer)......There is an after market AC power source available which I intend to try....but it is odd that Uniden does not provide one.......This is a great little scanner!!! Too bad the ergonomics of its operation get in the way of its possible 5 star rating!!!