Police scanner

**Motor On** · 04-16-2011, 04:24 PM

The technology used to be a hurdle but time has passed and the manufacturers are steadily seeking ways to make it easier. I used the HP for about an hour and I loathed it, due to the fidgety touch screen and poor organization, I actually had my much more 996 running with what I wanted to hear faster. I haven't gotten my hands on the 800 yet but reviews seem to be matching up. The HP also has an extensive track record of hardware not firmware issues, that have had several replace under warranty. Take a peek around RR and eHam, there's a lot of first hand reviews out there, if you've got Fry's Electronics around, they're the ones who had a HP out for me to play with.

It's not yet as easy as pulling it up on your iPhone, but I tell ya it's damn close now, and only getting more so for those that don't need the advanced features of some of the other scanners.

**CactusMan** · 04-16-2011, 06:09 PM

I would be nice if the GRE PSR 800 included a gps adaptor

**CactusMan** · 04-18-2011, 12:34 AM

Updating the HomePatrol has posed no issues for me. It has been a breeze.

**Stealth Stalker** · 04-18-2011, 07:46 PM

The problems with the HomePatrol are really only apparent to the serious enthusiast, kind of like the problems with an Escort RD. I highly recommend the HP for the casual user. Like Cactus Man says, it is the easiest digital scanner to program, update, and operate. But if you are a serious scanner freak, it's a nightmare. When it "updates" the programming, it uploads everything in the database. That includes a LOT of shyte you aren't interested in. Consequently, until you narrow that list down to the very few cities or departments you are interested in, the time it takes the radio to scan through them all results in you missing most of every conversation you hear. If you want to hear constant chatter, whether it is relevant or not, the HomePatrol will keep you happy. If you only want to hear a very few specific things, and hearing them completely is important to you, then the HomePatrol is probably not a good choice, and you'll need to either get serious, or find a friend who is.

**CactusMan** · 04-24-2011, 03:16 PM

The owner's manual of the GRE PSR 800 looks just a tad daunting. And the pictures of the scanner use in my opinion too many icons which one would have to memorize to understand what is being reported. But dang it all, I do like the price and the size of the GRE PSR 800.

**CactusMan** · 05-03-2011, 09:47 PM

yes it loads everything but I just switch to my area code and then delete those systems i dont want to hear.

**CactusMan** · 05-13-2011, 02:48 PM

I don't know when this was available for the HomePatrol but yesterday 5/12, in addition to getting a software update there was also a firmware update. I don't have a clue as to what it does but it is the first firmware update since I purchased the HomePatrol.

**bradthemad** · 05-13-2011, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by CactusMan

yesterday 5/12, in addition to getting a software update there was also a firmware update. I don't have a clue as to what it does

http://www.homepatrol.com/index.php?...id=5&Itemid=12

**CactusMan** · 05-14-2011, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by bradthemad

Originally Posted by CactusMan

yesterday 5/12, in addition to getting a software update there was also a firmware update. I don't have a clue as to what it does

http://www.homepatrol.com/index.php?...id=5&Itemid=12

Thanks Brad, I am always more curious as to what a firmware update is for rather what a software update does. I did have the Uniden Blog in my favorites but had even forgotten it was there.- again thanks.