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 had this up and running within 20 minutes of opening the box. Simple to use and picked up all of the frequencies in my area and began scanning by just hooking it up to my computer (cord was included) downloaded all of the updates and it worked. I took it to a neighborhood watch meeting, set it on the table, turned it on and everyone there was very very impressed. I recommend it!

Touch controls are excellent. Really like zip code programming off of my computer using downloaded s/w from Uniden. Having a computer is important. Charging and Non-Charging mode is harder than it needs to be… Mobile use needs a special mount.

THE BAD: I will start by saying I think my unit is faulty. It has little to no traffic when the online scanner has lots of traffic. THE GOOD (and bad): This Uniden Home Patrol-II is certainly easy to program. Turn it on, put in your zip code and it starts scanning. The Sentinel software is a free download, but be forewarned! If your frequency is not list listed in the database, you can only add one additional channel to this unit without additional software. Even with additional software, the channels you are able to add are limited. You cannot upgrade this unit with NXDN or DMR. (A lot of law enforcement use these. So you wont be able to pick them up). the touch screen is a nice feature and seemed responsive without being overly sensitive. RECOMMENDATIONS: If you want a scanner, spend the extra money and opt for the Uniden 436HP, 536HP or top of the line would be Uniden SDS100 (portable unit) or Uniden SDS200 (Desktop or vehicle mount).

The audio is extremely clear when you pick up a transmission. I can receive 1,2 ,3 towns over and FDNY which is 35 miles away, BUT I cant pick up the town I live in (2.6 square miles) or the town to the west. Not worth the money.

I am very happy with this scanner. I debated purchasing it for a few months due to the cost. Seriously, this thing is expensive! We moved to Galveston recently and I thought it would be great to know what is going on and it is. This is the type of scanner that I had to have to hear the broadcast here. I was a little disappointed in the beginning because I was only getting a few channels but I discovered it was user error. I needed to make some adjustments like making sure EMS-Talk and the other Talk options were highlighted. It is now giving me what I expected. We were full-time RVers and I wish we would have had it when we were traveling because it is so easy to change the location. It is easy to use. My only complaint is the price.

these work great for someone that cant program them. i had to add a preamp to it so i could get all the local sight towers to come in to work. once set up it does nice, i program and fine tune my scanners, but for someone who doesnt understand how or know what to put in these work good, data base in already on them, put a zip in and range and go, there is a lot of unused stuff but you can trim it down once get the hang of it. using the software it makes it so much better, or even some better software program it right from the beginning, clean, and it will pick up half way decent. i like it. battery will last about 8 hours, so i keep mine plugged in to usb power. it runs 24/7 no problem. if i could have the screen turn off and keep scanning the battery would last longer.

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.

I already have a HomePatrol 1 so set up and getting started was easy for me. I also got the Advanced options through Uniden because I do use those features. Original rechargeable batteries were first charged in a Panasonic wall charger. Last 8 hrs at medium level volume, which I consider very good. Alkalines last 7 to 8 hours.

I have had many scanners over the years, but this by far is the best. I have it a few weeks now. You get what you pay for. It took a little while (very little) to get used to how it works, but it is really good. Just using the antenna that comes with it I do get a good deal of contacts further then I expected. If you want a good scanner mainly for local info, you cant go wrong. As a bonus, you will get info out of your general area. If you use regular batteries, expect about 5 3/4 hours before the screen comes up saying that the batteries are low. I am available for any questions. By the way - this is the very first feedback that I have written. I have ordered items for many years from Amazon and while I never had a complaint, I never felt the need to write about a product until now.

UPDATE February 2020: Tried to get it to work after we moved from NC back to Florida. It scans the Ocala area data base, but only brings in a couple of weather channels. Only transmit static on all 100+ stations in the area. Too much money to spend for a device that lasts only 3 years. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I received and set up my Uniden HP-2 scanner yesterday. Let me tell you, after trying out a couple of scanners 15 -20 years ago, this one is so easy by comparison. You just put in the zip code, or the name of your town, or your coordinates, and any stations within 10 or 20 miles will be scanned. Then you can easily weed out the less useful ones. I got this model to use as an appliance, not a as a hobby. I will use it as an info gathering tool so I can know what is going on around me in the event of a local or regional disaster, be it an ice storm or forest fire (the most likely disasters in this area) or something worse. I wont be spending weeks and months honing my skills on it. I got it so I can make it useful in the least amount of time. Its perfect for that.