Up until recently, it was easy to program your scanner for wide area/mobile listening. Each bank had a quick key, you hit the key and at first you had 0-9 to select from. Uniden upped the anti when they expanded it to 99 keys, then you had to hit .21 for bank 21. Still not a bad system and it works (and still does with the BCD536HP).
Thngs got more complicated with some of the newer radios. The Home Patrol has no quick keys, and fumbling through the menu's while driving is just as bad as texting. Same will go with the WS1095 if Whistler doesn't change anything. The 1095 menu actually is worse than the Home Patrol when it comes to that.
Uniden introduced GPS scanning with the BCD996T scanner and has improved upon it with every new radio, and if properly setup it works great. This puts the WS1095 at a major disadvantage, at least for anyone who wants to use the scanner outside their local area.
The one advantage whistler has (and some of the older Whistler/GRE scanner's do this), is the ability to lock on to the trunk site with the strongest control channel signal. That will eliminate the need to manually turn trunk sites on and off. I have never found that feature to work all that great while stationary, but mobile I think it would be better.
My programming has the entire state of NJ, Eastern PA and parts of NY & CT. The Whistler radio just wouldn't work for me. Where I do see value in it, is the Statewide 700 & 800 systems. If that is all you listen to, or as a dedicated scanner (with a matched 700/800 Mhz antenna), the scanner could be a big win for people who just are interested in the state systems.
On the physical hardware side, the 1095 is supposed to have a detachable head, that is a big plus, especially in these newer cars. The Home Patrol has no remote option, but the slim design actually would make it much easier to install in a modern vehicle. Unfortunately, due to how the cables hang off the site, and the crappy audio outputs Uniden decided to use, really doesn't make the HP series all that easy to setup in a mobile environment. I won't even address the 536 siren app issue, but if you don't need a remote head, the 536 works great in the car.
Conclusion: The 1090 has potential to say the least. If you need P25 Phase 2 capability and don't travel outside your area much, it may suit your needs. As more of the state joins the 700 systems, there may come a day when all you need is just 1 system in the scanner. Until then, you need something with at least quick keys, or GPS.
My next blog will give an GPS scanner over view and some advice for those who are interested in jumping into it.
You put your zip code in and set the range to 1 mile,how much easier can you get with the Home patrol ,bcd-436hp and the Whistler 1080 and 1095!
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