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

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.

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.

When something is supposed to be programmed ready to use them I shouldnt have to spend hours and hours trying to figure out how to set it up. I will just be upgrading my old crystal units to ones that I have to program. This unit picks up plenty of air traffic miles and miles from my jurisdictions but nothing at all local. The few bits that were picked up from the local fire department were terribly garbled. Lesson learned for trying to take the easy road. Luckily the local departments are open about frequencies and even offered to help program a newer unit properly.

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.

This is my second radio scanner,(My first was a whistler TRX-1). This unit is super easy to use and program. Gets great reception and seems to pickup better and faster than my TRX-1. The speaker is louder and having the replay option is really nice so you can listen to the last transmission that came through if you missed somthing or want to make sure you heard correctly.

Ive owned several Uniden scanners over the years and currently own the Uniden 436HP and the classic BR330T. I recently started looking into putting a scanner into my truck that I could also easily swap between vehicles. That immediately disqualified Unidens standard mobile offerings. Sure, I could have mounted one of my handhelds but reading those screens while driving is next to impossible. This is where the Homepatrol 2 fits in. Besides having a very readable screen, it can easily be moved between vehicles and home when needed when you have the appropriate mounts. I was already familiar with Unidens home patrol concept. Its a small learning curve but when it clicks, it all makes sense. In short, the HomePatrol 2 (HP2) has a massive data base of frequencies available to you via an included microsd card. How you organize those frequencies for your listening purposes can be accomplished in two ways. You can either just put in your zipcode and choose what service types youd like to hear (police, ems, fire...) or you can use Unidens Sentinel software to organize the frequencies into favorites lists which is like a new way of setting up banks. Ive created several lists for my home area but will sometimes use the zip code method if Im visiting a new place. This is very handy as in the old days Id either have to program the scanner before I left for a trip or Id just use the search function to find something to listen to. Now, theres no guessing no matter where I go which is great. Admittedly, as someone who has been scanning for 30 years, I do feel like I am somehow cheating thanks to how easy it is to set up the HP2 but I think I will get over it :) As far as hardware goes, this is a solid feeling unit. Its a little heavier than I expected it to be and thats fine because this is not something you would likely be carrying around like a handheld. The speaker sounds good (not tinny). The touch screen is responsive and accurate. The scan rate is zippy. I ran it next to my 436 and they were pretty much on par with one another. The screen is one of the selling points of this scanner for me. Its easy to ready and provides a lot of data. If youre considering this scanner and want to future-proof yourself against the eventual expansion of some agencies to P25 Phase 2 systems, Id recommend this unit. If youre not concerned or know that what you listen to does not require that system capability, go with the HP1 (previous model.)

This is an excellent starter scanner. Very easy to use. However, while the specs say it can read a 64GB microSD card, this would be difficult without some computer knowledge and additional software. This device can only read microSD cards formatted in FAT32. Windows 11 restricts FAT32 format to 32GB memory or smaller. Anything larger than 32GB Windows 11 will format in exFAT, which cannot be read by HomePatrol. AND this needs a telescopic antenna, if you want to receive the lower frequencies with clarity. The battery management or charging system is very rudimentary/basic. It is not capable of charging based upon the state of charge of the batteries. Also lithium rechargeable batteries cannot be used.

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!!!

My own fault for not reading closer when ordering. Not being tech smart I thought hell just buy the chip put in the zip code and start listening to digital channels and analog. Picks up analog channels great. So requested and purchased another sim card that was to pick up digital both card were the same. I do not own a computer so can not download anything like the instructions tell you to do. If I would have know the trouble it is to program it I would just stayed with my old Uniden Bearcat. Maybe Ill luck out and someone from Uniden will see this and offer some help after all I am over 70 and technology is not my thing.

Easy to use and good design. It did not work for my area however with simulcast. Make sure it will work for your area before buying.