Product Comparison: Whistler TRX-1 vs Uniden BCD436HP

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Whistler TRX-1 Handheld Digital Trunking Scanner

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Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner

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General Specifications

Brand

Whistler

Uniden

Model

TRX-1

BCD436HP

Origin

China

About the Product

The Whistler TRX-1 is multi-system adaptive digital trunking scanners with Motorola P25 Phase I, X2-TDMA, Phase II and DMR making it capable of monitoring the following unencrypted channels/systems: Conventional DMR (Entered as a DMR trunked system), Hytera XPT, MotoTRBO™ Capacity Plus, MotoTRBO™ Connect Plus, and MotoTRBO™ Linked Cap Plus systems and NXDN.

The BCD436HP is the first scanner to incorporate the HomePatrol-1’s ease of use in a traditional handheld scanner. Plus, Uniden’s exclusive Close Call® RF Capture feature, GPS Connectivity, Extra-Large Display, Radio System Analysis and Discover Modes put the most advanced scanner features ever right in the palm of your hand.

Key Specs

Receiving System

Triple conversion PLL super heterodyne

Receiving Modes

AM, FM, FM-MOT, LTR, CTCSS, DCS, NAC on P25, EDACS wide/narrow, P25-Phase I, X2-TDMA, P25-Phase II, DMR, MotoTRBO™ Tier II, NXDN

AM, NFM, FM, WFM, FMB, APCO25 Phase 1&2

Frequencies

137-174 MHZ, 216-300 MHz, 300-406MHz, 406-512 MHz, 764-960 MHz, 1240-1300 MHz

25-512 MHz, 758-824 MHz, 849-869 MHz, 894-960 MHz, 1240-1300 MHz

Search Rate

80 steps/sec.

Scan Rate

70 channels/sec.

85 channels/sec.

Scan Delay

2 sec.

Search Rate
Scan Rate

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Whistler TRX-1 Handheld Digital Trunking Scanner

Some people say they have problems with the AP25 1 & 2 systems.....I found that after I understood what this scanner can do and how to adjust it to perform at its best, those AP25 problems were a thing of the past.
I highly recommend this scanner. It works well, sounds great especially when hooked up to powered speakers and after understanding what everything does.....all the problems that people seem to have are no longer a problem......you just have to use it and figure it out.
Decoding and audio appear to be easily overloaded by strong signals, whether from the P25 system or nearby cellular towers. When placed side-by-side with a Uniden BCD436HP with the same identical scan list, the Uniden will receive 90% more calls. Not recommended for P25 P2 listening.
While unit appears to be well built, it's performance on P25 Phase II systems leave a lot to be desired. Unit will perform especially poorly on multi-site multi-cast systems.

Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner

I even pick up a NOAA station almost 100 miles away. Trunking is really good for a scanner. Very satisfied.
The 436 sets up easily and I was scanning within 2 minutes of putting in the batteries. The pre-programming takes all the work out of scanning. Because the 436 can receive Project 25 Phase 2, it can be used anywhere in the US or Canada
You can do some editing but for the most part you select where you are, how much distance from where you are that you want to hear, it imports it and you are scanning. Very easy to use, the screen is quite readable.
Scanning setup has gotten incredibly complex these days and I have been using scanners for 35 years. The basic complete frequency database for USA and Canada
Within 10 minutes after all the downloads you should be scanning the emergency departments in your area. The audio booms on this scanner.

Size & Weight

Height

5.31 in.

6.3 in.

Width

2.12 in.

2.8 in.

Depth

1.06 in.

1.5 in.

Weight

0.46 lbs.

0.77 lbs.

Sensitivity (12db Sinad) Nominal

VHF Low Band

0.2 μV

0.4 μV

Aircraft Band

0.4 μV

VHF High 1 Band

0.3 μV

0.4 μV

VHF High 2 Band

0.4 μV

0.3 μV

UHF Low

0.8 μV

0.4 μV

UHF/UHF-T

0.4 μV

0.3 μV

UHF High

0.5 μV

0.3 μV

1200MHz Band

0.5 μV

0.4 μV

VHF Low 2 Band

0.7 μV

What customers say about "Sensitivity (12db Sinad) Nominal"

Whistler TRX-1 Handheld Digital Trunking Scanner

The digital performance is impressive too and I've even got 4 trunking systems programmed, its easy to filter out the unwanted stuff and scan by talkgroups etc.
Radio was not so difficult to program as I thought. Works perfectly and great savings over other sellers although poor warranty. I recommend this scanner.
The scanner works fine picking up frequencies, however, after trying two, the low battery beep did not work in either scanner.

Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner

This scanner is VERY sensitive in comparison. I can hear Birmingham Alabama APCO25 system at home now almost 30 miles away where I live on the outskirts!! And that's with a 800Mhz rubber antenna!!
I also have GRE 500 scanner and the sensitivity of both that one and the 436 seem pretty similar. Great that the database from Radioreference is already preloaded, so fun to listen to sites I would never enter myself.
This handheld scanner covers just about anything you might want to listen to. Trunking operation is great. Good sensitivity. Feature rich.
A few draw backs that all have mentioned is that it doesn't charge the batteries while in use and the speaker could be louder. I also don't feel that the sensitivity on the unit is as good as other radios I own.
This scanner is very good. The only problem I have with it is that the receiver is not very sensitive.

Features

Extras

Programmable audible alarms, A built-in Discriminator Output, Predefined service search ranges make it easy to find activity in your area, A simplified keypad and display with familiar Scan, Pause, Skip and Navigation controls, Scans most common trunked radio system signaling formats, Programmable tri-color LED displays, Uses an industry standard MicroSD card

Simple Programming, TrunkTracker V, S.A.M.E. Emergency/Weather Alert, Covers US and Canada, Quick Record and Playback, Close Call RF capture with 4GB of memory. Audio AGC

Type

Handheld

Frequency Range

25 - 1300 MHz

Display

132 x 65 Full dot matrix bitmap LCD

192 X 160 Full Dot Matrix LCD with white-color backlight

Internal Speaker

4 W

0.8 W

Antenna Impedance

50 Ohms

Power Requirements

5V DC

3 X AA Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries (2300mAh)

Weather Channels

7 Channels

Type
Internal Speaker

What customers say about "Features"

Whistler TRX-1 Handheld Digital Trunking Scanner

If you can run a smartphone you’ll have no problems getting this scanner up and running in 5 minutes. Intuitive quick start menu lets you enter a location by Country, State/Region, County, City, Zip Code, and allows what services you want to monitor.
The scanner has a single large USB port for an external power source and data transfer, if you already have an appropriate 5V 2.1 amp adapter and the right USB cable, you’re good to go, I purchased a separate AC power supply and cable that powers the unit AND charges the batteries.
It is fairly easy to set up and run. I had a Radioshack Pro 668 and this scanner is similar to that one....same procedure to program from your computer. Can be programmed via keyboard but computer to mini SDXC card is faster and better. Can also program by just entering in your zip code.very easy.
The best thing to get for this or any scanner is an outdoor antenna like the Omni-X. That alone with help greatly with reception. I am now getting signals from police departments up to 70 miles away.
This unit does not come with an AC adapter or batteries. I got Panasonic ENELOOP NiMH rechargeable batteries to use in it, but wanted to have external power options, for obvious reasons.
The display is hard to read without the backlight being on, some features are unique to the American market, screen scratches too easily.

Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner

Programming is easy with the supplied sentinel software. The scanner has more features than the BCD325p2. The DMR upgrade works well with the sites I have programmed.
Like all smaller portable scanners the speaker is a little weak but, with earphones or light headphones the sound is really good. Back in the saddle again! Love to listen on road trips.
This is a very easy scanner to use that can accomplish very complex scanning tasks. Easiest use of all the scanner's features benefits from using a computer software package.
I was impressed at the fact that when I turned on my scanner it started scanning my area of Ohio just like the tech on the phone said it would. My husband and I have a good time, drinking tea and listening to the scanner.
I have owned several handheld scanners and this one is my favorite. Why? because I didn't have to program it! And program it again every time I go somewhere! Wherever I go I just punch in a zip code and I am scanning

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

Certifications

FCC