Uniden HomePatrol 2 Review
The Uniden HomePatrol 2 is one of the best and most popular police scanners available on the market. The main reason for this popularity is the ease of use. In fact, Uniden doesn’t even brand this device as a scanner – it’s just HomePatrol – because even people who’ve never used a police scanner before can easily program and use the HomePatrol 2.
It’s designed to be portable and weighs just over a pound, meaning you can take it with you wherever you go. In addition, the Uniden HomePatrol 2 only has two physical buttons, which only further proves its ease of use. The two buttons are for turning the device on and off, and for adjusting the volume.
Besides the two buttons, the HomePatrol 2 has a color touch display and a big speaker on the left side of it. On the sides of the device, you can find an SMA antenna connector, headphone jack, MicroSD card slot, and a GPS connection.
Click Here To Buy The Uniden Home Patrol 2
And while the ergonomic design and the touch screen might seem like the main selling point, wait till you see what other amazing features the HomePatrol 2 has to offer.
Best Features
Extremely Easy Programming
Even if you don’t have any previous experience with police scanners, it’s still pretty easy to set up and program this scanner. All you need to get started is to simply enter your zip code on the touch screen, and the HomePatrol 2 will do the rest for you, meaning it will automatically listen for transmissions in your area.
With this feature, you’re only 5 minutes away from listening to open two-way radio signals and hear the communications from public safety, military, aircraft, weather spotters, EMS, and much more.
Vehicle Mount for Mobile Use
To further improve the ergonomic design, Uniden has made it possible to mount the HomePatrol 2 so you can use the scanner even while you travel. In addition, you can connect it to your car speakers as well for an even better listening experience. The GPS location option will further ensure you only get the best coverage.
Trunk Tracker V
Listen in to channels that have switched to digital trunking with the TrunkTracker V technology. Thanks to this technology, you can follow communications on APCO 25 Phase 1, Phase 2, X2-TDMA, EDACS, Motorola, and LTR trunked systems.
Record and Replay
You can record what you are listening to at the moment, and the scanner will automatically store your recordings in the included 2GB MicroSD card for later replays.
Weather Alerts
The S.A.M.E. weather alerts will automatically alert you of any severe weather in your area, so you can avoid getting caught off guard by any weather phenomenon coming your way.
Technical Specs
- 5-inch-high color touch display
- 100 channels per second scanning speed
- Frequency Range: 25-512 MHz; 758-824MHz; 849-869 MHz; 894-960 MHz;
- Frequency Steps: 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25
- 4GB MicroSD Card with the USA and Canada Database
- Sentinel Software
- Trunk Tracker V Operation
- Audio Recording
For the full list of technical specifications of the Uniden HomePatrol 2, click here.
What’s in the Box
Included in the box alongside the Uniden HomePatrol 2 are the following items:
- Flex Antenna
- Desk Stand
- USB Cable
- 4 x AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries
- SMA to BNC Adapter
- 2GB MicroSD Card (installed)
What Users Love the Most about It
Overall, the reviews of customers who’ve used the Uniden HomePatrol 2 are mostly positive. Users seem to love the simplicity of the design and how easy it is to set it up and program it. While there were some negative reviews, they were mostly about a faulty device, but Uniden’s customer support was quick to deal with the issue.
“I’ve used scanners for almost 40 years now, from back when you had to place a crystal in a socket to find frequencies, and later when frequencies were added manually with a keyboard. Even though I was happy with my analog scanner, I couldn’t pick up many channels since they have changed to digital. The Uniden HomePatrol 2 has been great for me. The menu on the screen is simple and easy to use, and the only two buttons are the on/off and the volume control. Entering data on the touch screen is much easier than on a keyboard. I noticed that it’s better to select an area code rather than a city because it limits the number of unusable channels that just cause static. What would improve this scanner is an outside antenna for better range and reception, but still the antenna that comes with it is enough to pick up the local channels I need to hear. The computer program is very helpful and does the job. Overall, I’d recommend this scanner to both experienced and new scanner users. Exactly what I want and need!” – Robert Young
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you charge it and listen to it at the same time?
When on USB power the unit will ask if you want to continue charging. Answer yes. Then turn the radio on as usual. Charge time is extended when outboard power is used.
How long does it run on fresh batteries?
My unit is new. It seems to have about six-hour battery life. I bought a second set of batteries and always have one on charge. There is a “DC Power” menu. I think it uses USB input.
What is the difference between HomePatrol 2 and HomePatrol 1?
The main difference is the HP2 can decode P25 Phase 2. If you are in the market for these I would go ahead and get the HP2 because the HP1 could become obsolete in some areas. If your area does not plan to upgrade to a Phase 2 system then you could get the HP and be ok for a while and save money in the process.
Conclusion
It’s pretty clear that the Uniden HomePatrol 2 has a lot of amazing features, and along with the user-friendly design, it might be just the scanner you need. Considering the fact that you can use it as a base scanner or mount it in your car for traveling, it would be wise to invest in the HomePatrol 2.
Final rating: 4.3/5
